Wayanad Initiative

As an expression of our concern for the upliftment of the marginalized of Kerala, it was thought that CEx-IIMK should be involved in the developmental research. Wayanad Initiative, a project to design a comprehensive development package for the Adivasi communities of Wayanad district is the first step in this direction. The project began in June 2004. Wayanad district, which contributes significantly to Kerala’s economy, is “least keralite” in terms of its resources and demographic features. Nearly one-third of the area is covered by forest, rich in biodiversity. Wayanad produces 81% coffee, 38% of ginger, 22% of pepper, 16 % of tea and 10% of cardamom produced in Kerala state. It produces nearly 1,50,000 liters of milk per day with high per capita milk production in the State. Despite being rich resources, it remains the district where a large section the 85% of its inhabitants involved with agriculture is indebted. It has the highest rainfall in Kerala, but remains the most drought- affected region of the state. Its farmers earn better than their counterparts in the State, but nearly one hundred farmers have committed suicide in the last one-year alone, owing to indebtedness.

Kerala and Nehru: A Continuing Dialogue

The Centre for Research and Education for Social Transformation (CREST) organized the 4rth KR Narayanan Memorial Lecture, , in memory of Late K.R.Narayanan, former President of India. The lecture entitled Kerala and Nehru: A Continuing Dialogue was delivered by Sri.Gopalkrishna Gandhi, former Governor of West Bengal and eminent writer on November 26, 2011 at Hotel Alakapuri Auditorium, Kozhikode. The script of this lecture has been included in this publication.

Modernity and Its Margins: A Critique

Lecture delivered by Gopal Guru, Professor Centre for Political Studies , Jawaharlal Nehru University , NewDelhi at the CREST National Lecture in Memory of Shri. K.R. Narayanan, former President of India.