There Is A General Impression Among Many That Before Its Formation (1948) Himachal Pradesh Had No Social Or Cultural Unity. The Present Work Clears Up These Misconceptions And Examines From Facts Of History The Constant, Rich And Fruitful Socio-Cultural History Of The State.

The Himachal Pradesh Development Report Review`S The State`S Development Experience And Highlights Issues Critical For Its Future Progress. The State`S Latent Potential In Hydel Power, Tourism, Bio-Business And Its Transformation In Social Sectors Is Well Documented In The Report. The Report Is Expected To Serve As A Useful Reference And Stimulate Informed Debate On The Policy Issues Facing A Hill State.

This book explores the role of public action in eliminating deprivation and expanding human freedoms in India. The analysis is based on a broad and integrated view of development, which focuses on well-being and freedom rather than the standard indicators of economic growth. The authors placehuman agency at the centre of stage, and stress the complementary roles of different institutions (economic, social, and political) in enhancing effective freedoms.In comparative international perspective, the Indian economy has done reasonably well in the period following the economic reforms initiated in the early nineties. However, relatively high aggregate economic growth coexists with the persistence of endemic deprivation and deep social failures. JeanDreze and Amartya Sen relate this imbalance to the continued neglect, in the post-reform period, of public involvement in crucial fields such as basic education, health care, social security, environmental protection, gender equity, and civil rights, and also to the imposition of new burdens such asthe accelerated expansion of military expenditure. Further, the authors link these distortions of public priorities with deep-seated inequalities of social influence and political power. The book discusses the possibility of addressing these biases through more active democratic practice.

With reference to Kinnaur District of Himachal Pradesh.