MIGRANTS IN A CITY 59 families. We covered 931 Dhodia households in this study. Our first main observation is that Dhodias living in Surat city are socially and economically stratified. Th,ey are not a homogeneous or undifferentiated community. They can be grouped into two distinct social strata: (i) upper social strata of white-collar employees and (ii) lower social strata of factory workers, casual labourers and the self-employed. We may briefly note down the major characteristics of the households in these two strata. The Upper Social Strata Out of 931 Dhodia households in Surat city. 96 households (10 per cent) are in the upper strata of white-collar employees. The households are of doctors or nurses in civil hospitals; teachers in municipal schools; officers, clerks or peons in the state or central government offices or in the semi-government institutions. They are salaried employees. They get various allowances which help them considerably against the rising cost of living in the city. They get benefits of provident fund, gratuity or pension. These long-term social security measures protect them against potential economic constraints in post-retirement life. Thus, their occupational positions give them economic stability, protection and also social status, i e, the incumbents enjoy respect or prestige in society. Nearly 10 per cent of Dhodia households are in this upper social strata. They are the recent migrants to (after 1950) Surat city. During this period, there has been a rapid expansion in bureaucratic and service sectors of the state government. The railways, banks, post and telegraphs, municipality, collectorate etc. have expanded their activities manifold. That created more and more job opportunities for those with high school and college education. Dhodias having the requisite educational qualifications could secure these occupational positions. Most of these migrants had their primary and high school education in their native village, and college education at taluka place or in Valsad, Surat, Baroda and Rajkot. Their parents financially supported their education. The policy of the state government to assist the tribals in their education and emplopment was most beneficial to this section of Dhodia community. Many of them availed ofAshram School education facilities also. They obtained government scholarships. They also secured the benefits of job reservation as members of a scheduled tribe. The higher education thus enabled them to acquire privileged occupational positions. Their other family members living with them in Surat are also literate and educated. Together these households constitute a highly literate group. Both male and female members in the households have acquired education. Evidently these households place high value on the education of their children. As many as 92 per cent of the children