Importance of Rural Sociology
Rural sociology studies rural society. Most of the world’s population is still settled in villages. Therefore, the study of rural society is very important for us even in this age. Human society has been rural for thousands of years. Urban life has developed only for a few centuries. In fact, if seen, urban life is the beginning of a modern life. It is clear from this that all sociology so far is in a way a sociology of rural life. Laurie Nelson has written, “The story of man from now until recently is mostly the story of rural man.” Not only this, before the present age, most of the human beings have been living in small villages in all parts of the world. In the few big cities that have been built, they are also rural.
Life itself was visible. Characteristics of civil life were not developed in them. The whole life of the society was rural life. Urban life started only after the technological revolution. Despite the high intensity of urbanization, most of the society is rural. Except America and some countries of Europe, other countries of the world are up to 90 percent rural. 80 in India. 0 percent of the population is rural. Similarly, in most of the countries of the East, the rural population is mostly found. In America and Europe countries also have a majority of rural population. Many times we live under the illusion that where more population starts living, there is development of urban life. But this is not true. Due to the large population living in one place, in reality, urban life does not develop and most of their life remains rural. Take, for example, the cities of Uruba in Africa. Similarly take Alexandria and other cities in the Middle East. Andersen also wrote in this subject that “Baghdad or Tehran do not exhibit any urban life.”
Importance of Rural Sociology in India
The importance of rural sociology in India can be presented in the following points:
(1) Most of India’s population is rural – Most of India’s population is rural. Even at present 80 percent of the population in India is rural. That is why this country is called agricultural.
(2) Indian sociology is rural sociology – India is an agricultural country. Whatever sociological studies we have done in India are in a way related to rural sociology. Because India is primarily a rural country. It is clear from this that Indian sociology is rural sociology.
(3) Village is the original source of Indian culture – Village is the original source of Indian culture. Village is a unit in India. To understand Indian society and culture, we have to understand the village here.
(4) Some special studies possible – For the study of Indian villages, we have to do some special types of studies. For example, study of rural households, study of caste system, etc. The study of caste system will have to be done in a special way because caste system is not found in other countries of the world. The effect of this practice has been especially on Indian villages.
(5 View of life and poverty – The rural society of India presents the scene of poverty and poverty. In Indian villages, the person who produces food will crave to eat. The Indian farmer grows wheat and green vegetables but cannot eat them. Their small children yearn for milk and ghee. Indian villages are in dire plight. In the words of Dr. Desai, “Indian rural life is characterized by real calamity, social degradation, cultural backwardness and above all a vested crisis.” – Provides a view of the times.” Depicting rural life, Mrs. Malle Gavda writes that “the name of India carries the vision of a man who is poor, weak, para-hungry and half-naga”. , is completing his life’s journey by dragging in the villages having a large number of 5 , 58,000 .
“It is clear from the views of the above scholars that rural India is in a state of extreme poverty. We can understand this situation of the whole of India, because 820 percent of India is settled in villages. To handle this situation, we need rural sociology. is extremely needed.
(6) Rural society is not a part of urban society – We have already said that rural society is not a part of urban society. Rural life itself has its own problems. Urban life is a different life from that. For this reason it is necessary to study rural life separately, giving importance to rural problems.
(7) Rapidly Changing Rural Society – Indian rural society is bleeding at a rapid pace. As a result of these changes, the rural society has changed so much that its ancient form has almost ended. This change was first due to the influence of the British civilization and the second freedom struggle has also had an impact on Indian villages. For sociology, such societies, which are changing rapidly, are of great importance. For this reason, Indian rural society is also very important.
Our India from ancient times was divided into self-dependent, rural units, where differences in language, dress, civilization and culture were found. Karenson has also written about this peculiarity of Indian villages – “The ancient villages were not only economic and administrative units but also centers of cooperative and cultural life. They had their own festivals, festivals, folk songs, dances, games and fairs. who gave life to the people and sustained their enthusiasm.” This characteristic was naturally present in India. The foreign rule broke this beautiful system. The best quality of self-builder, due to the influence of foreign rule, foreign civilization and culture, due to the process of urbanization, villages started getting destroyed. Industrialization put an end to the benefits of rural industry. The exploitation and zamindari system of the British caused Gramiga Pati – Ma Ind Zamindari system allowed the blood of the rural body to remain Aries. Due to the decline of the primary condition of the villages, the social, cultural, religious, spiritual conditions also disappeared and started singing at a low level or even disappearing to a low level. Rural India was surrounded by demons like illiteracy, hunger, unemployment, debt, drinking, litigation etc. Kadamebaji Gradi was surrounded by demons. With the abolition of rural panchayats, the court system made the rural society even more oppressed and the border society suffered even more. In this regard Prof. Desai likewise relaxed the archaic basis of techniques and production in the ancient way, but in their place healthy and lasting innovation even in a limited degree.
not developed. “In fact, if the British rulers had done even a little work in this direction, then this condition of India would not have happened. Which has happened. Rural sociology was the only science under such circumstances, whose rays of light could be reached to the poor people. But Due to the lack of glory and spread of this science in the country, it was denied to take any concrete step in this direction. As a result, various economists tried to improve the Indian situation on an economic basis. There is no doubt that the efforts of these economists were successful to some extent. But still there is an urgent need for rural sociological studies for rural society.After independence, this need has increased even more.
In this regard Prof. Desai has also written, “The systematic study of rural social organization and its structure, functions and evaluation has become necessary not only after independence, but also essential.” In this way, rural sociology to solve rural problems prevailing in rural life. Science is very important. No problem in the social field can be solved without sociological study. Scientific study is needed to solve every problem. It is a very difficult task to do a suitable solution to a particular problem without its cause and cause. Thus we can say that the importance of Indian Rural Sociology has increased per se and in the present era it is especially essential here. –
Thus, in order to reorganize the disintegrated form of our rural structure and make it self-reliant, scientific study of the problems is very necessary.
In fact, only rural sociology can be instrumental in rectifying this grave situation. Mr. Nelson and Taylor have written that “The main objective of rural sociology in India is to study the social, economic, political and cultural systems of the countrymen and present reforms. The work of rural sociology lies mostly in practical discoveries. Uncovers proper social facts by statistical analysis of fields.
In view of India being a village-headed country, it is mandatory for every citizen to have knowledge of this scripture. This science should be taught compulsorily in Indian universities so that the youth of Graz do not remain unfamiliar with village life. Mostly it is seen that after passing university education, workers go to villages and they do not succeed. The youth out of the university hate the rural life. Therefore, the practical approach of rural sociology is important for India. Our present government is engaged towards rural development. In such a situation there is a great need for such knowledge. For this the following It is very important for departmental employees to have knowledge of rural sociology.
Indian Planning Department – Every officer engaged in the work of Indian planning. In particular, every member of the Planning Commission is required to have knowledge of rural sociology. Most of the five year plans being made for the upliftment of rural India are implemented in the villages. If the workers of the planning department do not have a practical knowledge of rural life and problems, then their plans can never be successful.
Community Development Programs – Indian community development programs are directly related to villages. This is a very effective revolution in rural development. It is necessary for every member of this department and ministry to have close acquaintance with rural life. Although the subject of rural sociology has been fixed under the orientation training of community development, but the effort in this direction is not being done as effectively as it should. No training can be complete without scientific knowledge of the major problems of rural life. Therefore, for complete success, the government should take important and concrete steps in this direction.
. Panchayat Department of India – Organization of Panchayats and Panchayat Samitis and Zilla Parishads is being done under democratic decentralization in India. The objective of this program is also to reorganize rural life. The function of Panchayats has been fixed to solve rural problems. From this point of view the knowledge of rural sociology is very useful for the workers of this department as well. The specificity of rural regional society and its social problems can be known through this science. From this point of view, it is desirable to compulsorily study rural sociology for this department.
Rural Welfare Department – Under social welfare, programs of family planning, women’s centers and children’s schools are kept in rural areas. Thus the success of village welfare schemes is also dependent on trained workers. It is also very important in this area to be familiar with the caste, burg customs, customs, language, culture of the rural society. From this point of view, rural sociology is very important for the workers engaged in the schemes of social welfare and village welfare.
Wildlife Welfare Department – Although the complete study of wild species is done under anthropology. But as a result of the Indian wild-castes living in rural areas, their social study also comes under rural sociology. Anthropology is capable of conducting an anthropological study of such species only. In rural sociology, because of being able to conduct detailed social studies of these wild species in the rural environment, its knowledge is also useful for the workers of this department. Rural areas are the source of ancient culture and civilization, here we get to see wild-ethnic culture in general. On this basis, rural sociology is capable of presenting programs for the upliftment of other rural problems as well as providing forest caste welfare programs. Therefore, the study of this scripture is useful in this department as well.
Madan, Gramdan and Gramrajya – The aim of the Bhoodan and Gramdan movements is to build rural infrastructure. All the common problems of rural life have to be seen under this movement. The workers engaged in the movement have to go from village to village to discuss about land donation, donation of wealth, donation of property, intelligence, donation of clothes etc. It is a socialist revolution in rural areas. The rebirth of the rural structure disintegrated by British rule – lies in revolution. Rural sociology does not find itself related to this program to any extent. Every Bhoodani worker belongs to the rural society. By establishing close contact with the public and solving their problems, workers can get excellent and creative models in rural sociology. Other Branches of Rural Reconstruction – Cooperative, Education, Village Health etc. The aim of all departments is motivated by rural reconstruction. They have to put before themselves the ideal of improving rural life. Therefore, it is very important for them to study rural sociology. In this regard Prof. Desai has also said, “Amidst the conditions of extreme physical and cultural poverty, various state institutions, statisticians, economists and social workers are focusing their attention extensively on the problems and events of the Indian people living in rural areas. . ” Gave .
Thus, after this detailed discussion, we come to the conclusion that rural sociology is very important for agricultural countries. For a country like India, which has become the center of rural problems due to long slavery, then this science is more important for him. The government is making special efforts in this direction. Wide spread of this science is desirable for the progress of rural areas.