CSS accomplished over 300 research projects in 50 years of inception

SURAT: Centre for Social Studies (CSS), an autonomous social science research institute of national repute in the city, is celebrating its 50 years of inception. The year-long celebration started with a lecture by E V Ramakrishnan, professor emeritus, Central University of Gujarat, Gandhinagar on ‘From the politics of social change to the poetics of self knowledge: Sree Narayana Guru, the social reformer as philosopher-poet’ here on Saturday. A number of teachers of Veer Narmad South Gujarat University (VNSGU) and scholars from the city participated.
Ramakrishnan talked about Sree Narayana Guru’s efforts in bringing social reform by creating awareness against the rigid caste system in Kerala. The lecture focused on the Guru’s contribution in social reform through poetry which he used to recite for his followers. He also referred to multiple meetings that the Guru had with Mahatma Gandhi. The lecture session was chaired by professor P J Patel, chairman of board of governors, CSS.
Founded in 1969 by professor I P Desai, CSS is recognized by MHRD and receives financial support from ICSSR, New Delhi and state government. Besides research activities, CSS has been holding regular lectures and publishes a quarterly journal Arthat in Gujarati since 1981. CSS has so far published 160 books and 19 selected bibliographies on important themes and done several studies on tribals, Dalits, working classes, women, minority groups, sects and religions, migration, rural transformation, social conflicts, movements, riots and violence, urban society, literature, social consciousness etc.
CSS has until now organized 107 national and international seminars and 27 lectures in memory of its founding director I P Desai.
“The centre’s research not only contributes to theoretical knowledge but assists in policy formulations pertaining to social development. CSS has accomplished more than 300 research projects till date,” CSS director Kiran Desai said.