SERICUL TURE AND THE PROCESS OF CHANGE - Institute for ...

on the distinctiveness of these two specialisations. The former has a
reference to improve the quality of people's lives. On the other hand, the
latter deals with that sphere of human activity which Anthropology may
investigate on its own terms as it does with economic, political and
religious spheres, etc. In other words, the former provides an expertise
for practical purposes while the latter is a theoretical science of practice.
Ultimately, this distinction is not to erect a barrier against 'the mutual
relevance of studies made under one banner' but only to focus on the
'distinct perspectives' (Charsley 1990:204). In essence, both
perspectives are complementary and both involve in enhancing the
understanding and in essence, improving the conditions of human
existence.
The present study focuses on one of the leading agro-industries in
rural development, namely, sericulture. The analysis involves the dual
perspectives of Anthropology in development as outlined above. An
effort is made here to identify the process of development and change
that the rural India has been experiencing in the past decades. This
would take the present research into the core of the problem by looking
into its significance and the research gaps. Stating the objectives of the
research, an effort is also made to provide a theoretical perspective and
the methodological framework.
Rural Development and Change
The advent of the British to India, in spite of its adverse effects,
had also been accompanied by a series of progressive development
measures, causing radical changes to the Indian society, in general, and
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