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The article presents a study which explores the role of the Swaranjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) programme in socio-economic development in Punjab, India. The study explores the beneficiaries of the SGSY and examines its contribution to the beneficiaries' socio-economic development. It also identifies the factors for its success or failure and suggests improvements in it.

Rural society despite development in the field of agriculture and means of transportation believes in traditional health care system and to a large extent, are ignorant of the consequences of health problems that incur due to traditional health care system. The major problem is that of safe drinking water, non-availability of qualified doctors and paramedical staff The present study is a modest attempt to bring out those factors that lead to rural health problems and its socio-economic consequences. Based on primary data collected through interview schedule in three districts of Punjab, the reader infers that traditional means of health care are still in vogue and constitute a part of the rural society. Unqualified doctors continue to provide health services. On the other hand, expenditures on medicines have increased but the income level has not improved to support the increased medical expenses. This is leading to interpersonal tensions and conflicts to a great extent. It is suggested that ruralities be made aware of health care needs and the menace of unqualified persons providing health services in rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the findings of a study on the sociolinguistic situation and psychology of learning a language in Punjab, India. The attitudes and development of the abilities of children are influenced by the education of parents. One of the constituents of the socioeconomic background of an individual is the level of linguistic skills of a student and the parents. There is a relationship between the socio-economic background and the choice of a language course leading to masteral degree.

The article presents a study which explores the pattern of disease and the availability of health facilities in Ludhiana, Amritsar and Bathinda, three rural areas in Punjab, India. The study aims to find out the major diseases and their status of prevalence in these areas and the kind of health facilities available for the masses. Results of the study show that anemia was the most prevalent disease, followed by reproductive health problems, joint pain and gastric and stomach problems. It was also revealed that majority of the respondents had a near government health institution within the range of two kilometers but most of them did not get proper treatment in government health center at village level. Several suggestions to strengthen the public health care system were given.

Caste system in India is transforming from its rigidity and conception of purity and pollution. Untouchability which has the serious social problem associated with caste too is transforming and is giving way to new forms of social interaction without prejudices and discriminations. The present study is based on data collected from the three districts of Punjab, categorized as advanced, less advanced and in-between. In all, 12 villages were selected for the study and 20 respondents belonging to Scheduled and Non-scheduled castes were interviewed with the help of a structured schedule. It is inferred that geographical segregation of Scheduled castes is no more an issue as their residential areas are expanding towards the village side. The caste restriction of accepting food, water and the like have changed altogether and scheduled castes to a large extent, have joined the mainstream in Punjab. Political and religious deprivation has not been observed in the study area. Education, development of the means of communication and transportation, impact of urban life, mass media are some of the factors responsible for this change in rural society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]