Events

The CRDDP, New Delhi, and US-Indian Policy Institute, Washington DC, invite well researched, preferably empirical and data oriented academic papers to be discussed in a one-day international seminar on ‘Diversity, Social Structure and Development in India’. Out of the submitted papers, best 5 papers will be selected for presentation. One paper based on its merit will be selected for Rs One Lakh cash award and citation as ‘Justice Rajindar Sachar Memorial Award of Excellence in Research on ‘Diversity, Democracy and Development’. Paper contributors can belong to any discipline in social sciences including media, history, legal studies, statistics, applied economics, civil society and so on.

The multicultural fabric of Indian society has evolved over centuries. The government of India, through its public policy within Constitution framework, is duty bound to safeguard diversity, ensure equity and provide equal opportunity. The Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of the State Policy presented in Part-III and Part IV, respectively, of Indian Constitution provide framework for the larger public policy and governmental actions for safeguarding civic rights, delivering justice, and reducing inequalities both among individuals and communities. Well researched and data supported papers will help in deeper understanding of issues faced by Indian society and make possible informed policy decisions.

Recent research postulate that social capital is a form of economic and cultural input in which ‘social structure facilitated networks (SSFNs)’ determine transactions which are marked by reciprocity, trust, cooperation through which goods and services are produces and marketed. Thus, the SSFNs are embedded resources in a growing economy and especially so when the society is defined in the contours of diversity – caste, gender, religion, linguistic, class, etc. While this positive perspective is largely prevalent in the literature; it may well be the case that variety of SSFNs albeit ‘weak’ can generate divergent and adverse effects.

The papers can highlight social and economic diversity across India; trace the existence of ‘social structure lead networks’.  India is known to have developed its economy often over informal social networks with unwritten contracts. Such social structure would also play a role in engaging the governance structures.

However, it may well be that the SSFNs are under stress due to introduction of new technology, imposition of stricter rules/laws in the guise of environmental protection or even imposition of certain religious believes and practices. The essays invited can deal with any of the vast areas of research especially taking in to account the inter-state and socio-religious, caste, gender and linguistic diversity of India.

The paper can relate to any of these topics (though not limited to):

• Relationship between diversity, social structure and development in India
• Equal Opportunity and level playing fields in economic and social development
• Civil liberty, civil rights and rights to development – Civil liberty, civil rights and rights to development
• Gender empowerment – redefining development paradigm in India
• Socio-religious categories and reservation policy
• Empirical account of Not-an-Indian Citizen concept and its political implications

Paper format guidelines

• Maximum of 8000 words including references
• APA style for notes and referencing
• Font Time Roman, size 12, and one and half line spacing
• Data tables must contain the source of data. A note on quality of data must be part of the paper.

Important dates

——————————————————————————-
Abstracts must be submitted on or before: 30^th December 2019

Submission of the paper: 30^th January 2020

—————————————————————————————————————

The Seminar will be held in New Delhi. Venue will be communicated later.

The first author of each selected paper will be provided transport and stay support in New Delhi for two days during the dates of the seminar which will be informed soon.

——–