| | Abundantly endowed with water, forest and mineral resources, Madhya Pradesh has yet
become a symbol of the uneven development of the Indian economy and society. Nearly a
quarter of the population of the state consists of members of the scheduled tribes, who have
historically been one of the most disadvantaged sections of Indian society. In many respects,
MP typifies the most difficult problems faced by the poorest regions of India. For this reason
alone a study of MP's development trajectory would be instructive. An understanding of MP's
development experience can also help us fathom some of the limitations of mainstream economic
theory. With some creativity and imagination, it could enable formulation of new and effective
strategies to tackle the most complex challenges of our time. This special edition of the EPW
researches a few dimensions of the social, economic and political dynamics in the state.
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