Dharma and Development the Future of Survival
       edited by Makarand Paranjape

Dharma and Development the Future of Survival edited by Makarand Paranjape is a book inspired by two contrary trends - the ‘failure’ of the development project, on the one hand, and, on the other, the remarkable material improvement wrought by spiritual agencies, especially in India.  Why have religious organisations succeeded where governments and non-governmental agencies have failed?

How is it that these organisations, with minimal or no support from the government or major international aid institutions, manage not only to mobilise considerable resources from their own followers, but also from the public at large?  What is the ‘secret’ of their substantial accomplishments and formidable competence? Why do volunteers dedicated to a spiritual ideal work better than paid employees? What management strategies do these spiritual institutions adopt? How do they spread their message, recruit more followers or manage funds?  

This book attempts to answer such questions.  It is divided into two parts While the first explains the premises of the projects, the second is a series of case-studies examining the contribution of specific organisations.

Covering the works of such diverse organisations such as the Brahma Kumaris, Chinmaya Mission, Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity, Ramakrishna Mission, Satya Sai Baba, Swaminarayans, the integral education movement in Orissa and the Kerala fish workers, this pioneering book promises to open a new area of research and inquiry. It is indispensable to anyone interested in development and / or spirituality.