Faculty of Social Work The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda DR. B.R.

AMBEDKAR STUDIES CENTRE

National Seminar On
Entrepreneurship among Dalits: Stories of Strife, Struggle and Survival
(2nd & 3rd March 2012 )
DR. B.R.AMBEDKAR STUDIES CENTRE : It is a matter of fact that Dr. Ambedkars association with Baroda has been very crucial, determining and turning point in building socio-political perspectives of Dr. Ambedkar to help marginalized sections of the society. It was his agonizing experience of hard realities of castes-based society that gave him a SANKALP (Vision) to ameliorate plight of Dalits by empowering them through constitutional safeguards and reforms. For accelerating the momentum of these initiatives it was realized to initiate a nodal and professional institute in the name of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar for encouraging educational initiatives in priority areas. It is with this back drop, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar studies centre is assigned to Faculty of Social Work, M.S. University, Baroda under EPOCH scheme UGC New Delhi. The faculty of social work is one of the pioneering post-graduate institutes in social work education in India. It imparts post graduate degree course in Social Work & Human Resource Management. It also offers other diploma courses such as DHRM, IRPM, SDOM, DHMI & DCCM. The goal of Faculty of Social Work is to impart higher education to post graduate students who shall be employed for the cause of social development, Social Justice and Social Empowerment, Labour welfare and human resource management of organized and unorganized workers. Thus in the context of theory, fieldwork, research and action, Faculty of Social Work plays a leading role in the State of Gujarat. About Seminar: The early history of entrepreneurship in India reflects the culture, customs and traditions of the Indian people. The process of entrepreneurship therefore passed through the potential roots of the society and all those who accepted entrepreneurial role had the cultural heritage of trade and business. Occupational pursuits opted by the individuals under the caste system received different meaning of value attached to entrepreneurship. Vaishyas were considered to venture in to business pursuits. Later as society grew and the process of business and occupational roles assigned to particular caste groups and sub caste groups have undergone sea change. People from different castes also enter into entrepreneur role. Basic objectives in developing entrepreneurship and multiplying them in the society has been to enable the society to generate productive human resources, mobilize and sustain the same in subsequent process of development. The spontaneity and continuity of the process would depend on the kind of people that can be promoted and groomed in the entrepreneurship. Social scientists have attempted to give a clear picture of the entrepreneur. They have analyzed the characteristic of entrepreneurs in terms of caste, family, social value and migration, various personality traits such as need for achievement, courage, innovations etc. Further, they have also highlighted occupational backgrounds, access to capital, business and technical experience and managerial skills with economic gains considered as characteristic of entrepreneur. In the beginning of 21st century, entrepreneurship has received new meaning for attaining economic development within the shortest possible time. But in the process, they were seriously handicapped by the rigid institutional setup, political instability, license raj, imperfection and traditional value system. Amidst this, the Dalit entrepreneurs have also been motivated to come out with determination to do something of their own and also to contribute to the national income and wealth in the economy. If Indian society wants to achieve the growth at the grass root level through social justice and the elimination of poverty it will have to provide institutional support and structural changes in organization of financial institutions to promote entrepreneurship in general and to Dalit entrepreneur in particular. These areas of inquiry and interventions which have excluded Dalit entrepreneurs, need to be deliberated and discussed at a common forum, this prepare ground to hold a national seminar on a vital theme,

Entrepreneurship among Dalits: Stories of Strife, Struggle and Survival under the aegis of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar studies centre at Faculty of Social Work, M.S. University, Baroda on 2nd & 3rd March, 2012
Objectives: To discuss and deliberate Dr. B. R. Ambedkars socio-economic thoughts in the context of Dalit entrepreneurship. To identify factors responsible for Dalit entrepreneurship. To find out impact of entrepreneurship on socio-economic and political aspects of Dalits.

To explore the relevance of entrepreneurship in the context of new economic policy of liberalization, privatization and globalization in the 21st century. To design policy level initiative to encourage Dalit entrepreneurship in India.

Sub Themes: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Concept, Emergence and relevance of entrepreneurship in general. The government policy initiative for encouraging entrepreneurship among Dalits. Status and trends of Dalit entrepreneurship in India. Issues and constraints in entrepreneurship in general and among Dalits in particular. Success stories of Dalit entrepreneurship.

Seminar Participation & Call for papers: Participation in seminar is open to Academicians, Researchers, Government officers, Policy makers, Entrepreneurs and Representatives from NGOs. Papers are invited from participants on the theme of entrepreneurship among Dalits with reference to Objectives and Sub themes. Guidelines for paper contributors: Paper contributors are requested to send the abstract not exceeding 250 words by e-mail or post so as to reach the SEMINAR CONVENORS. The full paper should be submitted through CD (suitable for windows) or in soft copy along with two hard copies in view of the following guidelines and details of submission: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5 Send your abstract & paper by e-mail to fswseminar@yahoo.in Last date for submission of abstract: 30th January 2012 Last date for submission of full length papers: 24th February 2012 No. of pages : 15-20 (MS Word) Manuscript of paper should have page providing the title of the paper, name(s), address (es), phone, fax and e-mail address of the author (s). Fonts should be Times New Roman size 12 for paragraphs, 14 for subtitles and 16 for main title with 1.5 line spacing. Committee will review the abstracts submitted and acceptance will be communicated to the authors subsequently. The decision of the committee will be final.

Traveling, Lodging and Boarding: Ordinary Sleeper class fare will be provided to the paper presenter(s) and registered delegates. Resource persons and experts will be provided 3 tier AC to and fro railway fare from the shortest route. Delegates who require accommodation should indicate the same to us. Modest accommodation will be provided at the university guest house on sharing basis which is located at opposite to sayajibaug gate, adjoining to vice chancellor bunglow. The distance of university guest house from railway station/central bus depot is not more than 3 km. For further details, contact Dr. M.N. Parmar (+91 9824064291) or Dr. Jagdish Solanki (+91 9824174901). Send your abstract and paper by e-mail to fswseminar@yahoo.in

Mailing address Dr. B.R.Ambedkar Studies Centre Faculty of Social Work, The M.S.University of Baroda Opp. Fatehgunj Post Office, Vadodara. 390002 Gujarat. fswseminar@yahoo.in
Prof. (Dr.) M.N.Parmar (Head & Dean) Dr. Jagdish Solanki (M) +91 9824174901 Dr. Ankur Saxena (M) +91 9427062771 Ms. Hetal Chavda (M) +91 9737514747 Prof. (Dr.) Aruna Khasgiwala (Centre Director) Organizing committee: Dr. Sunita Nambiyar (M)+91 9898699181 Ms. Nabila Qureshi (M) +91 9426760700