Synopsis The Professed ideology of the state is different from the practised one. At the level of profession the state has numerous schemes for the development of tribals, dalits, women and the poor. However, it is a different story at the level of implementation. The socio-economically marginalised communities are left to fend for themselves. In spite of 50 years of independence, the situation of the marginalised communities has not changed. While individuals may have been coopted, the overall situation is far from satisfactory. With globalization of the economy, the situation has further deteriorated. This volume of essays is a critique on the model of development initiated by the state. Alternatives presented here are from the perspective of the marginalised by a groups of academic activists, concerned about the plight of the marginalised.