ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First and foremost, I would like to thank God Almighty for giving me the strength,
knowledge, ability and opportunity to undertake this research study and to persevere
and complete it satisfactorily. Without his blessings, this achievement would not have
been possible.

In my journey towards this degree, I have found a teacher, a friend, an inspiration, a

role model and a pillar of support in my Guide, Dr. H.S. Cheema, CEO & Dean,
IFEEL, Lonavala. He has been there providing his heartfelt support and guidance at
all times and has given me invaluable guidance, inspiration and suggestions in my
quest for knowledge. He has given me all the freedom to pursue my research, while
silently and non-obtrusively ensuring that I stay on course and do not deviate from the
core of my research. Without his able guidance, this thesis would not have been
possible and I shall eternally be grateful to him for his assistance.

I have great pleasure in acknowledging my gratitude to my colleagues and fellow

research scholars at JJT University, Prof. Arati D. Kale, Prof. Arun Poojari and
Prof. Vinay Pandit in ensuring that the fire keeps burning and being there at times
when I required motivation and propelling me on the course of this thesis and also for
assisting me in collation of data for my research. Their support, encouragement and
credible ideas have been great contributors in the completion of the thesis.

I take pride in acknowledging the insightful guidance of Dr. D.D.Agarwal, Vice-

Chancellor, JJT University, for sparing his valuable time whenever I approached
him and showing me the way ahead.

I would also like to express my gratitude to Dr. Reecha Ranjan Singh and Dr. Anju
Singh at JJT University, and the entire staff at JJT University, Jhunjhunu Campus as
well as Andheri, Mumbai office, who have been so helpful and cooperative in giving
their support at all times to help me achieve my goal.
It would be inappropriate if I omit to mention the names of my dear friends Murtuza
K, Sandesh C, Ajit W & Arun Shankar, who have, in their own ways, kept me
going on my path to success, assisting me as per their abilities, in whatever manner
possible and for ensuring that good times keep flowing.

My acknowledgement would be incomplete without thanking the biggest source of

my strength, my family. The blessings of my late parents Mrs. Maina & Mr.
Lalchand Mankani and the love and care of my sisters Anita Hiranandani, Sujata
Menon & Shalu Antal and their husbands Purshottam Hirnandani, Vinod Menon
& Vijay Antal, and of course my prime source of ideas, my niece Srishti Menon and
nephews Vidhant Menon & Aaryan Antal who never let things get dull or boring,
have all made a tremendous contribution in helping me reach this stage in my life. I
thank them for putting up with me in difficult moments where I felt stumped and for
goading me on to follow my dream of getting this degree. This would not have been
possible without their unwavering and unselfish love and support given to me at all
times.

I would like to dedicate this work to my late mother Mrs. Maina Lalchand
Mankani whose dreams for me have resulted in this achievement and without
her loving upbringing and nurturing; I would not have been where I am today
and what I am today. It is true that if god ever existed, he would be in the form
of a mother, because only a mother can love and give without expecting anything
in return. Had it not been for my mother’s unflinching insistence and support,
my dreams of excelling in education would have remained mere dreams. I thank
my mother with all my heart and I know she is up there, listening, watching over
me and sending me her blessings constantly and is my guardian angel.

This one is for you mom!

Rajesh Lalchand Mankani