The 11-chapter volume examines how overlapping social disadvantages influence education, livelihoods, empowerment and access to inclusive development.
Imphal, September 4: Social exclusion cannot always be understood by examining poverty, gender or identity as separate problems. A new book released by Manipur University on Friday places their intersections at the centre of the development debate.
Titled Beyond Boundaries: Empowerment, Identity and Development, the edited volume brings together studies on education, environment, poverty, women’s empowerment, livelihood concerns and the socio-economic conditions of backward classes.
The book was released at the Vice-Chancellor’s Secretariat by Prof. R.K. Hemakumar Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Manipur University. The programme was organised by the Centre for Study of Social Inclusion (CSSI).
The publication grew out of a national seminar on “Viksit Bharat and Inclusive Development” organised jointly by CSSI and the Omeo Kumar Das Institute of Social Change and Development, Guwahati, in April 2024.
Introducing the volume, Prof. Konthoujam Gyanendra Singh of the Department of Economics said its 11 chapters could serve as a resource for researchers and policymakers. He linked the issues examined in the book to the larger objective of Viksit Bharat 2047, while stressing that Manipur would have to address its own challenges and make effective use of its resources and strengths.
The volume has been edited by Dr. Thiyam Bharat Singh, Associate Professor at CSSI; Prof. Damodar Nepram, Professor and Head of the Department of Economics; and Dr. Yaiphaba Ningthoujam, Assistant Professor at CSSI. Sunmarg Publishers and Distributors, New Delhi, has published the book.
Dr. Thiyam Bharat Singh said the chapters explore how different forms of disadvantage overlap and deepen the experience of marginalisation. Studying one social category in isolation, he observed, may not adequately explain the difficulties faced by individuals and communities.
The intersectional approach adopted in the book is particularly relevant to Manipur, where questions of livelihood, identity, gender and access to opportunity frequently meet within the same social space.
Congratulating the editors, contributors and reviewers, Prof. Hemakumar described the publication as an important academic contribution by the University. He encouraged research scholars to take inspiration from the work and produce stronger publications in the years ahead.
Prof. Memcha Loitongbam, Dean of the School of Social Sciences, urged scholars to engage critically with the book instead of allowing it to remain unread on library shelves. She said its themes of empowerment, identity and development were closely connected to contemporary society and could open the way for further research and collaboration.
Prof. H. Sudhirkumar Singh, Director of CSSI, who presided over the programme, invited young researchers to examine the volume and offer constructive observations that could improve future academic publications.
The programme was also attended by Prof. Premlata Maisnam, Dean of the School of Education; Prof. Toijam Tampha Devi, Dean of the School of Humanities; faculty members, officials, research scholars, students and other invitees.
The release has placed the volume in the public domain. Its real academic life will begin when its arguments are read, questioned and carried into further research.
