Sugata Das Gupta: Social Work in India is a Graft on the Ancient Heritage

Questions Asked in UGC NET Social Work

"Professional Social work, as it has evolved in India, is a graft on the ancient heritage and not an independent transplant...It has undoubtedly adopted and adapted a lot from other countries but it has a soul and body of its own". This statement was made by (Questios asked in the year 2021 Questions No-2 )

The statement "Professional Social work, as it has evolved in India, is a graft on the ancient heritage and not an independent transplant...It has undoubtedly adopted and adapted a lot from other countries but it has a soul and body of its own" was made by Sugata Das Gupta. He was a social worker, educator, and writer who was known for his work in developing social work education in India. He was the first Indian to earn a doctorate in social work from the University of Chicago. He served as the Director of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences from 1964 to 1972.

In the statement, Das Gupta is highlighting the fact that social work in India has its roots in the country's ancient heritage. He argues that social work is not simply a transplant from Western countries, but rather a uniquely Indian discipline that has been shaped by the country's history, culture, and values. He also acknowledges that social work in India has borrowed from other countries, but he insists that it has its own "soul and body".

Das Gupta's statement is important because it affirms the indigenous roots of social work in India. It also challenges the view that social work is a Western import that is not relevant to the Indian context. The statement is still relevant today, as it reminds us of the importance of drawing on India's rich history and culture in the development of social work practice.

About Sugata Das Gupta.

Sugata Das Gupta was a social worker, educator, and writer who was known for his work in developing social work education in India. He was the first Indian to earn a doctorate in social work from the University of Chicago. He served as the Director of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences from 1964 to 1972.

Das Gupta was born in 1914 in Kolkata, India. He studied at Presidency College in Kolkata and then went on to earn a Master of Arts degree in social work from the University of Lucknow. In 1950, he was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study at the University of Chicago, where he earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in social work.

After returning to India, Das Gupta taught at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences and the University of Delhi. He also served as the Director of the Indian Social Institute and the Gandhi Peace Foundation. He was a prolific writer and author of several books on social work, including "Social Work in India: Its Development and Trends" and "Gandhi and Social Change".

Questions Asked in

2021 December UGC NET  in Social Work Paper 2 -Q-2

Das Gupta was a strong advocate for social justice and human rights. He believed that social work should be used to address the root causes of poverty and inequality. He also emphasized the importance of community participation in social work practice.

Das Gupta died in 1984 at the age of 70. He is remembered as a pioneer in the field of social work in India and his work continues to inspire social workers around the world.

Here are some of his notable achievements:

• He was the first Indian to earn a doctorate in social work from the University of Chicago.
• He served as the Director of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences from 1964 to 1972.
• He was a prolific writer and author of several books on social work.
• He was a strong advocate for social justice and human rights.
• He believed that social work should be used to address the root causes of poverty and inequality.
• He emphasized the importance of community participation in social work practice.

Das Gupta's work has had a lasting impact on the field of social work in India and around the world. He is remembered as a pioneer in the field and his work continues to inspire social workers around the world.