Telangana researcher awarded ICSSR Grant

Dr. Sreeramulu Gosikonda, a native of Huzurabad and currently serving as Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at Banaras Hindu University, has been awarded a Minor Research Project grant of ₹10 lakh by the Indian Council of Social Science Research.

The project, titled “Weaving Communities of India: A Comprehensive Study on the Socio-economic and Political Status of Weavers in GI-tagged and Handloom Logo-registered Clusters”, will focus on prominent weaving hubs such as Pochampally and Varanasi, known for their iconic handloom traditions. The study aims to analyze how these clusters navigate livelihoods, governance, and political structures. Going beyond statistical analysis, the research will explore critical questions of inclusion—identifying who benefits from existing systems and who remains marginalized—while examining the roles of caste, gender, and social networks in shaping dignity and opportunities within weaving communities.

Dr. Gosikonda will serve as Project Director, supported by co-project directors Prof. Jadi Bala Komaraiah, Dr. Prakash Chittoor, and Dr. Vengalarao Pachava.