Development Experience of Adivasis: Case Studies from Kerala

Two different cases of conflicts over natural resources from the Indian state Kerala such is analyzed in this paper- Kadar Adivasis and Wayanad. Reasons, causes of migration and changed gender relations due to development and policy interventions are the focus of the first case, the second case is policies in conflict with rights to resource access. Both these cases tell us some insightful stories about the Adivasi experience with the idea of development. This paper largely argues for inclusivity in terms of the cultural heterogeneity of the Adivasi communities in the whole development scenario. And also, the sustainability of the communities would only be sustainable by giving rights on the resources they possess.

Homogeneous River and Heterogeneous Communities: Implications of Local Practices of Sustainable River Basin Management

This paper examines the concept of resources and communities as it is rigorously used in the sustainable development discourses. The legitimisation of the local practices of sustainable development in turn conceptualise natural environment as a resource which needs to be protected with the help of local participation and local knowledge. As a result of this process of sustainable management of environment, the complexity of heterogeneity exists in the community as well as the natural life supporting system is ignored. The discussion draw on the qualitative ethnographic field work conducted at Thirunelli Grama Panchayath in Wayanad, Kerala which is complexly comprised of six different tribal communities and other different non-tribal settler communities from Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

University Community Engagement: Insights from Field Work Practices

Higher education cannot be enriched without active linkages with neighborhood. Community-university engagement is a reciprocal process which strengthens each other. Western world has accepted the said engagement as a means for aligning research with societal needs. Though, India is having a deep rooted history, legacy and various academic practices, only in the recent times University community engagement has acquired certain significance. For the promotion of new types of teaching and research the societal engagement need to be more deepened. In continuation to the recommendation and provisions earmarked in 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17), the University Grants Commission (UGC) has also launched a new scheme to support setting up a Centre for Fostering Social Responsibility and Community Engagement (CFSRCE) in various universities. The appeal of Honble President of India for setting up Community Development Cell in Higher Educational Institutions (HEI) and Prime Ministers idea of Unnat Bharat Abhiyan envisages the same thrust. Engagement with a community is a pre-requisite for Social Work Education and practice. Present paper is highlighting the community field work practice of Department of Social work, Central University of Rajasthan. The components of university community engagement are discussed in the context of social work practice.

Some Aspects of Community Empowerment and Resilience

In this case, the authors give a detailed account of Punsari village in western part of India which has transformed itself from an underdeveloped and poor habitat to a smart village today. Punsari has attracted lot of positive attention from different quarters recently for its excellent achievements as a village and has own recognition for the same. The authors depict an account of a rural transformation under the visionary leadership of the village headman (Sarpanch) during the last one decade. In a country, where villages still face scarcity of various basic facilities, Punsari has won accolades for providing the most modern facilities to its population. Through effective planning and utilization of Central and state government funds, Punsari has reached outstanding landmarks in healthcare, education, employment and modern facilities. This village now stands as a role model of rural management for the rest of India. The authors have travelled to the village to talk to people and Based on those interviews and information available in open sources, this case was developed. The authors have explored the journey of development to analyze the factors contributing to the success. The authors attempt to present the case of Punsari to be followed as a management model in numerous underdeveloped villages around the globe, especially in developing countries. It is also an example of how leadership and vision can bring about radical changes to a populous social unit. It depicts the significance of rural entrepreneurial leadership in the current economic scenario.

Leading a Rural Transformation - A Case of Punsari Village

In this case, authors describe a detailed account of Punsari village in western part of India which has transformed itself from an underdeveloped and poor habitat to a smart village today. Punsari has attracted lot of positive attention from different corners recently for its excellent achievements as a village and has won recognition for the same. The authors depict an account of a rural transformation under the visionary leadership of the village headman (Sarpanch) during the last one decade. In a country, where villages still face scarcity of various basic facilities, Punsari has won accolades for providing even the most modern facilities to its population. Through effective planning and utilization of central and state government funds, Punsari has achieved outstanding landmarks in healthcare, education, employment and modern facilities. This village now stands as a role model of rural management for the rest of India. The authors have travelled to the village to talk to people and based on those interviews and information available in open sources, this case was developed. The authors have explored the journey of development to analyze the factors contributing to the success. The authors attempt to present the case of Punsari for a management model to follow in numerous underdeveloped villages around the globe, especially in the developing countries. It is also an example of how leadership vision and qualities can bring about radical changes to a populous social unit. It depicts the significance of rural entrepreneurial leadership in the current economic scenario.

Movie Review: Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret

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Rajasthan Mahila Kalyan Mandal Sanstha, Chachiyawas, Ajmer

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Vulnerability and the Coping Capacity of Women in Natural Disasters- An Indian Experience

Disasters affect men and women, the young and the old, the rich and the poor in different ways. Women are more vulnerable in disastrous situations and they need to be taken care of. Initiatives should be taken for this vulnerable group to reduce the vulnerability so that they can cope with disasters more effectively and efficiently. Women more than men are at risk of morbidity and mortality because of their gender role in terms of social, cultural and biological aspects (Meleis, 2005). Womens vulnerability to disasters is also shaped by traditional gender roles, power and privilege, low wages, and secondary responsibilities such as child care (Elaine Enarson and Betty H. Morrow). This study tries to understand the vulnerability and coping capacity of women during natural disasters, and various measures to be taken for reducing the coping capacity of women. The main objectives of the study are (1) to study how vulnerable women are to natural disasters. (2) to make aware of coping capacity of women in natural disasters. (3) to understand the major measures taken for reducing the vulnerability of women. The researcher used descriptive research design for the study. The researcher used questionnaires for conducting the study. The universe of the study is the flood affected women in Thalavadi Grama Panchayat in Kerala. The researcher used convenient sampling method for data collection. And statistical methods were used to analyze the collected data. The study pointed out that the governmental system, local self-government, non-governmental organizations, voluntary organizations have a

NGO Profile

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Youngistan-Discussion on Models for Working with Youth

Youth is always considered as the dynamic section of society which stands inevitable both as age category and social status. There is a strong tendency among politicians, researchers to see youth bulge as a problem to be solved or as a threat which must be treated. However youth are underestimated as positive agents of change and key actors in development and harmony of the nation. But then more importantly, providing a conducive environment for youth is crucial and remains as the biggest challenge in India as the nation is going to be the youngest nation in the world demographically and will remain the same for next couple of decades. This paper explores the role of youth in development and various models and approaches by which the society and professionals working with youth can address those queries and anxieties associated with the youth bulge. Further the paper explores the scope of youth work in India as the nation is going to be the youngest nation in couple of years. Further research and debates on youth work as a profession in India is an essential element to develop specific guidance to support policy and commissioning processes in understanding how youth work contributes to effective interventions and improves the lives of young people.