While we talk of India rocketing towards becoming a rich nation, fueled by over nine percent annual growth, what finally matters is how well does the common man feel. Though economic indicators are positive for our country the livelihood indicators in rural areas, do not suggest a very rose picture, which gets reflected in the Social Face of Rural Development, which is discussed inside through a research study. Living in rural areas should be prestigious as in some of the European countries, but this is not so because the rural areas still lack even the basic infrastructure. India is moving towards a brighter future, for sure. However the march towards a brighter future is quicker in urban societies than in rural society.

Rural development and improving the quality of life in rural areas has been in force in our planning and development strategies all along. The numerous schemes that the Government of India has launched past have had a sorry state of affairs in imlementation. The 'output' and 'outcome' of these schemes with waste expenditure have been poor. The Sopcial Face of Rural development is not the other face of Rural Development, but the real face.

This study aims to assist the reader to develop a thorough understanding of the concept underlying in 'Rural Development' and its social face in a systematic way. The study has been divided into ten chapters dealing with rural developmental programmes sponsored by central as well as state government to promote the life of rural people and to study the reaching of the fruits of these schemes in the process of rural development and improving the quality of life in rural areas. The present study has both academic and practical significance. It helps the academicians and researchers to develop deeper and new insights into managing Rural Development.

The book has been written in a simple and self learning style. It is hoped that the readers will find this book comprehensive, contemporaneous, and presumptuous in fulfilling their requirements.

Content - 1. Introduction, 2. Rural Scenario of India, 3. Significance, Objectives and Review of Literature, 4. Rural Development Programmes, 5. Methods and Field, 6. Socio-Economic Back Ground of the Respondents, 7. Development Context, 8. Results and Discussions, 9. Constraints to Development, 10. Summary, Recommendations and Conclusion,  References,  Index