Promoting Social Mobility in India: Modes of Action and Types of Support Organizations. (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Krishna, Anirudh; Agarwal, Swapnil
• Is Part Of: Journal of South Asian development. Volume 12:Number 3(2017:Dec.)
• Page Start: 236
• Page End: 258
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: Social mobility -- equal opportunity -- NGOs -- India; South Asia -- Economic conditions -- Periodicals; South Asia -- Economic policy -- Periodicals; 330.954
• DOI: 10.1177/0973174117733429
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0973-1741

Abstract

Equality of opportunity is an important ideal to uphold in a just society. Beyond its long-standing commitment to affirmative action, relatively little has been done in India to realize this ideal. Compared to other countries, Indian children raised in poverty have a smaller chance of rising to high positions. Seized of this situation, a group of organizations has taken up the mission of social mobility promotion. Through coaching, mentorship, guidance, information provision and other means, these organizations are helping smart and hard-working children with backgrounds in poverty to aspire, and to achieve, superior career options. We identify five types of social mobility promoting organizations (SMPOs), examine their modes of action and indicate future directions.