This book is a compendium of researches and intellectual musings done by college, university teachers, and research scholars, past and present, who are associated with the Department of Sociology of The University of Burdwan. Through this rich collection of researches, we intend to draw the attention of our readers to India’s manifold achievements in the 21st century and the challenges we faced. The volume will be of interest to Sociology students, social scientists and policy makers.