Includes index

"The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has argued that marginality is the state of being considered unwanted, undesirable and insignificant which results in inequity, unfairness, deprivation and enforced lack of access to power and resources. Marginalization is basically a global problem which varies in terms of degree. Marginalization can be both an abstract and a complex concept. It has been used in a variety of ways and in different contexts and disciplines. The present volume attempts to conceptualize the problem of access and marginality in higher education. The experiences of marginalization also matters as it has its sociological and psychological dimensions. It has both its qualitative and quantitative dimensions as lack of access to higher education can be considered as an ultimate form of marginalization. This book argues that, although there is a lot of literature emphasizing and highlighting the role of accessibility in the higher education, there are very few studies dealing with the fundamental question, what difference higher education can make in the lives of marginalized communities. In other words, whether higher education is a value addition in the quality of lives of Dalits, Minorities, Women and PwD"-- Provided by publisher