A comparative study of tools and processes of empowerment and inclusion of marginalized communities as under affirmative action and the EU framework. The case of the Roma of Hungary and the Dalits of India

- Marginalization is a socio-political reality and is visible amongst communities deemed marginalized according to accepted standards of social and economic exploitation. - Notwithstanding their geo-spatial and contextual differences such communities are widely spread. - Marginalization has for centuries been intimately linked to poverty, degradation and superficial superior-inferior constructs based on race, religion, status and nationality - Marginalized communities (in this case Roma and Dalits) could learn from their respective experiences with the support of their own governments, and such experience-sharing could go towards their eventual empowerment and inclusion in the society. - A positive approach in recognizing their strengths and respecting them as equal members of the society could go a long way in recognizing their value and advocating their cause for empowerment. - Inclusive community development and participatory grassroots governance are the most potent answers to develop the skills of these communities by themselves and provide them agency and advocacy. - Corruption and lack of proper management of funds disbursal are anti-growth factors. Unless suitably curbed, they could seriously hamper developmental efforts made for the marginalized communities and the status quo can never change. - An alternative knowledge path of recognising and appreciating their cultural and social capital to the previously seen historical or anecdotal approach could lay the foundation for a better understanding of the cause of the malaise and the means for redressal of the problems on the ground. - Identity is an important marker for marginalized communities though at times such communities, when they get beyond a certain threshold of marginalization and start to integrate with the mainstream population, tend to voluntarily dissociate themselves from their original ethnic identity. Notwithstanding such occasional deviational behaviour, both group and individual identity are means of sustenance and security for these ...