Norvy Paul

Development, Displacement and Social Disarticulation: a Kerala Experience Norvy Paul

Displacees, the people of homelessness and placelessness, have become victims of the 'new poverty'created by the modern selfish developments. The author attempted to present the social articulation of the ousted community of the Kochin International Airport both before and after displacement. The displacement forced the oustees to adapt its culture into the new living situations. Platforms to discuss and plan-in with people are the best choice to mitigate repercussions of the displacement along with reinstating the lost common property resources. Social workers as social scientists and social engineers have decisive role in the displacement and reconstruction of the community life of the oustees. Social work methods have, off course, pivotal role in the process of rearticulation of the socially disarticulated ousted community. They can design programme, projects and plans to rectify the hiatus created in the community life of the oustees. If these can be put into practice with creative and humanitarian sense, it will be the real social work interventions against lopsided development.