At a time when the parameters of justice are being questioned by the masses and the marginalised assert their identity, the symptomatic study of Indian society is a revelation.
Felicitated with the first Amartya Sen Award instituted by Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), sociologist Dr Kalpana Kannabiran and economist Dr Vamsi Vakulabharanam presented their perspectives at the University of Hyderabad (UoH).
Hailing from the city, both were chosen along with four others across the country for the prestigious award. During a felicitation ceremony organised by UoH, Dr Kalpana Kannabiran spoke about understanding structural violence, the social foundations of non discrimination, and questions of constitutionalism and social justice in India. She was awarded in recognition of her study in the field of sociology of justice, especially in the context of gender and of the marginalised.
“The vast available literature across social sciences focuses on inequality without making a mention of discrimination, which is an active obstruction from attainment of equality,” said the director of Council for Social Development and co-founder of Asmita Resource Centre for Women.
A former sociology professor at NALSAR university of Law, she also pointed out the role of disability as providing foundation for discrimination.
She said that the disability mentioned in the constitution was social disability and not what it is today.
She also urged for debate on the concept of marital rape, which is not considered an offence under law and also questioned Andhra Pradesh (Telangana Areas) Eunuchs Act, 1919, which gives the power to arrest any man dressed in a women’s attire in public places.
In his address, Dr Vamsi Vakulabharanam, associate professor in School of Economics at UoH highlighted his research on inequality in the contemporary economies of India and China.
He shared his work on globalization and agrarian change in India with special reference to Telangana, and consumption and wealth inequality during the period of economic reforms.
He said capitalism sheds its institutional skin in this crisis prone system which every time comes out with a moulding process and grows a new structure
The award, carrying a citation and a cash award of `10 lakh each was presented earlier this year by Nobel laureate Amartya Sen at a ceremony in New Delhi on May 6.
Dr C H Hanumantha Rao, chancellor and Prof Ramakrishna Ramaswamy, vice-chancellor of UoH were present at the ceremony.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express News Service – Hyderabad / July 31st, 2013