Acknowledgements

I am indebted to the teachings (Dhamma) of Buddha which changed my life

altogether. His spiritualism has enabled me to think rationally, to have a better

understanding of life and its nuances, a better knowledge and wisdom, and a good

health to complete this research.

In a very special way, I express my sincere gratitude to UNESCO Goodwill

Ambassador Late Madanjeet Singh and his SAF organisation, which offered me a

scholarship during my MA course and have given wonderful facility to pursue research

peacefully. Without him, my thesis would not have materialised.

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my research supervisor and

Centre Head Dr. A. Subramanyam Raju, Associate Professor. Being a dedicated and

committed teacher and a self-disciplined and ardent scholar, he has been a source of

inspiration for me. He has always encouraged, motivated, and guided me to take the

research seriously and inspired me to work hard.

I express my sincere gratitude to the Doctoral Committee members, Prof. P.

Lazrus Samraj for his motivation and valuable suggestions during the doctoral

committee meetings and synopsis presentation, and Dr. S. I. Humayun and Dr.

D.Purusothaman for their precious time and encouragement.

I thank Dr. Santhosh Mathew, Assistant Professor for his support and

encouragement. I acknowledge the support of the office staff of the Centre – Mr. S.

Mannangatti, Mr. R. Kadiravan, Mr. Cannayiram, Parthiban and former staff P.

Arumugam.

I also thank the library administration at various universities and places

including Ananda Rangapillai Library, Pondicherry University, Library- French

Institute and Romain Rolland, Puducherry, American Library, Chennai, British Council
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Library, Chennai, Library – University of Madras, and Library JNU, Delhi for various

books, articles, journals and e-books that have been useful for the completion of the

thesis.

I thank the Librarian, Pondicherry University, Dr. S. Samyuktha, Deputy

Librarian Dr. U. Nagalingam, Computer Scientist Shri Z. Olirvel, Assistant Librarian

Shri K. Nallaperumal Pillai and all the supporting staff of the library for providing a

conducive atmosphere and wonderful facility in the library and also keeping the library

updated with latest books, online journals and e-books.

I thank my batch mates Ms. Stefy V. Joseph, Dr. Bikasdev Chhura, Mr. D.

Sendhilkumar, Mr. Susangit Kujur, Mr. M. Layaslalu, Mr. Ramakant Mallik, Mr. N.

Sathish, Mr. R. Uthaya Suriyan, Mr. Manzoor Ahmad, Ms. Samapti, Mr. Keshab Sethi,

Mr. Pukiya Minaka and Ms. Aparmaya for their time, help and friendly atmosphere in

the department. I thank my friends Mr. A.Vengatachalapathy, Mr. S. Vijayan, Mr. T.

Parthasarathy, Mr. P. Loganathan, Dr. Arul Jason, Dr. J. Vikramathithan, Mr. Anand

@ Rasu, Mr. Samanaraja, Mr. P. Arun, Mr. J. Jayachandran, Mr. Nalan Murugan, Mr.

A. Nagaraj, Mr. S. Irudayaraj, Mr. E. Sathiaraj, Mr. Azhagarasan, Mr. Vinoth, Mr. Juby

John for their affection, help and support.

I especially thank Dr. Shanmugavelu B., Dr. Muragavel, Mr. Rajesh Kankipati

IAS, Mr. S. Balamurugan CIF, Mr. Sengathir Sashy Evanjal, Dr. A. Vadivel and his

wife Dr. R. Indumathy for their motivation, guidance, help and encouragement. I am

extremely grateful to them for the unending support and concern to complete the thesis.

At this juncture, I remember the indelible contribution, unending support,

sacrifices and care of my father Late Mr. M. Subramaniyan and mother Ms. S.

Krishnaveni, whose blessings have always been with me to accomplish this research.

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 I thank my lovely wife Mrs. Mary Arbuda and daughter Li Na for their love and

affection, personal sacrifices, support, concern and encouragement to complete this

research. They stood behind me in times of adversities, emotional setbacks, illness and

personal losses during this research. I thank my beloved wife and daughter.

I thank my family members, Mrs. E. Seethalakshmi, Mrs. S. Rita @ Lalitha,

Mr. S. Chandrasegaran, Mr. S. Vinayagamurugan and also the people of my village for

their encouragement, love, concern and support. I once again express my gratitude to

each and every one who encouraged and supported me to carry out this research.

LOGANATHAN S.

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