Subject(s): Historical development of panchayti raj and gram sabha in India : Gandhi's vision of panchyati raj and grama sabha, Post independence period, Panchayati raj institution after 73rd amendment ,Decentralization and participation in the Indian context Grama sabha in fifth scheduled areas -- Dynamic of the panchayati raj system in Kerala : Development of panchayat organisation, Kerala panchayati act 1960 and 1994, District planning committee, Committee on decentralisation of power in Kerala -- Functioning of gram sabha: perception of peoples representatives of gram sabha, Perception of participants and non-participants of grama sabha, Gram sabha meetings, Participation in Gram sabhas represented by left democratic front and untied democratic front , Male and female panchayat members -- Functioning of gram sabhas- Ward wise analysis of gram sabha meetings -- Women and weaker sections in Gram sabhas, Scheduled castes and scheduled tribes -- Grama sabha in planning process