Preface
The present book examines the relevance of Gandhian economic philosophy relating to rural development in the 21 century. Of course, in the wake of liberalization, globalization and privatization there is talk of rural development the world over. Hence rural development is an absolute and urgent necessity in India now and will continue to be so in future. India has been a land of villages since time immemorial. The predominately rural character of India's national economy is reflected in very high proportion of population living in rural areas. A number of approaches to rural development have been experimented in India from pre-colonial era to present day. Gandhian approach to rural development is an unequal and noteworthy approach. According to Mahatma Gandhi rural development is a sine qua non of the development of India as he wrote "I would say that if the village perishes, India will perish too. It will be no more India. Her own mission in the world will get lost. The revival of the village life is possible only when it is no more exploited. Gandhiji realized that India means villages and if India was to advance, her village must advance. He loved villages and extolled rural life. Hence he was deeply interested in rural development. Modern economics is also interested in rural development. But the approach of Gandhi and the approach of the adherents of modern economics are not only vastly different but also polar opposites. Modern economics regards development quantitative accumulation and augmentation of agricultural output increases. The proponents of the modern economics think that there is development. But according to Gandhian concept this magnification is growth, not development. Growth deals with quantity but develops with quality. Further, growth has its eyes fixed on things or articles or on commodities, but Gandhi's eyes are fixed on man, on the realization of his possibilities and on his advice as an enriched personality. Further growth may exercise the common man the rural poor and may exalt the handful of persons. The boon of growth goes to the fortunate few but the bane repairs to the unfortunate many. The minority of the rural population basks in the sun shine of glory but the majority wallows in the grime. The benefit of growth goes to the chosen and the burden is borne by all and sundry. Growth becomes a Crown for some and crosses for many. As In the context of modern views and ideologies the present book as special significance as it has tried to determine the various conceptual issues and dimensions of rural development. The plight of rural sector from pre-colonial era to the present day has been assessed. The conditions making for flights and falls of Gandhian approach to rural development have been highlighted. The relevance of Gandhian concept of rural development has been examined, analyzed and scrutinised in the present hostile context, i.e., the era of globalization. The completion of this book has turned the researcher into debtors. The first debt that I owe is to the scholar and writers who have contributed in different ways to the subject matter of the problem. Their concepts and ideas have served as raw materials for this book and food for thought to the author. Due acknowledgments have been made in reforms and the bibliography, appended at the end, includes most of them.
About The Author
Dr. Awadhesh Kumar Mishra, M.A. (Econ), Ph.D (Born on 2nd January 1961) is Assistant Professor. Department of Economics, SNSRKS College, Saharsa, a constituent unit of BN Mandal University, Madhepura (Bihar). After obtaining his M.A. degree from Patna University in 1984 he jointed as Lecturer in Economics at SNSRKS College, Saharsa. He is a very popular teacher of economics both in under graduate and post graduate levels of the College. He has contributed a number of research papers published in various reputed national journals. He keeps himself actively associated with research and teaching activities. His present book is the continuous academic efforts in teaching and research activities in economics.
About The Book
The basic theme of the book has been woven in seven chapters which have been so designed as to provide a comprehensive picture of the book. The first chapter deals with conceptual issues and dimensions of rural development. It has highlighted and pinpointed the concept of Gandhiji regarding rural development. The second chapter deals with the Gandhian views on the concept of sustainable, development. The third chapter examines the pros and cons of industrialization and Gandhian ideas about Khadi and village industries. The chapter four presents a comparative picture on the Gandhian concept of Panchayti Raj vis-à-vis new Panchayti Raj system. The chapter five deliberates upon the concept and significance of equity and social justice propounded by Gandhiji. The chapter six delineates the relevance of Gandhian economic thought in the era of globalization, privatization and liberalization. The last chapter contains summary and conclusion.
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