3 Review(s)

The context of increasing marginalization of the poor on account of the failure of the state to ensure effective development has been conducive to the proliferation of the voluntary organisations wedded to the task of radical social transformation. Poor standards of bureaucratic performance and political sincerity, insensitiveness of the planning and delivery system constitute a source of inspiration and strength to such activism. The present work is a study of an important voluntary organistion engaged in social awareness, economic uplift and political consciousness among the neglected sections of society. This institution being empathetic to the needs and aspirations of the poor and disadvantaged has been in a position to arrange succour for those in need. It operates in uncared politically dispossessed and economically distressed inhabitants in the remote rural areas and neglected urban centres. Its initiatives represent a moderate non-violent activism based on the critique of power and domination and seeks in the ultimate to generate a countervailing power in the people. It has been our endeavour to study the origin, growth and present status of this organisation. The impact of its strategy for transformation has been accorded close scrutiny. It has also been our attempt to highlight the issues confronting activism to ensure social justice and citizenship privileges. About the Author Dr. A.K. Lal is a sociologist of repute having three decades of experience in research and training. He has worked on different themes and has successfully completed projects funded by the Central Government as well as voluntary organizations. He has special interests in the problems of the weaker sections which find articulation in his contributions facilitating understanding of eh phenomenon of change and continuity among these people. He has long experience of field work in Bihar, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. Dr. Lal has been in close rupport with sociological activities of Sulabh International and has been founder Director of its institutions for research and social intervention. He also worked as senior Fellow, G.B. Pant Social Science Institute, Allahabad for two years. He has authored a number of books including the well known work on bonded labour in Bihar, entitled Politics of Poverty. His other books are The Urban Family, Elite and Development (with Sachchidananda), Harijan Elite (with Sachchidananda), Dalits in Action and Secularism: Concept and Practice. Dr. Lal is presently a Reader in the A.N. Sinha institute e of Social Studies, Patna.