Change and Development in Lambani Society

Dr. C.R. Gopal, pp. 260, Rs. 250, IBH Prakashana

This book "Change and Development in Lambani Society" is the abridged form of my thesis submitted to the Bangalore University for the award of Ph.D. Degree. While I was functioning as project Co-ordinator (1982-85), in the welfare project for artisans [Sandur Kushala Kala Kendra] of the company - [The Sandur Manganese and Iron Ores Limited] wherein I am working, I was Co-ordinating training and production activities in crafts like stone carving, wood carving, cane and bamboo works, doll making, khadi spinning and weaving in addition to mirror and embroidery (lambani craft). During this period I had the opportunity to acquaint myself more with the life style and craft of Lambanis. This, in subsequent years, has motivated me to takeup the present study. I am indebted to the Bangalore University for having given me the opportunity to conduct the study. 

Various Governments, after independence, have introduced a good number of development schemes, programmes for the scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward classes. The special component plan (SCP) is the most important one worked out for the purpose, which started in 1980-81. An attempt is made in the present study to assess the impact of the SCP on the Lambani tribal community in Bellary District by adopting a descriptive - diagnostic design.

I feel highly obliged to Dr. H.M. Marulasiddaiah, Rtd. Professor and the Head of the Department of Social Work, Bangalore University, Bangalore, under whose guidance I completed my research work. He helped me at every stage of the process. Now, he is kind enough to write a foreword for this book. I have received generous encouragement from Dr. M.Y. Ghorpade, Former Minister for Rural Development and Panchayath Raj, Govt. of Karnataka and Former Chairman and Managing Director of M/s The Sandur Manganese and Iron Ores Limited. I owe a deep sence of gratitude to him.

Dr. C.S. Kedar, Smt. Gowri Trivedi, the Dy. Commissioners, Bellary and Dr. Rajkumar Khatri, CEO, Zilla Panchayath, Bellary had permitted me to collect data from the government officials including bank officials required for the study. I feel very much indebted to all of them.

Sri S.R. Sreedhar, the Chief General Manager (Mines), Sri. K. Raman, Financial Controller and Sri. N.S. Murthy, Former Dy. General Manager (Admn), The Sandur Manganese and Iron Ores Limited, Deogiri, have encouraged me and supported me periodically for successful completion of my research project. My special thanks are due to all of these personalities.

Sri. K.M. Rudraiah, Sri. Indusekhar, Sri. Peer Mohammed helped me a lot in collecting the data. Sri. P. Ravi, Smt. S. Padmini and Kumari Anjana helped me out in getting the entire thesis computerized. I thank each one of them. I also thank Smt. Jayashree Gopal, my wife, for her moral support throughout.

I will fail in my duty if I forget to mention about the respondents; Lambani Beneficiaries, Lambani Leaders, District/Middle/Taluk/Village Level Government Officials, Bank Officials for their hearty co-operation in collection of the data. My sincere thanks to all of them.
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I express my sincere gratitude to Sri. Sanjay Adiga, IBH Prakashana, Bangalore who has come forward to publish this book of an unknown author.
 
Dr. C.R. Gopal