ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, I begin with sincere gratitude and humility. It is only through His countless blessings, guidance, and infinite mercy that this book has come to fruition. Without His help, none of this would have been possible.

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my parents and siblings whose unconditional love, prayers, and unwavering support have been the foundation of my journey. Their sacrifices and constant encouragement have shaped the person I am today.

A special acknowledgment goes to my loving wife, Efat Perween whose patience, understanding, and constant support have been my strength throughout the course of this project. Her belief in me, even during the most challenging moments, has been a source of immense motivation. To my dear son, Asjad Raza, your innocent smiles and boundless energy have brought joy and a sense of purpose to my life. This book is dedicated to my wife and son.

I am deeply thankful to Maulana Azad National Urdu University (a central university), Hyderabad and its administration for providing me with a conducive academic environment and resources to pursue my work. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the Head of the Department of Public Administration, Prof. Syed Najiullah, and Head of the Department of Political Science, Prof Afroz Alam and Head of the Department of Sociology, Dr. K. M. Ziyauddin whose guidance, mentorship, and encouragement have been invaluable in the completion of this work. Their insightful feedback and leadership have been instrumental in shaping the direction of this book.

I am also profoundly grateful to all my colleagues, friends and well-wishers in the department and outside the university for their continuous support and valuable input. To Dr. Ningthoujam Irina, Dr. S. M. Khalid, Dr. Khalid Ansari, Dr. Md. Khwaza Afroz, Dr. Md. Shahid Alam, Dr. Naved Ashrafi, Dr. Ekta Choudhary, Dr. Shomaila Warsi, Dr. Shefallica Singh, Dr. Md. Karar Ahmad, Dr. Md. Reyaz Ahmed, Dr. K Jhansi Rani and Mrs. Lavanyanjali Mukkerla – Their thoughtful discussions, suggestions, and camaraderie have been crucial in this academic journey. Each of you has contributed in unique ways to enriching my knowledge and providing me with the encouragement I needed.

Last but not least, I would like to thank my research scholar namely Dr. Asad Ur Rehman, who has always offered his support during the entire process.

This book, though a product of my efforts, stands as a testament to the love, dedication, and support I have received from so many people. I remain forever grateful to each of you.

With deepest gratitude and respect,

Dr. Ahmed Raza