A Person is not only a social animal, he /she is also an economic being. He/ she is incessantly engaged in what are known as economic pursuits or activities. These economic activities are so multifaceted, varied and complex that they constitute what is known as an economy.
The main focus of the present study is to know the social and economic position of Muslim labours of Bhopal city. The Bhopal city is a Muslim dominated area where the Muslims living in the average standard are mostly engaged in labour works like motor mechanic, working in motor garages, running tea shops, and also labouring in other small scale manufacturer units. The study is conducted in 2012 using both primary and secondary data.
Madhya Pradesh is largely agricultural with nearly 90% of the rural population employed in primary sector activities such as agriculture, mining and related fields. A majority of the farmers are small cultivators whose income over the years has been declining. Almost one-third of the state’s population lives below poverty line. The urban poverty is much higher when compared with that in rural areas. The survey data from Bhopal district suggest a much higher proportion of the population that could be declared as living in impoverished conditions as 96% of the urban dwellers of Madhya Pradesh live on less than Rs. 38.50 per day. In Bhopal 75% households have annual income below Rs. 25,000 and another 10 % having yearly income in the range of Rs. 25000-50,000. 85 % percent of the population manages its living with annual earnings below Rs. 50, 000
Table of Contents
1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. Methodology
4. Summary
5. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary objective of this study is to analyze the socio-economic conditions of Muslim laborers in Bhopal, specifically focusing on wage structures, employment motivations, and the impact of educational attainment on their working lives.
- Socio-economic analysis of the Muslim labor class in Bhopal.
- Wage distribution and the prevalence of low-income employment.
- The influence of family economic background on child labor and educational dropouts.
- Evaluation of labor exploitation and the contrast between skilled and unskilled workers.
Excerpt from the Book
Bhopal: A Sketch of the field area
In terms of its area, Bhopal, the city of lakes, is second largest one in Madhya Pradesh after Indore. The city is divided into two major areas, the old and the new city. Muslim population of the city is largely concentrated in old city most of whom find work opportunities from certain small scale industries such as electrical goods, cotton, chemicals, jewellery, flour mills, cloth weaving and fabric painting, manufacture of transformers, switchgears, traction motors, and other heavy electrical equipment, as well as matches, sealing wax, and sporting goods. Zardozi is the traditional embroidery that employs large number of home-based workers, many of them women. There are a large number of garages in the old city in which young Muslim boys work as motor mechanics. The new city houses offices of state and central government, national banks and insurance companies and residential quarters of middle and high ranking government officials. Bhopal's major commercial area is Maharana Pratap Nagar, which accommodates many business houses such as offices of major hardware and software firms, daily newspaper offices and press, hotels and restaurants, coaching and tuition centres and entertainment.
Summary of Chapters
Abstract: Provides an overview of the economic pursuits of Muslim laborers in Bhopal and outlines the scope of the study conducted in 2012.
Introduction: Contextualizes the economic hardships of Bhopal's population and reviews historical academic perspectives on labor welfare and working conditions.
Methodology: Details the process of gathering primary data from 200 respondents via interview schedules and the use of secondary data from government reports.
Summary: Analyzes the quantitative wage data of respondents, highlighting the prevalence of low wages and the factors leading to educational dropouts among the youth.
Conclusion: Synthesizes findings regarding labor exploitation and suggests welfare interventions to support the upliftment of the Muslim labor class.
Keywords
Sociological study, Muslim labour, wages, Bhopal, socio-economic, employment, labor exploitation, education, poverty, field study, manual labour, vocational skills, wage distribution, social welfare, economic pursuits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this research?
The research focuses on the socio-economic status and working conditions of Muslim laborers in Bhopal, India.
What are the primary themes discussed in the study?
The study covers wage disparities, the prevalence of unskilled labor, the impact of family economic background on child labor, and the educational challenges faced by the youth.
What is the main research question or goal?
The goal is to determine the social and economic position of Muslim laborers in Bhopal and identify the extent of their exploitation within the urban economy.
Which research methodology was employed?
The author used a purposive sampling method to collect primary data from 200 respondents through structured interviews, complemented by secondary data from government and NGO reports.
What topics are covered in the main body of the text?
The main body examines the geographical and industrial context of Bhopal, analyzes statistical data on daily wages and labor choices, and explores the correlation between poverty and educational attainment.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
Key terms include Sociological study, Muslim labour, wages, Bhopal, socio-economic, and labor exploitation.
Why are so many young people in the study identified as educational dropouts?
The study reveals that many young boys are forced by their families to engage in manual labor to support household finances, which prioritizes immediate income over long-term educational goals.
What specific role does the 'old city' play in the study?
The old city serves as the primary field area where the majority of the Muslim population resides and finds work in various small-scale industries and workshops.
How does the author suggest improving the conditions for these laborers?
The author recommends the implementation of government insurance and welfare schemes, fair wage practices, and legal actions against the exploitation of workers.
- Quote paper
- Hilal Bhat (Author), 2012, A Sociological Study of Muslim Labours in Bhopal, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/386200
