Academic Research
M. Phil Sociology Research (2003 – 5)
Dept. of Sociology, M K University (Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India)
Thesis: Child Labour among Marginalized Communities in West Bengal, India
This research focuses on social & cultural factors behind child labour, amongst marginalized communities in urban India; investigating the viewpoint of homeless and street based children (& communities) in Calcutta city, India. Methodology: qualitative research design and fieldwork strategy; participant observation, focus group discussions, semi-structured interviews, participatory action research. Participants: children (individuals under the age of 18) and their families, from communities residing in slums, and homeless squatter groups, in central Calcutta (India).
Summary of findings:
There is a complex relationship between poverty and child labour. Poverty of children/families has intersectional linkages with social and cultural characteristics of impoverished communities (such as caste, religion, level of formal education, domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assaults), as well as presence or absence of governmental, non-profit (NGO) and civil society support. This study reveals that factors such as caste, religion, ethnicity and gender, act in conjunction with poverty, as well as independently of it, to influence variations in commercial and sexual exploitation of at-risk children.
MA Sociology Research (1999)
Dept. of Sociology, Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi (India)
A Sociological Analysis of Informal Public Discourse in Urban Calcutta (thesis)
This research is an interpretivist study of informal public discourse (aad-daa) in Calcutta city, India. The study entailed ethnographic observation of public chat groups/clubs/associations & spaces of discourse; and examination of the content of informal talks and discussions. The method used was: qualitative research design; participant observation & open ended interviews. The participants of this study were: former & current members of informal chat/talk groups
Summary of findings –
Informal public discourse (or aad-daa in Bengali language) has a long history within the public culture of Calcutta city. It has precolonial origins, but it developed with British colonization in 17th century, and with ensuing expansion of educated middle class / non-agrarian populations, in the then newly formed urban Calcutta. During cold war era, public discourses in Calcutta city facilitated political opinion (including extremist views and actions), as well as community-building and literary products (novels, poetry, theater). In the era of early globalisation & liberalization in India (1990s), informal public talks & groups in Calcutta connect local spaces & communities, with transnational flows, ideas and events.
BA (Honors) Sociology research (1997)
Dept. of Sociology, Presidency College, University of Calcutta, India
Student Diversity in West Bengal state, India (thesis)
Funded by the Campus Diversity Initiative Grant, (Ford Foundation, USA), this research focuses on the diversity (cultural, social, linguistic) among undergraduate student population (& their respective communities) in the state of West Bengal, India. The method used were: mixed methods; surveys, case studies; and the participants were: students from different colleges (in & around Calcutta city), and families of students.
Summary of findings:
Diversity among students is mainly in terms of linguistic background, parental occupation and education, type of family (nuclear or extended), and class status. Linguistically, Bengali native speakers are mainstream, followed by Hindi/Bihari, Gujarati, and Malayalam native speakers, as the largest minority. Majority parents work in service sector (civil services, doctors, lawyers, teachers), with family-owned business as the minority occupation. Hinduism is the dominant faith, followed by Islam and Christianity. Over generations, minority groups have embraced the majority culture, that is Bengali language and traditions.
Applied Research
India Rural Infrastructure Project (2000 to 2003)
National Council of Applied Economic Research, Govt. of India (New Delhi, India)
This research assessed the impact assessment of telecommunications and road infrastructure in rural areas in India. The participants were: rural / agrarian population in Punjab state, India
Role & Responsibilities (as Researcher from 2000 – 2003):
- Comprehensive review of existing studies and data (government reports, census data, impact assessments, financial audits, social audits – impact on health, education, mobility) of various rural infrastructural projects in India (1950 – 2000)
- Conduct fieldwork, survey & focus group discussion – in villages on Punjab state
- Data collection for assessing social impact (improvements in health, education, employment) of road and telecommunication connectivity; detecting problems of – end user access, user fees, maintenance, management of asset
- My research data became part of the final report: India Rural Infrastructure Report, 2007
India Rural Infrastructure Report at Sage Publications
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