Research
Life Satisfaction of Highly Qualified Professionally Achieving Women Post Retirement
In this paper life satisfaction of highly qualified professionally achieving (HQPA) aging women post retirement is investigated. Respondents were 306 HQPA older women who were surveyed in the city of Mumbai. The Satisfaction with Life scale, Silver Lining Questionnaire and Meaning in Life Questionnaire were used. Results showed variations on life satisfaction as a result of certain independent socio-demographic variables and the type of careers that HQPA women retired from. Findings have relevance for designing and promoting different types of activity engagement for HQPA older women. This is a move away from the solely poverty focused approach to addressing issues of aging population in India. Implications for practice with HQPA older women have also been discussed.
Seva as a Form of Faith-Based Social Work in India
This paper looks at seva as a form of faith-based social work in India. I identified a random sample of 1017 followers of Hindu faith-based organizations having social service projects. These followers are also doers of seva as a form of engagement with the organizations. My purpose was to understand seva through their lens particularly with a focus on their profiles; engagement chronicles (initiation, duration, type of seva, motivation) and perceived implications for self and society. Seva is viewed as having transcendental benefits for self and as having a unique package of moral philosophy and tangible goals of social development.
Seva and Institution Building in Hindu Inspired Faith Movements
This paper looks at the spirit of social service or seva in four popular contemporary Hindu Inspired Faith Movements (HIFMs) of Indian origin now having a global presence. These include Chinmaya Mission, Vivekananda Kendra, Mata Amritanandamayi Mission and Art of Living. The core questions which this paper addresses are: a) how seva as a mandate originated in these HIFMs b) what in the seva is volitional, what are the prescribed aspects and doctrines c) how tangible seva initiatives interface with various systems and d) how seva contributes to institution building through the interplay of memory and oblivion dynamics thereby evolving the style of HIFMs. This paper argues that seva becomes a pillar of institution building for HIFMs. It operationally stems from volition, prescriptivism and doctrinaire propositions given by the HIFMs. The scope encompasses the core social sectors which then projects the HIFMs assertion/partnership in development goals in a resource limited setting. The styles of seva go beyond simple instilling/extolling of virtues, but rather portray as vanguards of fulfilling social obligations and perpetuating the charismatic teacher and Hindu based memories. With the Hindu inspiration as non-negotiable, the operational form contains communitarian notions of social citizenship and social justice. There is an element of ‘public good’ factoring in the HIFMs ideals.
