Searching missing links between hereditary vocation, community development, and well-being: a case study of snake charmer community (West Bengal, India)

Unlike heterogeneous groups, in Indian society, the meaning and real-life impact of ‘community development’ and ‘wellbeing’ are not the same for the small community, like snake charmer. This vocational group is in a situation of multidimensional poverty. When this paper seeks to explain the causes behind the miserable life in connection with hereditary vocation and the role of existing community development policies for their wellbeing. To assess the missing links between the said concepts mainly quantitative approach has been adopted. Hence, 1109 randomized households have been chosen for psychometric analysis. The analytical dimensions are motivational attitude, conservation ethic, sense of ethnic identity, the impact of laws and globalization, beneficiary level through CDP, causes of exclusion in CDP, and modified CDP proposal. The result shows that the first six dimensions have higher values which signify strong connections between the complex bond of ethnicity and underdevelopment. While the major causes behind miserable life and unemployment are implemented laws and the impact of globalization. And their socio-political backwardness is the prime cause behind partial inclusion in CDP. Based on the study outcome, a ‘leaf-shaped’ development model (ISCD) is proposed, which will apply to the rational welfare of any underprivileged community.