Substantially based on the research papers presented at a regional seminar on the Functioning of New Panchayati Raj Institution, this book portrays different aspects of the Functioning of the New Panchayati Raj Institutions after the Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992. The papers contained in the book may be classified into five categories. One, papers pertaining to Women's Participation in the Panchayati Raj Institutions and Problems encountered by them in discharging their constitutional obligation. Capacity building in Panchayati Raj Institution is another category of papers. Efforts have been made to elaborate about the knowledge level and training needs of functionaries at the grass-root level. Third type of papers pertain to the problems encountered by women's representatives of the Panchayati Raj Institutions in discharging their roles. Fourth category concentrates on perception of voters towards Women's Empowerment, Participation and Problems. A few papers pertain to functioning of New Panchayati Raj Institution in totality. Finally there are also papers which are discussing decentralization of power at gross-root levels, participatory development and Gandhian perspective of Panchayati Raj Institutions. The book depicts an all round situation about functioning of new PRIs in the post constitutional amendment era. It will serve as a bench mark for future research on the subject.

The book deals with the role of caste in the administrative process and the decision making in particular. We are given to understand that Indian administration bases itself on the value neutral premise. However, over the years the socio-political system has witnessed an increasing role of caste which subsequently extended itself to the field of administration. The book thus, makes an attempt to overview the caste as a variable in the governing process.

There are seven chapters which cover various areas connected with the theme. The prologue provides the analysis of caste and its expanded canvas. The second chapter deals with the profile of the Universe and the respondents. In the following chapter the concept of governance, decision making and its value-frame are analysed. The fourth one s devoted to the question of good governance, the concept and the context. Caste as a variable in the governing process is examined in the fifth chapter, while its impact analysis is presented in the sixth. In the end the conclusions are provided in the seventh chapter.

The book is primarily an attempt to have an objective look into the role of caste in the Indian administrative process vis-à-vis a value-neutral framework. It is argued that the caste has an important influence on the governing process which affects governance and decision making. It is hoped that the book will generate consciousness amongst the people who matter and should interest the common reader as well.

India holds a unique position in the history of human civilization. The complexities of races, languages and cultures the manifestations of its uniqueness. Even today it has attracted the Indian as well s foreign scholars who have tried to determine the typology, characteristics and boundaries of Indian culture. One of the methods chosen to discuss this uniqueness is to detail various facets of the Indian society. The present volume (Ist of the series) is a humble attempt to analyse the contemporary Indian Society. Professor Sachchinanda, has touched various facets of it in his writings, e.g., women, education, children, Harijan, Tribals, culture change, social movements etc. This boo includes some of these themes as traits of contemporary Indian society. It is heartening to note that eminent scholars in their respective fields have contributed to make volume an analytical allegory.

This second volume on "Contemporary Indian Society" in a collection of original essays by social scientists. The authors are experts of their own field. The subjects of their essays range widely over the major dimensions of Indian Society. At one hand the readers will be fascinated by the tribal situation in Andaman archipelago and on the other by Urbanisation and Modernisation of Indian Society. This volume presents the real picture of rural setting in contemporary India covered through five different papers. The problems of weaker section of India society like women, scheduled castes and tribes have been examined at length. Alternatives of development through social planning have been suggested as a model of development.

The essay on Gandhian approach is the best example to touch human values in Indian society. The sad plight of leprosy patient has added to draw attention pf planners and readers towards the lowest in Indian Society.