Cultural practices and national identity: An anthropological study of the drukpa community at the borders of India and Bhutan

This study focuses on Cultural Practices and National Identity of the Drukpa community living at the borders of India and Bhutan. Anthropological field work was carried out for collection of data. This study shows that cultural identity overshadows national identity. Since the Drukpa community is divided across borders, the Drukpa living on the Indian side of the border frequently visit Bhutan for jobs, healthcare and meeting relations. National Identity holds less significance for them because of their cultural differences with the rest of India. National Identity is limited to the possession of Indian documents, the land they live on and the benefits that they receive from the Indian government.