Synopsis Unlike the west, social work in India is still in its infancy. The result, therefore, is that this field is, for a majority of the people, uncharted territory, and hence remains quite ignored and in want of greater organisation, infrastructure, aid and workers. The potential and capacity of social work to incorporate within its range a huge variety of settings and work upon the improvement of these settings, including alcohol and drug abuse, child welfare, civil rights, disabilities and physical handicaps, mental health and retardation, etc., remains untapped and unexplored. Although rich philanthropists, who include industrialists and movie stars, have made their contributions felt in the arena of charity, the demands of society far outweigh these small drops in the ocean and hence arises the greater need for a well managed organised sector looking after society's needs. As the book addresses this crucial issue quite deftly, it is hoped that it would prove to be a source of great information for the reader.