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An Autonomous Social Science Research Institute Supported by
the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) and Government of Gujarat (GoG)
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| PRESENT PROJECTS |
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| 1. Social networks and health care seeking behaviour of community living in close proximity of poultry and at risk of bird flu. |
Usually, “avian influenza” or “bird flu” refers to virus H5N1 found chiefly in
birds, but infections can occur in humans. Confirmed cases of human infection
have been reported since 1997. Most cases of avian influenza infection in humans
have resulted from close contact with infected poultry. Till date 45 countries have
reported confirmed cases of bird flu outbreaks out of which, 8 countries have
confirmed H5N1 virus in human beings. Globally, a total of 184 human cases of
[H5N1] have been reported out of which 108 people are reported to have died of
the H5N1 virus strain pointing towards a high mortality rate. Since the virus has
the ability to mutate, human-to-human transmission and global pandemic can’t be
ruled out. India experienced its first bird flu outbreak in February 2006 in and
around the poultry towns of Navapur and Ucchal bordering the states of Gujarat
and Maharashtra. Around 12.68 lakh birds were culled in these areas and poultry
farms were ordered to be shut for three months.
In order to develop a reporting and surveillance system, the study aims to
understand the health care seeking behaviour of the community living in close
proximity with poultry. One such community is situated near CSS campus in
Bharthana from where some people have been working with CSS since long and
faculty members have good rapport. The study began in September 2008 and in
the first phase all households in Bharthana community (n=134) have been
surveyed for variables like socio-economics status (SES), social networks and kin
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ties, health care seeking behaviour, burden of health care expenditure as well as
ownership of chickens, living proximity and chicken illness. In the second phase,
we selected 40 households for detailed illness narratives on fever and respiratory
illness, hospitalisation and mortality episodes. At present illness narratives are
being transcribed and coded. The data collected as well as data entry is expected
to be over by August 2009 and the project is likely to be completed by June 2010.
Akash Acharya in collaboration with Ronald Barrett of Emory University in US is
carrying out the study.
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| 2. Experiences of City Life: Contemporary Surat and Its Pasts |
The proposed research aims to document the everyday life of Surat by
focusing on the changing dynamics of spaces and people. Anchoring on
the question of contemporary urban experience, the study will trace
the linkages of contemporary practices of Surat with its pasts.
Focusing on narratives and practices of every day life of Surat (a
fast growing city located in western India) this research aims to
privilege the question of experience of belongingness in urban context. Sadan Jha
is exploring these issues through extensive field and archival work and tentative
time frame of this study is three years (2008-2011). |
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| 3. Contested Symbols: Genealogy of Indian National Flag and Spinning Wheel |
This is an attempt to understand the politics that go into the making
of various discourses and ways of looking at two symbols, The Indian
National Flag and the Spinning Wheel. These two symbols do not merely
act as an entry point to unearth meanings of political cultural
practices but at moments of production of its various narratives they
also become sites where claims on number of themes i.e. nationhood and
citizenship are made and contested. A number of such events and
processes are explored and analysed in a framework creatively using
both macro as well as micro-historical perspectives. The focus,
however, would be more on dispersed narratives, political debates and
discursive constructs in the genealogy of these two political symbols.
To achieve abovementioned objectives this study will draw its
resources both from the field as well as from the archives. So far,
three articles are published from this study and Sadan Jha is working to
publish a book for which an international publisher has agreed in
principle. A tentative time frame for this research is two years
(2008-2010). ICHR has provided small grant to cover archival research
within India. |
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| 4. Impact of “two-child norm” in scheduled areas of Gujarat |
In order to achieve the target of replacement level of fertility, many states in India
have passed a law that debars elected representatives of Panchayati Raj
Institutions (PRIs) as well as Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) from holding office if
they have more then two children. This law is known as ‘two-child norm’ and
states like Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajashtan, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya
Pradesh and Orissa have implemented this. The rationale given by the state is that
elected representatives are seen as ‘role models’ by people and adoption of such a
norm will create a positive ‘demonstration effect’ on society. However, earlier
studies have shown that this law has been used by local elites in villages to settle
political scores and majority of the victims are women and dalits. It is also
interesting to note that this law is not applicable to MPs and MLAs. Looking to its
anti-minority, anti-women and anti-weaker segments nature, some states have
already withdrawn the law but from 4th August, 2006 Government of Gujarat has s
introduced this law and is now applicable in the state. The present study tried to
evaluate the impact in Gujarat by taking two sample districts of Surat (Mandvi
block) and Dangs where tribal population is predominant. All sitting elected
representatives at all three levels of PRIs are being interviewed to know their
level of awareness as well as perceptions about this new law. Case studies of
‘disqualified’ or ‘victim’ elected representatives will also be developed. At
present the fieldwork is going on and is likely to be completed by June 2009. A
short report will also be developed by the end of 2009. Akash Acharya in
collaboration with Rajesh Bhat of Western Indian Forum for Panchayati Raj
(WIFPR) is carrying out the study. |
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| 5. Social Auditing of the working of Surat Municipal Corporation |
The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC), urban local governance is responsible to
provides civic services such as roads, drinking water, under ground drainage,
garbage collection and disposal, Public health, Education and shelter for the poor
people. In terms of planning of civic services, the municipal corporation provides
in two manners, either it may provide the service itself or it may contract with a
service delivery agency. To examine these mechanisms it is necessary to take
account of the views and experiences of citizens, more especially the poor, for
whom public services have actually been designed. This is because only the
citizen themselves can judge whether service delivery is making a difference to
their lives or not? Mr. Vimal Trivedi and Ms. Smita Shah are the Principal
investigators of the study. Sample selection and final shape of interview schedule
is over, and it is expected to be completed by the end of December 2009. |
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| 6. Negotiating Placeness: Tribal Communities in Western Ghats |
Lived place refers to the subject perception of place; it is concrete and based on
experience. For the tribal communities staying or camping in the forest, it is their
lived place, and about which they have living memories, orally transmitted
narratives and distinct thought processes. It is populated and mbodying several
meanings and they have symbolic relationship to it. By contrast, 'conservation
space' refers to an objectified perception of space; it is abstract and based on
geometry. For the state, forest is a conservation space; a space of the management
of resources and governance of people therein. It is stratified by its quantity and
resourcefulness. State preserves the conservation space because of the resources.
These two conceptually opposed perceptions of forest are in contact at a locale
where the practices of governance of forest take place. By way of contact,
communities have re-constituted their relation with lived place, and also their selfidentity
and relations with others. Tribals communities in Periyar Tiger Reserve
(PTR) are simultaneously obligated to irresolvable set of historical variables of
the forest. As inhabitants of forest for many centuries, it is their sources of
livelihood and dwelling places of ancestors and deities. On the other, being
subjected to the regulatory practices of forest administration for more than one
century, they are being obliged to forest conservation as well. This study
illustrates the social imaginaries and formations that unfold the reconciliation of
obligations. M Suresh has initiated this study which is expected to be over by
August 2009. |
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| 7. Moments of Unproductive Expenditure: General Economy in the Social Life
of Community. |
Georges Bataille’s distinction between ‘general economy’ and ‘restrictive
economy’ is a turning point in the anthropological approaches to economic
processes. He re-conceptualised ritual and religious sacrifice, feast, gift, and
festival that involve social consumption within the general economy. Acts of
general economy are taken to be indicative of ‘surrender of commodities without
return’, ‘non-productive destruction’, and ‘luxurious squandering of energy’
rather than growth. Restrictive economy, on the other hand, comprises activities
of production and consumption to fulfil individual necessities and demands.
These activities are coded by a different set of laws framed in the utilitarian
calculus.This study examines, inspired by the conceptual schemes put forth by
Bataille, the economies of two tribal communities-Mannans and Paliyans-residing
at the Kerala side of the Western Ghats in Southern Peninsular India. M Suresh is
conducting this study which is expected to be over by December 2009. |
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| 8. Searching for Space in Globalisation Era: Fringe Sector Livelihood Earners
in Urban Economy - The Case of Surat city (Gujarat state) |
The study aims to capture and unfold livelihood options available in the fringe
sector of the urban economy. As the situation is unrolling, activities of organised
sector have been making exit as more and more big industrial units are getting
closed. Even otherwise secured employment is on decline. Advent of
globalisation has intensified this marginalisation process of working people.
These large masses of 'pushed out' people have to depend on multitudes of
activities of fringe sector for their survival. Urban economy still provides host of
activities for livelihood to the people in the sector which is amorphous in nature
but nevertheless they give scope for sustenance to large masses. The study intends
to investigate, apart from nature of activities, characteristics and conditions of the
people who sustain on activities of this sector which we have termed as 'Fringe
Sector'. The area of the study is Surat city and it intends to cover gamut of fringe
sector activities in this highly industrialised city. The study has begun in March
2009 and will be completed by March 2011. Funded by ICSSR, New Delhi, this
study is being carried out by Kiran Desai. |
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| 9. A post Resettlement and Rehabilitation (R&R) study of Project Affected
Families (PAFs) of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra of Sardar Sarovar
Project Resettled in Gujarat |
The study aims at evaluating the Resettlement and Rehabilitation (R&R) package
of the Sardar Sarovar Punarvasvat Agency (SSPA) Vadodara, to the PAFs of
Madhya Pradesh (MP) and Maharashtra (MH) who are resettled in Gujarat. 5657
families from MP and 806 families from MH (Total 6463) are resettled in 203
villages of Gujarat. 20 percent of such families are taken as sample for the study,
covering 133 villages in 32 Talukas of Vadodara, Kheda, Bharuch, Ahmedabad,
Panchmahals, Narmada and Surat Districts. The study aims to assess the efforts
made by the SSPA with reference to the aims and objectives of R&R by Narmada
Water Disputes Tribunal (NWDT) on 13 parameters of development provided by
the Narmada Control Authority (NCA). Interim reports are expected to be
submitted in intervals of six months. First Six monthly Preliminary Report (draft)
has been submitted to SSPA. Till date 165 case studies of 46 new sites of
Vadodara have been conducted. Out of that, 65 cases of 15 new sites have been
examined. The trend report is ready. Canvassing of Household Interview
Schedule, case studies, village profile, other field related work and tabulation
work is over. The final report writing is going on at present. The study
commenced in November 2007 and is likely to be over by July 2009. Sponsored
by the SSPA, the project is being conducted by Arjun Patel. |
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| 10. Globalisation, Gujarat State and Welfare for Poor |
The present study on Gujarat is part of a larger inquiry on ‘globalization and
Indian State’. It focuses on the changing policy of federal states since 1991
towards social welfare programmes and their consequences for the poorer and
vulnerable sections – small and marginal farmers, agriculture labourers, workers
in informal sectors and dalits and adivasis. The study is aimed at trying to gauge
the condition of poor in reference to welfare programmes before and after 1991. It
will focus on the performance of the State government in three social sectors -
labour, welfare and employment; health and education. The study will be based
on secondary data-government reports, state budget documents, NSS data and
other studies. Information will also be gathered through interviews, personal visits
and observations. Data collection is over and report writing is in progress.
Commenced in January 2006, this is a collaborative effort and is funded by the
National Foundation for India, New Delhi. The study is headed by Ghanshyam
Shah. Kiran Desai from Centre for Social Studies, Surat, and Hemantkumar Shah
of the H.L. College of Arts and Commerce, Ahmedabad are co-partners in the
project. The draft report is submitted and based on the comments and suggestions
final revision work is in progress. The final draft will be ready by September
2009. |
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| 11. Role of Gandhian Ideas and Constructive Activities in the Present Day
Context of Gujarat |
This study examines the role and activities of Gandhian institutions in Gujarat
with reference to social transformation. Analysis of the component of communal
harmony in their programmes and its impact especially with regard to recent
communal holocaust in Gujarat is the focus. Mainly qualitative methods of
personal interviews, visits to the organisations, focus group discussion as well as
collection of information through secondary sources are being applied. The
project began in June 2005. Draft report of the study has already been submitted.
Based on the comments to be received, the final draft will be submitted by
October 2009. Sponsored by AMAN trust, New Delhi, this study is being
conducted by Satyakam Joshi and Kiran Desai. |
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| 12. Socio-Economic Condition of Rag Pickers: A Case Study of Surat City |
In our country, more than ninety per cent of the solid waste is disposed by land
filling. The dumping sites are normally outskirts of cities or located in low lying
areas, closer to the slums and squatter colonies. Due to this unscientific approach,
a large number of children, youth and women from poor families engage in
scavenging. Over the years, one can notice a significant growth in the population
of rag pickers. The rag pickers emerge from low socio-economic groups and live
in poor conditions without state support. They are exposed to serious health
hazards as the community containers contain bio-medical waste and other hospital
wastes. As per one estimate, in Surat city alone around 1500 rag pickers earn their
livelihood through this activity. They earn between Rs.75 to Rs.200 a day. Their
working conditions are miserable and risky. Many NGOs like Navsarjan in Surat,
SEWA in Ahmedabad and Rupani trust in Rajkot are taking interest in rag pickers
for the segregation process and the sale of waste for their livelihood. The rag
pickers play a very important role in the segregation of waste. While the research
study on evaluation of Door to Door Garbage Collection (DDGC) system of SMC
was going on, this issue had emerged. The fieldwork is over and the report writing
is in progress. The project got underway in April 2006 and is likely to be over by
August 2009. Vimal Trivedi is carrying out this study. |
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