K. V. Sundaram – författare

This publication titled “Modern International Encyclopaedia pf Social Work” deals with the said subject of social work in its totality. This Encyclopaedia contains following 12 volumes: 1. Administration of Social Work; 2. Principles of Social Work; 3. Practices of Social Work; 4. Areas of Social Work; 5. Social Work Theories and Models; 6. Organizing Community for Social Work; 7. Social Welfare System; 8. Code of Ethics of Social Work and Social Workers; 9. Methods of Social Work and Participation; 10. Social Problems in India and Social Work; 11. Social Development, Social Policy and Social Work; 12. Social Research, Gandhi and Social Work Theory. It is anticipated that this Encyclopaedia could spark a dialogue leading ultimately to a universally accepted set of community practice techniques in social work.

Rapid urbanisation in its trail brings a host of problems such as housing for living, provision of water supply, health services and other social amenities. These amenities require huge funds. Most municipal administrations are not strong anough to carry out these functions. The problem of financing the Local Government has been heightened by the increase in prices, heavy cost of meeting the expenditure on establishment and on development activities. Added to this the inefficiency in financial management has increased the magnitude of the problem. It is imperative that a well regulated financial system should be devised to properly harness the source of revenue, regulate proper assessment and collection of such revenue, exercise adequate financial control, both internal and external, in regulating the expenditure by suitable budgeting methoH, and control and enforce a system of regular and effective audit and ensure pountability of those local bodies. Doctor Gokulanand Dash deserves praise discussing in a most competent manner the problems which urban local governments in India encounter. This he has done by taking up a case study of urban* local bodies in Orissa. The findings of his research hold valid not only for India but also for the Third World countries generally. Doctor Dash comes to the conclusion that the real problem of the urban local bodies is not poor finances but weak financial administration.

Public policy is becoming increasingly important in most of the developing countries and the overall development of the society has come to rest on policies pursued by the State. In India a number of public policies for rural development have been launched after the advent of Independence. Of these, the Small Farmers Development Agency (SFDA) is considered a very vital and significant one. Its importance stems from its objective to help the rural poor to cross the poverty line and raise the level of productivity in the rural sector. The SFDA (now called Integrated Rural Development Programme) has been in existence for about a decade and millions of rupees have been spent under this scheme. Therefore, a frank evaluation of this policy is called for which would help us in not only understanding the nature and impact of a public policy but the scope and limitation of this instrument in bringing about socio-economic development. The present study seeks to examine not only the viability and impact of the schemes, but also the adequacy and suitability of the existing administrative structures, the role of the pyraveekar—a middleman—and the participation of the target groups in the programme. In examining these factors a detailed analysis of schemes launched by the SFDA is done and their impact on different categories of target groups, namely the small fanners, the marginal farmers and the agricultural labourers is also studied. It shows how the organisation (including its structures) at the grassroots level and its socio-behavioural dimensions conditions the effectiveness of the SFDA. The study shows how crucial is the role played by the bureaucracy in implementing the anti-poverty programmes. An interesting and important aspect of rural development which has gone unnoticed by the researchers in the field and is brought to light by this study is the pyraveekar, ‘the fixer'', on whom many rural poor depend to get their work done. Finally, the scope for the participation of the target groups in the implementation of the public policy is described in detail. The bock seeks to examine a vital developmental scheme m its larger policy perspective and socioeconomic framework. This is the first in tb series of studies on public policy to be brou'' out by the Centre.

As is well known and appreciated by all scholarly circles, Islam is ideologically against the imperialism and hierarchy. With the demise of Holy Prophet, his close companions decided to select a leader to lead the Muslims. This leader was known as the khalifa or caliph. First, there were four caliphs, called, Pious Caliphs or Righteous Caliphs. Then, the first Islamic dynasty was established by Umayyad family, who established the practice of hereditary succession. Umayyads were overthrown by Abbasids. The most important event in this era was the series of Crusades between Muslims and Christians. Ghazi Salahuddin, the great Muslim hero, finally defeated the Crusaders. When Abbasids captured Damascus, one of the Umayyad princes had escaped to Spain to found Umayyad rule there. The Muslims ruled over Spain for nearly eight centuries. In Persia, a new dynasty called Safavids came to power. Then, emerged Zand dynasty, which was overthrown by Qajars and they were in turn replaced by Pahlavis. In east, Mongols converted to Islam and became known as the Il-Khanids. They were succeeded by Timur and his descendents. Later, Ottomans or Turks became the dominant power in the Islamic world. They conquered much of eastern Europe and nearly the whole of the Arab world. This research-based work is a thorough study of the rise of Islam and its journey to success over a millennia. This is an asset for all scholars and lovers of Islamic Studies.