About the Book It is only occasionally that one comes across books which are analytically incisive yet general enough to be useful to policy makers, planners and administrators alike. Development Strategy for An Agricultural Region is one of them. The book brings out so very clearly the intimate relationship between spatial structure of the rural economy and the speed and pattern of its development. With a focus on Muzaffarnagar, district of Uttar Pradesh, it suggests a spatial strategy for rural development, consistent with the modified central place theory of Christaller and the empirical findings of the author.
The book is a must for geographers, economists, planners, administrators and all those who are concerned with rural develop ment planning in India.
About the Author Professor V. I.. S. Prakasa Rao is one of the foremost geographers whose contributions to regional planning and urban studies remain unparalleled in India. Born on February 23, 1917, Rao received his master and doctoral degrees from Calcutta University. Soon after, he plunged into academic activity and worked in Madras University, Madras, Indian Statistical Institute. Calcutta, Osmania University, Hyderabad and Delhi University, Delhi in various responsible academic positions before joining the Institute for Social and Economic Change as a Senior Fellow and Head of the Centre for Human Geography and Ecology. Among the various publications of Prof. Rao, the ones on Regional Planning and on Urbanization in Karnataka published by Asia Publishing House for the Indian Statistical Institute continue to be classics in the field. He is also the co-author of Regional Development Planning in India-A New Strategy, published by Vikas Publishing House, Delhi in 1974.
Foreword It is rare obligation, a unique opportunity and a great blessing that I happen to be the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Mysore on the eve of its Centenary Celebrations. This University is my alma mater. I have grown on its lap from my student days; I have breathed its salubrious air as a young teacher; I have learnt the fine art of teaching and the arduous task of research from revered Professors who have showered on me and all those who came in contact with them unbounded love and affection. It is this act of compassion that has inculcated in me the generosity of heart and far-reaching vision to do good to the academia as well as to the society at large.
Preface Destiny of Karnataka was directed towards an enlightened path when the University of Mysore came into existence on 27 July 1916. Since that time it has shaped the future of millions of our youngsters. The seed that was shown on that day has now grown into a massive tree yielding several Universities that have become agents of great social and economic change. We salute two mighty souls for this; one is Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, the Maharaja of Mysore and the other his able Dewan, Sir M. Visvesvaraya, who were the real guardians of the State. They conceived the idea that the prosperity of the country would depend upon the prosperity of those who labour with their hands. They rightly thought that the great unknown masses of men and women who are at the base are the real dynamic force that lift the society to a higher level. They were of the view that the resurgence of a country could come not through the narrow gates of politics but through the floodgates of higher education, which would impart to the people knowledge, skill and wisdom. The utility, vitality and the fruit of their thoughts have been such that Kamataka now occupies a prominent place in the realm of science and technology. Every Kannadiga could boast today that our Silicon City of Bengaluru is on the world map of technology. All this was possible because of the seed of aristocracy of intellect that was sown one hundred years ago. This volume gives a brief sketch of all that happened during this period.
Introduction Universities are sacred temples of higher learning that advance such attributes as knowledge, skill, wisdom and understanding. They are the inner conscience of a society. They are the architects of a country's culture. They bring about a great social change. They help build up the economy of the land. They are instrumental for political institutions to grow. They form the brick and mortar of administrative structure. It is a matter of great pride that the University of Mysore has attempted to achieve all these objectives. Its hundred summers and springs have been exceedingly fruitful. Conceived with the intention of moulding our people into a civilized society, it has done much to make our State a model State. It has contributed much, much to the realm of arts, letters, language, literature, philosophy, science, technology and culture. It has directed the march of our youth towards a meaningful and significant life. It has added to the wealth of our land by gifting our children a superior mind. It has dotted its alumni all over the world, who are holding high the banner of our culture.
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