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Synopsis This reader focuses on the social, economic and cultural changes experienced by the people of Punjab in the wake of agrarian developments. The process of economic development and social change becomes more relevant in the regime of liberalization and globalisation. The readings are organized in a way that emphasize changes across several major areas of study. The key areas are: Contemporary Punjab, Agrarian Development, Social Change and Globalisation, Rural Credit Institutions, Women Empowerment, Development and Environment. All the issues have been discussed with a view to reformulating policies towards social development. The reader examines the role of diverse institutions operating in the rural society with an idea to their adequacy to meet the emerging challenges of development, especially in the field of education, agricultural finance and growing destruction to the eco-system with the hope that these institutions will consequently be strengthened to match the performance to the rising needs of the people and the State. Some of the major issues related to the underprivileged and the vulnerable sections of the society have also been discussed in these sections. Based on the data gathered from field-work and secondary sources, this reader vividly describes the ground realities of an agrarian society like that of Punjab, which is rapidly transforming itself in terms of needs, aspirations and socio-economic perceptions of the people. This publication would be of great help to the students, teachers, rural experts, policy makers, bureaucrats and anyone with an interest in Punjab Society.