Population And Social Changes In An Indian Village

Micro-socio-demographic study is highly valuable for understanding the realistic nature of influence of diverse and comprehensive factors that facilitate or hinder the process of total development. Historically studying such factors, since Independence over a quarter century period further enhance the relevance of the study. Thanks to the bench-mark studies available on Mangadu, from the renowned Poonamallee Public Health Institute and the pioneering work of Prof. S. Chandrasekhar, a rare opportunity was available to the authors, to peep into the past development process of this village in a holistic manner. In India this volume is the pioneer in this series and hence valuable not only to policy makers, planners, development administrators but also to a galaxy of social scientists, demographers and students of society and culture. The focus of the study include major demographic, economic, social, public health and family planning dimensions of development in a historically important, demographically and geographically major and culturally diverse village through a quarter century period. A combination of Anthropological and survey approaches together strengthened the depth and coverage of the study. Peri-urban location of the village near Madras city and several other factors together transformed the village from a traditional level to a modern one during a short period of time. A unique and rare feature is the rapid economic and social development of the Harijans with the concurrent steep decline in their fertility and morality in par with the development communities. The successful experience in total development of this village will be a feasible model for future development of Indian villages.