About the Author
Dr. B D Sharma is an authority on tribal affairs in the
country. His concern for the tribal people began in Bastar,
the largest tribal tract of the country where he was posted
as Collector and District Magistrate. While serving in the
Central Government and also State Government, he was
responsible for formulation of tribal policies particularly
what is known as sub-plan strategy. He was also
instrumental in bringing back the Fifth Schedule, as the
vital instrument of policy for the very survival of the tribal
people, on the national agenda.
Dr. Sharma joined the IAS in 1956. He resigned from
the same in 1981 when differences arose on vital issues of
policy. Nevertheless he became Vice Chancellor of North
Eastern Hill University (1981-1986), covering some of the
most enchanting tribal regions comprising Nagaland,
Mizoram and Meghalaya. He occupied the highest
Constitutional position concerning tribal people, as the last
Commissioner for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
during 1986-91. There after the National Commission was
constituted. His reports to the President are a landmark,
the 28th being described as ‘next in historical significance
only to the Constitution of India’.
Ever since 1991, Dr. Sharma is with the tribal people
and participating as an activist in their struggles. The law
concerning tribal self-governance, which acknowledges the
competence of the village community to manage all its
affairs according to its customs and tradition, is the mostsignificant
achievement of the movement. The idea is of
universal significance. It is spreading to the general areas
in the country as well. It is bound to become a global
phenomenon, particularly in the developing countries.
Dr. Sharma has written extensively on the issue of
change. His writings in Hindi and their translations have
become proud possessions of every tribal household. He
is basically a student of Mathematics with doctorate in the
same subject.
