This book discusses the phenomenon of the emergence of the Gouda community in Andhra Pradesh Politics from a historical perspective from 1956 to 2009. This work is very rare since no work has been done on the particular Cates's socio-political upliftment in erstwhile Andhra Pradesh State. The historical evidence of the origin and emergence of the Gouda community and the struggles carry forwarded by the leaders of this community. These dimensions are discussed in six chapters of this book. The theoretical and practical concepts and contextualization of the Gouda community's struggles in the entire Andhra Parades State were discussed with a historical perspective and the parochial vicissitudes of the movements of the gouda community were discussed elaborately and intricately. This work is confined to the socio, cultural, economical and political emancipation of the gouda community and its rise to prominence in Andhra Pradesh state from the post-independent period to 2009. The period of the study is significant because it deals with the changing conditions of the Gouda community over a period of a half-century. Since the year 1956 has observed historical socio, political changes in the form of formation of the Andhra Pradesh state, the study begins with that year and Telangana statehood movement taken a historical turn in 2009 with the formation of political JAC and all caste groups formed as the JACs and worked with Telangana movement hence the study ends in 2009. In the part of mainstream historical studies, the contributions of Gouda community leaders and the growth and various stages of the Gouda caste movements have not been accounted for well. Therefore, this work hopefully fulfills the dearth of historical study on this community.

India is rich in its oral tradition. Its antiquity defies historical inquiry. Indian folklore offers diversity in the forms of expression while retaining the unity of theme, i.e. Dharma., The forms may be changing periodically to suit the times. The purpose of these popular art forms has been the same in a way as the classical arts. They provide education through entertainment. Andhra Desa, comprising roughly the present state of Andhra Pradesh, is very significant in its folk tradition in variety of forms. Numerous producing and service castes so far maintained their own sub castes of bards to retain their collective memory of the community and family histories besides propagating the Puranic knowledge and stories from great epics. The dependent sub-castes who have been so far preserving these arts and ancient knowledge are speedily disappearing due to lack of patronage and changing life-style. In this context, this book, the result of a painstaking research involving lot of field work may serve as a tribute to those unselfish barefoot narrators and preservers of history of bygone ages.

Using quantitative techniques, this volume provides empirical evidence on the crucial role of public provisioning of food, water, sanitation and health care in reducing undernutrition among women and children in India. The linkages are cogently explored and connected to the sustainable development goals. Key data comes from recent large secondary sources at district, household and individual levels and the econometric methodologies are clearly explained. Taken as a whole, it highlights the effects of public provisioning on malnutrition and identifies the relative importance of agricultural growth in resolving the nutrition problems in rural and semi-urban areas of India. This edited volume will be valuable reading for advanced graduate students, researchers and practitioners in development economics, development studies, and nutrition and public health.

On the Vaisyas caste of Andhra Pradesh, India.

Study of Warangal District, Andhra Pradesh.