ICSSR and Its Remarkable Role in Understanding India Through Research – Prof Jasim Mohammad

Celebrating the Academic Legacy and National Contribution of ICSSR –   Prof. Jasim Mohammad

The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), celebrating its fifty-eighth Foundation Day provides an opportunity to reflect on how social science research has contributed to the development of India through its intellectual and democratic strength over time. It is easy today, as public discourse around the globe continues to be impacted by the demands of speed, immediacy and superficiality, to overlook the fact that societies can advance in a meaningful way only when decisions are based on research, evidence and careful consideration. The Council has come a long way since its establishment in 1969 and today is representative of an ongoing effort in India to better understand itself through academic research, social observations and scholarly discussions.

The contribution made by ICSSR is particularly significant given the complexity and diversity of India as a nation. One cannot truly understand India solely by looking at economic indicators or political front-page stories. The full picture includes the realities of rural hardship, displacement and migration, education, unemployment, gender-based relations, societal harmony, welfare of indigenous peoples, urbanisation and family dynamics in a state of flux; all of which need to be studied seriously and over a sustained period of time. In this context, ICSSR has been an indispensable contributor to research-driven policy development and implementation for nearly sixty years. In a quiet yet persistent manner, it has provided a foundation on which to build research that assists public policymakers, research institutions and society as a whole in developing a greater understanding of the nation beyond mere facts.

One interesting and commendable thing about ICSSR is the way in which it has supported multiple generations of scholars – researchers, who are now making significant contributions to India’s academic and policy landscape; many have started their journey via ICSSR supported fellowship or grants programs, workshops & other academic assistance initiatives. In an environment where talented students face barriers due to lack of funds or resources, providing them with an environment where they are encouraged and able to develop their research projects is invaluable support, ICSSR has provided not just funds for research projects, but built confidence among young scholars that their research & ideas will contribute to the future of India.

The contribution of Social Sciences has been under-rated, based on the fact that the effects of Social Science research isn’t always apparent immediately, or it doesn’t develop large physical infrastructure projects as quickly as these types of research projects. A good example is no democracy is going to function effectively without having institutions in place to study that democracy; to study the public, social inequality, regional aspirations, demographic changes, institutional environments, etc. The ICSSR has been instrumental in contributing to ensuring Indian developmental discussions are based in social realities and not assumptions.

Appreciation for the Council needs to be given for its capacity to maintain a serious intellectual focus during periods of change. The development of modern societies has created many complex problems that cannot be examined within a narrow framework. Issues related to artificial intelligence, digital government, social media impact, climate migration, behaviours related to public health, and economic development all call for inter-disciplinarity research to be conducted to understand these developments. The Council on Social Science Research (ICSSR) is demonstrating a willingness to consider these emerging themes and, therefore, is not tied to antiquated academic limitations but evolving with the realities of our time.

ICSSR has also contributed to the field of research methodology through its commitment to providing workshops/training programmes/methodological courses across universities. Good research includes more than just theories or opinions, and is based on discipline, ethics, evidence, field research, and scientific process. By supporting the development of training programmes and courses, and the delivery of workshops, ICSSR has supported higher quality research being conducted in India. These initiatives have also, in part, supported the continued provision of credible research at a time when unverified information and misinformation are quickly spread throughout public areas.

ICSSR’s support for promoting dialogue among academics is equally important. Citizens in a democracy benefit from the respectful and critical discussion of ideas. Through seminars and conferences, the Council has developed opportunities for researchers and teachers, policy-makers and students to discuss their differing views, and challenge and question one another’s assumptions.

ICSSR’s contribution in promoting academic research beyond city-based or metropolitan-based institutions is also noteworthy. Understanding India’s realities from metropolitan institutions alone are inadequate. There are also many types of smaller universities, regional colleges, and local researchers who have more in-depth knowledge of social change and transformation at ground level, than those at a metropolitan level.

Support for research by scholars in all areas of the country has helped create more equitable access to academic discourse and dialogue, giving rise to greater diversity of voices in the national conversation.

The Council’s focus on vulnerable and marginalised communities is deserving of recognition. Research that focuses on tribal peoples, informal labour force, women and youth, minority populations, and others who are socially excluded is critical for a society committed to inclusive development. The results of these types of research not only enhance our understanding of new ideas but also have significant impact on improving our sensitivity to social issues and increasing awareness of policy implications. Institutions promoting research, of these types contribute in a very quiet yet meaningful way, to national unity.

ICSSR’s support for international collaboration has enabled the international community to understand the importance of Indian scholarship globally. India is no longer simply participating as a country; it is also becoming an important force in the development of these conversations, and promoting scholarly collaboration with international institutions, the Council has placed Indian social sciences within a wider intellectual network. As a result, there has been an increase in both the quantity and quality of Indian scholarship at the international level.

To celebrate India’s 58th Foundation Day is hugely significant. To envision the development of our nation with the goal of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’, the ICSSR plays a huge part in the role of our nation continuing on this path. We must remember that our country’s further end development will not solely be dependent upon the numbers of economic growth or advancement of technologies. The terms: social stability, trust in all institutions, equity of our education, understanding of all cultures and resilience of our democracy are all part of how we need to create sustainable development. Research in the social sciences gives us much of the information we require in order to fulfil these need.

To their credit, ICSSR has ensured that virtually all research connected to their work is rooted in the real-life experiences of India and has provided an encouragement to develop Scholarship based upon India’s cultural diversity, challenges that we face as a Nation and the democratic processes that exist for an intellectual confidence of a Civilizational type of country, such as India; which has tremendous cultural history and unique social complexity due to its diversity.

The ICSSR is an institution that has silently strengthened Indian democracy. The work done by ICSSR doesn’t typically get a lot of media attention, but it has an impact on numerous areas of national life. And for decades, it has been instrumental in supporting many of the policy discussions, academic debates, and scholarly progress that contribute to the betterment of India.

As India moves ahead in a very complicated global environment, there will be an even greater demand for effective social science institutions like the ICSSR. The economies of the world may be transformed by technology, but understanding the society in which we live will continue to be equally important. The ICSSR helps to ensure that social development will continue to reflect the value of the social element.

The Foundation Day (58th) of the Indian Council of Social Science Research is a day to remember and celebrate, not simply as a milestone, but also to honor India’s intellectual dedication to leading the nation in a thoughtful way. In an environment where there appears to be so much noise that has drowned out reason, the ICSSR is standing firm and affirming the necessity of research, scholarship, and informed understanding. The contributions of the ICSSR to India’s academic and democratic journey establish it as one of the greatest supported institutions.

(Author is Professor and Chairman of Centre for NaMo Studies (CNMS) Email: namostudies@gmail.com )