Speaker: Dr. Amit Thorat, Assistant Professor, CSRD, JNU

Well being outcomes are more often than not a consequence of mind sets and human behaviour. How people make decisions and interact with others depends largely on there beliefs and perceptions. So what explains the observed differences in well-being outcomes across social groups? In the four studies being presented here the first highlights the differences in static as well as dynamic measures of well being (poverty) across social groups in India despite growth and income increases and why people are becoming poor and escaping poverty at the same time.

The remaining three studies shed light on the prevailing nature of mind-sets and how these might be effecting development, economic and social outcomes for people at large and specific communities or groups in particular. The first amongst these documents the depth and spread of the practice of untouchability in contemporary India. The second examines what might be the reasons for wide spread open defecation in India and why 60% of all the people who defecate in the open live in India. The third study is based on a unique survey that asked people about their views on gender, inter group marriages etc.