About the Book

This book chronicles Professor Sukhadeo Thorat's journey as an academic, activist, and individual, as shared through the experiences of his colleagues and friends over the years. A versatile figure, he is known for his ability to analyse complex social structures while maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity. This volume presents a mosaic of reflections and insights from distinguished scholars, administrators, activists, and former students of Professor Thorat.

The detailed Introduction traces his evolution as an academic, activist, and person. The first section charts his humble beginnings in the fields of economics and social research, and his unwavering commitment as a scholar. The second section features essays that highlight his steadfast activism on behalf of marginalised communities. The third section delves into his scholarly work on group disparities, caste-based discrimination, and proposed remedies.

Professor Thorat is also widely recognised as an institution builder. He was instrumental in founding the Indian Institute of Dalit Studies and the Journal of Inclusive Studies. The following section outlines his leadership in higher education, particularly through his tenure as Chairman of the University Grants Commission and the Indian Council of Social Science Research between 2006 and 2016.

Overall, this book offers a blueprint for those seeking to pursue a path where activism is interwoven with academic excellence and meaningful societal impact.

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Contents

Academic Upbringing

1. INTRODUCTION—Professor Sukhadeo Thorat: An Exemplary Academician and Earnest Human Rights Activist

R.S. Deshpande

2. An Exemplary Friend: Professor Sukhadeo Thorat       

R.S. Deshpande

3. Prof. S.K. Thorat: The Man With a Mission      

V.B. Tayde

4. Knowing Prof. Sukhdeo Thorat            

Sanghmitra Acharya

5. My First Meeting With Sukhadeo Thorat: A Tribute on His 75th Birthday

Laurence R. Simon

6. Thorat, the Facilitator               

Gary Michael Tartakov

7. Thorat Sir: My Biggest Living Inspiration           

Narender Kumar

8. Life With Commitment to Social Cause             

Madhukar Kasare

Social Activist

9. A Man With Determination, Philosophy, and Compassion: A Tribute to Professor Sukhadeo Thorat

Nitin Tagade

10. Engagement in Maharashtra               

Gautam Kamble

 

11. A Committed Researcher and Mentor

Nidhi Sabbarwal

12. Torchbearers of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Thoughts              

Vijay Khare

13. Legacy of Dr Ambedkar in Higher Education  

Sunita Sawarkar

Academic Contribution: Group Inequalities, Discrimination, and Remedies

14. Prof. Thorat: As I Know Him 

Ghanshyam Shah

15. Ritual Hierarchy to Economics of Discrimination: Towards a Revisioning of Caste

Surinder  S. Jodhka

16. Prof. Sukhadeo Thorat: A Skillful Academic Administrator

S. Madheswaran, B.P. Vani, and Gowriprasad

17. Doctoral Study on Professor Thorat’s Research Contribution in Economics

Savita Bhahirat

18. With Gratitude to My Academic Mentor: Prof. S.K. Thorat

S. Sukumar

Institution Builder: Research Through

Indian Institute of Dalit Studies

19. Institution Builder: Founder of Indian Institute of Dalit Studies, 2003

Vinod Mishra

20. Committed to a Cause

G.C. Pal

21. Tribute to an Academic Journey Against Discrimination

Sudha Pai

 

22. Understanding Discrimination in the Indian Labour Market: Contributions of Prof. Sukhadeo Thorat

Rajendra P. Mamgain

23. Conducting Research at the Grassroots: My Experiences in Working with IIDS and Prof. Thorat

Dilip Diwakar G.

Contribution to Higher Education and

Social Science Research

24. Professor Thorat: An Institution Builder With Courage of Conviction

Furqan Qamar

25. Prof. Sukhadeo Thorat: Pioneering Social Scientist and Policymaker, Friend and Colleague

Ravi Srivastava

26. Prof. S.K. Thorat’s Contribution to Higher Education

Sudhanshu Bhushan

27. The Perfect Gentleman        

Samar Verma

28. My Memories of Prof. S.K. Thorat During the              Course of PhD

Tabrez Alam

29. My Time With Professor Sukhadeo Thorat: A Source of Inspiration

Hemraj P. Jangir

30. My Thoughts on Prof. S.K. Thorat

Gautam Gawali

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About the Author / Editor

R.S. Deshpande is currently Director and Advisor at the Centre for Development Studies, PES University, Bangalore, India. He is an ex-Director and Honorary Visiting Professor of the Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC), Bangalore. He is also a former Rajiv Gandhi National Fellow, Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR). In addition to numerous research studies, Dr. Deshpande steered the mega study on “Farmer at the Millennium”. He has authored 17 books and has published more than 140 research papers in national and international journals. He has served on various policy bodies of the Government of India and the Government of Karnataka.

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