Two Day National Seminar On Development at

Two Day
National Seminar
On
Development at Margins: Marginality and Marginalisation
in India’s Growth Story
(22nd – 23rd January, 2015)
Sponsored by
Indian council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) – New Delhi
Organised by
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY
Periyar University
Periyar Palkalai Nagar
Salem -636011
About Periyar University:
The Periyar University, names after the social reformer E. V. Ramasamy, is located about 7
kilometers north of the Salem, Bangalore National Highway, Tamil Nadu, with beautiful landscape
and serene atmosphere. The University has been functioning as the pool of knowledge by
executing researchers at national and international level. The University remains as the beacon for
higher education catering to rural students.
Department of Sociology:
With an aim to study and curb the menace of the social evils, the Department of Sociology was
established in the fag-end of the year 2008. The department offers master’s programme, M. Phil
programme and Ph.D programme in the same discipline. Besides, it also offers a certificate course
in NGO Management for social development. As part of the outreach programme the department
has adopted Sangeethapatty, a nearby village for its multidimensional development.
Theme of the Seminar:
Development is a contested concept. Development involves whole person as such. It affects and
has effects in psycho social development of human person. A range of theories from oncefashionable modernisation theories to post-development theories view it in radically contrasting
ways. People across the world too have contested it on various grounds. Such contestations attempt
to raise issues of marginality, discrimination, environmental degradation, inequality, dispossession,
displacement and disempowerment which are inherent in the dominant paradigm of development
(alism). Discrimination and marginality destroys human person emotionally, socially and
psychologically.
This multi-disciplinary conference is an attempt to bring together social science scholars for
critically examining the contested praxis of development in India in order to outline the
possibilities of viable alternatives. How development alters the margins is the central question we
would like to address. The (re)constitution of margins and marginality has to be concretely
examined through both theory and empirical data. Qualitative and quantitative explorations on the
emerging processes and patterns of developmental marginality are to be welcomed. Abstracts are
expected to be structured along the following themes.
Objectives of the Seminar
1. To Examine how development constitutes and reconstitute the margins of society in India in the
wake of neoliberal reforms
2. To map the changing forms of marginality which are produced by advanced types of exclusion
typical of a rapidly urbanising nation
3. To delineate the processes and patterns of marginalisation in the fast developing economy of
emerging India
4. To provide a comprehensive caste-class-gender analysis of developmental marginality.
5. To explore the innovative dynamics of resisting developmental marginality as employed by
marginal communities
Thematic Areas
1. Development, Marginality and Marginalisation
How does development interact with marginality? Is it ameliorative or enforcing new forms of
marginality? Or, is marginality itself a product of developmental derivatives? Can we think of an
idea of development that does not add to prevailing forms of marginalisation? What kinds of
development(s) are required for addressing various types of marginality?
2. Development and Marginal Spaces
How does development transform the rural and urban regions in the country? How marginal spaces
such as slums and Adivasi/Dalit areas voice alternative claims on development? What are the new
borders between affluence and marginality? How should we respond to the magic of marginal
spaces becoming protest zones against neoliberal development?
3. Marginal Communities in/of Development.
How are the marginal communities affected by the present developmental paradigm? Why do they
respond to development in the ways they do and not differently? Why many marginal communities
in India are remain unmoved by the elite narratives of development (alism)? What aspirations of
minorities and disadvantaged sections can be incorporated into developmental visions? How the
‘less noticed’ marginal people such as people with different abilities, aged, and nomadic
communities negotiate the (dis)advantages of development?
4. Caste in Developmental Marginality
If development produces marginality, how is it structured along the lines of caste? How castes
make use of development for advancing their interests vis-a-vis the interests of other castes? Do
development empower all castes equally, if differently, how?
5. Class in Developmental Marginality
Is dispossession leading to the dissolution of old classes or the making of new classes? Why certain
classes like workers in informal sector are set lose more from the present developmental direction
in the country? How can development address the issues of old and new classes in both rural and
urban areas simultaneously?
6. Gendered Development and Marginalisation of Women
If development takes place not in a gender-neutral way, how it functions to be an enforcer of
patriarchy? Do the women in developmental experiments get new avenues to challenge the hold of
patriarchy? Can women engage with development differently from men? Is human development
more about the development of women’s capabilities?
7. Mobilisations against Developmental Marginality
How resistance at the margins aims transform the idea and practice of development? How do
marginal sections mobilise for/against development? What are the peculiarities of such
mobilisations and how are they similar to or different from mobilisations in the last century? Does
Panchayati Raj create avenues for resisting developmental marginality?
Instructions for Submitting Paper: Academicians, researchers, scholars, and students, as well as
representatives from the NGO and government sectors, those working in the area of developmental
marginality in India are invited to contribute research papers. Abstract (500 words in MS Word)
and full paper (8-12 pages) should be submitted by email to [email protected] The
seminar committee will review all the received papers and selected papers will publish in the edited
volume with ISBN. They have to send a Demand Draft of any one of the nationalised banks for Rs.
750/- (cost of publication) should be drawn in favour of the Seminar Director-Marginalisation,
payable at Salem.
The Dates to be remembered
Last date for submission of abstract January 1st, 2015
Last date for submission of full length paper January 10th, 2015
Seminar Dates: 22nd and 23rd January, 2015
Registration Fees
Academicians/NGOs Rs. 500/Research Scholars Rs. 300/Students Rs. 250/-
Local Hospitality: The accommodation is to be provided to the outstation participants and the
local hospitality will be provided to both outstation and local participants by the organizers.
Organising Committee
Prof. C. Swaminathan:
Chief Patron
Hon’ble Vice Chancellor
Periyar University
Salem- 636011
Dr. K. Angamuthu:
Patron
Registrar
Periyar University
Salem- 636011
Dr. C. Venkatachalam:
Professor and Head
Department of Sociology
Periyar University
Salem- 636011
Chairperson
Dr. T. Karunakaran:
Associate Professor
Department of Sociology,
Periyar University, Salem – 636011
Member
Dr. C. Gobalakrishanan:
Assistant Professors,
Department of Sociology,
Periyar University, Salem – 636011
Dr. M. Jeyaseelan:
Assistant Professors,
Department of Sociology,
Periyar University, Salem – 636011
Member
Member
Seminar Director
Dr. Sundara Raj. T
Assistant Professor
Department of Sociology
Periyar University,
Periyar Palkali Nagar, Salem -636011, Tamil Nadu
Mobile: +91 7845139907
E-mail: [email protected]
Registration Form
ICSSR
Sponsored
Two Day
National Seminar on
DEVELOPMENT AT MARGINS: MARGINALITY AND
MARGINALISATION IN INDIA’S GROWTH STORY
22nd - 23rd January, 2015
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