Origin and Development of Social Work in India Editor Prof. Gracious Thomas School of Social Work Indira Gandhi National Open University Maidan Garhi, New Delhi 110068 March, 2010 © Indira Gandhi National Open University, 2010 ISBN: All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in any form, by mimeography or any other means, without permission in writing from the Indira Gandhi National Open University. Further information on the Indira Gandhi National Open University courses may be obtained from the University’s Office at Maidan Garhi, New Delhi-110 068. Printed and published on behalf of the Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi, by Director, School of Social Work. Print Production: Shri Kulwant Singh. Laser typeset by Nath Graphics, 1/21, Sarvapriya Vihar, New Delhi -110 016. Printed at : Preface History of Social Work is an age old phenomenon. The seeds of the origin of Social Work could be traced from global ideologies which include humanism, rationalism, welfarism, liberalism, democracy, secularism and utilitarianism. Selfish desires and human sufferings existed in societies across the globe alongwith concern for the poor and the concept of mutual assistance to protect humanity. Social work emerged from the perspectives of charity, social reforms, and social and welfare services. Local rulers, kings, queens, landlords, foreign conquerors, and elected governments across the world did initiate welfare programmes to extant the much needed care and support to the people. World religions and philanthropists too provided welfare services to mitigate, the sufferings of people. Social Work concepts in India thus had its origins in charity, reform movements, religious teachings, and initiatives by philanthropists. Although professional social work was recognized and developed by western societies, the bases on which the profession grew simultaneously existed in every continent. India perhaps has a stronger foundation in terms of philanthropic concerns. The contribution of various religions, care and support initiatives provided by local rulers and subsequently by the elected governments of the Independent India bear witness to this debate. In this volume some of the best social work professionals have presented rich evidence of the contributions made by the state which include kings, queens, local rulers and elected governments in India from pre-colonial period to the present day democratically elected government, initiatives by renowned individuals, social reforms through social movements, initiatives by NGOs, initiatives by Hindu, Islam, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist and Christian religions and the Gandhian concepts related to social work. The authors have also dealt at length about the current status of professional social work education, training, practice as well as the extent of availability of social work literature in India. The nineteen chapters presented in this volume provide adequate literature about the history of social work in India from various perspectives. This is the first ever effort by professional social workers to record the origin and development of social work in Indian sub-continent. Obligations involved in the preparation of this volume have been many. It is not feasible to adequately express the debt that I owe to the many experts, institutions and documents that assisted me to make this compilation possible. On behalf of the School of Social Work, IGNOU, I wish to express our profound gratitude to several authors from across the country who include Dr. Neena Pandey, M. Manju Gupta, Ms. Sushmita Patel, Dr. Bishnu Mohan Dash, Mr. K.K. Singh, Ms. Nita Kumari, Dr. V.V. Devasia, Ms. Manju Kumar, Prof. M.Z. Khan, Dr. Ushvinder Kaur Popli, Dr. Ashutosh Pradhan, Dr. Suresh Pathare, Prof. Ashok Sarkar, Mr. Gurupada Saren, Mr. Narender Dubey, Ms. Trishti Bhardwaj, Prof. Sanjai Bhatt, Dr. R. Nalini and Dr. S.R. Billore for their valuable contribution which have made this compilation rich, interesting, educative and immensely useful to faculty, scholars and students of social work. Despite the limitations, I hope that this volume will provide the much required resources to the readers in learning the history of social work in India. PROF. GRACIOUS THOMAS Director School of Social Work, IGNOU New Delhi Contents 1. History of Social Work: State Initiatives 1 Neena Pandey, Manju Gupta, Sashmita Patel 2. History of Social Work: Individual Initiatives 55 Bishnu Mohan Dash 3. History of Social Work: 77 Initiatives through Social Movements Bishnu Mohan Das 4. History of Social Work: 106 Initiatives by NGOs K.K. Singh, Nita Kumari 5. Hinduism and Social Work 139 Manju Kumar 6. Islam and Social Work 164 M.Z. Khan 7. Sikhism and Social Work 182 Ushvinder Kaur Popli 8. Jainism and Social Work 202 Gracious Thomas, Ashutosh Pradhan 9. Buddhism and Social Work 221 Gracious Thomas, Nita Kumari 10. Christianity and Social Work 244 Suresh Pathare 11. Gandhi’s Perception of an Ideal Society 265 S.R. Billore 12. Gandhi’s Charter of Social Reconstruction 287 S.R. Billore 13. Gandhian Social Work: 306 Methods and Techniques S.R. Billore 14. Gandhian Social Work: 327 The Historical Perspective S.R. Billore 15. Social Work in Post-gandhian Era 343 S.R. Billore 16. Growth of Social Work Education 362 and Training Tushti Bhardwaj 17. Social Work Literature 380 Sanjai Bhatt 18. Involvement of Social Workers in 398 National Development R. Nalini, Tushti Bhardwaj 19. Career Prospects in Professional 418 Social Work R. Nalini 1 History of Social Work: State Initiatives *Neena Pande, Manju Gupta Sashmita Patel Introduction History of Social Work in India is an age old phenomenon. Though Social Work as a profession was recognized and developed by western countries yet the bases on which the profession rests upon very well exist in the foundation of Indian history. The seeds of evolution of Social Work could be explored in world ideologies i.e. secular, humanism, protestantism, rationalism, welfarism, liberalism democracy and utilitarianism. The notion of welfare stemmed up in India in the roots of Dharma. The history of human sufferings and selfish desire too persisted in human society and so existed the mutual assistance to provide protections to humanity. History speaks volume of initiatives taken by kings, queens, landlords, foreign conquerors and invaders, and also under the system of diarchy and later under the constitutional reform of 1935 which ushered in a new era of popularly elected government in the provinces. Social Work emerged as a profession from the perspectives of social services, charity, reform and welfare. Social Work traveled a long way from welfare to empowerment and development and the present emphasis of the profession is protecting and *Dr. Neena Pandey, Ms. Manju Gupta, Ms. Sashmita Patel, Aditi Mahavidyalaya, Delhi University, Delhi. 2 Origin and Development of Social Work in India promoting people’s rights. In this section you will find details on the following: ● Initiatives by local rulers of Ancient and Medieval period ● State Initiatives during colonial period ● Post-independence state and central initiatives. Initiatives by Local Rulers: Kings, Queens, Landlords in Ancient India Strong ethical and spiritual values were part of Indian traditions since early Vedic period. The seeds of human development were served since the origin of Indian society. The spirit of social service manifested itself in various ways in different spheres of life, and inspired both individuals and organized group of people in society. Dimensions of welfare during ancient times evolved in diverse ways but we shall touch upon important phases only, i.e. Pre-Vedic, Vedic and the golden era of Gupta period. Pre-Vedic Period has been the age of invention like other societies of Europe and Greek and India has not been an exception to it. Human being’s relation with environment was existing since beginning and was the basis of survival. The society had a great deal of planning during this period introducing urbanization with planned structure and architecture. It is believed that institutions like law, custom, agriculture, religion existed and guided the people before Aryans migrated to India. People’s self initiated indigenous systems were very much at place before the Aryans arrived. Later the discoveries in 1922-23 A.D. inform about the technology used in Harappan and Mohinjo-daro in Sindh. The excellent and advanced town planning shows the acceptance of each class in society i.e. rich and poor. History of Social Work: State Initiatives 3 The designing of the house and the pattern were such that they show an advance architecture and administration which was need based. Welfare administration is well reflected through advanced and well planned public spaces, the drainage system. This provides the pattern of community life with set rules is an example of people’s friendly society. It is worth to mention that high level of respect and dignity were endorsed to women. The gender inequality has become a challenge today but it is proud to mention that high ideas of social work were practiced during Indus Valley Civilization. Not only human beings even the animals were respected. Lord Shiva has been depicted as ‘pashupati’ (lord of animals) in the architecture of this primitive civilization. The Vedic period provides life’s highest orders, which is found in the Aryan’s scriptures entitled ‘Veda’ i.e. Rigveda, Samveda, Yazurveda, Atharvaveda. It emphasized that the religious hymns and music, sacrifices and knowledge are the