ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
"Life is difficult.
This is a great truth, one of the greatest truth. It is a great truth because once
we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we truly know that life is difficult, once
we truly understand and accept it — then life is no longer difficult. Because once it
is accepted, the fact that life is difficult, no longer matters".
- Scott.
It has been a 'truth' about my life too.
The huddles, the struggles, the
sufferings, the pain — albeit today I could feel the limit of the sky which once I
dreamt of. My dream has come a long way — the completion of my doctoral thesis, a
stepping stone — a pivot on the way
The moment that I cherish today would not have been possible without the
generous dedication, support, encouragement and love of my teachers, friends,
colleagues and my family.
Prof. R. N. Sharma, my 'guru' has been a constant source of motivation,
inspiration and encouragement to complete the task of hand on several occasions,
when everything seemed meaningless. Under the light of his immense knowledge,
modesty and sincerity, I learned to perceive things with a difference.
His able
guidance has shaped my thoughts. Thank you 'Sir', you made it possible!
My sincere thanks to the Board of Research Studies (BRS) at the Institute to let
me have the liberty to work on the area of my choice.
I convey my profound gratitude to Bureau of Police Research and Development
(BPR & D), Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi, for accepting my research project
and providing me an honorary fellowship grant to aid my enduring research work.
My special thanks Mr. A.K. Sinha, the Director of BPR & D. DIG. Mr. Amarnathan,
Mr.D.M. Mitra, Deputy Director, T. K. Chakroborty (Analyst), and others who have
always been co-operative in updating me with the requirements and formal
procedures of the government department concern.
Faculty at the Institute has extended co-operation at times. I would like to
convey a special thanks to Dr. Arvind Tiwari, Reader, (Dept. of CCA) who has always
helped me with his experience and resourceful informations. He was kind enough to
take out his valuable time and provide me valuable suggestions. I am also grateful to
Prof. D. R. Singh (head, CCA Dept.) who has helped me in many ways.
Dr. Vikas Pandey (Dept. of URS), Dr. Roy Burman (Dept. of Social Policy), Mr.
Subhabrata Datta (Dept. of SWA), Dr. Parthasarthi Mondal (Dept. of MPSW) — all
have been candid enough to share their opinions and valuable suggestions. I also
have received valuable help and comments from Mr. Vijay Raghavan of Prayas. My
many thanks to him.
Bali, Ashoka, George, Haruno, Anirban, Niri, Rajiv, Ila, Leena, Nandini, Sujata
(Mallik) Sthabir, Prachi and Ragini — my colleagues have always supported me
during several odds. Their pleasant company was a soother.
The Library and Meeting Section staff have been extremely co-operative and
helped me with several informations and kind services. Dr. Muttayya (Librarian), Ms.
Shyamla, Ms. Kiran, Ms. Devyani, Ms. Vishakha, Chandrakant, Dr. Mallikarjun, Mamaji,
Singhji, Harish, Damu and Mr. Balakrishanan (Meeting Section Officer), Ms. Manju,
Ms. Sita — to all of them, I convey my profound gratitude.
Dr. K. Sita, (Retd. Faculty of the University of Mumbai) came like a respite to
proofread all my scattered drafts with her utmost sincerity, care and skill. I owe my
lifelong indebtedness to her.
Ms. Sudha Ganpati and her friend helped me in
proofreading and corrections of some chapters. Many thanks to them.
Jayanti, my best friend, my companion, my support, has been a greatest gift to
me by god. She was with me throughout my journey, 'Jayu', I adore you!
Priya was a friend indeed, a friend in need — faraway today (Jamaica).
her 'homely' touch.
I miss
My friends at Hull (UK) — Martin, Kate, Bob & Pat have always shared my
'tears and smiles' since the day they know me. I feel their presence all around me at
this precious moment.
Louise, my friend, I remember you and I miss your company.
My old friends, Bijoya, Soma, Ava have been with me throughout my life and
shared my feelings. I owe them a lot!
At this juncture, I cannot forget the role of my family. 'Buli', my late father will
always remain my 'anchor' and 'mentor'. His faith in my capacity made me believe I
can.
My mother, 'dada' (elder brother) and Jhuma, my little sister, Babai (brother in
law)', Mamoni, Baba', & 'Maa' (my in-laws) have always supported my endeavour and
have faith in my 'dreams'. My little brother 'Buro' who exactly understood what I am
and stood on my side. I am also deeply grateful to "Sanjay", "Baba", "Aai" and "Kaka"
(Jayanti's family) for their continued moral support throughout this effort.
'Bille', my soulmate has been a propelling force in pushing me towards
achieving several challenging tasks in life. I can only marvel at his vision, perception
and search for excellence.
He shaped my personality, making the "potential" a
"possibility". His role changed with passing time, sometime as guardian, other time a
philosopher - friend. I do not have better words to express my feelings for him.
I am indebted to the entire Mumbai Police, especially the Crime Branch for
their co-operation and support throughout my data collection.
Mr. M .N Singh, Commissioner of Police, Mr. B. S. Mohite, Joint Commissioner
of Police (Crime) Mr. DCP Pradeep Sawant (Detection Cell, Crime) Zonal DCPs., Mr. S.
K. Padvi, Mr. M. D. Goud, Mr. Rajnish Seth, Retd. ACP, Mr. Dashrath Avhad, Retd.
Commissioner of Police, Mr. J. F. Rebeiro and senior police officials like Mr. Vinod
Bhatt, Mr.Sanjay Parandare, Mr. Vinod Bhasin, Mr.Afzal Pathan, Mr. Mehedi &
others — all extended their helping hand and provided me security whenever I
needed during the fieldwork. A special thanks to PI Mr. Amarjeet Singh (Computer
Cell, Crime Branch) for sharing important data with me.
Anil (Mr. Anil Naik, API, Crime Branch) needs a special mention here who
helped me in several ways throughout my research.
His sincere and caring effort
has helped me to understand better the "youth" of my interests.
The contribution of prosecutors in Session Court cannot be ignored.
Ms.
Rohini Salian (Chief Public Prosecutor), Mr. Sekh (Public Prosecutor), Mr. Jimmy
Madan (Senior Public Prosecutor), Mr. Majeed Memon (Defense Lawyer), Mr. Bagaria
(Defense Lawyer) — all have helped me by providing their valuable opinion for
shaping my study in a better way.
'Deepali', took the trouble to read my badly written text and reference list and
made all needful corrections in the thesis with all her sincerity and care.
Her
assistance was excellent.
The acknowledgement would remain incomplete without thanking those
"youth", focus of my study. It is "they" who trusted me and shared their bitter
experiences of life in the "dark world". It is only because of their trust, faith and cooperation, that as a researcher, I could peep into their lives and could reach to their
families, friends and neighbours. Without them this study was not possible — I
thank them all.