From Grassroots to Glass Rooms

Updated on: Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Eastern Institute for Integrated Learning in Management (EIILM) along with the Bengal Resurgent Committee and Bengal Chamber of Commerce started a research initiative ‘Quality of Life – Destination West Bengal’. The research focuses on assessing and evaluating the general well-being, the prevailing quality of life and prospect of individuals and societies of West Bengal.

The analysis aimed to develop a complete scenario of the basic needs of the people for living and simultaneously highlighted the aspiration level of the community for improvement of their quality of life. The challenge of the task was to reach to the grass-root level and collect facts and figures.

The first phase of the study has been completed and a seminar was arranged recently at Kolkata’s Taj Bengal with Dr Sugata Marjit, chairman of Higher Education Council, Govt. of West Bengal amidst students and guests. Dr Sarmistha Das and Dr Chandrima Sinha, asst professors at EIILM worked with the students to present this pilot study.

Dr R P Banerjee, director and dean, EIILM said, “This is the best chance the students can get on first hand knowledge about the true economic structure of our country. This can only help them become future leaders.”

The brainstorming seminar was concluded by Dr Marjit’s suggestion and views. He said, “Even though the details are incomplete, the project will be very useful for policy makers.” He also agreed to the research and suggested some measures to make it more resourceful. He pointed out that there should be clarity on the choice of location and target for the authorities to understand the research better.

Dr Das clarified, “We wanted to include a mix of places and households, so that the whole kind is covered.” The prime study areas are Burdwan, South 24 Parganas, east Midnapore, Nadia, Bakura and the slums of Kolkata.

Dr Sinha added, “This is the first time that the aspirations and opinion of the people are being given importance. This is a 100 per cent people’s voice presentation.” The seminar ended with a question and answer session, followed by high tea.

From Grassroots to Glass Rooms

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