The word ‘development’
was used for many years to explain or refer to economic development. After M. K
Gandhi defined a simple development formula viz. Economic Development - Social
Development = No Development (ED-SD=ND) Economic Development + Social
Development = Development (ED+SD=D).
Now, the concept of
social development is different from economic development arouse out of many
discussions on community development at regional, national and international
levels. The schools of social work have also defined social development as
trained social work professionals got hands on experiences from time to time in
working with different developmental projects starting from community
development programme of 1952. Social
work itself was traditionally relief and rehabilitation oriented and focussed
on the especially vulnerable sections of the society.
Today social work
professionals are having better clarity on the concept of social development.
The concept of social development is also understood as social security measures
in terms of society’s health except national security. The concept of Social development is
inclusive of economic development. Social
development is an integrated view of the scope of development which should
embrace development in all its varied facets. Social development means
something more than merely socio-economic, political and environmental
development.
National development
plans provide for economic, physical, infrastructural, educational, health and
welfare targets of growth or expansion. Social development planning requires
the perception and delineation of the nature of inter-relationships between the
different institutions and sectors. Thus, social development is an integrative
concept and this integration depends upon a clear emancipation of the values
and the type of society toward which planning is to be undertaken.
The social change
required for achieving social development implies, and is sustained by a change
in the dominant social values. These should be based on rational, secular and
egalitarian system of values instead of casteism, racial, religious
narrow-mindedness. The acceptance of
these values has implications for all policies and programmes of growth and
development.
The goal of Social Development
should be to create a new society where living conditions of people
are improved, removal of tribal-rural-urban and regional imbalance and meeting
the basic needs of the people at all levels – especially poorest and deprived
segment of the society. To achieve the above, economic development is essential,
rural development is an integral part of social development. Budgetary
provisions should be made equally for both rural urban, offcourse not to desert
the tribes and their development.
Social development should include programmes for universal literacy or
primary education, comprehensive health measures – facilities for housing; also
include population policy and family planning. Social development implies a
substantial investment in social services and preservation of ecological
balance too. People’s participation is the key and need of the day – this
requires real decentralization of power, especially financial and
administrative power at lower tier of panchaythi raj.
Participation in the
context of development has two distinct interpretations. They are; a)
participation as an input to development; and b). as a means of empowering the
rural poor to play an effective role in rural development. Thus, participation
is recognised as an intrinsic part of the process of development rather than
merely facilitator. Dr. D. Srinivasa Reddy’s article discusses the importance
& process of people’s participation, different stages in the process of
people’s participation, and various factors affecting people’s participation in
the context of development process.
Dr. Gangadhar Sonar
discusses in his paper on women, their challenges and the role of social
workers in the light of present development paradigm. Systematically, status of
women has been undermined in our society. Now, everyone talks, writes on the
issue of women empowerment. The concern shown and relevance discussed in the
article is of great importance today and near future too.
Dr. R. Bhaskar discusses the issue of Juvenile
delinquency. Juvenile delinquency is a global issue which is a serious issue of
concern. There is no exception in case of juvenile delinquents presence either
in developed nations, developing or under developed nations. This is a major
issue of social concern which affects the very basis of our society. Social
Problems that exist in our society like wrecked families, illiteracy,
unemployment, alcoholism leads to emergence of Juvenile delinquency. These
children are future citizens of the country thus it becomes very important to
reform them so that they become valuable citizens. These children are either
homeless, runaway and have no one to take care of. Thus it is very important to
intervene with them so as to bring them up as good citizens.
A study done on Decentralisation of Power- Panchayathi
Raj Sytem by Denmark resident Ms. Rekha Das (native of Karnataka) has been
included here which is of great relevance. Other relevant articles are included
here which would be of interest to understand the theme of social development
and its different dimensions.
I am sure that this issue would be an important
source of information for all those interested in social development especially
social work professionals and students.
Dr.
R. Shivappa Associate
Professor and Chairman
Department of
Studies in Social Work
University of
Mysore, Manasagangothri,
Mysore-570 006
E-mail - shivappar@gmail.com
Cell Phone: 94481 84914
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