भारत ग्रामीण अध्ययन और परिशोधन अकादमी

భారత గ్రామీణ అధ్యయనం మరియు పరిశోధన అకాడమీ (అగ్రశ్రీ)

Academy of Grassroots Studies and Research of India

[Recognised as Nodal Agency by the Govt. of India and Govt. of AP]

Registered under Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860

Founder Chairman and Mentor

Dr. Subhash C. Kashyap (1929-2026)

Padma Bhushan Awardee and
Former Secretary-General, Lok Sabha, New Delhi
Member, High Power Committee on One Nation- One Election, Govt. of India

Research

Research Books
Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Lecture and National Awards Souvenirs
Chittoor District Centenary Awards Special Souvenirs
Research Projects
Occasional Papers
Special Papers
Working Papers
Seminar/Conference Recommendations

Testimonial

Announcements

Inviting Nominations for the Neelam Sanjiva Reddy State Awards

Nomination Form of Neelam Sanjiva Reddy Visishta Ratna, Nyaya, Vidya, Vaidya and Panchayat Raj Shiromani State Awards Read More

Inviting Nominations for the Rajiv Gandhi National Awards

Nomination Form of Rajiv Gandhi Outstanding Leadership, Best District, Best Taluk, Best Gram Panchayat, Mahila Shakti and Gram Swaraj National AwardsRead More

Activities

National Youth Day Celebrations (12 January every Year).
 
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International Women’s Empowerment Day Celebrations (8 March every Year).
 
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Neelam Sanjiva Reddy Memorial Lecture Programme (19 May every Year).
 
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Neelam Sanjiva Reddy State Awards Conferment Programme (19 May every Year).
 
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National Panchayati Raj Day Celebrations (24 April every Year).
 
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Anti-Terrorism Day Celebrations (21 May every Year).
 
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Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Lecture Programme (20 August every Year).
 
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Rajiv Gandhi National Awards Conferment Programme (20 August every Year).
 
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AGRASRI National Seminar/Conference (20 August every Year).
 
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Gram Swaraj Day Celebrations (2 October every Year).
 
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AGRASRI Foundation Day Lecture Programme (12 November every Year).
 
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Human Rights Day Celebrations (10 December every Year).
 
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Good Governance Day Celebrations (25 December every Year).
 
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Capacity Building and Training Programmes (Throughout the Year).
 
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Field Visits to Gram, Taluk and District Panchayats (Throughout the Year).
 
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Contact Us

DR. D. SUNDAR RAM
Founder and Director
Academy of Grassroots Studies and Research of India (AGRASRI)
# Plot No.11, Sri Venkata Sai Nilayam
Thummalagunta, S.V. University P.O.
Tirupati-517502, Andhra Pradesh. India
Mobile: +91-6302947338, +91-9441245085
E.mail: drsundarram@gmail.com | agrasridirector@gmail.com        
Website: www.agrasri.org.in

RESEARCH BOOKS

As a Social Science Research Institute, Academy has published a large number of research books on concerned themes of rural India, in collaboration with New Delhi based leading publishers. AGRASRI books were released by eminent policy makers like Dr. C. Rangarajan, Shri R.L. Bhatia, Shri Murlidhar C. Bhandare, Shri T.N. Chaturvedi, Shri Shivraj V. Patil, Dr. Bal Ram Jakhar, Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar, Shri Salman Khurshid, Prof. B.K. Chandrasekhar, Dr. V. Shanta and Prof. Sukhadeo K. Thorat at Academy programmes held at Tirupati and New Delhi.

The following is the list of research books, published by AGRASRI in recent years:

1. Panchayati Raj Reforms in India: Power to the People at the Grassroots, D. Sundar Ram (Ed.,) New Delhi, Kanishka Publishers, Distributors & AGRASRI, 2007. ISBN: 81-7391-925-9. Foreword by Shri M.V. Rajasekharan, Hon’ble the then Union Minister of State for Planning, Govt. of India, New Delhi. Price: Rs. 695/-

❖ The Book was released by Shri R.L. Bhatia, HE, the then Governor of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, at AGRASRI programme on 20 August, 2007 at Tirupati.

 
Summary of the Book
The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments aimed at the empowerment of Panchayati Raj Institutions were a progressive step towards democratic decentralisation, generating considerable hopes that these would result in the realisation of Gandhiji’s dream of Gram Swaraj. The Sixteen Chapters in this Volume by a distinguished group of scholars and experts provide an overview of the changing role of the Panchayati Raj Institutions in India at the grassroots level, in the process of decentralisation and devolution of powers. Examining the administrative and political lacunae in the functioning of the Institutions of Self-government, this Volume explores a real insight into the issue of major haunting dilemmas of the grassroots democratic institutions in contemporary India.
 

2. Rajiv Gandhi: A Visionary of Modern India, D. Sundar Ram (Ed.), New Delhi, Kanishka Publishers, Distributors & AGRASRI, 2007. ISBN: 81-7391-926-1. Foreword by Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar, Hon’ble the then Union Minister for Panchayati Raj and Youth Affairs &Sports, Govt. of India, New Delhi.

❖ The Book was released by Shri R.L. Bhatia, HE, the then Governor of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, at AGRASRI programme on 20 August, 2007 at Tirupati.

 
Summary of the Book
Energetic, young and charismatic leader Shri Rajiv Gandhi have taken India to her glorious future and into the 21st Century had his dreams. Rajiv Gandhi has carved for himself an unforgettable place in the history of contemporary India. The Twenty-five Chapters in the book are written by the distinguished parliamentarians, policy makers, jurists, civil servants, administrators, academics and researchers. The amount of articles and reminiscences that has been disseminated through this excellent book is testify to the accomplishments of Rajiv Gandhi – as a policy maker, a politician, a visionary, a reformer, a secularist and a humanist. This lucid and comprehensive book explores the ideals and vision of Shri Rajiv Gandhi towards self-reliant modern India.
 

3. Dynamics of Grassroots Governance in India- Dreams and Realities, 2 Vols., D. Sundar Ram (Ed.), New Delhi Kanishka Publishers, Distributors & AGRASRI, 2007. ISBN: 81-7391-931-3. Foreword by Professor M.S. Swaminathan, the then Chairman, National Commission on Farmers, Govt. of India, New Delhi.

❖ The Book was released by Shri R.L. Bhatia, HE, the then Governor of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, at AGRASRI programme on 20 August, 2007 at Tirupati.

 
Summary of the Book
This important Volume (set in 2 parts) constitutes a significant contribution to the on-going search for alternatives to the dilemmas of the grassroots democratic institutions over last several years. A distinguished panel of authors reviews the strength and weaknesses of the existing Panchayati Raj Institutions- whether it serves the basic needs and aspirations of the people at the grassroots level or has become obsolete and, if so, whether a systematic change is required. Providing an analytical description of the dynamics of the grassroots institutions with Indian experience, these 2 volumes provide a important insights and analytical tools to the debate on the good governance at the grassroots level and draws attention to various unresolved issues and dilemmas. These timely volumes seek to examine the dilemmas and realities of the rural people towards good governance objectively and dispassionately.
 

4. Panchayati Raj and Empowering People - New Agenda for Rural India : Essays in Honour of Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar, D. Sundar Ram (Ed.), New Delhi, Kanishka Publishers, Distributors & AGRASRI, 2007. ISBN: 81-7391-927-5. Foreword by Shri I.K. Gujral, Hon’ble Former Prime Minister of India, New Delhi.

❖ The Book was released by Shri R.L. Bhatia, HE, the then Governor of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, at AGRASRI programme on 20 August, 2007 at Tirupati.

 
Summary of the Book
The present Volume aims at looking the implementation of various provisions of 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 from the standpoint of devolution of powers to the Panchayati Raj Institutions by the respective State Govts and draw out a new deal for rural India in the context of 2nd generation of Panchayati Raj reforms. The 31 Chapters in the Festschrift Volume in Honour of Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar- written by distinguished panel of policy makers and scholars – highlight the major problems being faced by the Panchayati Raj Institutions in respect of 3 F’s – Functions, Finances and Functionaries and the solutions of the same are given in a comprehensive way. This Volume provides a timely and comprehensive review of the policy perspectives with analyses of the implementation of the provisions of 73rd CAA, in letter and spirit for empowering people at the grassroots.
 

5. Federal System and Coalitional Governance in India: Conflicts and Consensus in Centre-State Relations, D. Sundar Ram (Ed.), New Delhi, Kanishka Publishers, Distributors & AGRASRI, 2007. ISBN: 81-7391-928-3. Foreword by Shri T.N. Chaturvedi, His Excellency, the then Governor of Karnataka, Bangalore.

❖ The Book was released by Shri R.L. Bhatia, HE, the then Governor of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, at AGRASRI programme on 20 August, 2007 at Tirupati.

 
Summary of the Book
The dynamics of federalism, in the context of the Indian scenario has invariably been the major focus of attention in any discussion of Indian polity and governance in contemporary times. The 16 Chapters in the present Volume are written by outstanding authorities on the subject ‘Federalism and Coalition Politics’. These Chapters record the experiences and thinking of these authorities on some of the newer issues that confront the federal system in India. This Volume explores the various facets of the dynamics of federalism, good governance, role of governor, demand for state autonomy and peripheral topics. It is in this context that the present Volume focuses on the need to carry out a futuristic introspection of Centre-State relations in the context of a new era of coalition politics and governance and suggest the ways and mean to evolve mechanism for healthy Union-State relations in India.
 

6. Role of Panchayati Raj Institutions in 60 Years of Independent India: Vision of the Future, D. Sundar Ram (Ed.), New Delhi, Kanishka Publishers, Distributors & AGRASRI, 2008. ISBN: 978-81-8457-087-8.

❖ The Book was released by Dr. C. Rangarajan, the then Chairman, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India, New Delhi at AGRASRI programme on 20 August, 2008 at Tirupati.

 
Summary of the Book
The Panchayati Raj Institutions have a great role to play for the development of the national programmes, for providing economic development and social justice to the rural people of India. The present Volume aims at looking the pros and cons of the working of the PRIs Institutions over a period of Six decades of India’s Independence and 15 Years of the gazeting and entry into force of the 73rd Amendment (Part IX- The Panchayats) of the Constitution and draw out a blue print for the vision in the context of further reforms at the grassroots. The 25 Chapters in the Volume by distinguished policy makers, administrators and scholars provide a comprehensive review of the initiatives of various governments at the federal as well as state levels in bringing out a revolutionary panchayati raj reforms, through 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 and various State Panchayati Raj Acts, for transformation of rural India.
 

7. Quest for Political Stability in India : Essays on Governance, Polity and Development, D. Sundar Ram, New Delhi, Kanishka Publishers, Distributors & AGRASRI, 2008. ISBN: 978-81-8457-090-8.

❖ The Book was released by Dr. C. Rangarajan, the then Chairman, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India, at AGRASRI programme on 20 August, 2008 at Tirupati.

 
Summary of the Book
The political events in India since 1989 have exposed the instability inherent in the parliamentary form of government when it comes to dealing with coalitions. It is well recognised fact that the effective political stability is an essential requisite for the successful functioning of federal government based on parliamentary democracy. Unfortunately, the credibility of coalition government in contemporary India has suffered a grievous blow in the last several years or so with the murky politics. In the context of fluid political situation prevailed in India after 1996 Lok Sabha elections, general question about the stability of coalition government is being raised. Providing a comprehensive overview of the working of the political system in an era of coalitions with Indian experience, the present book focuses on the quest for political stability in a holistic perspective.
 

8. Women Empowerment in Political Institutions - An Indian Perspective, D. Sundar Ram (Ed.), New Delhi, Kanishka Publishers, Distributors & AGRASRI, 2009. ISBN-978-81-8457-161.

❖ The Book was released by Dr. G. Madhavan Nair, the then Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Govt. of India, Bengaluru at AGRASRI programme on 20 August, 2009 at Tirupati.

 
Summary of the Book
This book is a collection of 14 original essays presented by prominent policy makers, academicians, researchers, and women activists at the National Conference held at Tirupati, which was organised by the Academy of Grassroots Studies and Research of India, Tirupati and sponsored by the National Commission for Women, Govt. of India, New Delhi. The present book aims at looking the pros and cons of the empowerment of women in Indian polity and governance and draw out a blue print for the vision and perspectives of various political parties towards the reservation of seats for women in Indian Parliament and State Legislatures in proportionate to their population. This valuable book brings together a range of perspectives concerning the causes of and solutions to the problem of women political empowerment in India.
 

9. Political Transformation in India: Redesigning for Good Governance, 2 Vols, D. Sundar Ram (Ed.), Jaipur, National Publishing House & AGRASRI, 2010. ISBN: 978-81-8018-096-5. Foreword by Shri Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah, Former Chief Justice of India and Former Chairman, National Commission for Human Rights, Govt. of India, New Delhi.

❖ Two Volumes of the Book were released by Shri Murlidhar C. Bhandare, HE, the then Governor of Odisha, Bhubaneshwar and Shri Salman Khurshid, Hon’ble the then Union Cabinet Minister for Water Resources and Minority Affairs, Govt. of India, New Delhi at AGRASRI programme on 8 March, 2011 at India International Centre, New Delhi.

 
Summary of the Book
Today, it is a widely accepted fact that India is a successful democratic nation in the Third World countries, with a full-fledged parliamentary system. The Forty-nine Chapters in the 2-part Volume contributed by a distinguished and eminent policy-makers, parliamentarians, jurists, administrators, civil servants, diplomats, economists, scientists, constitutional experts, political scientists, social activists and academics, highlight the major problems and challenges India has faced in its growth and development over a period of Six decades of experience and experimentation as a unique parliamentary democratic nation. This timely 2-part Volume is a thought-provoking attempt in advocating numerous alternative proposal package and remedial measures for a fresh look in an introspective spirit at various aspects of and issues in Indian administration at a time when the polity, economy and society seem to be under multiple stresses and strains.
 

10. Grassroots Planning and Local Governance in India : Policy Initiatives and People’s Participation , D. Sundar Ram (Ed.), New Delhi, Kanishka Publishers, Distributors & AGRASRI, 2010. ISBN: 978-81-8457-241-4.

❖ The Book was released by Prof. B.K. Chandrasekhar, Former Chairman, Karnataka State Legislative Council, Bengaluru at AGRASRI programme on 20 August, 2010 at Tirupati.

 
Summary of the Book
The 73rd and 74th Amendments to the Constitution gave constitutional status to local self-governments and provided a new, more politically underpinned, universalised platform for decentralised planning from below. For this, the major issue of the decentralised planning is to be reviewed, policies are to be redesigned and grassroots level realities are to be recognised. The present volume aims to map the spectrum of new vision for inspiring journey into the future of Panchayati Raj and Nagar Palika Institutions, with more powers and functions. The volume is a collection of 23 original essays presented by prominent policy makers, academicians, researchers, and planners at the National Colloquium, held under the aegis of Academy of Grassroots Studies and Research of India (AGRASRI), in August 2009 at Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.
 

11. Reservations for Women in Rural and Urban Local Bodies in India: Equal Partners in Decision-making Process , D. Sundar Ram (Ed.), New Delhi, Kanishka Publishers, Distributors & AGRASRI, 2012. ISBN: 978-81-8457-325-1.

❖ The Book was released by Dr. V. Shanta, Magsaysay Awardee and Chairperson, Cancer Institute, Chennai at AGRASRI programme on 25 November, 2011 at Tirupati.

 
Summary of the Book
Provision of 50 per cent of reservation for women in rural and urban local bodies is a right step to empower them politically. It is true that the enhancement of reservation for women in rural and urban local bodies would ensure their increased representation and participation. The volume is a collection of 12 original essays presented by prominent women policy makers, academicians, researchers, social activists and planners at the 2-day National Convention held at Tirupati in 2010, under the aegis of the Academy of Grassroots Studies and Research of India (AGRASRI), Tirupati, AP and sponsored by the National Commission for Women, Government of India, New Delhi. The present volume aims to map the spectrum of new vision for women empowerment in grassroots democratic institutions, with more powers and functions, as women policy makers for inclusive growth in contemporary India.
 

12. Grama Sabha Institution in India: 20 Years Experiences and Experiments as Vital Decision-making Body at the Grassroots , D. Sundar Ram (Ed.), New Delhi, Kanishka Publishers, Distributors & AGRASRI, 2013. ISBN: 978-81-8457-436-4.

❖ The Book was released by Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar, Former Union Cabinet Minister for Panchayati Raj and Prof. Sukhadeo K. Thorat, the then Chairman, ICSSR, New Delhi at AGRASRI programme on 20 August, 2014 at IIPA, New Delhi.

 
Summary of the Book
In recent years, much emphasis has been placed on decentralisation strategy by the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj on the notion that empowered people and transparent panchayats are possible only through the Gram Sabha Institution. With the responsibilities of rural local government institutions expanding and with their role and reach poised for further enlargement in the foreseeable future, there is a need of hour to revitalise the Grama Sabha Institution, as vital decision-making body at the grassroots level, in contemporary India. The present book is a collection of 16 original essays presented by the experts, specialists and administrators at the National Workshop held at Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, in 2011, under the aegis of the Academy of Grassroots Studies and Research of India (AGRASRI), Tirupati, to map the spectrum of new vision for empowered people and transparent panchayats in rural India.
 

13.Basic Sanitation in Rural India: Road Map for Swachh Bharat ,D. Sundar Ram (Editor), New Delhi, Shipra Publications and AGRASRI, 2018. ISBN: 978-93-86262-75-2.

❖ The Book was released by Shri Justice D. Subrahmanyam, Former Chairman, AP Commission for Backward Classes, Govt. of AP, Hyderabad at AGRASRI programme on 1 April, 2020 at Tirupati.

 
Summary of the Book
Basic sanitation to the people of rural India is one of the important issues on which the debate has been going-on for the last 30 years in India without arriving any concrete solutions for clean India. To accelerate the efforts to achieve universal sanitation coverage and to put focus on sanitation, the Prime Minister Modi launched the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) on 2nd October, 2014. The book presents a vivid picture of the rural sanitation and its implementation strategies from the perspective of the rural people under the new dispensation of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. It is in this context that the book focuses on the need to carry out a futuristic introspection of rural sanitation in the context of to achieve a ‘Clean India’ by 2019. The contribution made by distinguished social workers, researchers, and administrators identify emerging challenges and suggest the ways and means to evolve a mechanism for a healthy India and clean India with active participation of P RIs in rural India.
 

14. Role of Villages in Nation Building in 75 Years of Indian Republic: Achievements, Challenges and Solutions, D. Sundar Ram (Editor), New Delhi, Kanishka Publishers, Distributors and AGRASRI, 2026. ISBN: 978-93-48491-03-9.

 
Summary of the Book
A real vision of democracy requires delegations of power from above to the below and true devolution of power to the common man at the village level. The present book explores the constructive role of villages in national development over a period of 75 years of Independent India. 21 Chapters in the book assesses that to further develop the villages, which play a key role in the country's development, the Panchayati Raj system must be strengthened. The book suggests that the time has come for all state governments to immediately transfer the funds, functions and powers that were to be transferred to the PRIs, which were transformed into constitutional institutions through 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, and lay the foundations for Gram Swarajya. Only when steps and reforms are taken in this direction can our villages play a crucial role in the nation building and thus have a chance to achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat@2047.
 

15. Empowerment of Women from Panchayat to Parliament as Policy-makers in India: Achievements, Challenges and Participation as Equal Partners in Decision-making Process, D. Sundar Ram (Editor), New Delhi, Kanishka Publishers, Distributors and AGRASRI, 2026. ISBN: 978-93-48491-11-4.

 
Summary of the Book
Women's political participation is a fundamental prerequisite for gender equality and genuine democracy. Since Independence, Women have held the highest positions like the President, the Prime Minister, the Governor, the Lok Sabha Speaker, the Union Minister, the State Assembly Speaker as well as Chief Minister of various states in India. Nevertheless, when it comes to representation of women in legislative bodies, India is among the bottom group of nations in the world. Women's representation has always been less than 10% in Lok Sabha and 5% in the State Assemblies. The present book analyses the achievements, challenges and participation in decision-making parameters of Indian women elected representatives of Rural and Urban Local Bodies, State Assemblies and Parliament, as policy makers. 15 Chapters in the book draw the future vision and road map for Women empowerment from Panchayat to Parliament after 78 Years of India’s Independence.
 

16. Dimensions of Dalit Leadership in Local Self-Government Institutions in India: A Study of Chittoor and Guntur Districts of Andhra Pradesh, D. Sundar Ram, New Delhi, Kanishka Publishers, Distributors and AGRASRI, 2026. ISBN: 978-93-48491-13-8.

 
Summary of the Book
The Panchayati Raj system has become the soul of democracy in contemporary India, after being strengthened and induced with the spirit of people’s participation by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act. The present study is to explore the leadership qualities and administrative skills of Dalit Panchayat Presidents as grassroots policy-makers in delivery of good governance and what type of problems and constraints faced by them and their achievements in local governance with special reference to Chittoor and Guntur Districts of Andhra Pradesh. Further it is intended to understand the socio, economic and political conditions of the Dalit elected representatives as decision-makers at the grassroots in the selected 28 Gram Panchayats and the nature and treatment of the society towards Dalit leadership has taken up in Andhra Pradesh state. The present research study was made possible with the Senior Fellowship provided by the Indian Council of Social Science Research, New Delhi.
 

17. Rajiv Gandhi: Mission and Vision for Transforming India in the 21st Century: A Festschrift Volume, D. Sundar Ram (Editor), New Delhi, Kanishka Publishers, Distributors and AGRASRI, 2026. (In Progress).


18. Rural Transformation through Panchayati Raj Institutions in India: Experiments and Experiences after 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, D. Sundar Ram (Editor), New Delhi, Kanishka Publishers, Distributors and AGRASRI, 2026. (In Progress).