Synopsis Outcome of the written contributions and deliberations of a national seminar, this is perhaps the most outstanding book on the theme of empowerment of the weaker sections in India. Organized in three sections, it provides authoritative treatment of the concept of empowerment and its relationship with the profession of Social Work, characteristics, concerns and contributions of the civil society organizations, and the commitment and response from the government and civil society organizations for empowerment of the weaker sections. Instead of just compiling descriptions of pious policies, programmes and their monotonous analysis of inefficient implementation, the contributors to this volume have all been very forthright in calling a spade a spade and giving some fresh ideas in which the empowerment of the weaker sections can be undertaken in time to come. This book is a must read for the teachers, researchers and students from the disciplines of anthropology, sociology, social work, and political science and policy and programme designers for the weaker sections.