DOI 10.4010/2016.1325 ISSN 2321 3361 © 2016 IJESC

Research Article Volume 6 Issue No. 5

A Study on the Functioning of Residents’ Associations in Thevara, Neethu Varghese Assistant Professor Department of Commerce Rajagiri College of Social Sciences (Autonomous), [email protected]

Abstract: Residents’ Association is an organization of a group of people residing in a common locality, street or road whose primary objective is to address issues within their local area and to provide its members a platform to represent themselves within their community. Since each association is formed to address the specific issues of their locality, their objectives as well as functioning differ from each other. The increased need for a social life among people in modern society has resulted in the formation of these associations. Each and every Residents’ Associations have their own unique and distinct motives or purpose behind its development and functioning. The study is conducted mainly to understand the various objectives behind the formation of Residents’ Associations and to what extent these objectives are achieved by such associations. This study also investigates into various activities adopted by Residents’ Associations for the social and economic welfare of its members. As members of Residents’ Associations the residents bear some costs in terms of membership fees, annual subscription, sponsorships etc. and in turn they expect some returns in terms of various benefits like proper security, better environment etc. from their associations. The work also intends to measure and analyze the costs and benefits associated with the working of these Residents’ Associations.

Key Words: Crime Alert Programme, District Administration And Residents’ Associations For Timely Solutions, Economic Welfare, Residents’ Association Apex Council, Police And Residents’ Association Initiative In District Of Ernakulam, Residents’ Association.

Introduction Literature Review 1. A study by Mahadevia Darshini, Neha Bhatio and Bijal “Residents’ Associations are non-profit associations whose Bhatt (2014) shows that the objective of the study was to self-proclaimed role is to represent the inhabitants of an area, understand the formation of Residents’ welfare associations a colony, a street, or a building. They usually concern in BSUP(Basic service to urban poor) sites of Ahamedabad themselves with the state of infrastructure and basic services in the context of displacement of residents due to several in the area – roads, parks, water and electricity, solid waste developmental projects, namely Sabarmati Riverfront removal, etc. They also try to promote some local development Project (SRFD) and Bus Rapid Transit System conviviality, through the celebration of festivals (secular or (BRTS) and the concern of these association’s with urban Hindu) and sometimes through the creation of an informal development of these sites. The study revealed that the role assistance service.” (Tawa Lama-Rewal 2013: 208). of the state declined at these sites and private players played a major role which brought about middle class activists who In a country like India there existed a family system called partnered the RWAs in development activities. It was also joint family, where various generations of a single family found that in spite of all challenges faced by the authorities, live together under one single roof. Due to changing the formation and working of RWAs in BSUP sites were not lifestyles and habits, people prefer to have more individual completely successful, but the efforts were commendable. freedom and hence resort to small, independent family set up which is popularly called nuclear family. In spite of several 2. Another study conducted by Mano. D, Prakash. C & advantages and disadvantages over joint family system, the Binulal. S (2003) was concerned with various initiatives number of nuclear families is increasing at an alarming rate. adopted by Residents’ Associations in Thiruvananthapuram And hence the role of Residents’ Associations is also city in resource mobilization for local level development. becoming very significant in the midst of these developing The study also made an analysis on the major socio isolated family units. Even though people confined to a small economic and cultural activities adopted by Residents’ family, they are always interested to be a part of a social Associations and its impact on the improved standard of group because of their need for a social life or living of its members. The study revealed that most of the belongingness. This increased need for a social life among Residents’ Associations adopt various initiatives for people in modern society has resulted in the formation of promoting physical well being but with regard to intellectual various associations called Residents’ Associations. As they well being the performance of these associations are not are becoming an inseparable part of the social life of people, effective. It also revealed that the role of Residents’ this study regarding the functioning of these associations is Associations in promoting emotional well being is not a gaining so much significance. commendable one but infrastructure facilities and other local activities are considered as a major concern of most of the associations.

International Journal of Engineering Science and Computing, May 2016 5412 http://ijesc.org/ Thus it is concluded that most of the respondents are highly Result and Discussion satisfied with the functioning of their Residents’ Association The investigator used simple percentage analysis for and fund raising and spending of their respective association. analysing the whole primary data collected. 3. The study conducted by Mapuva. J (2011) was basically concerned with Residents’ Associations in Zimbabwe and it Table 1: Active Me mbership in Residents’ Association attempted to analyze the activities adopted by Combined No. of Percent of

Harare Residents’ Association (CHRA) and its impact in respondents respondents promoting citizen participation in local governance. The Strongly Agree 8 16 study of Combined Harare Residents’ Association (CHRA) revealed that Residents’ Associations are a basic platform Agree 29 58 through which residents can demand accountability and Neither agree 11 22 participatory space in promoting local governance. The study nor disagree also explores the impact of associational life in urban areas and how this gave rise to the formation of Residents’ Disagree 2 4 Strongly Associations to act as an active representative for urban 0 0 residents. The study proves it is one of the strength of Disagree Residents’ Associations that they have not operated along Total 50 100 partisan lines, but strive to address the needs of all residents. The above table indicates that most of the respondents The article ends by presenting how CHRA has worked with are active members of their associations other Residents’ Associations in urban areas or help in the formation of new ones. Table 2: Satisfaction Level of Functioning of Residents’

Association Need and Importance of the Study No. of Percent of Now days there are a large number of Residents’ respondents respondents Associations in every nook and corners of the district. Residents’ Associations have formed a significant part of the Highly satisfied 3 6 social life of the people in recent years. These Residents’ Associations are performing voluntarily for the welfare and Satisfied 37 74 wellbeing of its members. Residents’ Associations, being a Neither satisfied 7 14 community based organization, are meant to address these nor dissatisfied problems and adopt various measures for the welfare and wellbeing of its members as well as the community. So it Dissatisfied 2 4 becomes significant to make an analysis of various activities Highly 1 2 and measures adopted by these Residents’ Associations for dissatisfied ensuring the physical, mental and social wellbeing of its members. Total 50 100 Table shows that majority of the respondents are Statement of the Problem satisfied with the functioning of their association. “A Study On The Functioning Of Residents’ Associations In Thevara, Ernakulam” Table 3: Formation of Residents’ Association for the General Welfare of Members Objectives of the Study No. of Percent of 1) To understand the reasons for the formation of respondents respondents Residents’ Associations. 2) To know the various socio economic and cultural Strongly Agree 5 10 activities adopted by Residents’ Associations for the welfare of its members. Agree 34 68 3) To study the cost and benefits associated with Neither agree 11 22 functioning of Residents’ Associations nor disagree

Research Methodology Disagree 0 0 This study covers Residents’ Associations in Strongly 0 0 Ernakulam district only. Primary data was collected using Disagree questionnaire from each household in the sample. Secondary data was obtained mainly from books, records and reports Total 50 100 maintained with the Residents’ Associations and the apex According to the above table most of the respondents agree body called Ernakulam District Residents’ Association Apex that their association is formed for the general welfare of its Council (EDRAAC). A sample of 50 respondents from 28 members. Residents’ Associations in Thevara was selected for this study.

International Journal of Engineering Science and Computing, May 2016 5413 http://ijesc.org/ Table 4: Activities Adopted for Promoting Physical Well Table 7: Agreement Regarding the Efficiency of Being of Members Infrastructure Development Initiatives (Multiple Options) No. of Percent of No. of Percent of Rank respondents respondents respondents respondents Strongly Agree 5 10 Medical camps 24 48 2 Health awareness 5 10 5 Agree 30 60 classes Neither agree 10 20 Health clubs 4 8 6 nor disagree Mosquito eradication 23 46 3 Disagree 4 8 Financial aid to under- Strongly 14 28 4 1 2 privileged members Disagree Maintenance of clean Total 50 100 and hygienic 28 56 1 environment As per the above table, maintenance of clean and hygiene Majority of the respondents agree that the infrastructure environment is the option selected by most of the development initiatives of their associations are effective. respondents. Table 8: Concern towards Environmental Issues Table 5: Satisfaction Level of Activities Adopted for No. of Percent of

Promoting Physical Well Being. respondents respondents No. of Percent of Strongly Agree 3 6 respondents respondents Agree 32 64 Highly satisfied 2 4 Neither agree 10 20 Satisfied 30 60 nor disagree Neither satisfied 9 18 Disagree 5 10 nor dissatisfied Strongly 0 0 Dissatisfied 5 10 Disagree Highly 4 8 dissatisfied Total 50 100 Total 50 100 The above table shows most of the respondents agree that The table shows that majority of the respondents are satisfied their association is concerned towards the environmental with the activities adopted for the physical wellbeing of the issues. members.

Table 9: Satisfaction Level Regarding Fund Raising Table 6: Improvement in Social Well Being and Mechanism Interaction No. of Percent of No. of Percent of respondents respondents respondents respondents Highly satisfied 3 6 Strongly Agree 9 18 Satisfied 35 70 Agree 30 60 Neither satisfied 8 16 Neither agree nor dissatisfied 6 12 nor disagree Dissatisfied 2 4 Disagree 4 8 Highly 0 0 Dissatisfied Strongly 1 2 Disagree No response 2 4

Total 50 100 Total 50 100

Most of the respondents agree that there is improvement in Majority of the respondents are satisfied with their the social well being and interaction among members due to association’s fund raising mechanism. their association’s involvement.

International Journal of Engineering Science and Computing, May 2016 5414 http://ijesc.org/ Table 10: Amount Spent Annually by Members making the members fully satisfied with the amount spent by No. of Percent of them for various initiatives of these associations.

respondents respondents Above Rs. Conclusion 4 8 1000 The study helped to reveal the efficiency in the functioning of Residents’ Associations in Ernakulam district. Rs. 500 to Rs. 21 42 The study was conducted among residents, as more effective 1000 and reliable would be the data, since they are the members of Rs. 100 to Rs. 21 42 these associations which help to draw meaningful conclusion 500 regarding the working of various Residents’ Associations. Below Rs. 100 2 4 The study revealed that most of the Residents’ Associations have been formed for its member’s welfare and also most of No response 2 4 the residents are satisfied with their association’s working. Total 50 100 Almost all the associations adopt various programmes for promoting the physical and social well being and members The annual amount spent by members for various activities are in turn satisfied with such programmes. This study also of their associations ranges between Rs.100 to Rs.1000. proved that these associations are concerned with their infrastructure development as well as with the betterment of Table 11: Agreement Regarding the Affordability of their local environment. This also revealed that the funds Expense raised by the Residents’ Associations are used for the benefit No. of Percent of of its members and the members are satisfied with fund

respondents respondents raising and its spending pattern. And hence it is concluded that the presence and efficient functioning of these Strongly Agree 3 6 associations have significantly contributed to the overall Agree 36 72 development of social life and standard of living of its Neither agree members. 7 14 nor disagree Limitation Disagree 2 4 The research conducted on the basis of samples, so it Strongly 0 0 would have sampling error and also there is no response or Disagree false response from the part of respondents. Bias cannot be No response 2 4 ignored on the part of the respondent.

Total 50 100 Scope for further Research According to the above table, most of the respondents agree Only a few studies were conducted in this area in that the expenses in connection with their association are and thus there is a scope for further study. This affordable. research is concerned mainly with various activities adopted by residents’ associations for the physical, social wellbeing Table 12: Residents’ Association Contributes to the of the members. And in this study only a little importance is Overall Development of Locality and Social Life of given to the financial aspects of these associations and hence Members there is a scope for further research based on these financial No. of Percent of aspects and resource mobilization efforts.

respondents respondents References Strongly Agree 12 24 1. Haridas, A. (2007, March 9). PRIDE to draw up action Agree 31 62 plan. The Hindu.

Neither agree 6 12 2. Joseph, M. (2012, July 31). A garbage treatment initiative nor disagree by residents. The Hindu Disagree 0 0 Strongly 1 2 3. Mahadevia, Darshini, Neha Bhatio, and Bijal Bhatt. Disagree "RWAs in BSUP Sites of Ahmedabad: Experiences of Total 50 100 Mahila Housing SEWA Trust (MHT)." CUE Working Paper Majority of the respondents agree that their association 25, 2014, 1-33. contributes to the overall development of locality and social life of the members. 4. Mano, D., Prakash, C., & Binulal, S. (2003). Initiatives in resource mobilization for local level development: A case Suggestions study of Residents' Associations in Thiruvananthapuram city. The residents’ associations must adopt variety of 3-26. activities for the overall wellbeing of its members and must make the members fully aware and satisfied with their 5. Mapuva, J. (2011). Enhancing local governance through efforts. They should also adopt productive activities for local initiatives: Residents' Associations in Zimbabwe. African Journal of History & Culture, 3(1), 1-12.

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6. Queenan, P. RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION HANDBOOK, 5-6.

7. Residents’ Association Handbook- A Guide to Running Your Association, 5-8. (2007).

8. Satisan. t. (2011, June 27). Residents' associations look beyond the routine. The Sunday Indian.

9. Staff Reporter. (2005, October 23). Residents' associations propose decentralised waste management. The Hindu.

10. Staff Reporter. (2009, May 10). Residents’ association apex council splits. The Hindu.

11. www.edrrac.com

12. www. mysticmadness.com

13. www.wikipedia.com

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