Sectarian and Secular Bases of Welfare and Development
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FOREWORD
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Professor H. M. Marulasiddaiah is well known to the lay and academic readers in Karnataka especially, by his numerous writings in Kannada and English pertaining to Social Work and Sociology. In the present volume he has put together in brief form his eight studies on such topics as types of marriage, attitudes towards, and problems of the aged, tribals as an area of tension, sectarian in welfare measures, etc., a wide and various range of topics, held together, it must be confessed by the title of the book! But it may be argued for the author that the subjects dealt here appertain to Karnataka State in general; and further, the problems analysed disclose a sectarian tinge so far as the people under study are concerned.
​
In his seventh study, Prof. Marulasiddaiah argues that sectarian groups in Bangalore catered to the welfare of their respective adherents, at a time when neither the State nor the Corporation was fully alive to the needs of the people. Thus sectarian groups not only fulfilled a useful community role, but they likewise contributed to the growth of the city. It is now open to the Secular State to take over the welfare measures and lead the people on with less emotional stress, to a more integrated future. But this is not so easy and hopeful. Sectarian forces have deeply penetrated into the roots of our social life, and permeated all sectors and spheres. Our Secular State is communalized! Prof. Marulasiddaiah therefore rightly but despondingly observes: "It is the Government with its political, administrative and financial strength that seems to be the only base that can further the secular interests, provided it is seriously concerned with it. But the communal forces that direct the political activities may not spare even the field of social welfare to be free from narrow considerations" (p. 82).
​
In his first study, the author has described three types of marital alliances amongst the endogamous caste groups, with special reference to the Lingayat sub-caste, the Jangamas who form the influential priestly group. In this regard, I fully endorse the writer's view that an understanding of the formation and structure of the primary institution of the family, is indispensable to apprehend and appreciate the multiple social problems of individuals. Each institution touches another at some one point or another. In their adventure through life, the individuals are influenced knowingly and unknowingly by primary as well as secondary institutions. May be, the former casts its spell directly and intimately, while the latter does so indirectly and remotely. But it is a subtle sociological fact whose significance has not yet been understood, that the primary institution of the family is formed and continued in continuing contact with other primary institutions, while all the other institutions, primary as well as secondary have their being, exist, flourish or perish in the vast Super-Secondary institution of the State!
​
Second, third and fourth studies could be taken together as these analyse one or other aspect of old people's problems in our changing rural society. The writer shows how reverence towards the aged, hitherto unquestioningly evinced by the younger members of the family and the community, is slowly but surely declining. This is hastened by the breakup of the joint family system and by the setting up of the nuclear families. The weakening of reverence towards the aged is naturally and logically followed by slackening of their authority. The problem is emphasized and become acute when the aged are disabled, or economically dependent, or happen to lose their life partners. In those of the well developed -Western democracies, such as the U.K. and the U.S.A. an elaborate and comprehensive system of social security, mitigates the rigours of old age on one side and lightens the burden of parental care on the side of children. In our country, the aged who are poor, dependent and disabled look forward for relief from that ancient and democratic social security administrator, - Death! Hence, the author pleads for some sort of workable social security for the aged, to be maintained by the local authority.
​
In his fifth study, Prof. Marulasiddaiah takes up the problem of the tribals who form seven per cent of our population. Industrialisation, displacement from homes, land alienation, exploitation by money lenders, deforestation, infiltration, by interested political groups-these and several other factors have made tribal population an area of tension. The author calls for an appreciation of the variegated culture of the tribals and a proper plan to integrate them into the national life.
Caste consolidation, social mobility and ambivalence, form the sixth study of the volume. The author has given a sociological analysis of a particular trading caste, namely Nagartha, functioning in Bangalore. The study reveals, how by providing hostel and financial facilities, education has spread amongst the youth of this community. The youth have come into tolerant relations with other communities and are fast trying to leave traditional occupations when they are no longer profitable. They are even taking to modern learned professions, thus moving upwards in the social hierarchy.
​
The last is a statement of the objectives, principles and mechanism of camping, especially as a tool for the training of Social Workers. The author has himself taught Social Work and has functioned as Head of the Department of Social Work in two Universities. As such he has organized and supervised social service camps. His observations in this regard emanate from personal experience. They should be valuable guides to those working in similar fields.
Looking over the eight studies herein concatenated under the appellation of Sectarian and Secular Bases of Welfare, one should admit that each is an original and revealing contribution. The subjects relate to Sociology and to Social Work. They are the outcome of the author's field research enriched by academic study and experience. One may quarrel with the title, but has to approve the items. At any rate, apart from Shakespearean permission to name as you like it, the title of the book is more relevant than Crown of Wild Olive, or Sesame and Lillies, or even The Golden Bough!
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Bangalore
10th July, 1975
 M. V. MOORTHY
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CONTENTS
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1.        Types of Marriage and Derivative Relationships
2.        Attitudes towards the Aged and the Dead
3.        Declining Authority of Old People
4.        Problems of the Aged and Local Authority
5.        Tribals: An Area of Tension
6.        Caste Consolidation, Social Mobility and Ambivalence
7.        Sectarian and Secular Bases of Welfare
8.        Social Service Camps
9.        Metamorphosis of Castes Into Religion - like Groups in India
10.      Sleepy Village Undergoes Change
11.      Panchamukhi Path: A Development Strategy
12.      Rebuilding Neighbourhood in Urban Community - A Challenge for the Youth
13.      Welfare Measures for Destitute Children - A New Programme
14.      Effects of Communal Diversity
15.      Exploitation of Man by Man
16.      A Reconstructive Programme for the Indian Youth
17.      Beyond the Distribution of Water
18.      In Quest of Development Strategy
19.      Social Planning for Total Development
20.      Schools of Social Work and Training of Paraprofessionals
21.      Social Work Education and Practice in Karnataka
22.      Quality and Competency Requirements for Social Workers in the 21st Century
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Appendix
Departments/Schools of Social Work in Karnataka
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Professor H. M. Marulasiddaiah is well known to the lay and academic readers in Karnataka especially, by his numerous writings in Kannada and English pertaining to Social Work and Sociology. In the present volume he has put together in brief form his eight studies on such topics as types of marriage, attitudes towards, and problems of the aged, tribals as an area of tension, sectarian in welfare measures, etc., a wide and various range of topics, held together, it must be confessed by the title of the book! But it may be argued for the author that the subjects dealt here appertain to Karnataka State in general; and further, the problems analysed disclose a sectarian tinge so far as the people under study are concerned.
​
In his seventh study, Prof. Marulasiddaiah argues that sectarian groups in Bangalore catered to the welfare of their respective adherents, at a time when neither the State nor the Corporation was fully alive to the needs of the people. Thus sectarian groups not only fulfilled a useful community role, but they likewise contributed to the growth of the city. It is now open to the Secular State to take over the welfare measures and lead the people on with less emotional stress, to a more integrated future. But this is not so easy and hopeful. Sectarian forces have deeply penetrated into the roots of our social life, and permeated all sectors and spheres. Our Secular State is communalized! Prof. Marulasiddaiah therefore rightly but despondingly observes: "It is the Government with its political, administrative and financial strength that seems to be the only base that can further the secular interests, provided it is seriously concerned with it. But the communal forces that direct the political activities may not spare even the field of social welfare to be free from narrow considerations" (p. 82).
​
In his first study, the author has described three types of marital alliances amongst the endogamous caste groups, with special reference to the Lingayat sub-caste, the Jangamas who form the influential priestly group. In this regard, I fully endorse the writer's view that an understanding of the formation and structure of the primary institution of the family, is indispensable to apprehend and appreciate the multiple social problems of individuals. Each institution touches another at some one point or another. In their adventure through life, the individuals are influenced knowingly and unknowingly by primary as well as secondary institutions. May be, the former casts its spell directly and intimately, while the latter does so indirectly and remotely. But it is a subtle sociological fact whose significance has not yet been understood, that the primary institution of the family is formed and continued in continuing contact with other primary institutions, while all the other institutions, primary as well as secondary have their being, exist, flourish or perish in the vast Super-Secondary institution of the State!
​
Second, third and fourth studies could be taken together as these analyse one or other aspect of old people's problems in our changing rural society. The writer shows how reverence towards the aged, hitherto unquestioningly evinced by the younger members of the family and the community, is slowly but surely declining. This is hastened by the breakup of the joint family system and by the setting up of the nuclear families. The weakening of reverence towards the aged is naturally and logically followed by slackening of their authority. The problem is emphasized and become acute when the aged are disabled, or economically dependent, or happen to lose their life partners. In those of the well developed -Western democracies, such as the U.K. and the U.S.A. an elaborate and comprehensive system of social security, mitigates the rigours of old age on one side and lightens the burden of parental care on the side of children. In our country, the aged who are poor, dependent and disabled look forward for relief from that ancient and democratic social security administrator, - Death! Hence, the author pleads for some sort of workable social security for the aged, to be maintained by the local authority.
​
In his fifth study, Prof. Marulasiddaiah takes up the problem of the tribals who form seven per cent of our population. Industrialisation, displacement from homes, land alienation, exploitation by money lenders, deforestation, infiltration, by interested political groups-these and several other factors have made tribal population an area of tension. The author calls for an appreciation of the variegated culture of the tribals and a proper plan to integrate them into the national life.
Caste consolidation, social mobility and ambivalence, form the sixth study of the volume. The author has given a sociological analysis of a particular trading caste, namely Nagartha, functioning in Bangalore. The study reveals, how by providing hostel and financial facilities, education has spread amongst the youth of this community. The youth have come into tolerant relations with other communities and are fast trying to leave traditional occupations when they are no longer profitable. They are even taking to modern learned professions, thus moving upwards in the social hierarchy.
​
The last is a statement of the objectives, principles and mechanism of camping, especially as a tool for the training of Social Workers. The author has himself taught Social Work and has functioned as Head of the Department of Social Work in two Universities. As such he has organized and supervised social service camps. His observations in this regard emanate from personal experience. They should be valuable guides to those working in similar fields.
Looking over the eight studies herein concatenated under the appellation of Sectarian and Secular Bases of Welfare, one should admit that each is an original and revealing contribution. The subjects relate to Sociology and to Social Work. They are the outcome of the author's field research enriched by academic study and experience. One may quarrel with the title, but has to approve the items. At any rate, apart from Shakespearean permission to name as you like it, the title of the book is more relevant than Crown of Wild Olive, or Sesame and Lillies, or even The Golden Bough!
Â
Bangalore
10th July, 1975
 M. V. MOORTHY
Â
CONTENTS
Â
1.        Types of Marriage and Derivative Relationships
2.        Attitudes towards the Aged and the Dead
3.        Declining Authority of Old People
4.        Problems of the Aged and Local Authority
5.        Tribals: An Area of Tension
6.        Caste Consolidation, Social Mobility and Ambivalence
7.        Sectarian and Secular Bases of Welfare
8.        Social Service Camps
9.        Metamorphosis of Castes Into Religion - like Groups in India
10.      Sleepy Village Undergoes Change
11.      Panchamukhi Path: A Development Strategy
12.      Rebuilding Neighbourhood in Urban Community - A Challenge for the Youth
13.      Welfare Measures for Destitute Children - A New Programme
14.      Effects of Communal Diversity
15.      Exploitation of Man by Man
16.      A Reconstructive Programme for the Indian Youth
17.      Beyond the Distribution of Water
18.      In Quest of Development Strategy
19.      Social Planning for Total Development
20.      Schools of Social Work and Training of Paraprofessionals
21.      Social Work Education and Practice in Karnataka
22.      Quality and Competency Requirements for Social Workers in the 21st Century
Â
Appendix
Departments/Schools of Social Work in Karnataka
