(It has spelling mistakes and grammatical errors in almost every page.)
I happened to come across this part, which discusses the impact of caste on Indian economy and its development.
Following are the points mentioned there. I have copied the statements as given in the material.
Section 1.5 - Page 9
The close and rigidities between caste and occupation prevent occupational mobility vital to economic transformation.
Another defect of the caste system is the existence of a class of untouchables who can never move up the social ladder. This has resulted in waste of human talents and potentialities.
(Probably they meant 'close relationship and rigidities')
Section 2.6.2 - Page 23
Rigid rise between caste and occupation restricts occupational mobility and supply of efforts
(rise? They must have meant relationship, I guess)
After discussing few other points on the similar lines, here comes the concluding paragraph.
Though our Indian constitution prevents discrimination by caste, the recent policy of reservation has lead to the strengthening of this institution. Even if its influence has reduced due to selection of individuals by competitive exams, it is still a very much living institution, according to Epstein.
First it states that reservation is anti-constitution. Then it says, it is reservation that strengthens the institution. Then it goes on to say that the competitive exams are to reduce the influence of caste/reservation.
Caste is still a living institution, yes I agree. But I'm not sure if Scarlett Epstein identified reservation to be the cause of this. It would be interesting to know what solution, whoever it is, Epstein or Dr.K.K.Muruganantham (Course writer from DRBCC Hindu College), would suggest, to nullify the impacts of the caste system on the economy, if reservation is anti-constitutional and if it strengthens the institution.
