The discipline of social sciences has acquired a significant place in academic circles in recent times by encapsulating the growing complexities and social tensions across the globe. The inevitable traumas involved during transformation, in the context of economic growth and social development, obviously figured in the writings of several new breed of scholars. As such, it would be a worthy attempt to capture some path-breaking outcomes in the arena of research, pertaining to vital issues of concern and academic debates. Viewed from this perspective, the massive application of scientific tools and theories for resolving the issues, that stands as the bone of contention among academicians, attains a logical justification. Be it the roots of religion or the evolution of human species, we find any number of unresolved facts, issues based on concepts and theories, emanating from diverse schools of thought. Many scholars, standing between the traditional line of thinking and the post-modern approaches, have risen to the occasion with their wonderful pieces of writing backed by scientific research and analysis. The present issue reflects the above scenario and stands as a typical example, featuring papers on several debatable areas like the `secularization thesis', the `R. gveda date' and its associated elements, by showing the way towards the need for evolving new parameters of academic research and debate. To substantiate the above impression, we have attempted to recast light upon `Subaltern Studies' with a paper on social emancipation movements in Kerala during the colonial period. Interestingly, the colonial period in India also gains significance as it offers us insights into ancient and medieval history through British records, and this has been truly reflected in the paper on the `qazi' system in the Deccan. The rising magnitude of social tensions in the Indian subcontinent is reflected in the review of the book that deals with Sri Lanka's ethnic crisis.
Religious fundamentalism, particularly within Judaism, Christianity and Islam, currently seems to be never far from the public eye. In the current academic debate on the subject, religious fundamentalism is often regarded as an attempt to recreate the past by allowing religious believers to inhabit a pre-modern worldview. Victoria S Harrison's paper, "Modernity, Religious Fundamentalism and the Secularization Thesis", seeks to demonstrate that this is a deeply misleading picture of religious fundamentalisma picture that cannot explain the prominence of religious fundamentalism within modern multi-cultural societies. By examining some of the key characteristics of religious fundamentalism within the Abrahamic faiths, it argues that, far from being a throwback to the past, religious fundamentalism is a distinctively modern phenomenon. An examination of the secularization thesis (the thesis that there is an inverse relationship between `secularization' and `commitment to religion' in any society, and hence, as societies become increasingly secular, they will become correspondingly less religious) and its failure to account for current patterns of religiosity, provides further reason to believe that religious fundamentalism is dependent upon other features of modernity. The argument of this paper is particularly important because the secularization thesis is often taken for granted in current discussions on religious fundamentalism, and also because the assumption that this thesis is correct, can prevent people from noticing what the author proposesthat is, the parasitic relationship between religious fundamentalism and modernity.
"The R. gveda Date and Indigenism" by N Kazanas, is an important contribution to two controversial issues in Indologythe date of composition of the R. gveda hymns and the `indigenous' versus `exogenous' status of the Indo-Aryans. Of course, the two issues are inextricably related. The paper strongly argues for a R. gveda of the 4th millennium and `indigenism', utilizing evidences from linguistic and literary aspects, from archaeology and genetics. It is hoped that (proto) historians and Sanskritists, indeed all indologists, would re-examine dispassionately the evidence presented herein by a non-Indian scholar, and re-adjust their views so that Indian (proto) History can be restored to a sound basis. Satyam eva jayate.
No doubt, `Subaltern Studies' entered the academic circles by asserting the complete autonomy of lower class insurgency. As we know, `Subaltern Studies' also became an original site for a new kind of `history from below', a people's history free from national constraints, a post-nationalist reimaging of the Indian nation at the margins, outside nationalism. Raj Sekhar Basu attempts to showcase the above phenomenon in his paper, "Pulayas in Kerala: The Nineteenth Century Emancipation Question Re-Explored". By enlightening us on the colors and contours of the caste reform movements in 19th century Kerala, the paper drives home the point that the Christian missionaries acted as the most important agency in mobilizing the Pulayas against their exploitation in the name of caste and purity. Shattering the myths and motives of the emancipatory potential of Christianity, it goes a long way in contributing to the `Subaltern Study' of Indian history.
In the past, some researchers have studied the institution of the `qazi' in the Mughal period. Mention may be made of Qureshi (1971) and Sarkar (1952), who studied the judicial system of the Mughal Empire. Shiddiqui's (1969) study of the institution of the `qazi' in the Mughal period focused on the appointment, role and rewards of the `qazi'. Sensing the necessity of studying the `qazi' in the Deccan, Akiko Suehiro has attempted to sketch the judicial history of the region in the paper, "The Office of the Qazi in the Deccan: An Analysis of British Records". Suehiro has examined laws, which prescribed the institution of the `qazi', issued by the Bombay Government, and thereby throws new light on the judicial history of the Deccan under the British rule.
P Radhakrishnan has captured the Sri Lankan turmoil in his review of the book titled, Paradise Poisoned: Learning about Conflict, Terrorism and Development from Sri Lanka's Civil Wars, which deals with the changing profile of India's neighboring country. John Richardson's book has been identified as a sophisticated politico-economic analysis of the scenario, which is prevalent in Sri Lanka today. Also, by pointing to the multi-disciplinary engagement of systemic linkages among development, governance and civil conflicts, the book has been instrumental in suggesting strategies for the revival of peace and normalcy in the region.
Automated Teller Machines (ATMs): The Changing Face of Banking in India
Bank Management
Information and communication technology has changed the way in which banks provide services to its customers. These days the customers are able to perform their routine banking transactions without even entering the bank premises. ATM is one such development in recent years, which provides remote banking services all over the world, including India. This paper analyzes the development of this self-service banking in India based on the secondary data.
The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is playing a very important role in the progress and advancement in almost all walks of life. The deregulated environment has provided an opportunity to restructure the means and methods of delivery of services in many areas, including the banking sector. The ICT has been a focused issue in the past two decades in Indian banking. In fact, ICTs are enabling the banks to change the way in which they are functioning. Improved customer service has become very important for the very survival and growth of banking sector in the reforms era. The technological advancements, deregulations, and intense competition due to the entry of private sector and foreign banks have altered the face of banking from one of mere intermediation to one of provider of quick, efficient and customer-friendly services. With the introduction and adoption of ICT in the banking sector, the customers are fast moving away from the traditional branch banking system to the convenient and comfort of virtual banking. The most important virtual banking services are phone banking, mobile banking, Internet banking and ATM banking. These electronic channels have enhanced the delivery of banking services accurately and efficiently to the customers. The ATMs are an important part of a bank’s alternative channel to reach the customers, to showcase products and services and to create brand awareness. This is reflected in the increase in the number of ATMs all over the world. ATM is one of the most widely used remote banking services all over the world, including India. This paper analyzes the growth of ATMs of different bank groups in India.
International Scenario
If ATMs are largely available over geographically dispersed areas, the benefit from using an ATM will increase as customers will be able to access their bank accounts from any geographic location. This would imply that the value of an ATM network increases with the number of available ATM locations, and the value of a bank network to a customer will be determined in part by the final network size of the banking system. The statistical information on the growth of branches and ATM network in select countries.
Indian Scenario
The financial services industry in India has witnessed a phenomenal growth, diversification and specialization since the initiation of financial sector reforms in 1991. Greater customer orientation is the only way to retain customer loyalty and withstand competition in the liberalized world. In a market-driven strategy of development, customer preference is of paramount importance in any economy. Gone are the days when customers used to come to the doorsteps of banks. Now the banks are required to chase the customers; only those banks which are customercentric and extremely focused on the needs of their clients can succeed in their business today.
The discipline of
social sciences has acquired a significant place in academic
circles in recent times by encapsulating the growing complexities
and social tensions across the globe. The inevitable traumas
involved during transformation, in the context of economic
growth and social development, obviously figured in the
writings of several new breed of scholars. As such, it would
be a worthy attempt to capture some path-breaking outcomes
in the arena of research, pertaining to vital issues of
concern and academic debates. Viewed from this perspective,
the massive application of scientific tools and theories
for resolving the issues, that stands as the bone of contention
among academicians, attains a logical justification. Be
it the roots of religion or the evolution of human species,
we find any number of unresolved facts, issues based on
concepts and theories, emanating from diverse schools of
thought. Many scholars, standing between the traditional
line of thinking and the post-modern approaches, have risen
to the occasion with their wonderful pieces of writing backed
by scientific research and analysis. The present issue reflects
the above scenario and stands as a typical example, featuring
papers on several debatable areas like the `secularization
thesis', the `R. gveda date' and its associated elements,
by showing the way towards the need for evolving new parameters
of academic research and debate. To substantiate the above
impression, we have attempted to recast light upon `Subaltern
Studies' with a paper on social emancipation movements in
Kerala during the colonial period. Interestingly, the colonial
period in India also gains significance as it offers us
insights into ancient and medieval history through British
records, and this has been truly reflected in the paper
on the `qazi' system in the Deccan. The rising
magnitude of social tensions in the Indian subcontinent
is reflected in the review of the book that deals with Sri
Lanka's ethnic crisis.
Religious
fundamentalism, particularly within Judaism, Christianity
and Islam, currently seems to be never far from the public
eye. In the current academic debate on the subject, religious
fundamentalism is often regarded as an attempt to recreate
the past by allowing religious believers to inhabit a pre-modern
worldview. Victoria S Harrison's paper, "Modernity,
Religious Fundamentalism and the Secularization Thesis",
seeks to demonstrate that this is a deeply misleading picture
of religious fundamentalisma picture that cannot explain
the prominence of religious fundamentalism within modern
multi-cultural societies. By examining some of the key characteristics
of religious fundamentalism within the Abrahamic faiths,
it argues that, far from being a throwback to the past,
religious fundamentalism is a distinctively modern phenomenon.
An examination of the secularization thesis (the thesis
that there is an inverse relationship between `secularization'
and `commitment to religion' in any society, and hence,
as societies become increasingly secular, they will become
correspondingly less religious) and its failure to account
for current patterns of religiosity, provides further reason
to believe that religious fundamentalism is dependent upon
other features of modernity. The argument of this paper
is particularly important because the secularization thesis
is often taken for granted in current discussions on religious
fundamentalism, and also because the assumption that this
thesis is correct, can prevent people from noticing what
the author proposesthat is, the parasitic relationship between
religious fundamentalism and modernity.
"The
R. gveda Date and Indigenism" by N Kazanas, is
an important contribution to two controversial issues in
Indologythe date of composition of the R. gveda hymns
and the `indigenous' versus `exogenous' status of the Indo-Aryans.
Of course, the two issues are inextricably related. The
paper strongly argues for a R. gveda of the 4th
millennium and `indigenism', utilizing evidences from linguistic
and literary aspects, from archaeology and genetics. It
is hoped that (proto) historians and Sanskritists, indeed
all indologists, would re-examine dispassionately the evidence
presented herein by a non-Indian scholar, and re-adjust
their views so that Indian (proto) History can be restored
to a sound basis. Satyam eva jayate.
No
doubt, `Subaltern Studies' entered the academic circles
by asserting the complete autonomy of lower class insurgency.
As we know, `Subaltern Studies' also became an original
site for a new kind of `history from below', a people's
history free from national constraints, a post-nationalist
reimaging of the Indian nation at the margins, outside nationalism.
Raj Sekhar Basu attempts to showcase the above phenomenon
in his paper, "Pulayas in Kerala: The Nineteenth Century
Emancipation Question Re-Explored". By enlightening
us on the colors and contours of the caste reform movements
in 19th century Kerala, the paper drives home
the point that the Christian missionaries acted as the most
important agency in mobilizing the Pulayas against their
exploitation in the name of caste and purity. Shattering
the myths and motives of the emancipatory potential
of Christianity, it goes a long way in contributing to the
`Subaltern Study' of Indian history.
In
the past, some researchers have studied the institution
of the `qazi' in the Mughal period. Mention may be
made of Qureshi (1971) and Sarkar (1952), who studied the
judicial system of the Mughal Empire. Shiddiqui's (1969)
study of the institution of the `qazi' in the Mughal
period focused on the appointment, role and rewards of the
`qazi'. Sensing the necessity of studying the `qazi'
in the Deccan, Akiko Suehiro has attempted to sketch the
judicial history of the region in the paper, "The Office
of the Qazi in the Deccan: An Analysis of British
Records". Suehiro has examined laws, which prescribed
the institution of the `qazi', issued by the Bombay
Government, and thereby throws new light on the judicial
history of the Deccan under the British rule.
P
Radhakrishnan has captured the Sri Lankan turmoil in his
review of the book titled, Paradise Poisoned: Learning
about Conflict, Terrorism and Development from Sri Lanka's
Civil Wars, which deals with the changing profile of
India's neighboring country. John Richardson's book has
been identified as a sophisticated politico-economic analysis
of the scenario, which is prevalent in Sri Lanka today.
Also, by pointing to the multi-disciplinary engagement of
systemic linkages among development, governance and civil
conflicts, the book has been instrumental in suggesting
strategies for the revival of peace and normalcy in the
region.
Automated Teller Machines (ATMs): The Changing Face of Banking in India
Bank Management
Information and communication technology has changed the way in which banks provide services to its customers. These days the customers are able to perform their routine banking transactions without even entering the bank premises. ATM is one such development in recent years, which provides remote banking services all over the world, including India. This paper analyzes the development of this self-service banking in India based on the secondary data.
The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is playing a very important role in the progress and advancement in almost all walks of life. The deregulated environment has provided an opportunity to restructure the means and methods of delivery of services in many areas, including the banking sector. The ICT has been a focused issue in the past two decades in Indian banking. In fact, ICTs are enabling the banks to change the way in which they are functioning. Improved customer service has become very important for the very survival and growth of banking sector in the reforms era. The technological advancements, deregulations, and intense competition due to the entry of private sector and foreign banks have altered the face of banking from one of mere intermediation to one of provider of quick, efficient and customer-friendly services. With the introduction and adoption of ICT in the banking sector, the customers are fast moving away from the traditional branch banking system to the convenient and comfort of virtual banking. The most important virtual banking services are phone banking, mobile banking, Internet banking and ATM banking. These electronic channels have enhanced the delivery of banking services accurately and efficiently to the customers. The ATMs are an important part of a bank’s alternative channel to reach the customers, to showcase products and services and to create brand awareness. This is reflected in the increase in the number of ATMs all over the world. ATM is one of the most widely used remote banking services all over the world, including India. This paper analyzes the growth of ATMs of different bank groups in India.
International Scenario
If ATMs are largely available over geographically dispersed areas, the benefit from using an ATM will increase as customers will be able to access their bank accounts from any geographic location. This would imply that the value of an ATM network increases with the number of available ATM locations, and the value of a bank network to a customer will be determined in part by the final network size of the banking system. The statistical information on the growth of branches and ATM network in select countries.
Indian Scenario
The financial services industry in India has witnessed a phenomenal growth, diversification and specialization since the initiation of financial sector reforms in 1991. Greater customer orientation is the only way to retain customer loyalty and withstand competition in the liberalized world. In a market-driven strategy of development, customer preference is of paramount importance in any economy. Gone are the days when customers used to come to the doorsteps of banks. Now the banks are required to chase the customers; only those banks which are customercentric and extremely focused on the needs of their clients can succeed in their business today.
