Revisiting Social Security in the Indian Knowledge Tradition: A Critical Analysis of Women in the Unorganized Sector
Dr. Shilpa Shripad Puranik
Associatet Professor
Tirpude College of Social Work,
Civil Lines, Sadar, Nagpur – 440001
Email: shilpa.puranik10@gmail.com
mobile: 9422458653
Abstract
In the contemporary discourse of globalized economies, the concept of ‘Social Security’ is predominantly viewed through the lens of Western welfare state models – emphasizing insurance, state pensions, and contractual rights. However, for the vast majority of Indian women employed in the unorganized sector – comprising construction workers, domestic help, and agricultural labourers – these modern frameworks have proven largely inaccessible and insufficient. This paper posits that the solution to this modern crisis may lie in a critical “re-visiting” of the Indian Knowledge System (IKS). By engaging with classical texts such as Kautilya’s Arthashastra and the ethical frameworks of Dharma and Yogakshema, this research explores indigenous systemic approaches to social protection. It contrasts the ancient duty-based (Kartavya) social order, which decentralized welfare through community and guild structures, against the modern rights-based centralized state model. The study draws upon empirical realities of women in the unorganized sector in Vidarbha and beyond, analysing how the erosion of traditional community safety nets has exacerbated their vulnerability. Ultimately, the paper argues for a “Decolonized Social Work Practice,” proposing a synthesized model that integrates the ethical imperatives of the IKS – specifically the concepts of Lok-Sangrah (universal welfare) and Antyodaya (upliftment of the last) – into contemporary policy formulation to ensure sustainable, culturally congruent security for women workers.
Keywords: Indian Knowledge System, Social Security, Unorganized Sector, Women Workers, Yogakshema, Dharma, Social Work, Globalization.
DOI link – https://doi.org/10.69758/GIMRJ/2601S01V14P075
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