Role of Women in Nation Development (Book of Conference Proceedings of NIT Jamshedpur 2020) ISBN- 978-81-948050-4-5

Authors: Shukla Asit Kumar Niranjan bhai, Rohit Ranjan

Abstract: This study aimed to picture the issues and challenges faced by women employees and employers in the modern world with reference to the industries. This is a qualitative survey where the HR Managers of several organizations have been approached, and their views have been captured around 3 major challenges in women employment, mainly as economic challenges, social challenges and organizational challenges.

Keywords: Issues in woman employment, Challenges in women employment, POSH, Organizational Issues, Diversity.

Authors: Srija Roy, Dr. C.M. Rao

Abstract: This paper reviews the Ema Keithel market of Manipur, India, which is a 500-year-old Asia’s largest all-women market. More specifically, this paper aims to identify the societal and economic impacts of this market and to ascertain the motivations of the formation of this market. All the shops inside this market are owned by females. From the procurement of raw materials to the production of finished products, everything in this market is done by women. Ema Keithel serves as the workplace for more than 5000 women. This market has been one of the major forces behind empowering Manipuri women and making them financially independent beings who can create an evolved and equitable society. A random survey comprising 110 sample points was conducted. The result shows that Ema Keithel serves as the sole place of earning for 88 % of these women entrepreneurs. 33 % of these women are the sole bread earners for their families. It was also observed that the majority of these women make a profit margin of ₹1000-₹2000 per day. Apart from empowering the women of Manipur financially, this market has served as a place of immense social importance. 100 percent of the women confirmed their active participation in matters of social importance like drug abuse, violence against women etc. The purpose of this study is to represent the creativity, progressive thinking, innovation and the strong will of women to drive their livelihood from the frontlines. Contrary to the prevalent conditions in most of the places where men are the frontrunner when it comes to entrepreneurship, in the Manipuri society, women are the main driving force, and it has been proved through the test of time that they are doing justice to the responsibility entrusted upon them in every possible way and contributing towards the development of the nation.

Keywords: Asia’s largest all women market, Entrepreneurship, Nation building.

Authors: Sriparna Guha, Dr Anirban Mandal

Abstract: Women play a significant role in our country's socio-economic growth. Globalization poses new opportunities in achieving the objective of equality between men and women. The struggle for equal rights and economic needs leads to more women adding to family revenues in order to share the burden of their husbands and taking care of the family. In modern times, women's entrepreneurial classes play an increasingly important role in diverse areas of industrial and economic growth. Handicrafts provide a wide capacity for millions of artisans around the world, provided that most of the artisans have the intrinsic skill of being a professional. Women of West Bengal have been very popular in the 'Needle and Thread' craft. The development of women's entrepreneurship is a vital aspect of the growth of the rural economy. The present study was done to understand the entrepreneurial ability of rural women of West Bengal with the help of the Relative Important Index (RII). In addition to the development of marketing infrastructure, the government needs to provide financial assistance for sustainable livelihoods to encourage women's entrepreneurship and to boost their socio-economic situation adequately.

Keywords: Entrepreneurial Behaviour, Handicraft Artisan, Socio-Economic Development, Relative Important Index

Authors: Namita Pegu

Abstract: This paper unfolds the current scenario of Mising women entrepreneurs of Assam. Women entrepreneurs are considered as a tool for the economic development of a country. It empowers the women to establish their self-identity, financial independence and social upliftment of position in society. The Mising ethnic community women performed certain economic activities, practiced since generation. They have turned these traditional occupations into profitable businesses through their hard work and determination. One such traditional occupation is weaving; the high demand for their handloom products in the market encouraged them to establish handloom as a micro-enterprise. The women earn a profitable margin as weavers or entrepreneurs from this handloom industry. Piggery and ‘Endiculture’ are two sectors, from which they earn a respectable amount. They have not learned this entrepreneurial skill from any outsourcing agency. The analysis of the community reveals that women entrepreneurship is in the tradition, which teaches financial independence to women. In spite of the success as a women entrepreneur, there are certain limitations, which hindrance the growth.

Keywords: Women entrepreneur, Mising women, Handloom, ‘Endiculture’, Tribal.

Authors: Monika Tayade

Abstract: The following paper focuses on the contribution of women in the education sector. The paper highlights the efforts made by women entrepreneurs in the education sector. Working as a teacher or being a professional in the field of education is the most preferred career option sought by women. Anyhow, opting for a full day shift and also managing the household becomes a herculean task for most women. Women nowadays are not only working in various sectors as employees but are also leaving a mark when it comes to entrepreneurship. Being in the profession of ones liking and doing things way makes one feel happy and yields the best results. Women are more involved in the workforce following World War II. Paid employment of women has metamorphosed from traditional female-oriented jobs to all options that were previously in the so-called male-dominated arena. Women have made a mark in many fields such as the food industry, packaging, textile industry and even the educational sector. The food industry remains a favourite among women entrepreneurs. We have the classic example of ‘Lizzat Papad.’ When we think of school, we only imagine a lady teaching! At the Montessori level, only women are hired because they have the ability and the patience to handle small children with ease, care and warmth alongside teaching them the basics of education and also life. We cannot imagine Montessori schools and primary schools without female teachers. Most schools have female principals too. Women are also working at higher executive positions as Director, Dean, Head of the Department, Registrar, Chief Executive Officer and Education officer. A large number of women have also evolved as entrepreneurs in the education sector. From running a playschool, or a private school, they now head coaching classes and skill development centres. When it comes to working, women focus on the details. They opt for quality and make sure all the finer aspects are taken care of.

Keywords: Education, Entrepreneur, Profession, School, Women.

Authors: Jonali Gogoi, Dr. Mayuri Baruah

Abstract: This paper makes an attempt to give an overview of the role of rural women in Assam towards socio-economic development. The role of women is one of the key factors in achieving the millennium goals of development. This requires the active participation of women in social and economic activities. But this has not been possible practically as women are subjugated by prevalent social discriminations such as gender inequality, less access to education, domestic violence etc. In an attempt to improve the condition of rural women, the government has introduced many schemes. But the proper implementation of these schemes requires an overall change in the societal norms. But if Ngo s, Self-help groups help in creating awareness among the rural women about education, self-employment desired changes can be achieved. Self-employment enables them to be self-sufficient and economically independent.

Keywords: Socio-economic development, Self-help groups, Women entrepreneurship.

Authors: Arjab Roy

Abstract: The paper historically engages with the Feminist critiques of Left Radicalism in India – its theory-strategies-praxis as interpreted during the 1970s. It reads into two essays, “Choltey Choltey†(Trans. In the Course of the Journey) (1994) and “Naxalbari Politics: A Feminist Narrative†(2008), written by erstwhile Left Radical activists, Joya Mitra and Krishna Bandyopadhyay, respectively. Two strands of criticism from the texts are identified – social and political. The social critique illuminates the paradoxical results of the interface between emergent socially progressive rhetoric of Left Radicals on one hand and predominant patriarchal modes of life on the other. The political critique engages with the fundamental theoretical-strategic blunder of Left Radical leadership in their political understanding. It led to widespread violence, inter-party killings and counter-state repression during the seventies, thereby historically signifying the decade as a decade of disorder and mayhem instead of the original idea of marking it to be a decade of liberation. This paper argues that both these critiques discursively serve to contribute to the body of feminist scholarship existing on wide-ranging issues in India and also assert the urgency of deeper democratization of Indian socio-political formations.

Keywords: Feminism, Gender, Patriarchy, Left-Radicalism, Naxalite, India

Authors: Dr. Shwati Sudha, Ankita Singh 

Abstract: Introduction: Leadership generates an environment in which people convert challenging opportunities into a remarkable success. The acknowledgment of an individual’s armoire of accomplishments is imputed to the leader’s qualities. The leader’s tools are hardly mentioned in the context. But, a good leader always takes more shares of the fault and fewer shares of the appreciation. As an individual rises in the hierarchy of the organization they take on numerous leadership roles which ultimately provide the authority to make critical decisions. Historically, gender precluded most women from taking the position of a leader in any organization. But, their determination to adjust to the male-dominated culture provided an exigent curve to this thought. This encouraged a transformed perspective to eliminate the invisible and impenetrable barriers associated with women's progress in the organization. Women leaders everywhere in the world today are on the lead, even in the worst situation of the COVID-19 crisis. The reason behind is the opportunities women seek in every difficulty in contrast to the difficulty in every opportunity. To maintain the organizational environment and to keep the morale of the manpower high is the key motto of women leaders during the crisis. This provokes an understanding of the extraordinary contribution of women as leaders in the organization.

Objectives: The research in the domain of leadership proliferated in the last few decades. But, the different styles in which women and men deal with leadership continue to encounter numerous unanswered questions. The study focuses on the qualities of women as Situational Leaders in the organization during the crisis. This highlights the following objectives of the study:

1. 1.       To identify women’s strategy to handle the coronavirus crisis in the organization.
2. 2.       To demonstrate key leadership behavior required in the organization during the crisis.
3. 3.       To specify the dominant leadership behavior and style women exhibit during the crisis.

Research Methodology: The exploratory study is based on the collection of qualitative secondary data. This involves the technique of systematic review to sieve the data according to the objectives of the study.

Conclusion: The study specifies the different concerns of women considered by them to implement the strategies during the crisis. This involves their concern towards risk, safety, and overall view of the crisis. The study also identifies different leadership behaviours necessary in the organization during the crisis. Among the different leadership behaviours, women often choose the development of people, optional rewards, and role models as the key leadership behaviour during the crisis. Hence, women exhibit a collaborative and democratic style of leadership in the organization. This is treated as the qualities of women for the position of Situational Leaders in the organization.

Keywords: Women, Leader, Situational Leader, Leadership Strategy, Behaviour, Leadership style, COVID-19 crisis

Authors: Dr. Sagarika Dash

Abstract: Social media has brought a social reformation for Indian women who has been otherwise restricted and supressed since ages in the name of  societal norm and traditions. It has given our women a platform to discuss issues that otherwise considered too ‘sensitive’ in the public domain of Indian society.Their presence, visibility and voice in the social media  has led to women empowerment, cyber activism and a rise of new ‘feminism’. Indian women can be seen to be  more vocal, confidentand expressive due tothe existing social media’s support.

The paper will look into such social media events and campaigns to establish the fact thatsocial media support has successfully empowered the women giving them a voice and visibility. It will further discuss how the social media participation has helped the Indian women to raise concern and voice on issues related to them.

Keywords: Social Media, Social Status, Social media support, Social movement.

Authors: Mohammad Saad Zafar

Abstract: “Art and Social media†arepowerful tools to express the thoughts and ideas .When concerned with women ,their value increases because what women cannot speak in the patriarchal society ,they express through their artistic skills and social media .Women often hesitate to speak or we can say that they are not given enough opportunities to give their opinion. Art helps to express what words can’t describe.With the emergence of social media, many people whose voices have remained unheard specially women have found the platform to raise their voices against the different issues specially gender injustice .This paper attempts to highlight the contribution of  leading women artists in highlighting the gender injustice and the role of social media in the empowerment of women.

Keywords: Art, social media, women empowerment.

Authors: Priyanka Kumari, Maninder Kapoor

Abstract: The Chinese virus has triggered a social, economic and health crisis of global dimensions. This paper talks of how the novel covid-19 has affected Dalit women in India. Everybody is equally at risk as the pandemic does not discriminate on the basis of caste, religion and gender even if society does. Discrimination and atrocities against women have increased, and unsurprisingly Dalit and Adivasi women are the worst sufferers. The practice of untouchability has revived. Instead of physical distancing people have started following social distancing with people of marginalized groups. The necessary implementation of lockdown to combat the disease has led to rise in caste and gender violence. According to the data collected by the National Dalit Movement for Justice, the practice of untouchability seems to have escalated. Episodes of domestic violence, sexual assault, hunger deaths, murder, trafficking, death in shramik special trains, students dropping out, unavailability of PPE kits and, witch branding are making the life of Dalit women difficult. The National Dalit Movement for Justice has manifested its solidarity with ‘Black lives Matter.’ Considering the violence in the present time, it is the need of the hour to insist that ‘Dalit women’s lives matter.’ Dalit women are even a more vulnerable group at this moment. They need to be identified, and proper measures must be taken to protect their human rights.

Keywords: Atrocities; Dalit; human rights; pandemic

Authors: Suchitra Rani Mahato, Rajiv Bhushan, Maninder Kapoor

Abstract: The Mahabharata, an ancient Indian epic, is replete with mythological stories which depict the war between the Pandavas and the Kauravas over the throne of Hastinapur. It is a man’s world where women are given no space to express themselves. Kavita Kane, an Indian author, brings a marginal character, Satyavati, to the forefront in her novel, The Fisher Queen’s Dynasty. The novel is a reworking of the traditional narratives of the Mahabharata. Reworking or retelling has always endured as an effective strategy to interrogate dominant ideologies and articulate resistant ideologies. The present paper tries to explore the journey of Satyavati from a humble fisher girl to the reigning queen of Hastinapur. It delineates the way Satyavati tries to overturn cultural stereotypes by moving out of the orthodox cultural frame in order to reverse gender roles. Satyavati’s voice is a female assertion of independence and identity determination. It is concerned with the marginalization, repression and subjugation of women. The paper tries to explore the significant role played by the protagonist, Satyavati in regulating the plot and the subsequent turn of events and incidents in the novel.

Keywords- Subversion, Patriarchy, Gender discrimination, Myth, Identity.