India, Oct. 18 -- The Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (GIPE) - one of the country's oldest and most reputed social science institutes - has announced multiple initiatives aimed at strengthening its community engagement and academic outreach even as it works towards regaining its earlier National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) grade.

GIPE vice-chancellor (VC) Umakant Dash on Thursday told media persons that the institute has recently started a new rural research and training centre at Hatta in Hingoli district. "We have launched this centre with a focus on understanding the problems faced by people in rural areas. Through this centre, we will take up projects from villagers and study whether or not they are receiv...