From Large Villages to Small Towns: A Study of Rural Transformation in New Census Towns, India

Abstract

Since the release of the census 2011 data, much has been written about the 'unprecedented' emergence of new census towns (CTs), their spatial distribution, their role in urban growth and possible reasons for their emergence. However, little has been talked about the process of transformation of the concerned settlements from 'rural' to 'urban' using field information. The current study is an attempt to bridge this gap. Taking the case of Sehara, a new CT in the state of West Bengal, the article argues that the process of structural transformation of economy in such settlements is not necessarily unidirectional and agriculture plays a strong role in this process. Fluctuation of non-farm employment makes such towns an 'undecidable category'. The study also reveals that the towns like Sehara have little regional importance when the concerned region is dotted by several big villages.

An Empirical Study of the Economic Status of Punjab Concerning India

“…Mostly, large/medium scale units in Punjab developed in big cities, namely, Jalandhar, Phagwara, Ludhiana, Khanna, and Mandi Gobindgarh nearby easy availability of rail and road transports (Kaur, 2016). Small-scale industries developed in villages or nearby village areas of cities (Guin, 2018).…”

Rural Transformation in India: Deagrarianization and the Transition from a Farming to Non-farming Economy

“…Therefore, as Guin contends, we need to conceptualize rural transformation as a multidimensional process of change in all aspects of rural society (social, economic, cultural, and spatial), and the ultimate aim of rural transformation should be rural development. Contextually, Guin’s (2018) theorization on rural transformation can be connected with the rural transformation approach proposed by Long et al (2011). The tridimensional conceptual framework of this approach has been discussed earlier.…”

“…Since rural transformation is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon, there are various factors that are responsible for it (Guin 2018, p. 90). However, it is not necessary to consider all these variables at the same time to achieve a comprehensive and precise result.…”

“…Based on the use of the rural development transformation model, Ohlan (2016) has reported that India experienced a high rate of transformation in the period of 2001–2011. Guin’s study (2018) focused on both macro- and micro-perspectives of rural transformation. The temporal dimension of employment change considered in the macro-perspective of transformation and social (demography and social class), economic, spatial, and institutional changes were considered in assessing the nature of rural transformation using a micro-perspective with the case study method.…”

“…Even the Census (2011) in India has added Census Towns 3 (CTs), which are quite far from the cities. These CTs have rapidly transformed from small rural villages due to population growth and an increased non-farm workforce (Guin, 2018, pp. 88–89) plus the traditional villages are vanishing as a consequence.…”