Rural Industrialisation: Problems and Prospects

Dr. Mookkiah Soundarapandian (born 1960) took his M.A. (1982) Degree in Economics with Unversity Rank and Ph.D. Degree in Economics (1991) at Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai. He also successfully completed the M.Phil. in Economics (Annamalai University), M.Ed., and M.B.A. Degrees at Madhurai Kamaraj University. He now holds the post of Reader in the Department of Rural Industries and Management, Gandhigram Rural Institute, Deemed University, Gandhigram Tamil Nadu, India. Apart from teaching and extension responsibilities at Gandhigram Rural institute, he has been engaged in research activities. He has published many research articles in various reputed journals at national and international level and ten books, namely, Rural Industries in India, Women Entrepreneurship, Tribal Development in India, Industrial Resourgence in Rural India. Rural Entrepreneurship Literacy Campaign in India, Small Scale Industries (Two Volumes), Handloom Sector in India, etc. Apart from providing research guidance to a number of Ph.D. and M.Phil Scholars, he has directed and completed nine minor research projects and three major research projects that were sponsored by Indian Council of Social Science Research, University Grants Commission, Ministry of Rural Development, Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti, New Delhi and State Resource Centre for Non-formal Education, Chennai.