From the blurb
Challenges to Democracy in India: Edited by Rajesh M. Busrur; Oxford University Press, YMCA Library Building, Jai Singh Road, New Delhi-110001.
Rs. 595.
This is an anthology of papers by eminent personalities from various spheres of life addressing in depth the serious challenges to Indian democracy that need to be met in the years ahead. These were originally delivered as lectures at the Nehru Centre, Mumbai, during 2005-07. Though the survival of democracy in India for well over half a century is in many ways a remarkable achievement, there is no denying the fact that the country’s contemporary socio-economic and political problems are complex.
The essays examine the relationship between theory and practice and the major failings of Indian democracy. They provide a meaningful overview of critical issues facing India today, including the role of the judiciary in governance, the problematic functioning of the bureaucracy, the nexus between politics and organised crime, human development in a democratic context, the condition of indigenous peoples, the negative consequences of economic liberalisation, and political violence.
Book Publishing — Principles and Practices: Dina N. Malhotra; Clarion Books, a division of Hind Pocket Books Pvt. Ltd., J-40, Jorbagh Lane, New Delhi-110003. Rs. 295.
This publication gives an overall perspective about the world of book publishing covering author-publisher relationship, editing, production, designing, copyright, book selling, and book clubs. As in every field of activity there are gaps between ideals and actual practice, this book describes both so that the complexities of publishing can be appreciated.
Plants Used in Animal Care — The Anthra Collective: Compiled and edited by Nitya S. Ghotge and Sagari R. Ramdas; Pub. by Anthra, Shop F, Lantana Gardens, NDA Road, Bavdhan, Pune-411021. Rs. 2000.
This book is the outcome of Anthra, a resource centre offering training, research and advocacy initiatives in the areas of livestock, biodiversity and people’s livelihood. It documents the properties of over 375 medicinal and fodder plant varieties used in healing practices in veterinary care in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. These constitute our invaluable heritage not only in terms of biodiversity but also due to the indisputable fact that the knowledge about the usefulness of these plants resides with communities and forms an important part of our human capital. This publication puts this invaluable community knowledge in the public domain in document form and also attempts to decelerate the process of depletion of biodiversity and environmental degradation. This traditional knowledge was subjected to a process of careful observation and validation over five years.
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