In recent years, a large number of studies on caste-based discrimination and social exclusion have been conducted and published. This is particularly true of the period of unprecedented upsurge among Dalits that was inspired by and followed the countrywide celebrations to mark the birth centenary of Dr B. R. Ambedkar in 1991. Most of the many books on the subject published in the last two decades document discrimination against Dalits, particularly the continued practice of untouchability

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... e a constitutional ban on it, and atrocities committed against the Dalit people. Many of these works explore deprivation and discrimination without going into questions of how and why they happen, and how best they can be ended. The two books under study are, however, a class apart. Both provide better insights than any other into problems of discrimination and deprivation, studying these from the perspective of economics and using modern research tools. The first work, Blocked by Caste: Economic Discrimination in Modern India, is in fact unique for more than one reason. First, it blasts the myth that caste-based discrimination against Dalits is "a thing of the past, " and that it is basically "a rural problem. " Secondly, it is more comprehensive than previous works on the subject and is based on well-researched data. Thirdly, the book goes beyond identifying the problem and suggests remedial measures as well. Fourthly, the book also speaks for other marginalized people, such as people of religious minorities, particularly Muslims, and Other Backward Classes or castes, who have also been victims of discrimination. Readers' Editor, The Hindu, and author, Dalits in Dravidian Land.