Indian Social Institute
Encyclopedia
The Indian Social Institute [ISI], founded in 1951 in Pune
(India
), is a Jesuit
inspired centre for research, training and action for socio-economic development and human rights
in India
. Founded by Jerome D'Souza
in Pune
it was shifted to New Delhi
in 1963 where it is located at the Lodi institutional Area.
was active in the social field right from the end of the 19th century, following on the Rerum Novarum
encyclical of Leo XIII, it became more actively so after the second world war. In 1949, Superior General
Jean-Baptiste Janssens
wrote an ‘Instruction on the Social Apostolate’ (10 October 1949) - the first letter ever entirely given to this new apostolic field - calling for a new ‘social mentality’ among the Jesuits. To achieve this he asked that Jesuit formation programmes be revised, education
curriculum in Jesuit schools and colleges be adapted, and centres specialized in social information and action be opened. Even the more spiritual kind of apostolic work (Marian congregation
, Spiritual Exercises
and retreat work) were not to remain unaffected.
As a response to this, in 1951, a Social Institute, called the ‘Indian Institute of Social Order’, was founded in Pune
(India) by Jesuit Father Jerome D'Souza
, a well-known educationist and member of the Indian Constituent Assembly. Started soon after the independence of India it was meant to help Indian Christians in general, and Jesuits
in particular, to enter more actively into the issues of the common socio-economic national welfare. It was meant in the words of its founder to « contribute to the emergence of a new social order in post-independence India».
and, from 1963 on, in New-Delhi, under the new director, A quarterly journal, ‘Social action’, was launched in 1951. Concurrently several regional training centres were established in various parts of the country, the Xavier Institute in Ranchi
, Loyola School of Social Work in Madras (now Chennai
) and another one in Trivandrum (Kerala
). The regional centres responded more directly to the demands coming from the field.
The ‘Indian Institute of Social Order’ is transferred to New Delhi
in 1963, under the leadership of Jean-Baptiste Moyersoen (1900–1969). By 1967, it is renamed ‘Indian Social Institute’. Several foremost sociological studies are published, such as the ‘Chotanagpur Survey’ (the first of such kind concerning the tribal groups of Central India) of Francisco Ivern. Under repeated demands coming from the social fields an ‘Extension service’ is started. One of its first ventures is to organize a cooperative
movement among fishermen, most of them being bonded labourers
. The setting up of cooperatives became the main thrust of the ‘Extension service’.
This service expanded into becoming a full fledged center in Bangalore
. also called the 'Indian Social Institute' and is much in demand as a consultancy unit for development agencies.
To better respond to growing requests in the social fields an entirely new building was put up and inaugurated in 1971 by the president of India
, V.V. Giri. At the more intellectual and theoretical levels several workshops and seminars were organised on ‘The Indian family in the 1970s’, "Trade and Development","Population Growth and Development", "Problems of Urban and Rural Women", "Employment", leading each time to the publication of scholarly papers.
Henceforth advocacy and lobbying became an important part of the ISI’s commitment at the service of civil society, as a contribution to fostering a more just social order in India.
’ is made of several units and departments:
Pune
Pune , is the eighth largest metropolis in India, the second largest in the state of Maharashtra after Mumbai, and the largest city in the Western Ghats. Once the centre of power of the Maratha Empire, it is situated 560 metres above sea level on the Deccan plateau at the confluence of the Mula ...
(India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
), is a Jesuit
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
inspired centre for research, training and action for socio-economic development and human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Founded by Jerome D'Souza
Jerome D'Souza
Father Jerome D'Souza, SJ was an Indian Jesuit priest, educationist, writer and member of the Indian Constituent assembly .-Early years and formation:...
in Pune
Pune
Pune , is the eighth largest metropolis in India, the second largest in the state of Maharashtra after Mumbai, and the largest city in the Western Ghats. Once the centre of power of the Maratha Empire, it is situated 560 metres above sea level on the Deccan plateau at the confluence of the Mula ...
it was shifted to New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
in 1963 where it is located at the Lodi institutional Area.
Origin and foundation
Even though the Society of JesusSociety of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
was active in the social field right from the end of the 19th century, following on the Rerum Novarum
Rerum Novarum
Rerum Novarum is an encyclical issued by Pope Leo XIII on May 15, 1891. It was an open letter, passed to all Catholic bishops, that addressed the condition of the working classes. The encyclical is entitled: “Rights and Duties of Capital and Labour”...
encyclical of Leo XIII, it became more actively so after the second world war. In 1949, Superior General
Superior General of the Society of Jesus
The Superior General of the Society of Jesus is the official title of the leader of the Society of Jesus—the Roman Catholic religious order, also known as the Jesuits. He is generally addressed as Father General. The position carries the nickname of Black Pope, after his simple black priest's...
Jean-Baptiste Janssens
Jean-Baptiste Janssens
Jean-Baptiste Janssens was the twenty-seventh Superior General of the Society of Jesus. He was born in Mechelen, Belgium.-Early Life and schooling:...
wrote an ‘Instruction on the Social Apostolate’ (10 October 1949) - the first letter ever entirely given to this new apostolic field - calling for a new ‘social mentality’ among the Jesuits. To achieve this he asked that Jesuit formation programmes be revised, education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
curriculum in Jesuit schools and colleges be adapted, and centres specialized in social information and action be opened. Even the more spiritual kind of apostolic work (Marian congregation
Sodality of Our Lady
The Sodality of Our Lady The Sodality of Our Lady The Sodality of Our Lady (also known as the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary (in Latin, Congregationes seu sodalitates B. Mariæ Virginis) is a Roman Catholic Marian Society founded in 1563 by young Belgian Jesuit, Jean Leunis (or Jan), at the...
, Spiritual Exercises
Spiritual Exercises
Spiritual exercises may refer to:* Any spiritual practice dedicated towards increasing one's personal spirituality* Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola, a book of spiritual practices of the Roman Catholic Jesuit order...
and retreat work) were not to remain unaffected.
As a response to this, in 1951, a Social Institute, called the ‘Indian Institute of Social Order’, was founded in Pune
Pune
Pune , is the eighth largest metropolis in India, the second largest in the state of Maharashtra after Mumbai, and the largest city in the Western Ghats. Once the centre of power of the Maratha Empire, it is situated 560 metres above sea level on the Deccan plateau at the confluence of the Mula ...
(India) by Jesuit Father Jerome D'Souza
Jerome D'Souza
Father Jerome D'Souza, SJ was an Indian Jesuit priest, educationist, writer and member of the Indian Constituent assembly .-Early years and formation:...
, a well-known educationist and member of the Indian Constituent Assembly. Started soon after the independence of India it was meant to help Indian Christians in general, and Jesuits
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
in particular, to enter more actively into the issues of the common socio-economic national welfare. It was meant in the words of its founder to « contribute to the emergence of a new social order in post-independence India».
Early developments
Over the years the institute grew. Seminars were organized, first in PunePune
Pune , is the eighth largest metropolis in India, the second largest in the state of Maharashtra after Mumbai, and the largest city in the Western Ghats. Once the centre of power of the Maratha Empire, it is situated 560 metres above sea level on the Deccan plateau at the confluence of the Mula ...
and, from 1963 on, in New-Delhi, under the new director, A quarterly journal, ‘Social action’, was launched in 1951. Concurrently several regional training centres were established in various parts of the country, the Xavier Institute in Ranchi
Ranchi
-Climate:Ranchi has a humid subtropical climate. However, due to its position and the forests around the city, it is known for its pleasant climate. Its climate is the primary reason why Ranchi was once the summer capital of the undivided State of Bihar...
, Loyola School of Social Work in Madras (now Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
) and another one in Trivandrum (Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
). The regional centres responded more directly to the demands coming from the field.
The ‘Indian Institute of Social Order’ is transferred to New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
in 1963, under the leadership of Jean-Baptiste Moyersoen (1900–1969). By 1967, it is renamed ‘Indian Social Institute’. Several foremost sociological studies are published, such as the ‘Chotanagpur Survey’ (the first of such kind concerning the tribal groups of Central India) of Francisco Ivern. Under repeated demands coming from the social fields an ‘Extension service’ is started. One of its first ventures is to organize a cooperative
Cooperative
A cooperative is a business organization owned and operated by a group of individuals for their mutual benefit...
movement among fishermen, most of them being bonded labourers
Serfdom
Serfdom is the status of peasants under feudalism, specifically relating to Manorialism. It was a condition of bondage or modified slavery which developed primarily during the High Middle Ages in Europe and lasted to the mid-19th century...
. The setting up of cooperatives became the main thrust of the ‘Extension service’.
This service expanded into becoming a full fledged center in Bangalore
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
. also called the 'Indian Social Institute' and is much in demand as a consultancy unit for development agencies.
Later developments
A Tribal orientated development group was started in the late 1960: the ‘Vikas Maitri’, and a programme for ‘Women’s development’ in the 1970, fostering self dignity and awareness in these important but largely marginalized groups of the Indian civil society. A 'Mobile Orientation team' was also started to reach out at the very grassroots level of peoples’ organizations.To better respond to growing requests in the social fields an entirely new building was put up and inaugurated in 1971 by the president of India
President of India
The President of India is the head of state and first citizen of India, as well as the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces. President of India is also the formal head of all the three branches of Indian Democracy - Legislature, Executive and Judiciary...
, V.V. Giri. At the more intellectual and theoretical levels several workshops and seminars were organised on ‘The Indian family in the 1970s’, "Trade and Development","Population Growth and Development", "Problems of Urban and Rural Women", "Employment", leading each time to the publication of scholarly papers.
Entering the field of ‘Human Rights’
A political dimension was added to the orientation of the Social Institute in the final quarter of the 19th century. It started research and activism in the political field, more particularly the defence of human rights. A landmark of this new activity in the successful defence before the Supreme Court of the construction workers grossly exploited in the sites of the New-Delhi 1982 ASIAD games. A ‘Legal Aid’ department was created.Henceforth advocacy and lobbying became an important part of the ISI’s commitment at the service of civil society, as a contribution to fostering a more just social order in India.
Units and Departments
The Indian Social Institute, which has consultation status with the ‘United Nations Economic and Social CouncilUnited Nations Economic and Social Council
The Economic and Social Council of the United Nations constitutes one of the six principal organs of the United Nations and it is responsible for the coordination of the economic, social and related work of 14 UN specialized agencies, its functional commissions and five regional commissions...
’ is made of several units and departments:
- Research Department
- Women’s unit
- Rural and urban development unit
- Tribal and Dalit Units
- Human Rights and Law Unit
Publications and journals
- Publications are numerous in both Hindi and English. They range from the scholarly research studies to the handy instruction books in agriculture or legal rights booklets.
- The following periodicals are published by the institute:
- Social Action (Quarterly in English)
- Legal News and Views (monthly in English)
- Women’s link (Quarterly in English)
- Hashiye Ki Awaaz (Monthly in Hindi)