Debt and Death in Rural India
The Punjab Story
This study presents a unique trajectory on the issue of farmer suicides and contextualizes the problem within a historical and geographical framework. It includes interviews of family members of a number of farmers who committed suicide in the subdivision of Sangrur district of Punjab, India, which constitutes the area of the study.
This outstanding work analyzes the interplay of economic and political forces and recommends concrete policy measures to enable Punjab to break out of the vicious farmer-suicide cycle.
Analysing Punjab’s historical and geographical framework, the book probes the main factors responsible for rural suicides… [It] includes details about quantification process of the suicides and the figures which made the state government and media take the case of farmers’ suicides seriously… The efforts of the writers need to be lauded in highlighting the increasing debt and penury among the farmers. This book has broken the silence surrounding farmers death. Debt and Death in Rural India is an excellent study about the plight of peasants and brings to light the apathetic attitude of the government.
This outstanding work analyses the interplay of economic and political forces and recommends concrete policy measures to enable Punjab to break out of the vicious farmer-suicide cycle...The efforts of the writers need to be lauded in highlighting the increasing debt and penury among the farmers. This book has broken the silence surrounding farmer’s deaths. Interviews of family members of suicide victims constitute an important part of the research…[it] offers practical recommendations which can go a long way in tackling the vicious circle of debt…. The book is a chilling story and an excellent study about the plight of peasants and brings to light the apathetic attitude of the government. It exposes the yawning gulf between the haves and the have nots.
One of the most important studies not only for the farmers of poor states but also for the government to reflect on the age-old issue of farmer suicides, rural indebtedness and agricultural backwardness. A landmark study in this subject and serve as an eye-opener for planners and policy makers of the country. It will also be very useful for further research on the issue.