Arts, Culture consumption, Omnivore, Social tolerance,

The empowerment of women is one of the central issues in the process of development of countries all over the world. The Government of India has made Empowerment of Women as one of the principal objectives of the Ninth Five Year Plan (1997)(1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002) and also declared 2001 as the year of 'Women's Empowerment'. Women's empowerment is a process in which women gain greater share of control over resources -material, human and intellectual like knowledge, information, ideas and financial resources like money -and access to money and control over decision-making in the home, community, society and nation, and to gain `power'. Microfinance is the provision of small amounts of financial services to low income poor and very poor self-employed people. The participation of women in Self Help Groups (SHGs) made a significant impact on their empowerment both in social and economic aspects. This study addresses empowerment of Muslim women through microfinance and self-help groups in Chennai city of Tamilnadu. The information required for the study has been collected from both the primary and secondary sources. Further statistical analysis has been undertaken using various statistical tools like logistic regression, student t test, F test, Chi square test, ANOVA, Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT), the Wald Test, etc.

India is the world's fourth largest fishing nation, accounting for over 4.39% of the global fisheries. The country with the long coastline of 8,118 km has an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) for the fisher folks who constitute nearly 0.6% of the total population. The fisheries sector of India is immensely contributing to the economy of the country. It contributes to the national income, exports, food and nutritional security, and in employment generation. India being a sub-continent surrounded on the three sides with waters has a greater chance for fishing and its allied activities. Fishing communities are socially, economically, and educationally disadvantaged. This chapter will highlight the effort of the state governmental initiatives to enhance social inclusion of fishermen community.

Education is an eye opener for every woman who is deprived of the privilege/self-esteem she deserves within a society. Social and economic empowerment cannot ignore the power of women in any society or a nation or a state. Empowerment is a gentle process of transforming the lives of people irrespective of gender. Empowerment of women is possible through education as it acts as the road from where one achieves financial security, decision-making power, and honor within the family and in the society. It is a key that can accelerate the engine of economic growth and social advancements in various economic sectors such as banking and finance, medicine, education, aviation, technology, space, and many more. Education makes women powerful.