Trapped in Poverty: Chronic Poor in Remote Tribal Areas

Book Details:

• Author: D. C. Sah

• Publisher: Rawat Publications

• Language: English

• Edition: 2008

• ISBN: 9788131601501

• Pages: 224

• Cover: Hardcover

• Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.7 x 0.8 inches

About the Book:

“Trapped in Poverty” is an insightful research that expands upon the work of the Chronic Poverty Research Centre. Unlike many statistical studies based on BPL (Below Poverty Line) figures, this book takes a deeper look into the real lives of the poor, especially in rural India, through a well-designed field investigation. Focusing on areas of Madhya Pradesh, predominantly inhabited by tribal communities, the book highlights the heterogeneity and differentiation within poor communities. It underscores the presence of non-poor individuals even in remote areas, often ignored in traditional research.

The book emphasizes the importance of understanding the local dynamics of stagnation and change before implementing any development strategies, particularly by outsiders. While urban change agents may be genuinely concerned and committed to improving the lives of the poor, their efforts may fall short unless they first develop an adequate understanding of the rural context and the challenges faced by these communities.

“Trapped in Poverty” serves as an excellent guide for mapping rural communities and assessing the relevance and impact of development strategies. The book will be highly valuable for students and scholars in development studies, economics, and sociology, offering a unique perspective on poverty and development in tribal areas of India.

About the Author:

D.C. Sah is a Professor and Director at the Madhya Pradesh Institute of Social Science Research (MPISSR), Ujjain. He has worked extensively in the field of agricultural development, with a focus on poverty, development-induced displacement, and integrated cooperative output marketing. His past experience includes working at renowned institutions such as the Centre for Social Studies, Surat, Gujarat Institute of Development Research, Ahmedabad, and Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. He has authored numerous books and articles on various topics including agricultural technology transfer, rehabilitation of displaced persons, and chronic poverty.

Ashish Bhatt, a Political Sociologist and Fellow at MPISSR, Ujjain, specializes in decentralized governance, tribal development, and social transformation. He has contributed significantly to the field through numerous publications and is the editor of the Madhya Pradesh Samajik Vigyan Anushandhan Journal.