Page 204
It is commonly thought that the 'adivasis' or 'original inhabitants' or 'tribals', who form about 8 percent of the population, are very distant and very different from the rest of the Indian population - a perception that has led to them being looked down upon, not just as people who have chosen to continue a particular lifestyle, but as people are not 'not us'. Now we know this is baseless. The tribals are 'us'.
Page 217
Take, for example, our food habits. It is clear that north Indians and western Indians consume far more milk and milk products and far less meat and fish than east Indians or south Indians. Politicians and commentators oftem look at these differences as sociopolitical in nature. But these have a more foundational reason: genes. Or more specifically, a gene mutation called 13911T which originated in Europe some 7500 years ago. this gene allows the huma body to digest milk beyond infancy, into adulthood.
...
A countrywide screening of DNA samples from all major language groups and regions of India to answer questions of lactase persistence acme to many conclusions, three of which are as follows: first, its distribution in India follows a general north-west to south-east declining pattern. Second, the mutation is identical to the European one. Third, only about a fifth of Indians can digest milk into adulthood, with people in western and northern India being the most likely to do so. The frequency of the gene ranges from over 40 per cent in certain parts of western and northern India to less tan 1 per cent in parts of north-east India.
Page 204 It is commonly thought that the 'adivasis' or 'original inhabitants' or 'tribals', who form about 8 percent of the population, are very distant and very different from the rest of the Indian population - a perception that has led to them being looked down upon, not just as people who have chosen to continue a particular lifestyle, but as people are not 'not us'. Now we know this is baseless. The tribals are 'us'.
Page 217 Take, for example, our food habits. It is clear that north Indians and western Indians consume far more milk and milk products and far less meat and fish than east Indians or south Indians. Politicians and commentators oftem look at these differences as sociopolitical in nature. But these have a more foundational reason: genes. Or more specifically, a gene mutation called 13911T which originated in Europe some 7500 years ago. this gene allows the huma body to digest milk beyond infancy, into adulthood. ... A countrywide screening of DNA samples from all major language groups and regions of India to answer questions of lactase persistence acme to many conclusions, three of which are as follows: first, its distribution in India follows a general north-west to south-east declining pattern. Second, the mutation is identical to the European one. Third, only about a fifth of Indians can digest milk into adulthood, with people in western and northern India being the most likely to do so. The frequency of the gene ranges from over 40 per cent in certain parts of western and northern India to less tan 1 per cent in parts of north-east India.