After independence, India adopted a suitable Constitution and thereafter, various welfare policies and schemes were introduced to facilitate self-governance. Over time, various area-specific and social group-specific measures were also taken by the state and other change agents. The broad purpose behind taking these steps was to translate spirit of democracy and Constitution into action. After several decades of these initiatives and other ongoing measures, it is high time that we examine its impact on different social groups from welfare, human rights, development and empowerment perspective. This book is an outcome analysis of all these and related issues in selected villages of Central Madhya Pradesh. This study is also an extension of the ongoing trend of research on modernization-led development. It is an attempt to make comparative analysis of relationship between different social groups (castes) and modern indices of development. It further highlights issues relating to economic life, health status, education and related institutions operating at the village level, and its overall consequences in a comparative perspective. The book is quite useful for researchers, planners, policy makers and other change agents working in rural and tribal areas. CONTENTS 1 Introduction 2 Villagers 3 Livelihood: Status and Challenges 4 Primary and Upper Primary Education: Status and Challenges 5 Health and Disease: Status and Challenges 6 Social and Political Transformation 7 Conclusion