230 Abode of Gods'
Social problems
Many of the current problems owe their -origin to the socio-
political neglect of the area which in its wake has left following
problems:
(i) Social disabilities based on the caste structure which has
resulted in the practice of untouchability and free sex parti-
cularly amongst the polyandrous groups,
(ii) Extravagant expenditure on social ceremonies,
(iii) Adverse influence of superstitions on the psychology of
the people which tells on their health and productivity.
(iv) Socially crippling diseases, diftcient diet, want of hygiene
and low housing space*
(v) Illiteracy has caused excessive drinking and resultant
poverty.
It is gratifying to note that with the increase in the means of
communications and increasing education, the former tendency
towards social stratifications even within sub-castes is now being
replaced by attempts towards caste consolidation and inter-caste
marriages are on the increase. However, this aspect is still
isolated, Untouchability is fast disappearing in the cities but in
the remote villages the barriers of caste are still held tight round
the neck of the village social structure.
The place of women
In tlie economy and social framework of the Himalayas,,
woman occupies an important place but unfortunately her
condition is ridiculous because at her parents' house she suffers
from illiteracy because they consider that if they send their girls
to the school, they will lose the fetcher of water, wood and
ceretaker of small children, particularly when the mother is
working in the field or forest or does some odd jobs. When she
grows, her father very often faces the problems of dowry and
meeting marriage expenses which seem ridiculous in an area of
deficit economy as has been rightly pointed out by Chandravarkar,
"People who need money badly to fight against illiteracy, disease,
ill housing condition and destitution cannot afford to waste their
meagre income in such a ruinous unproductive manner." In
some parts of Uttarakhand after her marriage, she has to with-
stand the sexual lust of four to five husbands because of poly-