UGC Sponsored National Seminar On

Dynamics of Development and Discontent

27th & 28th September, 2013

Organised by:
Tufanganj Mahavidyalaya Tufanganj, Cooch Behar Website

In Collaboration with:
University BT & Evening College Cooch Behar

Website

ABOUT THE SEMINAR Indian development initiatives and programmes often infused with holistic approach, encompassing methodology and inclusive strategy with concerted thrust on growth with equity and participation endeavour to harness socio-economic growth, improve resources deficit and to diminish myriad types of divides. Though there is no dearth of policies and interventions and some achievements including structural breakthroughs, literally, are certainly indubitable, it is also undeniable that the outcomes evinced so far, do not commensurate with the avowed objectives and expectation, fairly and squarely. Consequently, inter-state, inter-region economic disparities are not petering out, the proportion of people living below the earmarked poverty line is not shrinking at least to that substantial extent required urgently, the benefits of economic development are not trickling down and the weaker and vulnerable sections in particular tend to remain as pauperized as ever. About 2-3 percent agricultural growth is boding evil to and helping immiseration of lower strata in rural (real) India. Appalling is the overall scenario concerning basic facilities/amenities like shelter, drinking water, employment, basic education, health care facilities. Development induced displacement is not only massive, it is also causing physical, occupational and cultural trauma specifically to the submerged humanity (tribal). Together with the systemic problems of implementation plaguing the development programmes, another ominous, if not destabilizing trend relates to the escalating incidences of civil unrest, conflict and socio-political movements. The gut issue in this context is whether and how far the proliferating discontent is an outcome of development deficits. SUB-THEME Investigative/analytical/empirical research papers are invited from the scholars, researchers, academicians, developmental practitioners and activists on any of the specific Sub-themes of the Seminar. i) Paradigm of development: nature & appraisal, ii) Dimensions of poverty & the account of alleviation, iii) MGNREGA: outreach and efficacy, iv) National Rural Health Mission: an evaluation, v) Status of universal elementary education, vi) Gender discrimination and depravity, vii) Nature of discontent: engagement with & response from the state, viii) Association of discontent with deprivation or/and displacement.

Level of Participation Academicians from Universities & Colleges, Officials from Development Departments, Research and Training Institutions, Representatives of Voluntary Organizations/Civil Societies, Social Workers. However, in view of the limited accommodation facilities at disposal, a maximum of 35 outstation participants may finally be short listed. DATELINES Date of Seminar: 27-28 September, 2013 Last date for submission of Abstract of paper: 20 July 2013 Acceptance of the Abstract will be communicated via e-mail within 27 July 2013 Last date for submission of Full Paper: 14 September 2013 Guidelines for Authors Abstract must be within 300- 400 word limit. Softcopy of the abstract typed in MS Word with12 size font, & 1.5 line spacing be sent to email ID. The Abstract should contain a brief resume of the author, email ID & contact number. The full paper, (with Reference style in APA format) not exceeding 5000 words excluding tables and diagrams, should accompany the deceleration from the author(s), to the effect that the paper is the original work & has not been published elsewhere and it should be submitted in both soft ( to email ID ) and hard copy ( to the Organising Secretary). Submission of Full Paper is one prerequisite as we have the intent to publish in book form few selected full papers. Registration Fee There will be no Registration Fee for the paper contributors. No TA and DA will be provided to the participants. It is expected that the participants from college and university will get TA and DA from the UGC grants. Logistics
Free boarding & lodging and local hospitality will be provided to the Full Paper contributors. Accommodation for outstation participants may be arranged if and when required. Pick & drop in Cooch Behar/ Alipurduar Railway Station/Bus terminus may be arranged on prior request.

How To Reach Seminar Venue?

Tufanganj, one Sub-division of Cooch Behar district, is located at north-eastern part of West Bengal, just at the threshold of Bengal-Assam border. The locale is connected, if not directly, by rail and bus services. The nearest railway station is New Cooch-Behar and New Alipurduar/ Alipurduar Junction and all Trains going to Assam/Guahati have their designated stoppage at those stations. From the railway stations Tufanganj can be reached by bus/ hired car/ taxi. Buses (both public and private mode) to Tufanganj or Cooch Behar are readily available from Siliguri, Malda, Murshidabad, Krishnanagar and Kolkata. The nearest airport is Bagdogra, 190 kms from
Cooch Behar.

All correspondence should be addressed to: For further information etc, please contact the following phone numbers: Dr. Chanchal Kumar Mandal Contact +919475549934, mandal.chanchal@rediffmail.com. Dr. Sidhartha Sankar Laha- Contact +919434208480 About Tufanganj College

Email-

Established in 1971this is one degree college having under-graduate courses on BA BSC BCOM with honours provision in Charaibeti or moving forward being the motto, the college strives to developing academically more so, leaves no stone unturned in its longish course to enhance the soft skill among the taught, teachers and staff within the purview of available infrastructure including technology. The NAAC assessed this college in terms the projected and fulfilled goals and objectives and accredited the colloge with B+ Grade. The college has also previously organised few UGC/ICSSR sponsored seminars SeminarTC 2013 About University B.T & Evening College On 25th August University BT & Evening College was established with a view to earning their first of the local youth. Now the college is offering under graduate programme like B.A., B.Com with Honours and General. The college has been assessed and accredited by NAAC with Grade B. This institution also has the credential of holding UGC sponsored seminar.