this complex subject, it is important that there should be wide-ranging and intense discussion on '^s several asoects. The current double-number'of Social Scientist which is devoted exclusively to themes connected with the position of women in our country, seeks to initiate such a discussion. It is a measure of the importance which we attach to this question as a practical problem facing the Left and democratic movement. With this issue of Social Scientist we also start a new practice. The issue has been planned, put together and edited by Meera Velayudhan, who kindly agreed to act as a guest editor for this special number. We intend in future to invite from time to time particular persons, outside of our editorial board, who may be specialists in particular areas, to act as guest editors for issues which we would like to publish and which fall within their specific areas of interest. We hope in this way to widen our circle of contributors and to make Social Scientist better represent the current state of research in diverse Fields.