Beyond Economic Development

All India picture of uneven/unequal development has posed problems for any serious researcher of Indian society. Many of the states have been proverbially labelled as BIMARU-states by Economists-Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh. Even a state which has been labelled as being "relatively advanced" consists of subregions/pockets which not only been but persists to be backward as of now. At the time of linguistic organization of the states certain solemn promises were made (had to be made) to provide special help for the development of such pockets-such as railways, industrial and agricultural development facilities and other infrastructural facilities-educational institutions. However the nonfulfilment of such promises have resulted in resentment amongst such a backward region-Marathwada. The problem has been further accentuated by the adoption of centre/periphery model of economic growth, which has on the contrary resulted in a lopsided development of the region. It is not enough to share a common language in the absence of socio-cultural and political traditions congenial for economic development. The prevalence of styfling political atmosphere during Nizams rule and a more or less absence of social reform movements resulted in inertia on the part of the people to change the situation. Instead of merely depending on the powers that be for the provision of various facilities active mobilization of the people to change the situation became necessary. The book will be of immense use to administrators, economists, sociologists, planners in addition to several researchers and NGO’s working on development of backward regions.

Dr. Jasmine Damle is an MA, M.Phil & Ph.D in Sociology from University of Pune. After a brilliant Scholastic career which ha been evinced both in teaching as well as research at present working as a Research Associate- Department of Sociology, University of Pune (UGC-Post Doctoral Fellow) she is currently working on her project “Impact of Service Sector (Hotel Industry) and Street Food Vending) on the Development of Pune City from 1989-99. She has had a lot of teaching experience as well as postgraduate level too. A sustained interest in the process and problems of development which can be extended to various areas of social and cultural change. Infact development or backwardness has significant socio-cultural, political and economic dimensions and to explore these in my main concern.