During my fieldwork in Kerala from September 2022 to August 2023, I was affiliated to the Center for Development Studies (CDS) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala as a PhD Research Scholar under the guidance of Prof. J. Devika. The campus of CDS was designed by the late Laurie Baker. Many thanks to Prof. Devika for her guidance and support for my dissertation fieldwork.

From CDS’ website;

“The Centre for Development Studies (CDS) was established as an autonomous social science research institute on 19 October 1970 .  It was the leadership and vision of Shri C. Achutha Menon, the then Chief Minister of Kerala that led to the creation of several research centres in Kerala in different disciplines related to the development of the State. He was able to persuade legendary development economist Professor K. N. Raj to set up the Centre and provide intellectual leadership. Professor Raj continued to remain the driving force behind all academic activities of CDS for over two decades. CDS was also fortunate to have Laurie Baker, a radically innovative architect, visualise and design its campus and buildings in a distinctive but cost-effective manner. The architectural splendour of the CDS campus is the result of this vision and effort of Laurie Baker.”