Edited by Buddhadeb Chaudhuri and Subir Biswas

The western concept of human rights needs critical assessment as there is a growing concern that one should not draw the line just at individual right or political right. There is also a suggestion that human rights be considered in a much broader context and there is a need to consider the socio-cultural traditions of different societies, particularly their pluralistic character. Finally comes the question of development – development in the context of globalization process, the relation of development with environment, the question of growth, growth with justice and equality. Especially in the context of disadvantaged people, the “development” programmes are often responsible for displacement. This has happened in different parts of the world. Naturally any cross-cultural discussion on these issues is very rewarding to formulate the proper development strategy and reduce sufferings of the people. Twenty five papers included in this volume cover different situations, issues and problems from all over the world. It is expected that the findings of these research papers would create interest and awareness among scholars/researchers belonging to anthropology, human rights, sociology, political science and all people who are concerned about welfare and development of human being. Contributor Abhijit Ghosal Arunkumar, A.S. Binita Basu Biswanath Gan Buddhadeb Chaudhuri Clarence J. Dias Dipak K. Midya Homprabha Biswas Jesurathnam Devarapalli Jhilam Rudra De José G. Vargas-Hernandez Laura R. Valladares de la Cruz Milka Castro Lucic Muhammed Shamsuddin Pinak Tarafdar Rajesh Kumar Sharma Samar Kumar Biswas Samik Roy Sanjoy Roy Sarah Rogers Saumitra Basu Somenath Bhattacharjee Subha Ray Subhankar Roy Swapna Bhattacharya (Chakraborti) Swati Chakraborty Tilottam Paudel Victoria Chenaut