Community development is a critical aspect of sustainable development, which aims to empower communities to create and manage their own development initiatives. In India, community development has been a central component of social policy for several decades, and there is a wealth of evidence-based approaches that have been developed and implemented across the country.

This edited book brings together a collection of chapters from experts in the field of community development in India. The book presents evidence-based approaches to community development that have been successfully implemented in various contexts and regions of India. The chapters cover a range of topics, including community-led development, participatory planning and decision-making, community-based natural resource management, and social entrepreneurship. The book is intended to serve as a valuable resource for practitioners, researchers, and policymakers in the field of community development in India. It highlights the importance of evidence-based approaches to community development and provides insights into the challenges and opportunities that arise in the implementation of such approaches.

Overall, this book aims to contribute to the ongoing dialogue on community development in India and to promote the use of evidence-based approaches to support sustainable development and social transformation in the country. The chapters in the book contributed by community development practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and academician in across India. 

Prof Mohan A K
Prof Mohan A K is a distinguished professor, social worker, and community development expert, who
has made significant contributions to the field of social work, particularly in India. With a career
spanning over 25 years, Prof Mohan A K has dedicated his life to promoting social justice and
empowering marginalized communities in India.
He has received his PhD in social work from University of Mysore, and since then has held
various academic positions at top universities in India. He has published numerous research articles,
book chapters, and books on social work, Gerontological Social Work, Fishermen community
development, Child protection and Women empowerment, many of which have been widely cited and
influential in the field.
In addition to research, Prof Mohan A K is also a dedicated teacher and mentor, inspiring and
guiding the next generation of social workers. He have supervised many graduate students and
doctoral candidates, and his guidance has helped to shape the direction of the field.
As a proponent of Bharatiyakaran of Social Work, Prof Mohan A K has been working
towards making social work more culturally sensitive and relevant to the Indian context. He believes
that the Western-centric approach to social work has limited its effectiveness in India and that social
work should be grounded in the Indian cultural values and traditions. He has written extensively on
the topic, arguing that a Bharatiya perspective can help social workers better understand and address
the unique challenges facing Indian communities
In addition to his work as a social worker and academic, Prof Mohan A K is also actively
involved in social and community development activities. He have served on various committees and
advisory boards related to social welfare and community development initiatives in India. He is also a
committed community activist, working with local organizations and policymakers to advocate for the
needs of marginalized and underrepresented communities. His tireless efforts have earned him
widespread recognition and respect within the social work community.
Under his tutelage, he has produced several distinguished research scholars. A renowned
social work school with its main campus in Mangalore, Karnataka, Roshni Nilaya presented him with
an academic excellence award in 2022. Additionally, he has worked on projects supported by the
National Institute of Social Defence, Indian Council of Social Science Research and CAPART.
Additionally, he is connected to organizations like the BSKP, BSM, KAPSW, KAPS and ISPSW. He
is the most approachable administrator who is constantly willing to assist the student community. He
served in a number of roles in academia, including that of Director of the APJ Abdul Kalam Centre

for Extension Services and Head-Department of Social Work at Central University of Kerala. He also
served as Dean of the School of Social Sciences.
Overall, Prof Mohan A K is a respected scholar and practitioner in the field of social work,
whose work has had a profound impact on the lives of countless individuals and communities in India
and beyond.
Dr. Laxmi
Dr. Laxmi is working as Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work, Central University of
Kerala and also the coordinator of Centre for Gerontology in Central University of Kerala. She has 20
years of teaching experience and three years of experience in counselling field. She also served as
Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) member to the most prestigious IT industries like Infosys, and
L&T Mysuru. Presently she is serving as ICC member of SkanRay Technologies, Mysuru. As an
enthusiastic academician, had organized Seminars and Workshops for the effective knowledge
sharing. The national conferences organized by her is on “Disaster Management” funded by UGC in
2014 and in 2018 she had organized national conference entitled “Active Ageing: Paradigms for Post-
modern Era” funded by NISD, New Delhi. Apart from that she had also organized capacity building
programmes on drug abuse for the counsellors and social work students funded by NISD, New Delhi.
Dr. Laxmi has presented papers in national and International seminars and conferences. She has also
completed various projects submitted by UGC, New Delhi, ICSSR, New Delhi, Karnataka
Knowledge Commission and the The Union, New Delhi.