STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The philosophers have only interpreted the world in various ways, the point, however, is to
change it.
Karl Marx

My choice to pursue a degree course in the field of Social Work was guided by strong desire
to work for betterment of prevailing socio-economic conditions in my native state (Bihar,
India). The State of Bihar is one of the most backward states on all defining parameters of
development in the country, even worse than many sub-Saharan countries. The problems
like mass poverty, malnutrition, illiteracy, unemployment etc. are widespread in the state.
These problems served as moral ground for this choice of mine. I quitted my engineering
degree and went to work with an organisation in my State. Here, after working for a year, I
felt need for more skill and better understanding and I came to join the countrys premier
Institute in Social Work (Tata Institute of Social Sciences). Now, at the end of the course this
desire has been further strengthened and widened. But in the course of the study there
have been indeed a realisation of personal inadequacy in terms of skill, understanding and
knowledge of societies and development processes and their effects both at local and global
level. Therefore, I want to pursue my post-graduate study in development studies to equip
myself with necessary knowledge base to effect felt changes on larger scale in the society.
The process of globalisation, which is mainly dominated by economic integration, is being
carried forward in sustained increasing competitive environment. The process in its forward
march has not been only demolishing earlier existing physical barriers and isolation amongst
nations but also has been challenging the concepts like social security and welfare state and,
in the worst case, doing away with these concepts leaving behind a large chunk of populace
helpless and vulnerable to unfavourable life-conditions. The annual Human Development
Index Report published by the UNDP is an important pointer to snowballing of the problem.
In the race of economic development, paradigms of development which may be successful
in one country are being blindly emulated by others without careful consideration resulting
failures along with wastage of resources. Such unpleasant situations can easily be avoided if
we develop global and local understanding and perspective simultaneously.
For me, Master in Development Studies being offered by EMEA Scholarship Programme is a
way ahead for building this understanding and perspective through high standard academic
exercise and exposure to developed European countries. I am of belief that this programme
will provide me in-depth knowledge and understanding about international development
perspective and practices which will help me in shaping my future research and work. The
course provides excellent opportunity to study global social problems like poverty, hunger,
justice and food security to name a few in the company of well-known intellectuals and

teachers of international repute. The emphasis on high quality research based pedagogy
followed by these universities is the biggest motivating factor to apply for the course.
Coming to my degree course, apart from my passion and motivation to work with and work
for needy people, the course, BASW with specialization in Rural Development, has
inculcated in me strong sense of ethical social commitment towards society at large. The
field work, being the compulsory and credited component stretching over entire courseduration, has given me opportunity to study, research and understand rural society and its
socio-economic problems, Community Based Organisation, NGOs, Civil Society
Organisations, the Government Organisations and interlinking amongst each other. The field
work has helped in developing certain skills like data collection, survey, recording,
documentation of findings of the study, conducting both participatory rural appraisal and
rapid rural appraisal. The field work has been an opportunity to take up small research,
engage in participatory research and study local self-governance. I am hopeful that these
skills and learning will be further refined and upgraded and will be proved useful while
pursuing my study in development studies. Moreover, my academic sojourn at desired
university will be an opportunity for me to share my firsthand knowledge, practical
experiences and insights about rural India with my fellow colleague and teachers.
Master in Development Studies which is a multidisciplinary course will provide me
knowledge and understanding of diverse fields and, thus, will help in understanding socioeconomic problems in more holistic way. Todays socio-economic problems are not caused
or affected by one or two reasons but by plethora of reasons and to tackle such problems
multidisciplinary knowledge and approach is required. In ever increasing situations like
these, multidisciplinary course like Development Studies offer most effective solutions and,
therefore, it becomes the most preferred course for my study. I am the man of diverse
interests, especially in education. So the course which draws lessons from various fields of
social science will help maintain my interest and in the process will sustain my hunger for
new knowledge. In order to understand development practices and debate surrounding
them and to update my knowledge in the field I have been extensively reading works of
Prof. Amartya Sen (Nobel laureate and welfare economist) like Development as Freedom,
Inequality Re-examined, and The Idea of Justice, Poverty and Hunger, Hunger and Public
Action etc. These works have not only broadened my understanding but have further
motivated me to pursue my study in development studies.
After completing this course I will continue my higher study (Ph.D.) in development related
field with research orientation towards impact of globalisation on poor and vulnerable
groups in developing countries with special focus on India. After this, I wish to take up
teaching as my profession in the relevant field and also engage myself in public policy
analysis. I hope this opportunity will bring forth my best abilities and will nurture my innate
desire and aptitude to work for betterment of society by enabling me to gain required
ground by providing best learning-teaching experience.