B.S. Baviskar


B.S. Baviskar was an Indian sociologist. He is known for his work on rural change in India with a particular focus on cooperative institutions.

Early life and education

Baviskar was born into a farming family in Pilkhod village, Maharashtra. He completed a BA in economics at Fergusson College, Pune. He moved to Delhi and worked for the Marathi service of All-India Radio. Baviskar studied for an MA, at the Delhi School of Economics, and an MA in sociology at the University of Delhi, where he was taught by M.N. Srinivas. He completed his PhD in the same institution.

Academic career

Baviskar was appointed to the Department of Sociology at the University of Delhi, where he eventually served as Professor of Sociology and Head of department. He served as President of the Indian Sociological Society for several terms.

Books

The Politics of Development: Sugar Cooperatives in Rural Maharashtra Who Shares? Cooperatives and Rural Development Finding the Middle Path: The Political Economy of Cooperation in Rural India Inclusion and Exclusion in Local Governance: Field Studies from Rural India Understanding Indian society, Past and Present: essays for A.M. Shah