<<<< Centre for Research and Education for Social Transformation >>>
The social transformation India has been undergoing during the last one decade or so is characterized by unprecedented challenges and opportunities. While a small, privileged section of Indian society has benefited from the opportunities provided by the new social order, a majority of Indians, particularly the Dalits and Adivasis, have not been able to effectively utilize these opportunities. Owing to historical reasons, the Dalits, Adivasis and other marginalized communities of India have not been able to create for themselves a rightful space conducive to their advancement in the complex social milieu. They often fail to embrace aspects of the cultural patterns that are closely associated with the new social order. Social exclusion that lasted for centuries makes it difficult for them to take up the challenges in an effective manner.
The issues confronted by the Dalit/Adivasi communities in the emerging new order demand concerted action from planners and academics. There has not been any significant initiative, either by the government or non-state agencies to address these issues in an effective manner. Centre for Research and Education for Social Transformation (CREST) has been conceived as a unique attempt to redress the collective disadvantages faced by the Dalit/Adivasi and other marginalized communities of the country and to address the current scenario.
<<< About CREST >>>
CREST is an autonomous organization under the Government of Kerala with the mentoring support from the Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode, which incubated the Centre of Excellence, the predecessor institution of the CREST and the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) Bangalore.
The Governing Council headed by the Minister for the Welfare of Scheduled and Backward Communities, Kerala as Chairman monitors the activities of the Centre. Dignitaries like the Governor of Kerala, Chief Minister of Kerala and the Speaker of the Kerala Legislative Assembly are the patrons of this Autonomous institution. The Governing Council has representation from institutions like Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode, National Institute of Advanced Studies. Bangalore, Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment, Thiruvananthapuram and Sree Chitra Thirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology, Thiruvananthapuram as well as Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, New Delhi.
The activities of CREST are facilitated by the Executive Director. The faculty comprises of academics with deep social commitment and a flair for public action. The faculty consists of experts in Sociology and Social Anthropology, Social Work, Social Psychology and Behavioral Science, Applied Economics, Communication, Management and Entrepreneurship Development, Accounting and Finance, Analytical and Quantitative Sciences and Information Technology
<<< The Governing Council >>>
Sri.A.K.Balan, Hon’ble Minister for the Welfare of Scheduled & Backward Communities, Kerala ( Chairman) Prof. N.R. Madhava Menon , Chairman , Centre for Development Studies, Trivandrum Dr.K.N.Panikkar , Vice Chairman, Higher Education Council, Government of Kerala Dr.A.R.Vasavi , Professor, School of Social Science , National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore Dr.Rajan Gurukkal , Vice chancellor, Mahatma Gandhi University. Principal Secretary, Finance Department, Government of Kerala, (ex-officio) Principal Secretary, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Development Department , Government of Kerala (ex- officio) Director , Scheduled Castes Development Department, Government of Kerala (ex- officio) Dr.K.V.Kunhikrishnan, Visiting Professor, School of Social Science, MG University Dr.E.P.Yasodharan , Executive Vice President , Kerala State Council for Science, Technology & Environment, Govt. of Kerala Dr.K.Mohandas , Director , Sree Chithra Thirunal Institute of Medical Sciences & Technology , Trivandrum, Director, Scheduled Tribes Development Department, Government of Kerala (ex - officio) Dr. Rajan Kobragade, IAS , Joint Secretary, Water Supply and Sanitation Department, Government of Maharashtra, Vinod Kumar J, President , CREST Alumni Association Prof.D.D.Nampoothiri, Executive Director, CREST and Vinod Krishnan TY , Associate Programme Coordinator CREST
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