Social Sector Development in North-East India (SAGE Studies on India′s North East)

Social Sector Development in North-east India is the first comprehensive book that makes a strong case for people-centric social sector development of North-east India. This book argues that human capital formation through social sector development should be the strategic goal of development of this region, as the prospect for service sector development is much higher compared to that of the primary and secondary sectors. This needs a course correction in the erstwhile approaches of development, which has been driven by political and strategic considerations such as national security and the territorial integrity of India. This book advances an argument for a shift in approach of development policy from top-down, infrastructure-focused to bottom-up, people-centric and social sector development-focused. It also critiques the mainstream understanding of North-east India that treats it as a geographical entity and a monolithic socio-cultural society, ignoring its rich ethnic diversities, cultural pluralities and regional variations. Cover Sage History Half title Full title Copyright Dedication Marketing Contents List of Figures List of Tables List of Abbreviations Preface SECTION I Introduction Chapter 1 Social Sector Development in North-east India SECTION II Contexts Chapter 2 Contextualizing Social Development in North-east India Chapter 3 Demographic Changes in North-east India SECTION III Education Chapter 4 Status of School Education in North-east India Chapter 5 Contextualizing Educational Attainment in Assam Chapter 6 Education, Modernity and Tribal Identities SECTION IV Health Chapter 7 Accessibility to Health Services in North-east India Chapter 8 Child Malnutrition in North-east India SECTION V Poverty, Unemployment and Food Security Chapter 9 Poverty in North-east India Chapter 10 Unemployment and Outmigration for Work from North-east India Chapter 11 Public Food Distribution System in the Riverine Villages of Assam SECTION VI Governance Chapter 12 Nation State and North-east India Chapter 13 Fiscal Decentralization and Development Chapter 14 Making a Case for the Formation of Regional Councils Within Sixth Schedule Areas SECTION VII Challenges Chapter 15 Unique Challenges to Social Sector Development in North-east India About the Editors and Contributors Index The only book that brings together ideas and insights for social sector development of North-East India arguing for careful formulation of social development policy keeping in mind the ethnic and cultural diversities of the region.