Vol.VII, No.I, January-June, 2019

Volume: VII, Number: I January - June, 2019 ISSN: 2319-8192 Intellection A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal Editorial Board Chief Editor: Prof. Nikunja Bihari Biswas, Former Dean, Ashutosh Mukharjee School of Educational Sciences, Assam University, Silchar Editor Managing Editor Dr.Baharul Islam Laskar , Dr. Abul Hassan Chaudhury Principal , Assistant Registrar, M.C.D College, Sonai, Cachar Assam University, Silchar Associate Editors Dr. S.M.Alfarid Hussain, Dr. Anindya Syam Choudhury, Assistant Professor, Department of Mass Associate Professor, Department of English, Communication, Assam University, Silchar Assam University, Silchar Assistant Managing Editors Dr. Monjur Ahmed Laskar, Dr. Nijoy Kr Paul Research Associate, Professional Assistant, Central Library, Bioinformatics Centre, Assam University, Assam University, Silchar EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS Prof Humayun Bokth , Prof J.U Ahmed , Department of Sociology, Department of Management, NEHU, Assam University Tura Campus Dr. Merina Islam, (founder Editor), Dr. Pius V.T, Associate Professor, and Head, Department of Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy, Philosophy , Cachar College, Silchar Assam University, Silchar Dr. Kh Narendra Singh, Prof Sk Jasim Uddin, Head, Department of Anthropology, Department of Chemistry, Assam University, Assam University, Diphu Campus Silchar Dr.Himadri Sekhar Das , Dr. Debotosh Chakraborty Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Assam university, Silchar Science, Assam University, Silchar Dr. Moynul Hoque, Dr. Md. Aynul Hoque, Assistant professor, Department of History, Former Assistant Professor, Gurucharan College, Silchar NERIE, Shillong Dr. Taj Uddin Khan Dr. Subrata Sinha, Assistant Professor, Deptt.of Botany, System Analyst, Computer Centre, S.S.College, Hailakandi Assam University, Silchar Dr. Ayesha Afsana Dr. Ganesh Nandi Post Doctoral Fellow, Deptt. of Sociology, Asstt. Professor, Deptt. of Visual Arts, Assam University, Silchar Assam University, Silchar

Disclaimer : Opinion expressed in the articles are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion and views of the Editorial Board or Advisory Board and even Barak Education Society, Silchar. Cover designed by: Mr. Baharul Islam Laskar, Department of Visual Arts, Assam University To contact: Chief Editor: Phone No. 9435072204(M), Email id: [email protected] Editor: Phone: 9435988843 (M), Email id: [email protected] N.B. All concerned with the journal have extended honorary service voluntarily for the publication of the journal smoothly.

Volume: VII, Number: I January – June, 2019 ISSN: 2319-8192 Intellection A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal Advisory Board

Chief Advisor Prof. Tapodhir Bhattacharjee, Former Vice Chancellor, Assam University, Silchar

Advisors Prof. Y. V. Satyanarayan, Prof. Devendra Nath Tiwari Former Emeritus Professor, Department of Philosophy, and Religion Department of Philosophy, Benaras Hindu University, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, A.P Varanasi , UP Prof. Yasien Mohamed, Prof. Dr. Abdul Jalil Bin Othman, (Arabic & Islamic Studies) Faculty of Education, Department Foreign Languges, Department of Language and literary Education University of the Western Cape, South Africa University of Malaya, Malayasia Prof. Dr. Md. Saiful Islam Prof. M Asad Uddin Department of Economics, Department of English, Khulna University, Bangladesh Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi

Prof. Niranjan Roy, Prof. Asoke Kr. Sen, Dean, School of Economics & Commerce, Dean, School of Physical Sciences, Assam University, Silchar Assam University , Silchar

Prof. G.Ram, Prof. A. Rasak T, Former Head, Department of Sociology, Department of Arabic & former Dean, Assam University, Silchar School of English & Foreign Languages, Assam University, Silchar Prof. Dibyojyoti Bhattacharjee Prof K.M.Baharul Islam, Dept. of Statistics & Director, IQAC, Fellow, Indian Institue of Advanced Assam University, Silchar Study, Rastrapati Nivas, Shimla Prof Dipendu Das Prof Farida Khanam, Dean, School of English & Foreign Department of Islamic Studies. Languages, Assam University, Silchar Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi Prof M.K.Sinha, Dr. Reyaz Ahmed Head, Dept. of Library & Information Assistant professor, Sciences, Software Engineering Department, Assam University, Silchar College of Engineering and IT Al Ain University of Science and Technology, UAE Dr. Deshraj Sirswal. Dr. Jashobanta Roy, Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy, Associate Professor& HOD, Philosophy P.G Govt. College for Girls, Chandigarh Radhamadhab College, Silchar

EDITORIAL

With the blessings of Almighty and the good wishes of our readers, we have been able to bring out the 13th issue of ‘Intellection’ the bi-annual peer reviewed research journal, a gracious mission of Barak Education Society.

The objective of our Journal is to publish up-to-date, high-quality and original research papers alongside relevant and insightful reviews. With these objectives “Intellection” has started its swift journey from January’ 2013 and the with the passage of time ‘Intellection’ has occupied its place in the web and also in the list of approved journals by UGC, the apex academic body of the Country and it is matter of great pride and privilege on behalf of the Editorial Board to publish the current successful issue.

Our appeal for paper contribution and write-ups for publication in the journal ‘Call for Papers’ got good response from all corners. The paper contributors have spent their time and energy to produce good articles, we could not include all, even after declining several articles on review, we had to include seventeen papers in the present issue.

Being an interdisciplinary journal this issue of ‘Intellection’ like its earlier issues includes articles from Literature and Linguistics, Economics and Commerce, Management , Education, Sociology and Philosophy etc, which makes the issue more interesting and useful to academic thinkers.

I take this opportunity to appreciate and thanks to the Executive Committee, Editorial Board and Advisory Board of Barak Education Society, contributors of articles, all those who have supported and helped us in this endeavour, make it possible for us to publish the journal in time and to the best of our capabilities. We solicit your support and help for the future issues of the journal too and believe that this issue of the journal would turn out to be of significant use to all categories of readers, especially researchers and educators.

We appreciate feedbacks, comments and suggestions from all our readers regarding this issue and for improvement of the future issues. You can access the soft copy of the journal at http://www.besngo.org and mail your responses to [email protected].

I convey my best wishes for overall success of the journal.

With warm regards

Dr. Baharul Islam Laskar Editor, Intellection Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, January - June, 2019 Vol. VII, No. I, (Peer Reviewed) ISSN: 2319-8192 (Included in the list of UGC approved research journals) CONTENTS ………….. Page Nos 1. The Gita’s Understanding of the Origination, Sustenance and 01-08 Dissolution of the Universe - Ms. Jutika Devi

2. Entrepreneurial Intention-A Case from Indian Matrilineal 09-21 Society - Dr. Kh Devananda Singh

3. Religious Beliefs, Literature and Censorship: A Few 22-30 Select Case Studies from India - Dr. Mehak Jonjua

4. A Study of the Scope of Bancassurance in India in the Post 31-41 Liberalization Period - Mr. M. Rajeev

5. Role of Financial Capability and Financial Inclusion in Rural 42-50 Development - Mr. Tandraleem Kashyap

6 Diasporic Women in the Novels of Jhumpa Lahiri and 51-57 Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni - Mr. Dipam Jentilal Joshi and Dr. Seema Ranjitbhai Gida

7. Geometrical Forms of Sculpture organization in Mathematical 58-63 order: A New Perspective in Modern Indian Sculpture - Mr. Binoy Paul

8. Life of Bagala: the Growth of Character; A Blending of Brecht’s 64-74 verfremdungseffekt and Sircar’s Third Theatre - Ms. Aditi Banerjee

9. An Ideal, Emancipated Woman: A Fantasy or Reality? 75-81 -Ms. Janu V Kumar

Contd.

Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, January- June, 2019 Vol. VII, No. I (Peer Reviewed) ISSN: 2319-8192 (Included in the list of UGC approved research journals) Page Nos 10. Understanding ‘Rationality’ : An Analytical Nauancing 82-88

- Ms. Swarnali Roy Choudhury

11. Ethnicity and Ethnic Conflict - Evidences from North Eastern 89-98 Region of India - Mr. Prakash Khundrakpam

12. Sexspionage, Predators and the Butterfly: a Reading of David 99-105 Henry Hwang’s M.Butterfly - Mr. Debaditya Mukhopadhyay

13. The 20th Century Bengal Art Movement and its Reflection in 106-115 Tripura - Mr. Chirojyoti Bhattacharjee

14. The Concept of Suffering in Indian Philosophy : An 116-120 Analytical Study -Dr. Purnima Das

Prominent Socio-Economic Factors Affecting Academic 121-129 15. Achievement of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Secondary Level Learners in Tripura: An Analytical Study - Mr. Litan Das

16. Contemporary Art Activities in Manipur : A Study on a Recent 130-134 Art Workshop - Ms. Moirangthem Monali

17. Socio- Economic Status of Slum Dwelling Women: Case 135-143 Study on Tripura

- Ms. Manisha Karmakar and Dr. Jahar Debbarma,

Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, January - June, 2019 Vol. VII, No. I ISSN: 2319-8192 The Gita’s Understanding of the Origination, Sustenance and Dissolution of the Universe

Jutika Devi Research Scholar Department of Philosophy Gauhati University Email: [email protected]

Abstract

With regard to the origination of the universe, the Gita discusses the universe as being constituted by two realities- purusa and prakrti. And in the Gita it was seen that these two are the factors that are said to be natures of Krishna. So a study of universe finally leads in the Gita to the nature of Ultimate Reality. The locus and the source of the universe in the Gita is declared as Krishna and this is reference to origination. Again, when we try to find what sustains the world, it is found that it is ruled and governed by Krishna. And regarding destruction it has been categorically mentioned in the Gita that it is caused by Krishna alone. As Krishna is the creator, so His nature is revealed as source, locus, abode etc. Similarly, as He is the sustainer, He is of the nature of ruler, governor etc. Moreover, He is the destroyer; He is of the nature of omnipotent. That means He knows already about the destinies of the world. So through the discussion about the creation, sustenance, and destruction of the universe, it is attempted to find out the nature of Krishna as the creator, sustainer and the destroyer of the cosmos. Gita’s understanding of the universe includes within its purview various questions related to the universe such as who has created the universe, how the world is sustaining, does the universe have a purpose, what is the status of it, does the universe will have an end and so on. This paper attempts to find out the answer to these questions in the context of the Gita and to show that the answer to these questions are pointed to Krishna who is behind the starting, middle and the end of the world. It is to be mentioned here that though it is being discussed, the questions regarding the universe, it is actually attempting to show the nature of the Ultimate Reality. Keywords: creation, sustenance, destruction, causality.

Introduction all these things and the answer to these questions The Gita’s understanding of the universe are pointed to Krishna who is behind the includes within its purview various questions starting, middle and the end of the world. It is to related to the universe such as who has created be mentioned here that though it is being the universe, how the world is sustaining, does discussing the questions regarding the universe, the universe have a purpose, what is the status of it is actually attempting to show the nature of the it, does the universe will have an end and so on. Ultimate Reality. Gita’s concept of the universe is also discussing

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In the study of the universe in the Gita, the same consciousness which maintains, nourishes universe is found as being constituted by two and sustains all the potentialities in us. Without realities- purusa and prakrti and these two are this spiritual spark non functioning in us we the factors that are said to be natures of Krishna. would be no more intelligent or divine than the Thus, a study of these two realities will reveal ‘stone-world’.”2 purusa being the very self, the the character of Krishna. prakriti is the lower kshetrajna, that which enters within the whole nature, between the two natures. It is the universe and sustains it. (vii, verse 5). One verse material aspect. It is also called the material from the Gita is relevant here which is the cause of the universe. So, prakriti is the matter following—“ But, O mighty armed One, know out of which the universe is created by Krishna. My higher nature is another. It is the life- In the Gita prakriti is being discussed as principle (jiva-bhuta), by which this universe is eightfold. The eightfold prakriti is consisted of sustained.”(vii, 5) five great elements, mind, intellect and ego. So in the Gita, these two higher and lower Krishna’s illusive power is reflected in all these natures, each functioning in the embrace of the eightfold division i.e. earth, water, fire, air, other, cause all the manifestations of the world ether, mind, intellect and egoism. of plurality. Therefore, it can be said that Abhinabagupta writes in this regard as, prakriti is the womb, in the Gita. As womb is “although prakriti (in its original form) is only generally understood as the source of creation, one, it evolves into eight forms. Therefore the so being the womb, prakriti becomes the source universe is non dual in its essence because it of creation. In other words, from this womb the evolves from prakriti, which is originally world is said to be arisen. But this womb one.”1“Earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, and ultimately belongs to the Supreme, who is none understanding and self sense—this is the but Krishna. So, in the Gita, through prakriti, eightfold division of My nature”. (vii, 4) which is the womb, the universe is said to be That higher nature is purusa which can be created. Being the cause of the universe, this considered as the efficient cause of the universe. prakriti becomes the great. It is said to be the Purusa is efficient as the world is sustaining great because it is greater than all effects and it through It. This higher nature is also related to is also the source of all and nourishing energy of creation and sustention of the world. That higher all its modifications. In the words of Ramanuja, nature or purusa is constituted of pure “this prakriti is designated here by the name ‘the consciousness or awareness and with it He great Brahman’ by the reason of its being the identifies Himself. It is the spiritual aspect of cause of modifications like mahat, ahankara Krishna. According to Balakrishna Nair, “the etc.”3 As prakriti is the cause, it can never be an spiritual factor is the entity by whose contact the effect. In that prakriti, the germ is placed by equipments function and without which the Krishna. That germ is the seed of the birth of equipments become dull and sentient. It is the hiranyagarbha, the seed which gives birth to all

Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, Vol. VII, No. I, January- June, 2019 beings. This affirms that all existences are A similar and precise explanation of creation manifestation of the Divine. He is the cosmic is to be found in the Upanisads also. In seed. With reference to the world He becomes Brihadaranyaka Upanisad it is found to be said the hiranyagarbha, the cosmic soul. So, in the that it was the Self which was in the beginning Gita, the Ultimate Reality becomes the father of the world. “In the beginning this (world) was who deposits the seed in the womb which is only the self in the shape of a person. Looking essential life, thus causing the birth of every around he saw nothing else than the self. He first individual. So the world can be considered as the said, ‘I am’. Therefore arose the name of I.” 5 play of the Infinite on the finite. Ramanuja again (Brihadaranyaka Upanisad, I.iv.1) So in the said in this regard that, “from the conjunction Upanisads, it is the Self who is the source of between the two prakrities, brought about by creation. In the Gita also it is the Supreme Self My will is brought forth the origin of all entities who is the source of the world. And that from Brahma down to the grass.”4 Actually it is Supreme Self is none other than Krishna in the the Supreme who is both the seed as well as the Gita. womb of the universe. Being the womb, He is The same concept of creation is found in the the mother and being the seed, He is the Father. Aitareya Upanisad also. In Aitareya Upanisad It is also found to be said in the Gita that the self is projected as the creator and not just prakriti is the mother and God is the father of all the source. According to this, it is the Self who living creatures. As prakriti is also of the nature was in the beginning and only by the will of the of God, God is the father and mother of the Self the world is created. “The Self, verily, was universe. From these it can be said that though it (all) this, one only, in the beginning. Nothing looks like that the world is a creation of Krishna, else whatsoever winked? He thought, ‘let me but exactly it is not. This is so because prakriti now create the worlds’.” 6(Aitareya Upanisad, itself is not separated from Krishna and therefore I.1). it is not a complete creation. The embryo and the As earlier discussed the sustenance along seed are only metaphors that are used by with creation, this sustenance is possible with Krishna to make us understandable the creation the law of karma. The created world is sustained of the universe. From these it seems that there is by the law of karma and this law is governed by only One Reality. And the world is not separated the Reality. The creation and sustenance of the from this Ultimate Reality. “Great Brahma world are governed by a law or an order. This (prakriti) is My womb: in that I cast the seed law of karma is related to transmigration. This and from it is the birth of all beings, O Bharata order is the order of the Ultimate Reality. In the (Arjuna).” (xiv, 3)“Whatever forms are Gita also this order is found as being governed produced in any wombs whatsoever, O Son of by Krishna. This order can be understood with Kunti (Arjuna), great Brahma is their womb and the principle of transmigration. Transmigration I am the Father who casts the seed.” (xiv, 4) is again related to the law of karma. So the law

The Gita’s Understanding of the ...... Dissolution of the Universe ISSN: 2319-8192 of the world and the law of karma are related. form. So in the Gita, in this way people are According to the law of karma everyone will be advised not to be indulged in earthly pleasures reborn if he is not undergone the fruits of his and made a way for them not to return again to action in this life. That means if he is bound by this world. It is believed that there is an the earthly pleasures and forget about real nature upliftment from this worldy life and this can be of the Supreme, he will be reborn again. The law done by resolving into the Supreme only. The of karma is the deciding factor of the cycle of world will continue unless there is no attainment birth and rebirth. The world order is processing of the Supreme. So the continuation of the world through the process of birth and rebirth. This law through the rebirths of individual is connected to of karma is controlled by the Supreme. So by the Ultimate Reality. He is the actual governor. controlling the law of karma, which is the actor He is also the moral governor. Being the of the cycle of rebirth, he is becoming the governor of karma, he becomes the governor of controller of the order of the world. This is how world. From this it is clear that the Ultimate the sustenance of the world and the order of Reality is of the nature of law i.e. order. “From transmigration is related. According to S.N. the realm of Brahma downwards, all world are Dasgupta, “all Indian systems agree in believing subject to return to rebirth, but on reaching Me, that whatever action is done by an individual O Son of Kunti (Arjuna), there is no return to leaves behind it some sort of potency which has birth again.”(viii, 16) the power to ordain for him joy or sorrow viz. So the universe is nourished by the Ultimate the future according as it is good or bad.”7 In the Reality, in the Gita. This is declared by Krishna Gita, it is found to be said that there is a reason Himself by giving some example and showed for returning to the world and for the non that He alone is the vital energy of every returning to the world of those who have creature. The sun is the source of light and light reached the Lord. Ramanuja says, “all the is necessary for the survival of the world. In the worlds down from the realm of Brahma included Gita, Reality is identified with the sun and in the Brahmanda (cosmic sphere) are the place becomes the source of all heat for the entire where experiences of prosperity and power can universe. Similarly, it is the Ultimate Reality be attained. But all of these are subject to which is responsible for sending forth the rain to destruction and those who are running after the earth. The availability of the Ultimate these and able to attain these have no option but Reality is such that He is the immortality of the to return. So return or destruction is unavoidable Gods and death of the mortals. It is the for those aspirants.”8 But on the contrary there is illuminator of change, itself ever the changeless. a way of not returning to the world. There will “I give heat; I withhold and send forth the rain. be no rebirth to those who attain the Supreme, I am immortality and also death, I am being as who has truly resolved into Him, who is well as non being, O Arjuna.” (ix, 19) compassionate and who is always is of the same

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The world must have an abode. In the Gita manifestation of the terrible form in front of this abodeness also belongs to the Ultimate Arjuna, in the Gita. This is to point out that Reality. With an analogy of air and space, this Krishna being the Ultimate Reality, Himself is abodeness can be explained. Air is moving the operative for the annihilation of the entire everywhere and space is the place where it is world without any effort on Arjuna’s part. It can and it moves. Similarly Krishna, like space is the be said that no construction of a thing is possible place where all beings are and all beings move without a corresponding destruction of its own and act. Again Space is said to be holding air, previous condition. The world is created by a but is not touched by air. As Radhakrishnan continuous process of destruction. The Gita observes, “The space can be considered as the discusses about the destruction of the world by true universal, all pervading infinite background mentioning the certain destruction of the warrior on which aerial phenomena take place, but its even without the effort of Arjuna. Fully nature is stable and immutable. Air exists in manifesting Himself with this form, Krishna had space, but does not consist of space and has begun to destroy the hosts of kings. Therefore nothing essentially in common with it. In this the death of every warrior under the leadership sense it can be said that all things exist in God. of Dhritarastra’s son, is certain and so they The infinite Self is immutable like space, yet it shall cease to be destroyed. As the Reality was is the support of all that moves. But it does not before origination and will be there after mean that the Supreme is contained in any of the destruction, so It can be considered as beyond moving entities which are ultimately depending time. In this regard Radhakrishnan observes that, on the Supreme.”9 The Reality is of the nature of “God has control over time as He is outside of it. abode. That means the Ultimate Reality can be As the force behind this, He sees farther than considered as the locus of everything. “As the we, knows all events are controlled. So He tells mighty air moving everywhere ever, abides in Arjuna that causes have been at work or years their etheric space (akasa), know thou that in the and are moving towards their natural effects same manner all existences abide in Me.”(ix, 6). which we cannot prevent by anything we can do This verse explains that though the universe is now.”10 That means the destruction of every the manifestation of the Divine and It causes being and thing are known to Him already. The things to exist, yet It does not exist in them. That God of destiny decides and ordains all things means God so completely transcends the and Arjuna is to be the instrument in the hands universe that He is separated from all wordly of the Omnipotent who fulfills His purpose and being and is opposed to it as the ‘wholly other’. is working out a mighty evolution. Again as he It reflects the Reality’s nature as transcendent. is the cause, he is also the effect. So both cause As the creation and sustenance are ascribed and effect are in that Reality. Therefore the to the Ultimate Reality, so also the destruction cause and effect are also not applicable to It. “I can be pointed to It. This point is clear by the am the world-destroying Time. Manifesting

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Myself fully, I have begun to destroy the world From this it is clear that the self is available in here. Even without You, none of the warrior the beginning as well as in the end. arrayed in the hostile ranks shall survive.” (xi, Conclusion verse-32) This universe is finite as it has a beginning Similar conception of destruction is also and an end. The finite must be resides on found in the Upanisads. In the Upanisads, the something infinite. The relation between finite self is the originator, creator, source, essence of and the infinite can be explained with the the world. However the self is not only the concept of causality. The finite can be source from which the world is created, but also considered as the effect whereas the infinite is the place where all things and beings go back the cause. Again this cause-effect relation after dissolution of the world. This is found to be involves two types of theory; one is discussed in Brihadaranyaka and Chandogya satkaryavada and the other is asatkaryavada. Upanisad. Brihadaranyaka Upanisad, having Satkaryavada holds that the effect is pre existed regarded the self from which things come forth in the cause. On the other hand asatkaryavada is regards the self as the place where things get the opposite. It says that the effect is not pre back. Brihadaranyaka says: “As the ocean is the existed in the cause. In so far as Gita’s concept one goal (uniting place) of all waters, as the skin of universe is concerned, from the above is the one goal of all kinds of touch, as the analysis it can be said that a form of nostrils are the one goal of all smells, as the satkaryavada is reflected here. This is so tongue is the one goal of all tastes, as the eye is because the effect is not completely separated the one goal of all forms, as the ear is the one from the cause. The nature of the effect (finite) goal of all sounds, as the mind is the one goal of and the nature of the cause (infinite) are the all forms of knowledge, as the hands are the one same. However the nature of the infinite is not goal of all acts, as the organ of generation is the conceived. So from the nature of the finite, the one goal of all kinds of enjoyment, as the nature of the infinite can be attained. In Gita the excretory organ is the one goal of all universe is the creation, so from this knowledge evacuations, as the feet are the one goal of all we can have the knowledge of the creator. It is movements, as speech is the one goal of all generally believed that karya is the effect that Vedas’. “Arising from out of these elements one could be seen and is the real transformation of 11 vanishes away into them.” (Brihadaranyaka the karana (cause). In the Gita we find a similar Upanisad, II.iv.11-12). In the Chandogya view as to the theory of Primordial Atom Upanisad it is said that in the time of departure, (Hiranyagarbha) unstoppably emanating itself all the created beings and things are get back to become this universe. For this created into him. “Into him, I shall enter, on departing universe to come into existence there is 12 hence.” (Chandogya Upanisad, III.xiv.4). Brahman as the cause. So now we have to show the relation of the cause and the effect in the 6

Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, Vol. VII, No. I, January- June, 2019

Gita with the help of theory of causality. And the Ultimate Reality. As it is the real also we have to show how from the nature of the transformation, so it can be termed as effect, the nature of the cause can be explained. parinamavada. However in the Gita, a small ray Satkaryavada is of two types-vivartavada of vivartavada is also reflected as it talks about and the parinamavada. In parinamavada there is the concept of maya. If maya is accepted as the the real transformation of the cause into the power through the world is created and also can effect. On the other hand in vivartavada there is considered as the deluding power, then we have the apparent transformation of the cause into the to accept the world as the apparent effect. The Samkhya system accepts the transformation of the Ultimate Reality. So we prakritiparinamavada as it believes that the have to accept that in Gita’s philosophy both world is the real transformation of prakriti parinamavada and vivartavada are reflectd. It which is the Ultimate Reality. It is called real seems like some kind of contradiction as these transformation as here prakriti herself are two opposite theories. But it has to mention transformed into its evolutes like mahat, that though we try to search philosophy in the ahamkara etc. Like Samkhya, Ramnuja’s Gita, It is not completely a philosophical text. Vedanta System also accepts parinamavada. So some kind of philosophical consistency may However the theory is known as Brahma not be found there. But it does not mean that Parinamavada. Unlike these two systems Gita’s discussion about the relation between the Samkara aceepts vivartavada where though the Ultimate Reality and the world in the form of transformation takes place, yet it is not the real both vivartavada and parinamavada is transformation. That means Brahman Himself meaningless. So it can be said that the universe does not transform into its effect i.e. the world. of external experience does not stand outside the Like Visistadvaita and Samkhya system and existence of the Ultimate Reality. However, this unlike the Advaita Vedanta, in the Gita we find world of our experience does not exhaust the a form of parinamavada. Here Prakriti, who is being of God. The world cannot contain the the lower nature of the Ultimate Reality whole of God within itself, because it is an transform Himself into the world. It can be effect, and He is the Cause. At the same time, it considered as the prakritiparinamavada. cannot exist outside Him, for it is inseparably However in the Gita, prakriti is a part or nature related to Him. The Gita’s concept of the of Krishna who is the Ultimate Reality. In the universe can be interpreted in terms of the discussion of the Theology of the Gita, Krishna juxtaposition between vivartavada and is identified with Brahman. So the relation parinamavada as both of them have reflected. between the effect (the world) and the cause (the Gita’s understanding of the universe is all Reality) can be considered as the about the discussion of the relation between the Brahmaparinamavada. No matter whether it is universe and the Ultimate Reality. In Philosophy Brahman or Prakriti, the world is an effect of of Religion, there are various theories regarding

The Gita’s Understanding of the ...... Dissolution of the Universe ISSN: 2319-8192 the relation between God and the world. They References are deism, pantheism, panentheism etc. As our discussion is about the relation of the Reality 1. Marjanovic. Boris: Abhinabagupta’s and the universe, so here we also find one Commentary on the Bhagawad Gita, Indica particular form of theory among those. And that Books, Varanashi, 2004, page no 172 is which we find in the Gita is a form of 2. Nair. Balakrishnan : The Song Divine, panentheism. Panentheism is the theory which Sreekrishna Publications, 1989, page no 261 considers God as both transcendent and 3. Adidevananda. Swami: The Ramanuja immanent. He is immanent in the sense that God Gita Bhasya, Sri Ramkrishna Math, Madra, 462 is ever present in every movement of the world 2001, page no and He is also connected with the world. On the 4. Ibid 463 contrary He is transcendent in the sense that the 5. Radhakrishnan. S : The Principal world follows from and is in God, but is not Upanisads, Herper Collins Publishers, 1953 God. Though God is in the world, they are not Brihadaranyaka Upanisad, I.iv.1 identical like pantheism. In the Gita, the 6. Radhakrishnan. S : The Principal Ultimate Reality is available in every creature of Upanisads, Herper Collins Publishers, 1953 the world, but it cannot be said that the Reality is Aitareya Upanisad, I.1 the world. Nevertheless if we accept the world 7. Dasgupta.S : A History of Indian as the parinamavada of the Ultimate Reality, Philosophy, Motilal Banarshidass pvt.ltd, Delhi, 1975, page no 71 then we have to accept pantheism. Because in parinamavada God Himself becomes the world 8. Adidevananda. Swami: The Ramanuja and in that sense God becomes identical with the Gita Bhasya, Sri Ramkrishna Math, Madra, 2001, page no 280 world. This is purely a form of pantheism. But Gita’s theology describes the Ultimate Reality 9. Radhakrishnan. S : The Bhagawadgita, Harper Collins Publishers, India, 1948, page as both transcendent and immanent. So we no 284 cannot deny this point and hence we cannot 10. Ibid, 332 deny the panentheistic outlook of Gita’s understanding of the universe. So like the Gita’s 11. Radhakrishnan. S : The Principal acceptance of both vivartavada and Upanisads, Herper Collins Publishers, 1953 Brihadaranyaka Upanisad, II.iv.11-12 parinamavada, here also we may conclude that in Gita’s concept of universe, both pantheism of 12. Ibid, Chandogya Upanisad, III.xiv.4 panentheism are found. Or in other words it can be said that it is the juxtaposition between pantheism and panentheism.

Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, January - June, 2019 Vol. VII, No. I ISSN: 2319-8192 Entrepreneurial Intention-A Case from Indian Matrilineal Society

Dr. Kh Devananda Singh Assistant Professor Department of Management North-East Hill University, Tura Campus Tura, Meghalaya, India Email: [email protected]

Abstract Increasing the level of unemployment among the trained and educated youths in India is a social issue. Entrepreneurship is considered to be one of the most vital elements for inclusive socio- economic development and consequent growth of economy by creating more job opportunities. In this economic era characterised by decentralisation and emphasis on economic independence, the need of entrepreneurship and skill development cannot be undermined. Research shows that entrepreneurial activities accelerate sustainable growth of any economy. Therefore, development of entrepreneurial intentions among the students is of parallel importance for creating enterprises. The Government of India has launched the women vocational training programmes in 1977. These programmes aimed at women vocational trainings at regional level all over India. Today, there are altogether eleven vocational training institutes in the country. Regional Vocational Training Institute (RVTI) for Women, Tura, Meghalaya is also one of such vocational training institutes. The present paper focuses on the socio-economic status and entrepreneurial intention among the trainees of RVTI for women, Tura, Meghalaya - a matrilineal Indian state. The statistical population was 153 who were all the final semester trainees of the institute. Out of which 61 trainees were selected as the sample through stratified random sampling method. Cronbach’s Alpha, descriptive statistics, correlation, Analysis of Variances (ANOVA) and regression were used to analyse the data. The paper found that “Upper Middle Class” of socio-economic status occupies the maximum share accounting to 59.02 per cent of the total respondents. It is also revealed that there is a high positive relationship between perceived behavioural control and entrepreneurial intention of the trainees. The findings of this research activity can help the policy planners to enhance entrepreneurial intention of the vocational trainees in particular and educated youths in general. Keywords: Economic growth, enterprises, entrepreneurial intention and vocational training.

Introduction the upcoming challenges is to be developed India is facing a number of challenges that while selecting a career. In a developing can only be met if the country has innovative, country like India, characterised by a massive well-educated and entrepreneurial citizens who growth in population and slow growth in job have the spirit and inquisitiveness to think in creations, it is utmost important to create more new ways. The courage to meet and adapt to jobs than the general trend of educated youths 9

Entrepreneurial Intention-A Case from Indian Matrilineal Society ISSN: 2319-8192 running after the job. In this way, vocational based training to become a successful education is the key to shaping young people’s entrepreneur. attitudes, intentions and culture in Need of the Study entrepreneurial activities. Entrepreneurial The philosophy of entrepreneurship is based intention is essential not only to shape the on the assumptions that entrepreneurs are not mindsets of the trainees but also to attract them only born but can also be identified, trained and towards the start up activities that are central in thus created. Entrepreneurs can be visualised as developing India. Singh (2016) opined that the change agents who are eager to break away North Eastern Region (NER) of India is lagging from present economic activity to take up a behind the other parts of the country in terms of relatively new line of activity of doing business development. The region is facing the problems at their own. Understanding the importance of of unemployment, social unrest, law and order one’s attitude to become an entrepreneur, De, situations, lack of infrastructure, uncertainty, Jung and Ehlrich, (1999) highlighted that poor industrial establishments etc. If attitude towards entrepreneurship and self- entrepreneurship is considered to be accelerator efficacy are the significant factors influencing of growth and development, the educated entrepreneurial intention as well as to make youths can change their mind-set from “job them to succeed. McClelland (1961) articulated seekers” to “job providers”. that psychology of an entrepreneur has Meghalaya is the 23rd most populous state in attempted to characterise the key variables like the country (Census of India, 2011). The state demography, personality, attitudes and of Meghalaya currently has 11 districts behaviour which is required for real spreading into, Khasi Hills, Garo Hills and entrepreneurial practice. Again, Shaver and Jaintia Hills. The Khasis, Garos and Jaintias are Scott, (1991) mentioned that personality traits the major tribes in the state and they have have direct impact on many entrepreneurial matrilineal culture in their society.The direction activities including the intention to launch a of this paper is not towards the rights of male new business, success in business and enhance and females in the matrilineal society but it is in entrepreneurial set up. Taramisi (2009) route for the entrepreneurial intentions among quantified that it is important to determine the the educated females in the said society. RVTI entrepreneurial characteristics among students for Women comes under Directorate General of and such characteristics might influence them Training, Ministry of Skill Development and to be entrepreneurs. Therefore, it is highly Entrepreneurship, Government of India. It is important to draw the factors that affect one of the 15 RVTIs functioning at various entrepreneurial intention and impact of these locations in India and one National Vocational factors on entrepreneurial intention among the Training Institute (NVTI) at Noida. These trainees of vocational institutes in India. institutions are imparting vocational training as required by the local industry and also need

Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, Vol. VII, No. I, January- June, 2019

Review of Literature insurable risk to all these activities whereas, A brief review of relevant studies will be entrepreneurship is the process to perform all useful to facilitate in getting a comprehensive such activities. knowledge of the problem and will enable to In the line of entrepreneurial intention and perceive, adopt and formulate an improved factors influencing on it, Birds (1988) proposed conceptual framework to be used in the that entrepreneurial intention refers to research activity. Cantillon (1755) used the individual’s states of mind that aimed at word ‘entrepreneur’ first time to refer to a creating new venture, developing new business person who took an active risk bearing role in concept or creating new value within existing pursuing opportunities. He considered all firms. It is also suggested that intentional persons engaged in economic activity as process often begins based on an entrepreneur’s entrepreneurs. An entrepreneur is one who personal needs, values, wants, habits and always searches for change, responds to it and beliefs. In the words of Dell (2008); Dhose and exploits it as an opportunity. Innovation is the Waiter (2010) entrepreneurial intention is basic tool of entrepreneurs, the means by which defined as willingness of individuals, to they exploit change as an opportunity for a perform the behaviour of an entrepreneur, to different business or service (Drucker, 1985). engage in entrepreneurial action, to be self Entrepreneur is the coordinator of scarce employed and to establish new business economic resources who unites all the factors ventures. Ismail et al. (2009) portrays that the of production. In the words of Walrus, 2003; study on entrepreneurial intention provides Casson, 1998, 2003; Connell, 1999, valuable insights to understand the process and entrepreneur is treated as the fourth factor of predict entrepreneurial activities in better way. production who combines other factors such as Shiri, Hosseini and Mohammadi (2012) have land, labour and capital. The entrepreneur is gone through the entrepreneurial intention of also the organiser who is paid for his non- agricultural students considering four factors manual type of work (Lawrey, 2003) an namely role model, social support, social norms individual who undertakes to initiate, maintain and perceived desirability. The study also tried or aggrandise a profit-oriented business unit for to describe the demographic profile of the production and distribution of economic goods sampled students in agricultural disciplines in and services (Cole, 1959). Entrepreneurs are a University of Ilam. From the result of Path product of particular social conditions in which Analysis Technique of the study, it was found they are brought up and it is the society which that “perceived desirability” has the most direct shapes individuals as entrepreneur (Weber, impact on entrepreneurial intention of students 1930). Thus, an entrepreneur is a person, who and factors which are role model, social support starts a business activity by acquiring all the and social norms have most indirectly impact requirements for production, sells the through perceived desirability on changing the product/service for profit and take non- entrepreneurial intention of the students.

Entrepreneurial Intention-A Case from Indian Matrilineal Society ISSN: 2319-8192

Aslam, Awan, and Khan (2012) in a scholarly The present paper focuses on entrepreneurial article examined the levels of entrepreneurial intention among the trainees of RVTI of intentions among the students in Punjab, a Women, Tura, and Meghalaya. Therefore, province of Pakistan and revealed that students theories relating to “human intention” are the participated in entrepreneurship education have suitable theory(ies) to develop the conceptual more intention towards entrepreneurship than framework of the study. Existing literature those who has not participated in portrays that, the most common theories used to entrepreneurship education courses. Peng, Lu study the individuals’ intention were Theory of and Kang (2012) opined that the perceived Reasoned Action (TRA) and Theory of Planned subjective norm of university students has Behaviour (TPB). To validate any one of the significantly positive influence on their said theories in the study, the following entrepreneurial attitude. Rasli, Khan, Malekifar paragraph discusses the two theories. and Jabeen (2013) empirically assessed the The Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) relationship of entrepreneurial intention and its The theory was developed by Martin antecedents among graduating university Fishbein and Icek Ajzen in 1967 and was students. The study supports the proposition derived from previous research that began as that conviction is the strongest variable that has the theory of attitude. The theory aims to direct influence towards entrepreneurial explain the relationship between attitudes and intention, whereas general attitude has a behaviours within human action. TRA is used significant influence as well as those male to predict how individuals will behave based on students with work experience were found to their pre-existing attitudes and behavioural have higher entrepreneurial intention. Ambad intentions. An individual's decision to engage and Damita (2016) found that personal attitude, in a particular behaviour is based on the perceived behavioural control and perceived outcomes the individual expects as a result of relational support are the predictors to performing the behaviour (Gillmore et. al entrepreneurial intention. 2002). In the words of Doswell, W. M., From the above relevant review of literature, Braxter, B. J., Cha, E. S. and Kim, K. H. (2011) it is found that there are various factors which this theory serves to understand an individual's remarkably influence on entrepreneurial voluntary behaviour. The ideas found within intention. It may also be stated that not many TRA have to do with an individual's basic comprehensive studies have been made on motivation to perform an action. According to entrepreneurial intention among the vocational the theory, intention to perform certain trainees in NER of India in particular and the behaviour precedes the actual behaviour (Azjen country in general. Therefore, the study has & Madden, 1986). This intention is known as been considered to undertake. behavioural intention and comes as a result of a Theoretical Perspectives of the Topic belief that performs the behaviour which leads to a specific outcome. Behavioural intention is

Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, Vol. VII, No. I, January- June, 2019 important to the theory because these intentions subjective norms (Colman, 2015). The are determined by attitudes to behaviours and following figure shows the Model of TRA.

Figure 1: Model of Theory of Reasoned Action Source: Fishbein, M., & Ajzen, I. (1975). Belief, Attitude, Intention, and Behavior: An Introduction to Theory and Research. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley Figure 1 highlighted that at the initial stage, social factor termed as subjective norm; it intention is assumed to be used as a refers to the perceived social pressure to determinant of behaviour while at the second perform or not to perform the behaviour. The stage, attitude and subjective norm are included third antecedent of intention is the degree of to explain the intention and on the last stage, perceived behavioural control which refers to attitude and subjective norm are explained in the perceived ease or difficulty of performing term of beliefs regarding the results in the behaviour and it is assumed to reflect past performing the behaviour and about the experience as well as anticipated impediments normative expectation of relevant referents. and obstacles. As a general rule, the more The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) favourable the attitude and subjective norm TPB was proposed by Icek Ajzen in 1985 with respect to behaviour and the greater the through his article "From Intentions to Actions: perceived behavioural control; the stronger A Theory of Planned Behaviour”. The theory should be an individual’s intention to perform was developed from TRA, which was proposed the behaviour under consideration. The relative by Martin Fishbein together with Icek Ajzen. importance of attitude, subjective norm, and Ajzen (1991) articulated that the TPB perceived behavioural control in the prediction postulates three conceptually independent of intention is expected to vary across determinants of intention. The first is the behaviours and situations. The following figure attitude toward the behaviour and refers to the 2 shows the Model of TPB. degree to which a person has a favourable or unfavourable evaluation or appraisal of the behaviour in question. The second predictor is a

Entrepreneurial Intention-A Case from Indian Matrilineal Society ISSN: 2319-8192

Figure 2: Model of Theory of Planned Behaviour Source: Ajzen, I. (1991).Theory of Planned Behaviour. Organizational Behaviour and Human Decision Processes, 50 (2) 179–211. The researcher assumes that TPB will be more Records, RVTI for Women, Tura). For the relevant for the present study and also the purpose of studying the response of these available literature supports TPB for measuring students, 40 per cent of the population has the human intentions rather than TRA. taken through stratified random sampling Therefore, the TPB is adopted for this study. method as the sample size of the study which Objectives accounts 61 female trainees belonging to The objectives of the paper are to acclimatise matrilineal society. the socio-economic status and to draw the B. Data, variables and methodology: The relationship between attitude towards the primary data was collected from the sampled behaviour, subjective norm, perceived trainees through a well-designed questionnaire. behavioural control, entrepreneurship education The questionnaires were distributed among the and personality traits with entrepreneurial sampled trainees in a class room situation intention among the trainees of RVTI for explaining each and every questions and Women, Tura, Meghalaya, India. options. The filled-in questionnaires were Methodology collected. Personal interview method of data A. Coverage: The study is on the collection was also adopted to collect more entrepreneurial intention among the trainees of accurate data from the Principal and Faculties RVTI for Women, Tura, Meghalaya. The of the institute. country is having 15 RVTIs and one NVTI as The dependent variable considered in this paper on 31st March, 2017. On behalf of the research is Entrepreneurial Intention whereas Attitude problem, RVTI for Women, Tura, Meghalaya is Towards the Behaviour, Subjective Norm, being considered for the study.The sampling Perceived Behavioural Control, frame which is the source or device, from Entrepreneurship Education and Personality which a sample is drawn of this study, consists Traits are the independent variables. of all the final semester trainees in the institute Cronbach’s alpha, descriptive statistics, as on 31st March, 2017. As on the said date, Pearson correlation co-efficient, simple linear there are a total of 153 trainees (Office

Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, Vol. VII, No. I, January- June, 2019 regression and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) good support for internal consistency reliability were used to analyse the data. (Morgan, Leech, Gloeckner & Barrett, 2011). Result and Discussion Table 1 highlights the Cronbach’s alpha and I. Cronbach's Alpha Reliability Test: found that the value is .780 > .070, which The value of alpha should be positive and indicates that there is good support for internal usually greater than .070 in order to provide consistency reliability. Table 1: Cronbach's Alpha for Entrepreneurial Intention with other 5 Independent Variables Case Processing Summary N % Valid 61 100.0 Cases Excludeda 0 .0 Total 61 100.0 Listwise deletion based on all variables in the procedure. Reliability Statistics Cronbach's Alpha N of Items .780 6 Source: Researcher’s Calculation II. Socio-economic status: of a Family (Aggarwal, O. P., Bhasin, S. K., To measure the socio-economic status of the Sharma, A. K., Chhabra, P., Aggarwal, K. & respondents, the study used the New Instrument Rajoura, O. P; 2005). The results for the (Scale) for measuring the Socioeconomic Status measurement are shown in Table 2 and Chart 1. Table 2: Socio-economic Status of the Trainees Sl. Status No. of Percentage (%) to the Total No. Trainees Upper High Nil 00.00 High 04 06.56 Upper Middle 36 59.02 Lower Middle 20 32.78 Poor 01 01.64 Very Poor or Below Poverty Line (BPL) Nil 00.00 Total 61 100.00 Source: Researcher’s Calculation

Entrepreneurial Intention-A Case from Indian Matrilineal Society ISSN: 2319-8192

Source: Researcher’s Calculation III. Relationship between Attitude Towards variables with entrepreneurial intention. For the the Behaviour, Subjective Norm, Perceived purpose, the statistical tool namely Behavioural Control, Entrepreneurship “correlation” and “regression” is applied. The Education and Personality Traits following tables show the summary of Pearson (independent variables) with Correlation Co-efficient and result of linear Entrepreneurial Intention (dependent regression analysis. variable): The study looks into the relationship or interdependence between all independent Table 3: Summary of Pearson Correlation Co-efficient

Entrepreneurial Intention (Dependent Variable) Attitude Towards Behaviour Pearson Correlation Co-efficient 0.433** (Independent Variable-1) Sig. (2 tailed) 0.000 N 61 Subjective Norm Pearson Correlation Co-efficient 0.509** (Independent Variable-2) Sig. (2 tailed) 0.000 N 61 Perceived Behavioural Control Pearson Correlation Co-efficient 0.672** (Independent Variable-3) Sig. (2 tailed) 0.000 N 61 Entrepreneurship Education Pearson Correlation Co-efficient 0.439**

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(Independent Variable-4) Sig. (2 tailed) 0.000 N 61 Personality Traits Pearson Correlation Co-efficient 0.292* (Independent Variable-5) Sig. (2 tailed) 0.022 N 61 ** Correlation is significant at 0.01 level (2-tailed) * Correlation is significant at 0.05 level (2-tailed) Source: Researcher’s Calculation In Table 3, the correlation co-efficient between 0.439 and 0.433 respectively with p-values of Perceived Behavioural Control and 0.00 < 0.01 in all cases with Entrepreneurial Entrepreneurial Intention is measured to 0.672 Intention. Therefore, it again indicates that with p-value of 0.00 < 0.01. This indicates that Subjective Norm, Entrepreneurship Education there is high positive relationship between and Attitude Towards the Behaviour have Perceived Behavioural Control and positive relationship with Entrepreneurial Entrepreneurial Intention. Intention. Then, it is followed by the correlation co- A low positive relationship is found between efficient between each of Subjective Norm, Personality Traits and Entrepreneurial Intention Entrepreneurship Education and Attitude measuring the co-efficient of correlation to Towards the Behaviour measuring to 0.509, 0.292 with p-value of 0.02< 0.05. Table 4: Model Summary Model R R Square Adjusted R Square Std. Error of the Estimate

1 .728a .530 .487 2.06759 a. Dependent Variable: Entrepreneurial Intention b. Predictors: (Constant) Attitude Towards the Behaviour, Subjective Norm, Perceived Behavioural Control, Entrepreneurship Education and Personality Traits Source: Researcher’s Calculation In the model (Table 4), multiple correlation coefficients (R) amount to 0.728, co-efficient of

determination ) amount to 0.530 and adjusted amount to 0.487. This means that i. 0.530X100% = 53.0% of changes in ii. (100- 53)% = 47.0% are the other factors dependent variables namely Entrepreneurial remained behind that have not identified by Intention of the respondents explained by the the researcher.

independent variables namely Attitude iii. The adjusted = 0.487 indicates that Towards the Behaviour, Subjective Norm, 0.487 X 100% = 48.7% of the variance in the Perceived Behavioural Control, dependent variable can be predicted from the Entrepreneurship Education and Personality independent variables. In other words, 48.7% Traits. of variance in Entrepreneurial Intention can be predicted from the combination of

Entrepreneurial Intention-A Case from Indian Matrilineal Society ISSN: 2319-8192

Attitude Towards the Behaviour, Subjective Entrepreneurship Education and Personality Norm, Perceived Behavioural Control, Traits. Table 5: Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) Model Sum of Squares df Mean Square F Sig. Regression 265.076 5 1 Residual 235.120 55 53.015 12.401 .000b Total 500.197 60 4.275 a. Dependent Variable: Entrepreneurial Intention b. Predictors: (Constant) Attitude Towards the Behaviour, Subjective Norm, Perceived Behavioural Control, Entrepreneurship Education and Personality Traits, Source: Researcher’s Calculation The ANOVA table (Table 5) shows F=12.401 Behavioural Control, Entrepreneurship and is statistically significant. This means that Education and Personality Traits significantly the predictors namely Attitude Towards the combine together to predict Entrepreneurial Behaviour, Subjective Norm, Perceived Intention

.Table 6: Regression Coefficients

Model nstandardised Coefficients Standardised t Sig. 1 Coefficients β Std. Error Β Constant .516 2.927 - .176 .861 Attitude Towards the Behaviour (ATB) .004 .033 .014 .122 .903 Subjective Norm (SN) .093 .039 .263 2.409 .019 Perceived Behavioural Control (PBC) .152 .034 .517 4.524 .000 Entrepreneurship Education (EE) .033 .051 .082 .648 .520 Personality Traits (PT) .006 .035 .021 .178 .859 a. Dependent Variable: Entrepreneurial Intention, Source: Researcher’s Calculation Based on the above Table 6, the regression Entrepreneurship Education and Personality equation for Entrepreneurial Intention (EI) is Traits have positive relationship to developed as: Entrepreneurial Intention. EI= β Constant + βATB + βSN + βPBC + βEEii. Perceived Behavioural Control is the predictor + βPT variable that contributes the highest to the =0.516 + 0.004 ATB + 0.093 SN+ 0.152 variation of Entrepreneurial Intention. In simple PBC + 0.033 EE + 0.006 PT words, every unit increase in Perceived According to the above equation, Behavioural Control, it will increase a total of i. All the independent variables namely 0.152 unit of Entrepreneurial Intention Attitude Towards the Behaviour, Subjective provided the other remaining independent Norm, Perceived Behavioural Control, variables remain constant. It is followed by

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Subjective Norms (β = 0.093), indicates that an increase in the activities of Entrepreneurship Education (β=0.033), these independent variables will boost the Personality Traits (β= 0.006) and Attitude entrepreneurial intention of the trainees. Towards the Behaviour (β= 0.004) respectively. Taking into consideration to the above analyses Findings and Conclusions: and findings, the following conclusions are Based on the discussion made above, the major drawn: findings are listed below: i. Perceived Behavioural Control is the peoples’ i. The socio-economic status of the trainees are perceived ease and difficulty to perform a given categorised into Upper High, High, Upper behaviour. It is assumed to reflect the past Middle, Lower Middle, Poor, Very Poor or experiences of people and anticipated the Below Poverty Line (BPL) respectively. Upper obstacle. The perceived behavioural control and Middle Class category occupies the maximum intention accurately reflect the person’s actual share accounting to 59.02 per cent of the total control in any situation (Ajzen, 1991). respondents. It is followed by Lower Middle Therefore, having high Perceived Behavioural Class category having 32.78 percent. The High Control leads to high intention to become an Class category occupies only 6.56 per cent and entrepreneur. Again, this Perceived Poor category with a nominal percentage of Behavioural Control is supported by Attitude 1.64 respectively. There is none in the Towards the Behaviour and Subjective Norm. categories of Upper High and Very Poor or So the institutions, policy makers and the Below Poverty Line (BPL) respectively. Government need to enhance the underlining ii. There is high positive relationship between activities of these variables so that the trainees Perceived Behavioural Control and have more intention to become entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurial Intention. This means that the In order to impart more efficient knowledge in higher the Perceived Behavioural Control of a entrepreneurship, the syllabi of the course(s) trainee, the greater the intention to become an may include more topics or papers in entrepreneur. This finding is consistent with entrepreneurship and programmes like the findings of Sahut & Gharbi (2015); Yu- Entrepreneurship Motivation Campaign Min & Yi-Shuan (2016) and Soon, Ahmed & (EMC), Entrepreneurship Skill Development Ibrahim (2016). But, Personality Trait and Programme (ESDP), Business Skill Entrepreneurial Intention has the lowest Development Programme (BSDP) etc. may be positive relationship. conducted from time to time in and around the iii. The study also found that the other institute. independent variables namely Subjectiveii. Intentions are human nature. Changing Norm, Entrepreneurship Education and intentions into actions is not an easy task as it Attitude Towards the Behaviour has seems. The prospective entrepreneurs need all significant positive relationship with the factors of productions in the process of Entrepreneurial Intention. In simple words, it entrepreneurial activities. A closer dialogue

Entrepreneurial Intention-A Case from Indian Matrilineal Society ISSN: 2319-8192 need to develop between the representatives of • Colman, A. (2015). Theory of reasoned state government, training institutions and action - a dictionary of psychology, London: Oxford University Press. banks with a view to promote entrepreneurship. • Connell, D. J. (1999). Collective References entrepreneurship: in search of meaning. , • Aggarwal, O. P., Bhasin, S. K., Sharma, A. available at: http://www.d K., Chhabra, P., Aggarwal, K. & Rajoura, jconnell.ca/articles/CollEntrep.pdf. (accessed 2 O.P. (2005). A new instrument (scale) for February, 2017). measuring the socioeconomic status of a • De Noble, A., Jung, D. & Ehlrich, S. (1999). family: preliminary study. Indian Journal of Entrepreneurial self-efficacy: the development Community Medicine, 30 (4), 111-114. of a measure and its relationship to • Ajzen, I. (1991). Theory of planned entrepreneurial action. Frontiers of behaviour. Organizational Behaviour and Entrepreneurship Research. Wellesey, MA: Human Decision Processes. 50 (2), 179-211. Babson College. • Ambad, S. N. A. & Damita, D. H. D. A. • Dell, M. S. (2008). An investigation of (2016). Determinants of entrepreneurial undergraduate student self-employment intention among undergraduate students in intention and the impact of entrepreneurship Malaysia. Procedia Economics and Finance. education and previous entrepreneurial 37, 108- 114. experience. Doctor of Philosophy, School of • Aslam, T. M., Awan, A. S. & Khan, T. M. Business University: The Australia. (2012). Entrepreneurial intentions among • Dohse, D., & Walter, S. G. (2010). The role University students of Punjab a province of of entrepreneurship education and regional Pakistan. International Journal of Humanities context in forming entrepreneurial intentions. and Social Science. 2 (14), 114-120. Working Paper present at Document de treball • Azjen, I & Madden, T. (1986). Prediction of de l‟IEB2010/18. goal-directed behaviour: attitudes, intentions • Doswell, W. M., Braxter, B. J., Cha, E. S. & and perceived behavioural control. Journal of Kim, K. H. (2011). Testing the theory of Experimental Social Psychology. 22 (5), 453- reasoned action in explaining sexual behaviour 474. among African American young teen girls. • Bhaumik, Sub (2013). Meghalaya: where Journal of Paediatric Nurshing. 26 ( 6), 45-54. women call the shots, available at: • Ducker, P. (1985). Innovation and https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/201 entrepreneurship. London, England: William 3/2013/2013/10/meghalaya-where-women-call- Heinemann. shots-2013103152936824511.html (assessed • Fishbein, M. & Ajzen, I. (1975). Belief, 23rd February, 2018). Attitude, Intention, and Behavior: An • Bird, B. (1988). Implementing Introduction to Theory and Research. Reading, entrepreneurial idea: the case for intention. MA: Addison-Wesley. Academy of Management Review. 13 (3), 442- • Ismail, M., Khalid , S. A., Othman, M., 453. Jusoff, H. K., Rahman, N. A., Kassim, K. M. & • Cantillon, R. (1775). An essay on economic Zain, R. S. theory. London, England: Macmillan. • (2009). Entrepreneurial intention among • Casson, M. (1998). An entrepreneurial theory Malaysian undergraduates. International of of the firm available at: http://www.druid.dk Business and Management. 4 (10), 54-60. /conferences/ summer 1998/conf- • Krueger, N. F. Jr., Reilly, M. D. & Carsrud, papers/casson.pdf. (assessed May 5, 2017). A. L. (2000). Competing model of • Cole, A. H. (1959). Business enterprise in its entrepreneurial intentions. Journal of Business social settings. Cambridge, England: Harvard Venturing. 15 (5-6), 411-432. University Press. 20

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• Laird, T. ( ). A woman's world: • Schumpeter, J. A. (1970). The Entrepreneur Meghalaya, India – matrilineal culture. as Innovator, Readings in Management. New Available at: http://lib.icimod.org/record/9474. York: McGraw Hill. (assessed 23 February, 2018). • Shaver, K. G. & Scott, L. R. (1991). Person, • Lawrey, Y. (2003). The entrepreneur and process, choice: the psychology of new venture entrepreneurship: a neoclassical approach. creation. Entrepreneurship Theory and Available at: http://a archive Practice. 16 (2), 23-45. .sba.gov/advo/stats/wkp03yl.pdf. (assessed 16 • Shiri Nematoollah, Mohammadi Davoud, December, 2013). Hosseini & Seyed Mahmoud (2012) • McClelland, D. C. (1961).The achieving Entrepreneurial intention of agricultural society. Princeton: Van Nostrand. students: effects of role model, social support, • Morgan, G. A, Leech, N. L, Gloeckner, G. W social norms and perceived desirability. & Barrett, K. C. (2011). IBM SPSS for Archives of Applied Science Research. 4 (2), Introductory Statistics: Use and Interpretation, 892-897. New York, Taylor and Francis Group. • Singh, K. D. (2016). Determinants of • Neneh, B. N. (2014). An assessment of microenterprise development in North Eastern entrepreneurial intention among university Region of India: evidences from Imphal West students in Cameroon. Mediterranean Journal District of Manipur. Journal of Rural of Social Sciences. 5 (20), 542-552. Development. 35 (2), 191-209. • PengZhengxia, Lu Genshuand & Kang Hui • Soon, N. K., Ahmed, A. R. & Ibrahim, N. N. (2012). Entrepreneurial intentions and its (2016). Theory of planned behaviour: influencing factors: a survey of the university undergraduates’ entrepreneurial motivation and students in Xi’an China. Creative Education. 3 entrepreneurship career intention at a public (Supplementary Issue), 95-100. university, Journal of Entrepreneurship: • Rasli, A. M. , Khan, S. R., Malekifar, S & Research and Practice. 2016, 1-14. Jabeen S. (2013). Factors affecting • Taramisi Sama-Ae. (2009). An examination entrepreneurial intention among graduate on the entrepreneurial intention among Thai students of UniversitiTeknologi Malaysia. students at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM). International Journal of Business and Social Unpublished Thesis, University Utara Science. 4 (2), 182-188. Malaysia. • Rimmer, S. (...) The ancient Indian tribe • Walrus, L. (2003). Elements of Pure where the women are in charge and activists Economics and the Theory of Social Wealth. lobby for men's rights. Planet Earth and its Life London, England: Routledge. Forms. Retrieved” available at: • http://www.ibef.org/states/Meghalaya.aspx http://www.abroadintheyard.com/ancient- • Weber, M. (1930). The Protestant Ethic and the indian-tribe-where-women-are-in- Spirit of Capitalism. New York: Courier Dover charge/(assessed 23February, 2018). Publication. • Gillmore, M. R., Archibald, M. E., • Yu-Min, Wang & Yi-Shuan, Lin (2016). Morrison, D. M., Wilsdon, A., Wells, E. A., Determinants of internet entrepreneurship Hoppe, M. J., Nahom , D & Murowchick, E. intentions among business school students, (2002). Teen sexual behaviour: applicability of International Journal of Information and the theory of reasoned action. Journal of Education Technology. 6 (10), 754-758. Marriage and Family. 64 (4), 885-897. • Sahut, J. M. & Gharbi, S (2015). Identifying factors key to encouraging entrepreneurial intention among seniors, Canadian Journal of Administrative Sciences. 32 (4), 252-264.

Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, January - June, 2019 Vol. VII, No. I ISSN: 2319-8192 Religious Beliefs, Literature and Censorship: A Few Select Case Studies from India

Dr. Mehak Jonjua Assistant Professor (Media Studies) Amity University, Noida, India Email: [email protected]

Abstract

The notion of censorship, the parameters of expression and dissemination of information to public came into limelight with the dawn of British colonization in India. British government gave contradictory backing to reason, freedom of speech and expression in the metropoles and the methodical rejection of such in the colonies. Today, the governments are keen on making all the members of the communities feel sheltered. But, it fails to comprehend that every time it censors a book, it gives an impression to the activists that the government will bend to any of their responsibilities carrying a public shade made on the most trifling basis. Such polemicists hold protests, book burning events, processions against the author, publisher and government and also indulge in giving death threats. This act also gives birth to promotion of the book’s content among the masses and people unvaryingly get entry to the censored material out of inquisitiveness. Censoring of books not only kills the authors right to free expression but also does not allow the people to know various perspectives of a particular case. Key words: book burnings, censorship, death threats, freedom of expression. Introduction that train individuals in how to be prodigious, Writing is an expression while censorship dutiful, and void subjects. is anti-expression. Controversies are not new to However, due to excessive and abusive any writing or phonetic network. They emerge censorship, the justification for the system of without notice and cause tumult in the public censorship was put into question after the middle sphere and raise questions on dialect, writing, of the 17th century. The censorship cases were understanding, imagination, history, truth, questioned and disparaged- for example, articulations, fundamentalism, state, network, Giordano Bruno and Giulio Cesare Vanini being democracy, citizenship, and so on. Sometimes burnt at the stake in 1600 and in 1619 controversies related to literature have severe respectively. The earliest and most bulbous consequences and shake the foundations of instances of the condemnation of the censorship society and pose risk to the life of the author. At of Galileo’s theory regarding the Roman last, what remains in the libraries and bookstores Catholic Church in 1630 regarding the earth is the content that passes the "scholarly well- movements were the most protuberant examples being test". More or less, it is the sort of writing where the very basic model of censorship was delved, most brilliantly by Galileo himself,

Religious Beliefs, Literature and Censorship: A Few Select Case Studies from India ISSN: 2319-8192

‘‘And Yet it moves!’’ more outspoken was John have also went through many ups and downs Milton’s plead in favor of the ‘Liberty of during this period. Such incidents were rare Unlicenc’d Printing’ in his Aeropagitica from during the Cold War but after the liberalization 1644, where he argued that book censorship policy of 1991, many new powerful corporations, ‘‘will be primarily to the discouragement of all political groups and social activities transformed learning, and the stop of Truth, not only by the the right to free expression in the country. disexercising and blunting our abilities in what Freedom of expression and speech is given we know already, but by hindering and cropping with certain precincts such as that of ethics, the discovery that might be yet further made in civility, public order etc. It can be understood as both religious and Civil Wisdome’’1 a part of a larger prolific scheme of the religious According to Chuck Stone, Professor of and political groups, is concerned with the Journalism and Mass Communication, University security of the people from subjugation. In the of North Carolina, censorship can be seen as, demesne of philosophies, then, tolerance and “the cyclical suppression, banning, expurgation, egalitarianism seem to have major tension or editing by an individual, institution, group or between each other. Further, the Indian Penal government that enforce or influence its decision Code allows constraining free speech on grounds against members of the public- of any written or of enraging religious feelings and sentiments, pictorial materials which that individual, making remarks or statements generating or institution, group or government deems obscene promoting hostility, animosity or ill-will between and ‘utterly’ without redeeming social value ‘as classes on grounds of caste, creed, color or determined by "contemporary community religion. The Information Technology Act, 2000, standards.”2 aims to penalize people who send belligerent Censorship does not only refer to constraining posts on online media like Twitter, Face book, the individuals’ freedom to express feelings but etc. These laws are so sketchily categorized that is also concerned with ensuring that the works cases can be difficult to quell, because it is fulfill all the legal and moral norms of a problematic for a judge to review that some particular society. Censorship is generally the speech does not stimulate animosity between result of mass protests, book burning incidents, groups. life threats, etc. by political and religious groups. Unlike Europe and America, India has always Censorship and India moved against this generous and liberal current Though censorship and fear to express and tailed a policy of censoring books. Authors one’s opinions and beliefs have a long history are actually detested and left to safeguard dating back to colonial times, the expressions themselves against activists, with practically no support from any corner. In the second half of the

1 twentieth century, most of the Western Cf. Milton(1643). Aeropagitica, p.5. 2 Culture Shock Definitions of Censorship. (n.d.). egalitarianism recognized John Stuart Mill’s Retrieved December 12, 2016 23

Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, Vol. VII, No. I, January- June, 2019 shrewdness that a person’s liberty was of the Authors and Book Censorship Cases supreme value. Freedom of speech and The Ramayana: It is the cosmic adventure of expression was an embodiment of that liberty and Aubrey Menen, which submerges us in a sphere it should only be condensed when it shams of supermen, gods and demons. It was censored a real and imminent danger to the life and liberty and banned in 1956 for hurting the Hindu of others. As a result, countries which regularly sentiments. In the introductory chapter, Rama is banned books in the late nineteenth and early introduced, in the following way: twentieth century for promoting fierceness or ‘‘This is the story of Rama, a prince of India, delinquency, mortifying the young, using who lived his life according to the best advice. inappropriate etymological and societal obscenity He reverenced his intellectual betters, who were — books like Lady Chatterley’s Lover by D.H called Brahmins, and did what they told him to Lawrence, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by do. He took his morals from the best moralists, Mark Twain, As I Lay Dying by William and his politics from the most experienced Faulkner and so on, made their own universe for politicians. As a result he was ruined, exiled, and people to voice their opinions, so long as they did disinherited: his wife was stolen from him and not unswervingly cause destruction or physical when he got her back he very nearly had to burn injury to others. her alive from the highest of motives’’ (Menen In this Enlightenment Era, most often it is 1954, P-3). seen that the conservative religious and political An impertinent freethinker, Menen critiqued the activists try to overpower everything new and classic in a frisky manner that enraged the unconventional, on the one hand and on the other Hindus and Hindu leaders. The whole novel hand there are daring and coherent free thinkers created the parody of the honored epic. King struggling for tolerance and freedom of Dasaratha is said to have disowned his own son expression, sometimes successfully and Rama to earn the goodwill of his wife. Valmiki is sometimes unsuccessfully. In this context, the introduced as a non-Brahmin who stirs wisdom historiography of the early modern and the in Rama with his somewhat lewd stories and Enlightenment era still remains largely devoted ironic sagacity of hilarity. The worst part was the to this false dichotomy. This almost intuitive depiction of the false character of Sita. In the relationship of freedom of speech and tolerance novel, she is said to have gained attraction is, however, very challenging and problematic towards the handsome and audacious Ravana, unless we confine the meaning of the words and whom she meets in the forest and keenly terminologies involved considerably. accompanies him as a hostage, supposedly to Objective of the Study guard the ashram of Valmiki from Ravana’s The main objective of the study is to study the attack. The book was finally banned before it relationship between free expression and could reach many readers. religious beliefs and censorship.

Religious Beliefs, Literature and Censorship: A Few Select Case Studies from India ISSN: 2319-8192

Rangila Rasul: It means ‘Promiscuous Samaj people in Punjab. The book’s Prophet’ and was written in 1927 by ‘‘Pandit contentious theme described the marriage and M. A. Chamupati or Krishan Prashaad Prataab sex life of the Prophet. in 1927, whose name however was never The practice of dealing with religious abuses in revealed by the publisher, Mahashe Rajpal the semblance of memoir or encomium is not ”3 of Lahore. It was supposedly a retaliatory new. While the socio-spiritual transformation action from the Hindu community against a establishments like Deoband, Brahmo Samaj, pamphlet published by a Muslim, depicting the Arya Samaj, etc in India focused basically on Hindu goddess Sita as a prostitute.’4 The book is uncovering other faiths through polemical banned in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. swathes. Arya Samaj doctrines and practices The provocative book begins with: nursed into the rising crusade of Hindu “A calamity’s to be averted: he weds her; nationalists in the 20th century, which professed An unkindled lamp’s to be lit: he weds her. both India and Hinduism as one and came to One’s beauty appeals: he weds her; hypothesize a connection between both of them. Another has treasure: he weds her. At this point, the Arya Samaj’s ceremony of As the nightingale serves the flowers in the shudhi (which was concocted to move back the garden; converts who opted Christianity) targeted Islam I devote myself to the Colourful Prophet.” converts. The fascination with demographic forte The opening lines masqueraded as an innocuous in the struggle of reformists was wafted, in large celebration of the ‘Prophet of Many Wives’. measure, by the operations of colonial census, Emulating the style of bhakti or dedication for a which actually twisted groups with unclear and principled question of personal warmth in the corresponding individualities into reckoned Hindu religious-scholarly custom, the mysterious communities by the force of numbers. The creator recorded the boundless 'characteristics' of political scenario was dominated by Hindu the Rasul [Prophet], most likely his own views nationalists who were ruled by Arya Samaj on marriage. The main reason for writing this principles and treated Hinduism as ‘a fading work was to uncover the types of unhappiness race’ to buff uncertainties about the demographic omitted in the more estimated rhetoric of national menace postured by Muslims. During 1920’s, transformation that focused marriages in late matrimony and sex were the spots upon which frontier India. It was published at the time of these common angst and literature came to conflict between the Muslims and the Arya repose, and literature that accompany ‘sexual slanders’ and pandered in ‘assassination of the

3 Nair, Neeti (May 2009). "Bhagat Singh as character’ of proselytization characters, deities 'Satyagrahi': The Limits to Non-violence in Late and gurus were very common. Colonial India". Modern Asian Studies. Cambridge University Press. 43 (3): 649– Muslims filed a case in the Lahore High Court, 681. JSTOR 20488099 4 Self and Sovereignty: Individual and Community in but the Lahore High Court acknowledged that South Asian Islam Since 1850 By Ayesha Jalal 25

Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, Vol. VII, No. I, January- June, 2019 though the writing was indubitably hostile to the The second sequence narrates the story of Muslims, the trial was not legitimately Ayesha, a young Indian worker who asserts on defensible, as the writing could not cause getting revelations from the Archangel Gabriel. resentment or hatred between the assorted She lured all her village people to go to Mecca religious groups. On the basis of Muslim on foot, assuring that they will be able to move complaints, Rajpal was arrested but acquitted in over the Arabian Sea. The journey closes in a April 1929, as there was no law which dealt with calamitous peak as the devotees all stroll into the insult to religion. After many futile attempts to water and vanish, in the midst of exasperatingly kill Rajpal, he was finally stabbed to death by clashing declarations from onlookers about Ilm-ud-din on 6 April 1929 in the premises of the whether they just suffocated or were in reality Lahore High Court. Ilm-ud-din was given death supernaturally ready to cross the ocean. sentence and was hanged till death in the Central A third dream arrangement displays the figure of Jail Mianwali, Punjab, Pakistan. a religious pioneer, the "Imam", in a late- Satanic Verses: The Rushdie Affair initiated twentieth century setting. This figure is a with the publication of a controversial novel ‘The straightforward inference to the life of Ruhollah Satanic Verses’ in 1988, a bitter satire that gave a Khomeini in his Parisian outcast, yet it is scathing view of Prophet Muhammad. It is a likewise connected through different intermittent changed re-portrayal of the life in Mecca story themes to the figure of the "Errand ("Jahiliyyah") of Muhammad (referred in the person". novel as "Mahound" or "the Messenger"). The Just within few weeks, it triggered a furor not author describes the episode where the prophet only in the Islamic dominated countries but also first declares a revelation in support of the old in other nations including India, South Africa, polytheistic divinities, however, later rejects this etc. The publication intensified protests and as a mistake persuaded by the Devil. marches, incidents of book burning and fire Furthermore, there are two more rivals of the bombings at various bookstores and "Delegate": Hind Bint Utbah who is a wicked organizations in Berkeley, London, High philistine priestess and Baal, a supercilious cynic Wycombe York and California and New York and hilarious author. Baal seeks total that sold or supported the novel. By January sequestration in a bordello, a place where the 1989, Muslims in the British city of Bradford prostitutes adopt the individualities of the wife of blasted with exasperation. Subsequently, Iranian prophet. The incident happens when prophet Spiritual Leader, Ayatollah Khomeini issued a comes back in conquest to the city. Also, one of fatwa against Rushdie and its publishers on the the Muhammad’s assistants proclaims that he, charges of blasphemy, sentencing him and the while interrogating the genuineness of the publishers to death. The author spent over a "Messenger," has self-effacingly altered some decade under police protection by the British parts of the Quran as was directed to him. government. It is a perfect example of a

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phenomenon that is as old as history and with the group or another. Yet the greatness of current wave of religious fundamentalism, as Hinduism—its vitality, earthiness and recent as today’s headlines. The fatwa has vividness—lies precisely in many of these officially not been lifted since it has been issued. idiosyncratic qualities that continue to inspire While backing the notion of freedom of speech debate and devotion today. and condemning the skulking censorship Rushdie The author illumes those instants within the in an interview with Citizen Times said, Hindu customs and traditions that resist forces ‘‘Reality no longer has the solidity it did in the that would regulate or create a tenet. She brings age of the great realist novel when writers and an array of artists and stories to a point depicting readers agreed on what was real. We live in a how intense, artistic—and often treasonous— more fractured moment. The world is becoming, philosophers have kept Hindu religion active and in a way, fiction.’’5 lively through the eternities. She discloses how The Hindus: An Alternative History: The language like Sanskrit and lingo sources are rich novel was written by an American author, in information of and sympathy towards females Wendy Doniger, and describes it as an and the lower classes; how they argue pressures "alternative to the narrative of Hindu history that surrounding ceremonies, beliefs, viciousness and they tell”6. According to Batra, the novel was leniencies; and how people react to different "riddled with heresies."7 It was primarily animals. published in 2009 by Viking Penguin and later Doniger has indulged in attacks of vulgar by Penguin's Indian subsidiary in India. The accounts, fictional rapes, fierceness, titillating novel won two prestigious awards in 2012 malpractice, drugs, booze, etc all of which is then (Ramnath Goenka Award) and in 2013 (Colonel enforced on the Hindus and on their ethnicities. James Tod Award). Hinduism does not lend itself As usual, she twists objectively frank easily to a strictly chronological account: many descriptions in Hindu scriptures to portray her of its texts cannot be reliably dated even within a own lustful accounts. century; its central tenets—karma and dharma, to "Rama thinks that sex is putting him in political name only two—arise at particular moments in danger (keeping his allegedly unchaste wife will Indian history and often differ in each era, make the people revolt), but in fact he has it between genders, regions, castes; and what is backward: Politics is driving Rama to make a shared among Hindus is overwhelmingly sexual and religious mistake; public concerns outnumbered by the things that are unique to one make him banish the wife he loves. Rama banishes Sita as Dasharatha has banished Rama.

5 Neal Dale (Feb 19, 2016), Citizen Times. Significantly, the moment Rama kicks Sita out for 6 Pankaj Mishra, "'Another Incarnation',", in New the second time, comes directly after a long York Times, April 24, 2009 7 Flood, Alison (February 13, 2014). "Penguin's passage in which Rama makes love to Sita withdrawal of The Hindus causes international outcry". The Guardian. Retrieved February passionately, drinks wine with her, for many days 18, 2014. 27

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on end; the banishment comes as a direct Vedic Texts. It was written by Dwijendra reaction against the sensual indulgence." (Pg. Narayan Jha. While doing the research on dietary 153). habits, the author stumbled upon facts mentioned She presented the Hindu texts in a very negative in ancient Hindu text, the Manusmriti (200BC to way “The Vedic reverence for violence flowered 200AD). The text describes, according to the in the slaughters that followed Partition." (Page author, the list of animals, including cow, which 627). The content of the book offended the can be eaten as meat. He also describes that sentiments of the Hindu nationals. Dina Nath during the era of Mahabharata, beef was served Batra, an RSS member and a retired headmaster, to revered guests. filed a civil and a criminal case against the In the book, the author stated that, novelist. Penguin the publisher later abandoned “Animal sacrifices were very common, the the case after four years and agreed not to publish most important of them being the famous the book along with pulling all the copies from asvamedha and rajasuya. These and several the market. The move instantly elicited a other major sacrifices involved the killing of nationwide protest by the authors against animals, including cattle, which constituted Penguin as they condemned that the publisher the chief form of the wealth of the early has unsuccessfully defended the case and blamed Aryans. Not surprisingly, they prayed for it for not safeguarding the freedom of speech and cattle and sacrificed them to propitiate their expression. The Indian branch of writers' gods. The Vedic gods had no marked dietary organization PEN said that, preferences. Milk, butter, barley, oxen, goats "choosing to settle the matter out of court, and sheep were their usual food, though some instead of challenging an adverse judgment, of them seem to have had their special narrows India's intellectual discourse and preferences. Indra had a special liking for significantly undermines freedom of expression", bulls. Agni was not a tippler like Indra, but adding: "The removal of books from our was fond of the flesh of horses, bulls and cows. bookshops, bookshelves, and libraries, whether The toothless Pusan, the guardian of the through state-sanctioned censorship, private roads, ate mush as a Hobson’s choice. Soma vigilante action, or publisher capitulation are all was the name of an intoxicant but, equally egregious violations of free speech that we shall important, of a god, and killing animals oppose in all forms at all times."8 (including cattle) for him was basic to most of The Myth of the Holy Cow: The book analyzed the Rigvedic yajnas. The Maruts and the myths and facts related to practice of eating beef asvins were also offered cows. The Vedas in ancient India as quoted in the Vedic and Non mention about 250 animals out of which at least 50 were deemed fit for sacrifice, by 8 Flood, Alison (February 13, 2014). "Penguin's implication for divine as well as human withdrawal of The Hindus causes international outcry". The Guardian. Retrieved February consumption. The Taittiriya Brahmana 18, 2014. 28

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categorically tells us, ‘‘Verily the cow is food’ Censorship has always been a topic of grave (atho annam vai gauh) and Yajnavalkya’s concern to philosophers since the primordial insistence on eating the tender (amsala) flesh world, and majority of the activists and of the cow’’. pamphleteers have disconcerted it. Literary or In a country like India, where people actually traditional erudition on censorship is also worship cows and treat them as a goddess, the incongruently capacious but with a possible book was highly condemned for hurting the intensification of the clash between Hindus and religious sentiments of the Hindus. It was Muslims impending, the Britishers issued a bye- banned by the Hyderabad Civil Court and the law Section 295 A of the Indian Penal Code author even received death threats. The which means "willful and malicious" violation of publishers got afraid of Hindu fanatics and Jha any religious feelings is punishable by law with was finally turned down by the publishers. up to three years of imprisonment. Conclusion Large number of trifling and hurriedly put- India is in the Era of Intolerance. Vir Sanghvi, a together religious groups have achieved to political columnist for The Hindustan Times, is accomplish state as well as international of the opinion that, distinction by attacking authors. Of course “such is the climate of intolerance in today’s India’s religious groups do not tolerate if India that it is almost impossible to write a book anything goes against their beliefs and react in an or make a movie without having to cope with a aggressive way. The bye-laws that spiritual mob of protestors who claim that you have community wish to enforce against literary and offended their community/ caste/ religion/ region imaginative works are colonial in origin, and /city/ grandparents/ favourite pets.”9 assume that the society is comprised of primeval Though, it would not be wrong to say that writers eccentricities, one that can only be thrived by the do indulge in hurting the sentiments of the unbiased intermediaries. religious people and also very often crosses the Literature has always been politically indecorous limits, India's censorship policies are more or less as it sometimes ask prickly sarcastic questions of based on the resilient pro-autonomy power and about the society, traditions and ethos which groups that run the country. But the actual reality otherwise would be scrubbed under the carpet. is that India has a pervasive standing for stern Ramayana would not have existed if Valmiki had censorship dating back to British’s rule. The not questioned the brutality of the conventional concept of censorship was not known to the hunting practice during that era. Even the most Indians till the British’s imported the notion to innocent writings may incite few sensitive assist and defend their magnificent domination. people, which can turn into mind-numbing mobs. It is a suitable clampdown for an autonomous

9 government; after all, it is ‘for’ the countrymen “Age of Intolerance” by Vir Sanghvi in Sunday Hindustan Times, Mumbai, February 17, 2008, page and when it tries to calm a writer who else is left 10. 29

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for public disturbance. This is also the most shares. You cannot be choosy when to be silent treacherous of all forms of silencing as writers and also cannot choose to be silent and accepting will be unenthusiastic to break the code of along opinionated lines. They do not prove to be fundamental precision surrounding delicate good basis for condemnation. In the present subjects. universal context of radical rigidity and ferocity, The right to express, share and critiquing the civil rights are presently being gnarled in few opinions of others and form one's own idea and western countries as they know that an informed belief is imperative for the development of citizen forms the strong foundation of a true society. When freedom of speech is repressed, democracy. humanity agonizes. On the off chance, that Bibliography everybody demonstrated wisdom, there would be 1. Cf. Milton (1643). Aeropagitica. no requirement for oversight; in any case, and 2. Culture Shock Definitions of Censorship. there are continually going to be individuals who (n.d.). Retrieved December 12, 2016. push the limits and go too far of conventionality. 3. Flood, Alison (February 13, 2014). "Penguin's However, in some cases it becomes essential withdrawal of The Hindus causes international sometimes. outcry". The Guardian. Retrieved February In an insightful piece of analysis published in the 18, 2014. days after Doniger’s The Hindus was pulled from 4. Nair, Neeti (May 2009). "Bhagat Singh as the shelves, Pratap Bhanu Mehta wrote in The 'Satyagrahi': The Limits to Non-violence in Late Indian Express: Colonial India". Modern Asian Studies. “The argumentative Indian is being replaced by Cambridge University Press. the offended Indian, the tolerant Indian by the 5. Neal Dale (Feb 19, 2016), Citizen Times. intolerant mob, the reflective citizen by the hurt 6. Pankaj Mishra, "'Another Incarnation',", communal mobiliser, the courageous Indian by in New York Times, April 24, 2009. the cowardly thug who needs the state to protect 7. Salam Ziya Us (23rd October, 2015). The it against every argument, the pious Indian by the Hindu. ultimate blasphemer who thinks he needs to 8. Self and Sovereignty: Individual and protect the gods rather than the gods being there Community in South Asian Islam Since 1850 By to protect him. Whether this is a tiny minority or Ayesha Jalal. represents the majority is beside the point. The 9. Vanderham, Paul. James Joyce and point is that the assault on free expression is Censorship, New York: New York University 10 winning. How is liberal India being silenced?” Press, 1998. The reason for its silence is that it has never 10. Winston, Brian. The Rushdie Fatwa understood that openness does not come in and After – A Lesson to the

10 Circumspect, Basingstoke: Palgrave https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/si Macmillian.. lencing-of-liberal-india/ 30

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A Study on the Scope of Bancassurance in India in the Post Liberalization Period

M. Rajeev Assistant Professor Post Graduate Department of Economics Sree Narayana College, Kannur, Kerala Email: [email protected]

Abstract

This paper attempts to evaluate the scope of bancassurance in India in the post liberalization period. With the introduction of liberalization and globalization, the service sector in India has been witnessing lot of changes. Opening of the insurance sector leads to the introduction of new distribution channels. Bancassurance is an emerging distribution channel in India. Bancasurance is the distribution of insurance products through a banks distribution channel. It is a service that can fulfill both banking and insurance needs at the same time. Bancassurance as a concept first began in India when the insurance industry opened up to private participants in December 1999. To reach out the huge customer base and to explore the untapped potential, bancassurance play an important role. Bancassurance helps to increase the insurance penetration in India. Bancassurance has better business prospects in the coming future. In these circumstances an attempt has been made to study the scope of bancassurance in India in the post liberalization period. The present study evaluates the various advantages and disadvantages of bancassurance and the challenges of bancassurance in India. The study is based on secondary data collected from the reports published by IRDA and the websites. Keywords: Insurance, Liberalization, insurance penetration, Bancassurance, IRDA

Introduction liberalization and innovation have drawn the In modern days, it is very difficult to world towards linking the banking and insurance separate different financial activities. Previously, services closer together. Therefore, today banks in all over the world, there is strict separation dealing in insurance products have increasingly between insurance and banking activities. Now become acceptable. banking products are clubbed with other non The bancassurance first emerged in France banking financial products. In countries like in 1980. That is the sale of insurance products Taiwan, Singapore and Japan, we can see the through the banks distribution channels. Insurers trend to get towards financial supermarket. have started to sell their products through banks. With the introduction of economic reforms, Bancassurance is widely used in western the service sector including banks and insurance develop countries but in India, it is a new undergone lot of changes. The move towards concept. Recently, it becomes an important

A Study on the Scope of Bancassurance in India in the Post Liberalization Period ISSN: 2319-8192 means of distribution of insurance products in defined bancassurance as a synergy of two India. Indian insurance companies can sell both financial services; banking and insurance, that is life and non life policies through banks. The defined as the insurance distribution model share of bancassurance in the channel wise where insurance products are sold through distribution of insurance in India is gradually banks. Fenn and Cheng, 2009 have the opinion increasing. Insurance Regulatory and that in the liberalization context, it has become a Development Authority stipulated strict global trend and steadily breaking down the guidelines to bancassurance. All banks should conventional barriers in the supply of financial meet particular requirements to get in to products. Soni and Singh (2003) observed that bancassurance business. Recently, in the bancassurance is one of the proffered channels liberalized economic environment, more and for marketing insurance products in many more banks and insurance companies enter in to countries and it is proved to be more cost the bancassurance business in India. With the effective than other traditional distribution liberalization of financial services, both banks channels. Insurance companies are looking and insurance companies are increasingly trying bancassurance as an important tool to increase to come out with better innovations in product their market penetration (IRDA Annual Report, deliveries. 2010-11). Bancassurance helps insurance Bancassurance helps to generate more companies to access for reaching untapped profits to banks. Banks also receive markets and it helps the banks to earn good commissions while receiving more premiums. additional income (Brahmam et al, 2004). White Banks are able to provide more services to their (1990) explained that the entry of banks in the customers, so more and more customers are insurance business market a significant change attracted to banks. It will in turn help to increase in the financial industry. It will afford equal their customer base. opportunities for both banks and insurance Insurance companies also become profitable companies. Both will get profits by widening as they receive more and more sales and their source of income. Bancassurance provides increased customer base for the company. a win-win situation for both banks and insurance Bancassurance also helps insurance companies companies (Brahman et al, 2004). to directly deals with an organization instead of Bancassurance concept helps to tap the huge face to face contact with customers. Both banks untapped rural market of India (Agarwal, 2004). and insurance companies help each other for In new delivery channels, bancassurance is a better prospects. revolutionized process to sell insurance Review of Literature products, with the wide banking networks, Bancassurance is one of the widely especially in rural areas, where insurance discussed topics among researchers and penetration is a matter of concern (Rao, 2006). academicians. Reddy et al, 2004, Agarwal, 2004 Battacharya, 2004 has the opinion that in rural

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India, bancassurance is the most viable channel 2. To find out the scope of bancassurance in the of distribution of insurance products. Asia Indian insurance sector. Insurance Post (2008) found that after Methodology liberalization, the entry of new private insurance This study is exploratory and analytical in companies leads to product innovations, network nature. The study is based on secondary data expansion and attractive distribution channels. sources collected from the Annual Reports of In such a situation bancassurance is a very Insurance Regulatory Development Authority, successful phenomenon for insurance various journals, research articles and websites. distribution particularly for small and new An attempt is made to evaluate the scope of insurers that can save huge investment bancassurance in the post liberalization period. expenditure for the network expansion and Appropriate research tools have used as per the customer acquisition. Popli and Rao (2009) need and type of study. The information so reveals that in India, after opening the insurance collected has been classified, tabulated and sector new opportunities have emerged for both analysed as per the objectives of the study. banking and insurance sector. Kumar (2006) Importance of the Study found that bancassurance concept in India is its Numerous studies are available on emerging phase and it holds excellent promise in liberalization, privatization, efficiency and the coming future. Battacharya (2008) pointed productivity of Indian banking and insurance out that foreign insurers are expected to bring sectors separately. But, interrelated studies of new funds, technology and management both the banking and insurance sectors are very practices in the insurance sector. But this flow few. This study tries to fill this gap. This study depends on the investor’s perception about the gives the knowledge of current situation of financial health of the economy and the stability bancassurance business in India especially of banking and insurance business. Kumar during post liberalisation period. (2006) explained that there exist cultural Insurance Penetration and Density difference between the managers of banks and Insurance penetration is measured as the insurance companies. This can create differences ratio of the premium to the GDP. Insurance in their thinking and business approaches. These density is measured as a ratio of the premium to differences can create communication and the total population. Both insurance penetration implementation problems in bancaassurance and insurance density are at the low level in business. India. The measure of insurance density and Objectives of the Study insurance penetration reflect the level of 1. To explore some factors of Indian economy development of the insurance sector in the that contributing to the development of country. These low penetration levels suggested bancassurance in India. that the insurance sector in India has a promising potential for growth. Additionally a rising

A Study on the Scope of Bancassurance in India in the Post Liberalization Period ISSN: 2319-8192 population, a growing economy, increased insurance products are positive signs for growth domestic savings and greater awareness of for the insurance industry. Table1: Global Comparison of Insurance Premiums, Penetration and Density

Country Premium(US$ Penetration (% of Density (US$ Per million GDP) Capita) India 46206 6.6 48.1 Malasia 5682 2.9 206.9 Tailand 6212 2.4 91.9 China 09175 2.3 81.1 Sri Lanka 233 0.6 11.8 Philippines 1563 1.0 17 Pakistan 543 0.3 3 Source: IRDA web site The above table shows that India is likely to markets. India’s insurance penetration appears have the fast growing insurance market. India higher. Taiwan has the highest insurance and China are the two most promising insurance penetration in the world. Table 2: Population excluded from insurance Countries Percent Million India 90 950 Bangladesh 93 134 Pakistan 97 147 Nepal 95 23 Source: - IRDA In India, about 90% of the population is company with collaboration with any particular excluded from insurance. The situation is similar insurance company. It is a term combining the in almost all under developed countries of the two words, bank and insurance, means world. Micro insurance is the only way to distribution of insurance products through banks increase the low insurance penetration and distribution channels. insurance density in countries like India. According to IRDA, “Bancassurance refers Meaning and Definition of Bancassurance to banks acting as corporate agent for insurers to Bancassurance means selling insurance distribute insurance products” products through banks or insurance products Bancassurance is a financial package that channelized through banks. Both banking and helps to meet the needs of both banking and insurance products and services are provided by insurance services at the same time. one common corporate entity or by banking

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Figure-1

Financial Services

Banking Insurance

Bancassurance

Figure-2

Three Pillars of Bancassurance

It is a controversial issue that how banks get venture and creation of a company. control over financial market in the country The evolution of bncassurance is thrown up through bancassurance.. So, some countries number opportunities and challenges. The motive restricted the bancassurance business. The link behind bancassurance is different with banks, between banks and insurance take place in insurance companies and insurance customers. different ways like distribution agreement As far as banks are concerned bancassurance is a between banks and insurance companies, joint means of product diversification and a source of 35

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increasing their profits or income. Insurance other avenues, including sales of insurance companies look bancassurance as a tool for products. This will help to increase their margin increasing their market penetration and premium of income/profits. For the sale of insurance income. Insurance customers look bancassurance products banks will get commissions. This also in terms of reduced price, high quality products helps to develop a new sales culture within the and services and delivery systems. banks by mixing traditional banking products and Scope of Bancassurance other financial services. 1. On bankers perspectives Several banks in India have recognized the In the post liberalization period, more and potential of insurance business in India. number of players of both domestic and foreign Consequently, these banks have taken equity companies enter in to all the financial sectors shares in insurance companies. Following are the including banking and insurance. Gradually, the important bancassurance tie ups in India. dividing line between different financial services 1.Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) had considerably narrowed down. The a) Corporation Bank overlapping of these sectors becomes more b) Indian Overseas Bank common. This led to the spread of banking c) Centurian Bank services. d) Janata Urban Co operative Bank 2. Insurers perspectives e) Vijaya Bank Liberaliation lead to stiff competition in the f) Oriental Bank of Commerce. insurance sector in India. Number of foreign and 2. SBI Life Insurance Co. domestic private insurers has entered by means of 3. SBI General Insurance Co.Ltd. joint ventures with equity share capital of 49%. 4) Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Co.Ltd. Scope of Bancassurance in India a) Karur Vysya Bank India is one of the fast growing economies b) Lord Krishna Bank in the world. This eventually demands a strong 5. Birla Sun Life Insurance Co.Ltd. and vibrant financial sector in the country. With a) Bank of Rajastan the financial sector reforms, financial sector also b) Andra Bank become more vibrant in India. c) Bank of Mascut Many banks and insurance companies d) Dutch Bank think that bancassurance become a great success e) Catholic Syrian Bank. in India. There are some insurance cum banking Reasons for the Growth of Bancassurance in models in India. For example, Bank of Baroda, India State Bank of India etc. 1. Indian economy is growing at an average of 8.5% In India banks are more concentrated on growth rate. lending activities. Recently, banks are looking at 2. Increasing Purchasing Power Parity.

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3. High Inflow of FDI. customer satisfaction resulting in higher customer 4. Huge expansion of middle income groups. retention levels. 5. Huge banking infrastructure across the country. 3. Increase in return on assets by building income Perceived benefits of Bancassurance through the sale of insurance products. Following are the perceived benefits of 4. Bank can cross sells insurance products e.g. Term bancassurance business in India. insurance products with loans. 1. Productivity of the employees increases. 2. By providing customers with both the services under one roof, they can improve overall Benefits of Bancassurance for Banks and Insurance companies Banks Insurance Companies 1. Customer retention. 1. Revenues and channel of diversification. 2. Satisfaction of same financial need under 2. Quality customer access. same roof. 3. Establish a low cost acquisition channel. 3. Revenue diversification. 4. Creation of brand image. 4. More profitable resource utilization. 5. Quicker geographical reach. 5. Establish sales oriented culture. 6. Leverage service synergies with bank. 6. Enrich work environment. Advantages to insurers 3. High cost of agents:-There are distribution 1. Multi channel distribution:- Insurance models for insurance products. Agency services companies can use the wide network of bank require high cost. In this context bancassurance branches for distribution of insurance products. is one of the most cost effective model of In the liberalized context, insurance companies distribution of insurance products. face tough competition. In order to compete 4. Rural penetration:- Bank has huge network of with each other, they need new distribution branches in rural areas. Insurance companies channels. Insurance products are sold through can use this network of bank branches through different channels line individual agents, bncassurance. So it helps to increase the corporate agents, brokers, online etc. While insurance penetration in rural areas. considering the huge population base in India Advantages to banks bancassurance is needed as a distribution 1. Product diversification model. 2. Banks can build strong relationship with 2. Easy access:- Use of bank customer data base customers through bancassurance. like, financial standing, Spending habits, Advantages to customers investment and purchase capability can be used 1. Comprehensive financial advisory services to customize and sell insurance products. under one roof. Combination of insurance and

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financial business. There is steady and remarkable 2. Enhanced convenience. increase in the bancassurance business in India 3. Easy access for claims. over the years. Following table shows the trend 4. Innovation and better product ranges. analysis of bancassurance business in India for Trend analysis of Bancassurance Business in the period of 2011-12 to 2015-16. India Table 1:Trend Analysis of Bancassurance Business in India during 2011-12 to 2015-16 Year Total Insurance Business Bancassurance % Increase in (Premium income in Business Bancasrance Business Crores) over Previous year

2011-12 79065.45 9292.90 - (100.00) 911.75) 2012-13 62240.82 10072.96 7.74 (100.00) (16.18) 2013-14 60956.86 9523.00 -5.78 (100.00) (15.16) 2014-15 55398.95 11547.45 17.53 (100.00) (20.84) 2015-16 58321.18 13891.93 16.58 (100.00) (22.82) Source: Compiled from IRDA Annual Reports 2011-12 to 2015-16 Figure-3

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Source: IRDA Annual Reports

Figure 4: Growth Rate of Bancassurance Business in India (2011-12 to 2015-16)

The above table shows the trend analysis of that there is predominant growth of bancassurance business in India during the bancassurance business during this period. period 2011-12 to 2015-16. The table reveals Results and Discussion

A Study on the Scope of Bancassurance in India in the Post Liberalization Period ISSN: 2319-8192

1. There is phenomenal growth in the bancassurance situation for all the participants via banks, business in India especially during the post insurance companies and customers. liberalization period. Bibliography 2. The share of bancassurance business in the total 1. Agarwal (2003): ‘Bancassurance; the insurance premium increased from11.75% in Industry Scenario’, The ICFAI, University Press, 2011-12 to 23.82% in 2015-16. Vol. LI (September), pp 225, 6. 3. There is an increase in the percentage share of 2. Asia Insurance Post; A Reality Check, bancassurance business over the other (2008), Vol.9, Issue.3, 99. 43-49. distribution channels. 3. Boon, A and Bane (2008): ‘Polygamous Challenges Bancassurance’, Insurance Chorincle,, The 1. The scope of bancassurance business is huge and ICFAI University Press, pp. 23-25. wide. 4. Battacharya, A (2004): ‘Bancassurance- Need 2. Increase in risk management in the sales of non- and Effects’, the Insurance Times, Vol. 25, life products. These risks are retained by the Issue.10, pp.27-36. banks. 5. Battacharya, A (2005): ‘Regulation of 3. The sales of non-life products should be weighed Insurance Industry’, The Insurance Times, Vo. against the higher cost of servicing these 25, Issue.4, pp. 40-47. policies. 6. Bahmam, R, Erala, L,R and Pulugunda, A 4. Banks will have to be prepared for possible (2004): ‘Bancassurance in India- Issues and disruptions to client relations arising from more Challenges’, Availoble in SSRN, frequent non-life insurance claims. http://ssrn.com/abstract= 944402, Vol. 4, 5. The working style and culture of banks and Issue.1, pp. 1-08. insurance companies are different. 7. Fenn, C.K and Cheng, S.W (2009),’An 6. Bancasurance is not suitable for all banks. It is Efficiency Comparison of Direct and Indirect suitable only for large banks. There arise some Channels in Taiwan Insurance Marketing’ Direct allied issues. Marketing, An International Journal, Vol.3, 7. The sales of insurance products by bank staffs are Issue.4, pp. 343-359. different. In the liberalization context, there is 8. Kumar,M (2004): ‘Marketing and large scale product innovation in the insurance Distribution Channels in Insurance’, The sector. So it is difficult for the bank staff to sell Insurance Time, Vol.24, Issue.4 pp. 33-39. such products. 9. Popli, G.S and Rao, D.N (2009): An Conclusion Empirical Study of Bancassurance, Prospects If we take the initiation of and Challenges for Selling Insurance Products bancassurance in its right spirit and implemented through Banks in India’, Availoble in SSRN, it in a proper manner, it can be a win-win http://ssrn.com/abstract= 1339471, pp.1-21.

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10. Rao, T (2006): ‘Life Insurance Business 12. Soni, P and Singh, R (2003): ‘Insurance in India; Analysis of Performance’, Economic Markets in India; the Critical Success Factors’, and Political Weekly, Vol. 4, Issue.31, pp. 2174- The Insurance Times, Vol.23, Issue.10, pp. 28- 2181. 32. 11. Reddy, C.S and eddy, P.M (2004): 13. White, M.P .( 1990): ‘Bancassurance in ‘Liberalization of Insurance; Opportunities and the US and Abroad’ , The Insurance Times, Challenges’, The Insurance Times, Vol.24, Vol.57, pp.1-11. Issue.3, pp. 23-27. 14. IRDA Annual Report, 2009-10.

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Role of Financial Capability and Financial Inclusion in Rural Development

Tandraleem Kashyap Ph.D. Research Scholar Assam University, Diphu Campus, Diphu Email: [email protected]

Abstract

Rural development is the process of improving the quality of life and economic well-being of people living in rural areas. The process of rural development cannot be attained without financial inclusion and financial capability of individuals. Financial Inclusion is an instrument to involve all the sections of society equally for the achievement of inclusive growth and making them financially capable. It aims at providing banking and financial services to all people in a fair, transparent and equitable manner at affordable cost. The main objective of this study is to overview the financial capability and financial inclusion programmes for rural development in India and give necessary suggestions for success of such programmes. The paper is of descriptive and analytical in nature and primarily based on secondary data. Key Words: Financial Capability, Financial Inclusion, Inclusive Growth. Introduction living in rural areas may need access to Rural communities are highly underserved. It financial services to purchase agriculture inputs, has been universally accepted today that the obtain veterinary services, maintain objective of rural development cannot be infrastructure, contract labor for attained without financial inclusion and planting/harvesting, transport goods to markets, financial capability of individuals. make/receive payments, manage peak season Traditionally, formal financial institutions have incomes to cover expenses in low seasons, avoided or failed to offer sustainable services in invest in education, shelter, health or deal with rural areas (e.g. rural or agricultural emergencies1. development banks). Thus, informal or semi- Financial Capability and Financial Inclusion: formal financial institutions as well as Conceptual Framework alternative providers like traders or input Financial capability is about having the suppliers have become major providers of financial knowledge, understanding, confidence financial services. However, these informal and motivation to make good financial providers often have weak institutional and

managerial capacity and operating in isolation 1 M. Gomathy (2015), “An Overview of Financial from the financial system has let some of these Inclusion and rural development in India”, IOSR Journal of Business and Management (IOSR-JBM) providers charge steep interest rates. People e-ISSN: 2278-487X, p-ISSN: 2319-7668. Volume 17, Issue 8.Ver. IV (Aug. 2015), PP 06-11 42

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decisions. It is defined by the World Bank as, financial opportunity.4 Work on financial “it is the capacity to act in one’s best financial capability must move beyond knowledge and interest, given socioeconomic and skill‐building to incorporate effective strategies environmental conditions. It encompasses for changing the way people behave. knowledge (literacy), attitudes, skills and Financial inclusion is delivery of basic banking behavior of consumers with respect to services at an affordable cost to the vast understanding, selecting, and using financial sections of disadvantaged and low income services, and the ability to access financial groups of people. Essence of financial services that fit their needs”.2 Financial inclusion is making available a variety of capability is the “skills, knowledge, and financial services to every individual and dispositions that enable a person to make well- enables them to understand and access these informed financial decisions throughout their services. Financial inclusion is an arrangement lives”.3 The concept of financial capability for the poor removing the constrains in connotes both ability and opportunity. accessing the financial services and creating a Financially capable people possess both the financial system, which enables the rural poor ability and the opportunity to improve their people to avail of the benefits including benefits financial well-being by acting in their best of technological innovations aiming at inclusive interest. This framework has two main and economic growth in the long run. components- (a) financial knowledge and skills Microfinance institution (MFI) is an as well as (b) access to sound financial products organization that offers variety of financial and services, including access to opportunities services to the people belonging to low income for building savings and other assets. In other groups and plays a significant role in rural words, financial capability is not entirely a development. Along with MFIs, the various matter of changing individual behavior, rather, institutions engaged in enhancing financial the idea reflects a core perspective in social inclusion and rural development in India are work’s person-in-environment concept: Reserve Bank of India, NABARD, recognition of the relationship between people Government, Self Help Group (SHG) and Non and social institutions. Therefore, efforts to Governmental Organization (NGO). Financial improve financial capability include changing inclusion in India is characterized primarily as individual behavior and, at the same time, general access to loans or access to savings changing institutions to increase access to account and vulnerability reducing products to low income groups. The basic premises of this 2 World Bank Group, Zambia (2007), “Enhancing mechanism are to ensure a consistent risk Financial Capability and Inclusion in Zambia”, www.worldbank.org 4 3 Ministry of Education, New Zealand Government Sherraden, M. S. et al (2015), “Financial (2014), “Development of the Financial Capability Capability and Asset Building for All”, American Progressions” Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare, working paper No. 13 43

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reducing and livelihood security provision. The low socio-economic group. Grosser and van der Government and its Central Bank have attached Gaag (2013) identify inclusion as a principal great importance for increasing the outreach of element of girls’ employment in developing banking facilities for rural development through countries. 7 the process of financial inclusion since Objectives: independence. The main objectives of the paper are as Review of Literature follows- According to McCormick (2009), the term 1. To analyse the concept of financial financial capability is intended to include not capability and financial inclusion only the concept of education but also access to 2. To overview the financial capability and financial services and institutions, arguing that financial inclusion programmes for rural knowledge alone—without access to the development in India. resources and services of financial institutions, 3. To offer various suggestions and especially for those coming from under- or recommendations for success of such unbanked communities will not ultimately allow programmes. people to choose a financially literate lifestyle.5 Research Methodology: The present paper is a Sherraden’s (2010) model of financial descriptive and analytical in nature. The data capability takes into account economic required for the present study are collected from socialization as a person‘s starting point in various secondary sources. The Secondary data financial experience, and acknowledges that are collected from various published sources education and institutions interact to form a such i.e. magazines, newspapers, journals, person‘s financial capability: ―together books, and various other publications. financial literacy and financial inclusion build Moreover, some important information is also financial capability in low-income households.6 collect from relevant websites. Sherraden (2010, 2013) and Grosser and Van Analysis Der Gaag (2013) demonstrate how they use the Rural development and inclusive growth concept of capability and specifically, inclusion cannot be attained without financial inclusion of in their research. Sherraden (2010, 2013) refers the rural unbanked areas. And successful to inclusion as one aspect in developing financial inclusion requires financially capable financial capability with youth and those in a consumers. Within this decade, an enormous

number of first time clients, a large number of 5 McCormick, M. H. (2009), “The Effectiveness of Youth Financial Education: A Review of Literature”, them from traditionally unserved population Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning, segments, will begin using formal financial Volume 20 (1), 70-83 6 Sherraden, M. S. (2010), “Financial Capability: What is It, and How Can It Be Created?”, Center 7 for Social Development Working Papers No. 10-17, Ward, R. E. (2017), “Factors that Influence Washington University in St. Louis George Warren Middle Class Women’s Financial Capability: An Brown School of Social Work Australian Study” 44

Role of Financial Capability and Financial Inclusion in Rural Development ISSN: 2319-8192 services. But this expansion of financial programs could be provided in parallel with services at the base of the pyramid must be financial products, which most people can accompanied by attention to financial capability access. For example, people could be offered if is to bring the desired benefits for providers, financial education when they open a bank governments, and most of all, for clients. account, take out a loan or take out an insurance Financial capability is about motivating and policy. Previous research shows that in rural supporting consumers to make sound financial areas financial education works best when decisions. Attention to financial capability is delivered to adults during teachable moments, essential for successful financial inclusion when they are more likely to be receptive to initiatives. Financial capability develops new information. These educational programs through “learning by doing”. Many, or even should not only help to close gaps in customers’ most, people experience a gap between knowing understanding of financial concepts but also and doing when managing their finances. inform them about the need to build up a Capability development must go beyond savings cushion for unexpected financial shocks delivery of information (financial education) and old age expenses, how best to budget and to and focus on yielding healthy financial avoid overspending and how to choose financial behavior. Opportunities to promote healthy products. This will lead to better financial financial behavior among consumer abound in decision making and enhance their economic the financial services design and delivery development. process. This points a unique and important role Various Financial Capability and of financial service providers in building their Financial Inclusion programs in India 8 clients’ capability. Financial capability in India is evolving Financial capability is measured by knowledge slowly. Without a clear government-led of financial concepts and products, and by strategy, the term itself has not yet found a attitudes, skills and behavior related to day-to- home in the lexicon of financial service day money management, planning for the providers. Uncovering what providers are doing future, choosing financial products and staying to help their clients learn to make good financial informed. In order to jointly analyze financial decisions was difficult for this reason. With the capability and inclusion, the survey instrument top-down push to focus on generating massive captures information on the usage of different numbers of financial education participants, few kinds of financial products and providers. To banks focus on financial capability. MFIs, enable financially included individual they must which have a closer relationship with low- know the benefit from the products they use, income clients, have more opportunity to financial knowledge and capability-enhancing experiment with interventions that connect to

8 Center for Financial Inclusion, ACCION (2013), behavior. “Enabling Financial Capability along the road to Financial Inclusion” 45

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a. Banks and MFIs assistance, as well as individual counselling and Most financial institutions, whether banks, support for financial decisions. 10 non-bank financial companies (NBFCs), or c. Janalakshmi MFIs, have not considered integrating financial Janalakshmi also operates with the capability into their business models. They combination of a for-profit business and a non- often segregate financial education in a separate profit arm called the Jana Urban Foundation. department and deliver messages through The Foundation is the custodian of all projects classroom training. While most banks and MFIs pertaining to customers, including customer have not fully embraced financial capability, but education, research to understand uptake of there are a few exceptions. The new products, customer insights and making the management team at Ratnakar Bank Limited business model more customer-centric. As a (RBL), one of the oldest banks in India, part of their financial advisory services work, launched a strategy that makes financial Janalakshmi has partnered with ideas to launch inclusion a core aspect of the business. With the ‘Rules of Thumb’ project. This project looks this in mind, RBL has been focusing on to move beyond the provision of standard understanding their clients better, particularly classroom training to micro-entrepreneurs to how they use their services and whether client test a new financial capability intervention that behavior is changing as a result. RBL has departs from the traditional methods.11 partnered with Swadhaar India (an MFI), IFC, d. Kshetriya Gramin Financial Services and Accion to offer a financial literacy program (KGFS) as a means to gather baseline data about The KGFS model, owned by IFMR Rural clients.9 Channel, is a branch-based model that aims to b. Swadhaar deliver a complete suite of financial products to Swadhaar operates in Madhya Pradesh, customers who live within a 5-7 km radius Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and provides around the branch. The delivery of these group and individual loans. Swadhaar started a services is done by a front-line staff member financial inclusion and literacy center called called a “wealth manager” who is trained to FinAccess, managed by its non-profit arm, as a gather financial information about each response to a study that revealed that customer and recommend personalized Swadhaar’s financial literacy programs had led products. KGFS offers a number of truly unique to an increase in product awareness among contributions to financial capability, particularly clients, but not an increase in uptake. These its strategy of developing close customer centers provide financial training and 10 Jayshree Venkatesan (2016), “Financial Capability Building Practices in India”, Center for Financial Inclusion, ACCION 9 Jayshree Venkatesan (2016), “Financial 11 Jayshree Venkatesan (2016), “Financial Capability Building Practices in India”, Center for Capability Building Practices in India”, Center for Financial Inclusion, ACCION Financial Inclusion, ACCION 46

Role of Financial Capability and Financial Inclusion in Rural Development ISSN: 2319-8192

relationships that truly understand every client IndianMoney.com provides free consultation need and can offer products based on those services and financial advice to ensure needs. 12 customers are not misguided while buying e. A New Payment Bank: FINO various financial products. This is unique since FINO Paytech (Financial Inclusion Network & IndianMoney.com is not connected to any Operations Paytech Ltd.) received one of the financial service provider and only acts as a new payment bank licenses. FINO Paytech is a provider of advice. The process is simple. Mumbai-based organization that builds and Before buying any financial product, a potential implements technologies that enable financial customer leaves a voice message with institutions to serve under-banked populations. IndianMoney.com at 022-6181-6111. A FINO Paytech offers a banking and payments financial advisor will call back from system that uses smart cards and agent-operated IndianMoney.com and provide free and mobile POS terminals to facilitate transactions unbiased advice on any kinds of financial between institutions and customers. In addition products, including insurance, mutual funds, to various range of services, FINO offers loans, bank accounts, deposits, stock, or real structured and customized financial literacy estate. One can also visit IndianMoney.com and programs (FLP) using communication material browse the website and blog for information. in local languages to convey the message of IndianMoney.com does not sell any financial financial literacy interactively.13 product and only provides customers with f. Online Services and Other Models information that will help them decide whether These online services are generally aimed at to buy a financial product or not. middle class customers with bank accounts and IndianMoney.com recently launched a financial internet access. They mirror similar products in education pilot with Karnataka Vikas Grameen the U.S. and other high-income countries. While Bank.15 not immediately applicable to the base of the h. Namaste Credit pyramid, they introduce new models into the Namaste Credit targets micro, small, and Indian scene, and as internet access grows, they medium enterprises that find it hard to access will become more relevant to more segments of bank loans or access loans at a premium. the population. 14 Namaste Credit matches funding needs of these g. IndianMoney.com businesses with lenders and helps secure a loan with minimum hassle through an online portal. 12 Jayshree Venkatesan (2016), “Financial The portal helps borrowers choose the right Capability Building Practices in India”, Center for Financial Inclusion, ACCION product and rates the business using a 13 Jayshree Venkatesan (2016), “Financial Capability Building Practices in India”, Center for proprietary credit rating algorithm, while Financial Inclusion, ACCION 14 Jayshree Venkatesan (2016), “Financial 15 Jayshree Venkatesan (2016), “Financial Capability Building Practices in India”, Center for Capability Building Practices in India”, Center for Financial Inclusion, ACCION Financial Inclusion, ACCION 47

Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, Vol. VII, No. I, January- June, 2019 providing required information and paperwork planning and how to save for a particular life- to multiple lenders. For borrowers, this can event. Another offering is a game based on translate into offers from multiple lenders with `Passing the Parcel,’ where the clients are transparent offer terms that allow them to educated on the concepts about insurance and choose the best product. This also translates into how they can protect themselves against a shorter lender loan decision process, allowing unforeseen shocks. The CRISIL Mitras also businesses to raise capital in time. 16 provide financial advisory services to women i. Money View through an app on a ‘phablet’ (phone-tablet) Money View is a personal money manager on developed by CRISIL Foundation. The app a mobile app that aims to assist clients to helps the CRISIL Mitras provide develop “financial fitness.” Money View recommendations such as; repay your high captures credit card and bank account interest loan, uy livestock insurance or start transaction information by analyzing the SMS. paying in to a pension depending on relevance Financial service providers are required to send to the customer.18 to clients after every electronic transaction. The Suggestions and Recommendations application uses this information to provide a There are some suggestions and daily, weekly, and monthly summary of recommendations for the improvement of financial expenses. It works across multiple various aforesaid financial inclusion accounts to track bills, expenses, and account programmes in rural development and building balances. The application also allows users to their financial capability. set a monthly budget and alerts users when the 1. Embed Financial Capability into all 17 limit is approached. Aspects of Financial Inclusion j. CRISIL Foundation Increasing financial capability is an essential CRISIL Foundation works in partnership with enabler of the expansion of financial services to RGVN, an NGO in North-East India. CRISIL both unserved and underserved populations and trains front-line staff, known as CRISIL Mitras, is also essential for problem minimization in the to facilitate learning by encouraging discussion financial system. Consumer capability must be and interaction among clients. It created games prioritized in product design, technology based on the games native to the region that interfaces, and client protection. many clients played while growing up. For 2. Providers Take Responsibility to instance, a game similar to ‘Hop Scotch’ Contribute to Financial Capability Building teaches players about goal-based financial All Providers should look for opportunities in their business or service delivery models to 16 Jayshree Venkatesan (2016), “Financial Capability Building Practices in India”, Center for Financial Inclusion, ACCION 17 Jayshree Venkatesan (2016), “Financial 18 Jayshree Venkatesan (2016), “Financial Capability Building Practices in India”, Center for Capability Building Practices in India”, Center for Financial Inclusion, ACCION Financial Inclusion, ACCION 48

Role of Financial Capability and Financial Inclusion in Rural Development ISSN: 2319-8192 prioritize clients’ financial capability. technology providers and banking channels to Strengthen agency banking micro finance expand reach. Application developers will be institutions, business facilitators and business required to synergize core banking with micro correspondents. Our very old post offices will financial applications. be an ideal channel to pursue the future long Conclusion term goals of agency banking especially in rural For rural development financial capability has India. become a priority for policy makers seeking to 3. Educate the Public on the Importance of promote beneficial financial inclusion and to Financial Capability and Financial Inclusion ensure financial stability and functioning To facilitate the adoption of financial financial markets. Today people are required to capability and financial inclusion as a social take increasing responsibility for managing a value, awareness building campaigns should be variety of risks over their life cycle. Those who conducted within countries to sensitize all make sound financial decisions and who stakeholders, and namely financial consumers, effectively interact with financial services on the importance of financial capability and the providers are more likely to achieve their consequences of its absence. financial goals, hedge against financial and 4. Ensure All Students Receive Financial economic risks, improve their household’s Education Before Completing Primary and welfare, and support economic growth. Secondary School Boosting rural development through financial To ensure that everyone has a basic level of capability has therefore emerged as a policy financial literacy, every country should objective that complements governments’ incorporate financial education classes as part financial inclusion and consumer protection of regular school curriculum. The government agendas. To this end, policy makers are should also raise the Financial Inclusion Fund increasingly using surveys as diagnostic tools to and a Financial Inclusion Technology Fund to identify financial capability areas that need reach banking services to the rural areas having improvement and vulnerable segments of the no banking facility. population that could be targeted with specific 5. Technology Providers Support the interventions for rural development. Delivery of Financial Education and References Development of Financial Capability 1. Center for Financial Inclusion, ACCION Various technology providers should offer (2013), “Enabling Financial Capability along exciting opportunities to give customers the road to Financial Inclusion”, financial capability messages at large scale and www.financialinclusion2020.org, accessed on low cost through diverse platforms such as 16th September, 2018. mobile messages and mass media. Target 2. Jayshree Venkatesan (2016), “Financial should be achieving synergies between the Capability Building Practices in India”, Center 49

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for Financial Inclusion, ACCION, Working Papers No. 10-17, Washington www.centreforfinancialinclusion.org, accessed University in St. Louis George Warren Brown on 16th September, 2018. School of Social Work. 3. M. Gomathy (2015), “An Overview of 7. Sherraden, M. S. et al (2015), “Financial Financial Inclusion and rural development in Capability and Asset Building for All”, India”, IOSR Journal of Business and American Academy of Social Work and Social Management (IOSR-JBM) e-ISSN: 2278-487X, Welfare, working paper No. 13 p-ISSN: 2319-7668. Volume 17, Issue 8.Ver. 8. Ward, R. E. (2017), “Factors that Influence IV (Aug. 2015), PP 06-11 Middle Class Women’s Financial Capability: 4. McCormick, M. H. (2009), “The An Australian Study”, Effectiveness of Youth Financial Education: A https://researchbank.rmit.edu.au/view/rmit:1619 Review of Literature”, Journal of Financial 80, accessed on 17th December, 2017 Counseling and Planning, Volume 20 (1), 70- 9. World Bank Group, Zambia (2007), 83. “Enhancing Financial Capability and Inclusion 5. Ministry of Education, New Zealand in Zambia”, www.worldbank.org Government (2014), “Development of the Financial Capability Progressions” 6. Sherraden, M. S. (2010), “Financial Capability: What is It, and How Can It Be Created?”, Center for Social Development

Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, January - June, 2019 Vol. VII, No. I ISSN: 2319-8192 Diasporic Women in the Novels of Jhumpa Lahiri and Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Dipam Jentilal Joshi Ph.D. Scholar, Humanities - English Gujarat Technological University, Ahmedabad Email: [email protected] and Dr. Seema Ranjitbhai Gida Associate Professor & Research Supervisor M. J. Kundaliya Arts & Commerce Mahila College, Rajkot, India Email: [email protected]

Abstract In the twentieth century, the post colonial literary trends and theories paved path for emergence of Diasporic Writing, which express feelings of being dispersed from known (homeland) to unknown (host land). A woman plays crucial role in formation and molding of culture, society and heritage. In diaspora, her role becomes indispensable but her responsibilities become challenging because of cross cultural influences and identity crisis. A huge number of Indian English writers have expressed diasporic feelings in their literary works. Jhumpa Lahiri is one such second generation diasporic writer. In her novels, there are Indian roots and American life. The first generation migrants struggle to establish Indian identity in alien culture and the second generation faces severe identity crises and rootlessness. Another well known and first generation writer of Indian Diaspora is Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. In her works, she strives to explore complicated identities of diaspora community and process of cultural assimilation. Most of her novels depict experience and struggle faced by middle class women who feel alienated, dissatisfied and incapable to share feelings. The present research paper aims to evaluate image of female characters in Jhumpa Lahiri’s novel The Namesake and Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s novel The Mistress of Spices. Keywords: Culture, diaspora, identity, migration

In Indian culture, a woman’s role is great Indian and Greek epics also glorify some considered significant to unite the family and female characters and at the same time criticize society with a single thread. She is held some others. With the change of time, the responsible for preservation of culture and image and abilities of a woman have heritage. The society perceives a woman’s role transformed too. The role and responsibilities of tied with a burden of carrying a number of a woman change when she leaves her home and responsibilities and restrictions as well. In they change radically when she leaves the literature, portrayal of woman has also country of her origin. Migration to a new land remained a major interest of the writers. The opens up a bundle of opportunities,

Diasporic Women in the Novels of Jhumpa Lahiri and Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni ISSN: 2319-8192 simultaneously it makes one realize migrant’s responsibility of following and maintaining state of being alien and alone. A number of Indian culture. Bhaswati Mukherjee writes literary works have been written nowadays on about woman’s migration as indentured labour diaspora. By diaspora, we mean voluntary or from India to various destination in her article forceful migration to a foreign land. The Journey of the Women of Indian Diaspora: present paper will attempt to evaluate portrayal Carriers of culture, Preservers of identity. of diasporic women in the novels of two According to her, women’s journey in diaspora prominent diasporic writers Jhumpa Lahiri and was full of difficulty as women were held to be Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. The Namesake responsible for maintenance of Indian culture written by Jhumpa Lahiri and The Mistress of and identity in diaspora and partly due to Spices written by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni patriarchal nature of Indian society. Indian are chosen for the study. social system is such that it is perceived that The term diaspora comes from the women are responsible for child rearing Greek word “diaspeiro” meaning “to scatter because it is only through women the values of about”. It is a status in which a diasporic is culture are transmitted to the children from living in a foreign land away from the place of generation to generation. Most of first his or her origin. The term also refers to the generation women migrant largely spend their members of ethnic group who have willingly or life in raising their family; only a few of them forcefully left their native land. According to hold the front and form their individual identity. Vertovec, in three meanings of Diaspora: The second or third generation women and Exemplified among South Asian Religions, the modern Indian woman migrating to US or any term Diaspora sometimes refers to a community part of the world, play significant roles. which has been de-territorialized. By de- Jhumpa Lahiri is the second generation territorialized, he means a population, whose diasporic writer. She was born to Bengali current place of residence isn’t the same from parents in England in 1967 and her family which they descended and hence their socio- migrated to United States when she was only political ties extend the border of their present three years old. Jhumpa Lahiri believes that for day residence. Living in diaspora means living immigrants, the challenge of exile, loneliness, in forces or voluntary exile and living in exile constant sense of alienation and longing for a usually leads to problems of identification and lost world are evident and stressful. Her notable alienation. A diasporic is in constant pool of works include Interpreter of Maladies (1999), two culture and two identities and to choose The Namesake (2003), Unaccustomed Earth one out of these two, one has to undergo series (2008), The Lowland (2013), etc. In Jhumpa of compromises. Lahiri’s fictions, there are Indian roots and Women in diaspora become American life. The first generation migrants embodiment of culture. They are often given struggle to establish Indian identity in alien

Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, Vol. VII, No. I, January- June, 2019 culture, but the second generation faces severe character in the novel is Ashima, who is identity crises, they undergo the status of being depicted as an ideal Indian wife and a mother American Born Confused Desi (ABCD). and the second generation female characters of Presently Jhumpa Lahiri lives in Rome, Italy the novel include Sonia (Ashima’s daughter) with her husband and two children and she also and Moushumi (Ashima’s daughter-in-law). On writes in Italian language. reaching U. S. for the first time, Ashima is Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is an Indian homesick and emotionally broken down being American novelist, who was born in 1956 in disconnected from her family and country. Kolkata. After receiving her graduate degree During her stay in the hospital at the time of from Kolkata, she migrated to U.S. in 1976. In birth of her first baby, pain of being alone was U.S. while receiving Master’s degree and Ph.D. more intense than the labour pain. She is from university of California, she did multiple worried and not ready to raise her children on odd jobs to meet expense of her education. the alien land. She finds it difficult to get used Currently she is a well known novelist, poet, to American way of life. She once says to her writer and Professor in Creative Writing husband Ashoke, Program at University of Huston, Texas. In her “… hurry up and finish your degree. works, she strives to explore complicated I’m saying I don’t want to raise Gogol identities of diaspora community. Her novels alone in this country. It’s not right. I address notions of multiculturalism, alienation want to go back.” (The Namesake, 33) and voyage for self discovery. Most of her Ashima never feels at home in US, novels are modeled on experience and struggle whereas the perception of male characters is faced by middle class women who feel different. For Ashoke, home is where his feet alienated, dissatisfied and incapable to share are. Ashima cannot relate their dwelling place feelings. Her major works include The Mistress in US as Home at all. Their migration from one of Spices (1997), Queen of Dreams (2004), place to the other in US is more distressing for Arranged Marriages, The Unknown Errors of Ashima than the move from Calcutta to Our Lives (2001), Sister of My Heart (1999), Cambridge. The lack of access to outside world The Vine of Desire (2002), The Conch Bearer and series of adjustments she needs to (2003), The Mirror of Fire and Dreaming undertake in order to survive on alien land (2005), The Palace of Illusions (2008), One makes her life miserable. The novelist writes, Amazing Thing (2010), Oleander Girl (2013) ‘For being a foreigner, Ashima is and so on. beginning to realize, is a sort of lifelong Jhumpa Lahiri depicts two types of pregnancy – a perpetual wait, a contradictory portrayal of female characters constant burden, a continuous feelings from two different generations in The out of sorts.’ (The Namesake, 49). Namesake. The first generation female

Diasporic Women in the Novels of Jhumpa Lahiri and Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni ISSN: 2319-8192

Throughout her life Ashima clings to other Bengali girls, never to marry Bengali Indian culture and values and she tries her best man. To get rid of Bengalism, she embraces to impart the same to her children. She keeps French literature. Learning French language is herself away from westernization. For her, like embracing French culture, where she is Indian culture, her family and relationships are able to get rid of Indian and American culture integral. She fears losing her culture being without guilt. Her break up with a boy friend disconnected from it and is very much anxious and attraction for Gogol compels her to marry for her children’s adherence to western world. him. But even after marriage, Moushumi is However, she is not orthodox as while raising determined never to be dependent on her her children, as a mother she is conscious for husband. Everyone in the west wants to cherish the need of being with time and place, i. e. why freedom, give way to desires, where everything her children receive influence of western is subject to change. Concept of marriage in culture and way of life and it is accepted by her Indian culture conveys stable life for husband but with a little hesitation. and wife, where both are loyal to each other, The identity confusion, tension between live for each other and care for each other. two different worlds and conflict between two There is no scope of giving space to the third different cultures mark intense diasporic person in between. Ashoke and Ashima are flag feelings of Ashima and is similar to some bearers of this bondage, where marriage is extent to the majority of the first generation union of soul for lifetime, whereas in western women migrants, whereas such notions fades culture, the concept of marriage is assumed to away for the second generation. The second have been evolved as union of bodies, which generation does experience identity confusion infatuated by other shifts to others. Moushumi and constant pool of two different cultures, but does the same thing. Her marriage soon ends in the way they perceive notions of identity, divorce. Another female character depicted in culture and relationship are different. the novel is Ashima’s daughter Sonia. In conventional beliefs, relationship However, she occupies a little space in the means bondages, which bring responsibilities, novel, her brief and less frequent appearance liabilities and dependence, but such traditional reveal perception of second generation migrant. notions do not exist for second generation Unlike Moushumi, Sonia’s resistance to Indian migrants, Ashima’s son Gogol and his wife values and culture is less acute; however she Moushumi are suitable examples. Moushami doesn’t feel at home during her visit to had been forbidden as a teenager to date. It was Calcutta. Sonia easily assimilates with western like a spring, which was pressed for a long culture and marries a half Chinese boy, but in time, which once released doesn’t come back to contrast to Moushumi, Sonia possesses a sense the former place. She didn’t like Bengalis, and of duty towards family. when she was 12 years old, she took a vow with

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Towards the end of the novel, Ashima finally reaches to the US, where she opens a has learned to do things on her own. She still shop named Spice Bazar and not only sells wears saris, puts her long hair in a bun, but she spices for cooking purpose but also administers is not the same Ashima who had once lived in spices for peace, health and happiness. She is Calcutta. She was 19 years old when she laid forbidden to use spices for her own self. her feet first time in US, but she is able to Throughout her journey since childhood, Tilo is befriend with American women for the first given various names. At time of her birth, she time only when she is 48 years old. After her was named ‘Nayan Tara’, afterwards when husband’s death, she becomes alone but she has pirates abducted her, they called her by not broken her bondage with culture and ‘Bhagyavati’. The snakes on the island called relationship. She decides that for half of the her ‘Sarpakanya’. She was named ‘Tilotamma’ year, she will live with her brother’s family in by the old woman. And finally she renames India and for other half of the year, she will live herself with ‘Maya’, this name has many in America. Even though she had a strong meanings, it means illusion, spell, charm and concept of home, what she is left with is attraction. She could achieve selfhood finally homelessness. by fulfilling her desires. The other novel The Mistress of Spices Tilo helps all of her customers whether written by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni Indians or American by administering various demonstrates how women are capable of spices. Her Indian women customers symbolize breaking barriers of orthodox values imposed suppression of women on foreign land. There over them and lead an independent life. The are numerous stories of Indian women facing protagonist of the novel, Tilotamma, known as issues regarding conflicts due to cultural Tilo, being gifted with magical powers is able differences, liberty and financial crises. For to see and feel what others can’t. Right from example, Lalita faces pressure from her family her childhood, in India, her miraculous powers for marriage. She doesn’t want to marry a bring her recognition and prosperity, but it also person, whom she has seen just three days leads her to awful consequences. When she was before the marriage. Moreover when she meets a child, she was kidnapped by pirates, who her suitor for the first time, his appearance is wanted to trace hidden treasure with the help of different than his photograph shown to her her supernatural powers. She was able to escape earlier. Unfortunately, as the wedding from the clutches of pirates and reached to an ceremony was arranged, she had to marry him. Island. This island was also super natural like Further, when she comes to America with her her powers, where an old lady taught her husband, she dreamt of fulfilling her desire to powers of various Indian spices on human set up her own tailoring business, but what she beings. After her training of spices on the confronts is alienation and sadness on alien island, she becomes a Mistress of Spices and land. Her husband doesn’t approve her idea of

Diasporic Women in the Novels of Jhumpa Lahiri and Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni ISSN: 2319-8192 working. He has a firm opinion that a woman grandfather are against her decision and as a should not take up any profession. Lalita longs result, Geeta leaves her family and leads her life for a child that can set things right in her life, in her own way. In her attempt to avoid but she does not conceive. The doctor unknown consequences of arranged marriage, diagnoses that the problem is not with Lalita she abandons family and achieves emancipation but with her husband. When she shares this in her own way. information with her husband, it infuriates him Tilo is able to cure mental suffering of and Lalita becomes victim of his assaults. Tilo the women with the help charm of spices. Tilo’s realizes that Lalita’s life is without happiness portrayal is presented in such a manner that she is a victim of cultural indifference and male though she appears to be a young woman, her domination. Tilo is able to understand what magical powers and knowledge of human Lalita’s sufferings: nature resemble to an old man. As a young All day at home, she is so lonely; the woman, she is deprived of fulfilling her desires silence like quick sand sucking at her as the old lady at the island of spices made all wrists and ankles, tears she cannot stop, the mistress of spices to take an oath of disobedient tears like spilled discarding desire with a warning that if ever pomegranate seeds and Ahuja shouting any mistress invoke desire or use spices for her when he returned home to her swollen own self, the spices will turn against the eyes. (The Mistress of Spices, 15) mistress and the magical powers over spices Tilo gives her turmeric so that Lalita can get will be lost. Tilo’s love affair with Raven turns closer to her husband and achieve pleasure. the spices against her but later she is forgiven Ultimately Lalita finds her way to suit her heart by spices due to her repentance. Tilo is able to and pursues happiness in her own way. give way to her desire and achieve Many times conflicts arise due to emancipation and simultaneously conserve her cultural difference, impact of westernization power over spices by being loyal to them. The and generation gap. The first generation’s other female characters of the novel are also conventional notions are not easily accepted by able to liberate themselves from their the second generation, which results in clash. predicament with the help of spices The story of Geetha is similar. Her grandfather administered by Tilo. always complains about Geeta’s behavior and In both the above mentioned novels, it American life style. Geeta’s grandfather says, is obvious that women undergo transformation “Even from birth a girl’s real home is with her in diaspora. On one hand the migration to the future husband’s family only” (The Mistress of new land doubles women’s responsibilities Spices, 88). Her grandfather desires arranged along with challenges of identity confusion and marriage for her, but against his desire, Geeta alienation and on the other hand it is this marries an American man. Her parents and migration only which provides them ample of

Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, Vol. VII, No. I, January- June, 2019 opportunities to explore the world beyond four walls of the house. Both the novelists effectively present the notions how the second generation women differ from the first generation women. The dominance of patriarchal power is clearly visible in both the novels and at the same time, there also appear feminist voices which demand liberty and free life. The first generation women express loyalty to their native culture and preserve their native identity, they are submissive to male dominance where as the quest for liberty and American identity is prominent among the second generation female characters, who raise voice for freedom. Works Cited 1. Banerjee C. B. (1998). The mistress of spices. London: Swan Publications. 2. Lahiri, J. (2004). The namesake. New Delhi: Harper Collins Publishers. 3. Mukherjee, B. (2015) Journey of the Women of Indian Diaspora : Carriers of culture, Preservers of identity. Web. Retrieved from: http://www.mea.gov.in/in-focus- article.htm?25025/Journey+of+the+Women+of +Indian+Diaspora++Carriers+of+culture+Prese rvers+of+identity 25 October 2018 4. Vertovec S. (1997) Three meanings of diaspora: exemplified among south Asian religions”. Diaspora: A Journal of Transnational Studies 6(3), 277-299. University of Toronto Press. Retrieved January 30, 2019 from Project MUSE Database.

Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, January - June, 2019 Vol. VII, No. I ISSN: 2319-8192

Geometrical Forms of Sculpture organization in Mathematical order: A New Perspective in Modern Indian Sculpture

Binoy Paul Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Visual Arts, Assam University, Silchar Email ID: [email protected]

Abstract

Indian Sculpture has a base as it provides authentic documentation of ancient aesthetic, essence and individual identity. While by maintaining that individualism Indian Sculpture has been always moving towards growth. In the evolution of modern Indian sculpture the contribution of Sushen Ghosh, one of the best disciples of Ramkinkar Baij and Professor of Kala Bhavana, Santiniketan is vital as well as significant. His art works had the refinement of his personal identity as well. Sushen Ghosh was born in a small town like Silchar, Cachar district in the State of Assam. Since childhood he had an irresistible passion and desire for becoming an artist Only in the late 60’s Sushen Ghosh started working with visual harmony of mathematical systems. He paved a new way in modern contemporary Indian sculpture through his experiment of forms. He shows sculpture can be created in geometrical forms and placed in mathematical order. He also shows that musical rhythm can play an important role in sculpture. Mathematically proportioned geometrical motifs derived from square, sphere, and cylinder selected as basic elements of sculpture and organized with the aid of complex visual principles were placed either vertically, horizontally, sidewise or diagonally at the centre of any measured space base or ground. Key words: Geometrical forms, modern Indian sculpture Introduction

Beautiful ancient sculptures adorn palaces, myths and deities formed the major themes. temples and caves in India. But distinct from Sculptures were now created to cater to the them are modern Indian sculptors who have demands of the newly emerging upper and conjured outstanding avant-garde creations middle social classes. The innovation of Indian based on western principles. The beginning of sculptors can be seen in the intense and modernism in Indian sculpture can be traced to exaggerated realism during this period. its adaptation of western academic art traditions The next phase of sculptural development in the early 20th century. Sculptors who trained is represented by artists such as D.P Roy in the academic realist style at British art schools Chowdhury, Fanindranath Bose and V. P. worked on secular subjects in a departure from Karmarkar who were influenced by the dignified ancient and medieval Indian norms, where and monumental works of the French sculptor

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Rodin. It was only in the 1940’s and 1950’s that of the late 1930s. And when the new tendencies Indian modern sculpture developed a unique of international constructivism was in force in indigenous language; best represented by the the modern art scene Ramkinkar completed his works of Ramkinkar Baij. He looked afresh at well-known abstract construction ‘The Speed’ in both western and traditional Indian norms, 1950-51. Max Bill in the same year was amalgamating them in a modern context. In a experimenting with a similar kind of distinctive style, he experimented with construction enfolding space in his series of unconventional material such as concrete, gravel sculpture ‘The Endless Ribbon’. The and cement, looking to the rural landscape and achievements in abstract sculpture for which tribal communities for subjects. dozens of western artists took more than a half Indian Sculpture has a base as it provides century from Rodin to Moore and Gabo to Max authentic documentation of ancient aesthetics, Bill, Ramkinkar alone achieved it within his 30 essence and individual identity. While by years of experiments. He was completely maintaining that individualism Indian Sculpture involved in experiments, searching for new has been always moving towards growth. media and ideas of sculpture working freely in At the end of the 1920s when Ramkinkar clay, cement, plaster and stone without any was initiating his experiments with new idioms prejudices. Ramkinkar paved the way of of modern art in Kala Bhavana, the history of experimentation in Indian Sculpture and modern art in the west was already advancing numbers of sculptors came out from the ahead- in the 1930s Surrealism was heading the inspiration of his way. Sushen Ghosh is one of art scene in Paris and elsewhere. Henry Moore them and he was the direct student of was experimenting with reclining figure in Ramkinkar. England. Brancusi installed his Endless Column Only in the late 60’s Sushen Ghosh started in 1937 in Rumania, Gabo and Pevesner were working with visual harmony of mathematical internationalizing the constructivism, working in systems. He paved a new way in modern Germany and England respectively. Ramkinkar contemporary Indian sculpture through his during this period did experiments moving back experimentation of forms. He shows sculpture and forth covering a wide range of stylistic can be created in geometrical forms and placed idioms from impressionistic to expressionistic in mathematical order. He also shows that trends through cubistic, surrealistic and musical rhythm can play an important role in construstivistic abstractions. His Lamp Stand of sculpture. So, it is a need for in-depth study to 1939 is one of the first vitalistic abstract the relation between geometrical forms of sculptures in the world art scene; unlike mere sculpture organization in mathematical order in visual and formal abstraction of cubism which is the context of Sushen Ghosh’s sculptures. In the full of the formal rhythm of force, it rather present study tried to do so. Earlier as a student coincide with the conceptual and formal of Ramkinkar Baij, Sushen Ghosh used to assist approaches of surrealistic sculpture of Jean Arp as a constructive modeler for rendering realistic

Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, Vol. VII, No. I, January- June, 2019 figures in structural or geometrical style. This plain. Despite of having life and vitality much study also attempts to analyze the sculptures of more constructive is this work. One can realize Sushen Ghosh as modern phenomenon. what called energy of form is after seeing this Through, a series of experiments and work. modification Sushen Ghosh has achieved a new Aftermath in 1970 a series of works is done space-form in his sculptures. Sushen Ghosh’s successively based on these same subjects exercises with geometrical forms as elements of Elevated and Vertical. Abstract comes from the sculptures were based on numerical systems and second work. Getting gradually simplified his rendering of formal harmony often combined reducing volume and plain form turns into with visual order. Mathematically proportioned cylindrical. An epitomized form of image is seen geometrical motifs derived from square, sphere, in his last work. Only there are some thick lines and cylinder selected as basic elements of fixing an axis line. A pure construction is it. sculpture and organized with the aid of complex Biological form is gradually transforming into visual principles were placed either vertically, architectonic quality. horizontally, sidewise or diagonally at the centre The next stages of Sushen Ghosh’s work of any measured space, base or ground. The ismainly based on geometrical arrangement. As study also explores into the specific nature of his first example is his famous monumental work work. Constructive clay modeling and making with an architectural quality in front of Nandan iron armature as anatomy of human body and Museum, Kala Bhavana starts yet in 1973, it animal, applying clay following the movements ends in 1978. On this context he states of muscles and finally the skin treatment alias ‘arrangement of shapes in space is like setting surface treatment all those he learns from musical notations in space time.’ According to Ramkinkar. Despite one of his portraits Dr. Janak Jhankar Narzary it is ‘visual harmony Shubhalaxmi in 1964 having a constructive of mathematical systems.’ Some treatment is also notable for its elongation. In ‘mathematically proportioned geometrical 1964 the portrait of Manmit shows with full of motifs’ arranged in vertical order, horizontal expression; more importance given on volume sometimes are in side by side or placed than on plains less. The portrait of Ramkinkar diagonally seem as a ‘complex visual principle.’ along with other works done in 1965 is as strong Would that be a vertical pillar or be a horizontal and constructive as are Ramkinkar’s works. wall in every case it is arranged in proportion. Balance between volume and plain. The gradual Here number is countable. A beauty lies there in extension is in plains seen in his works. In 1968 the proportion. Plains are divided here almost as a significant work he has done is Elevated. A the divisions seen in date palm trees are for man stands in vertical with full of energy raises hanging urn-shaped pot. Every division would his arms upwards as he is about to take his be considered as a note arranged in a rotating flight. What significant in its minimizing order of rhythm is ‘1:2:3, 2:3:1, 3:1:2.’ treatment is in the balance between volume and

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In terracotta a monumental work is there Sculpture is the branch of visual arts that adherent to Sangeet Bhavana seems almost as an operates in three dimensions. It is one of the ancient totem. Some shapes arranged in a space plastic arts, durable sculptural processes are in different orders as 1: 2: 3 :4, 2: 3:4 :1, 3: originally used carving (the removal of material) 4: 1 :2, 4: 1:2 :3; at a near far ordered as and modeling (the addition of material, as clay) 1:1,2:2,3:3,4:4 and in intervals organized in 1:2 in stone, metal, ceramic, wood and other :3:4. These numbers in this work like Aalaap in materials but, since modernism, there has been Hindusthani classical music indicate to each unit an almost complete freedom of materials and well-arranged are as Bandis considered is as a process. A wide variety of materials may be pure constructive work (Chatarjee, 2015) worked by removal such as carving, assembled He loves working in clay then transformed by welding or modeling, or cast his works in metal. He made numerous works in (www.wikepedia.org, 30/11/2016, 09:40 AM). terracotta. Few works done in stone are Sculpture as a form, has extended beyond remarkable. its content and included the context i.e. His intention is to play Classical music space/environment which it occupies. It is no through his sculptures. According to him “Study more about being defined by the white cube of form in science, philosophy, religion and space but defining and creating a meaning which music has important role in my sculpture. One is no longer given or being present in the object can observe silently. One can feel nonverbal discerned by the viewers but it is something that communication.” arises out of an encounter with the viewer in a The Geometrical Forms of Sculpture of specific site (site specific sculptures) Sushen Ghosh Sushen Ghosh explored geometrical forms Modernism is though a break from the to use as a structural basic of pure form and glorious past yet a search for the new that has its mathematical order as system of organization base always in past. It opens up vistas for an and construction of sculpture. He achieves endless and multifarious traffic. The Indian through his series of experiments and Sculpture, similarly, has traversed routes of modification a new space-form object. His development to gain recognition in modern era. rendering of formal harmony is often combined Today Indian Sculpture is internationally with visual order. Mathematically proportioned acclaimed both for its thematic ingenuity and geometrical motifs derived from square, sphere, technical dexterity. Many a sculptor has earned and cylinder are selected as basic elements of name in the contemporary arena of Indian sculpture, organized with the aid of complex sculpture. Their success has invited many more visual principles, placed either vertically, novices to put their best foot forward in this horizontally, sidewise or diagonally at the centre field. Hopes and dreams lead them on. Many of any measured space base or ground. For failed, while some reached the zenith. complex variations a number of motifs or models organized in measured space were often

Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, Vol. VII, No. I, January- June, 2019 multiplied to produce an extended or expanded with the surroundings which were due to the space form construction. Sushen executed in virtue he received through his teacher 1980-81 (perhaps began in 1973) a large sized Ramkinker while working as constructive sculpture as a project for architectural modeler for rendering realistic figures in environment in front of the Nandan building, structural or geometrical style. In a way the Kala Bhavana. The sculpture is conceived in robust structural quality of Cezanne and Picasso relation to architecture, and independent units, Ramkinker introduced in Indian sculpture was of contrasting forms and sizes are constructed at truly understood by Sushen Ghosh and measured distances from each other, but unified transformed through an alchemic combination with a system of mathematical order. The form his innate sense of aesthetic version of geometry is a kind of harmony in contrast, imbued with and order of mathematics. Moreover after his the principle of static dynamism to be fruited return from England he could invent a experienced from different mental and visual newer vocabulary of his own by synthesizing his levels visual experience gained during his study at Conclusion Goldsmith College, London when he Any new trend is established by an encountered and got influenced by the works of influential force of manner necessarily rooted in Theo Van Doesburg, Kenneth Martin, Max Bill, the alchemy of original virtues, innate and Brancusi, Gabo, Pevsner and other received. The new trend of geometrical forms constructivists and minimalists. placed in rhythm in mathematical order that was References established in Shantiniketan first and then spread • Chaterjee, S., ‘Bhaskar Sushen Ghosh’ into the rest of India is analogous to this fact. Department of History of Art, Kala Bhavana, Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan, 2015, Page no 103 The ostinato, like music, in Sushen Ghosh’s • Nandi, Dr. G., “The Fine Arts of Barak abstract sculpture which possess harmonic Valley in the light of Rabindranath’s Artistic interplay between stasis and dynamic has much Aura”, Islam, Dr. M. (ed.), Intellection, Bi- Annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, Vol- to do with the actual alchemy taking place at the II, No-II, Barak Education Society, Silchar, atomic level. Sushen Ghosh has penchant for • (www.wikepedia.org : 30/11/2016, 09:40 Rabindra Sangeet, Hindustani Classical music AM) and moreover he himself played flute and as a • Nath, Dr. P. N., Naveen Shodh Sansar, Works of Sushen Ghosh- Through the Eyes of a contrast to this Sushen Ghosh had been a student Viewer, Asish Narayan Sharma, 2016 page no of science all through his childhood and 170 mathematics was his favorite subject that • Mago, P. N., Contemporary Art in India- A perspective, National Book Trust, India, New inculcated in him. This combination inculcated Delhi, 2001. in him a natural sense of synthesizing numerals • Nandi, G., Robindra Alokeye Borak with notation finally to be reflected in his Upyatakaer charukolo, Rabindra Utsab Shmarak environmental and indoor sculptures. Both his Patrika,11-12 april,2012 • Narzary, J. J., SUSHEN GHOSH, A New environmental and indoor sculptures have gelled Perspective in Modern Indian Sculpture,

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Retrospective Exhibition of Sculpture Sushen Ghosh, Birla Academy of Art & Cuture Present, November 10 to 24, 2006. • Narzary, J. J., Some New Trends in Modern Indian Sculpture, Marg Publication, Bombay, 1978. Personal Interview 1. Sushen Ghosh, Sculptor and Retired Professor, Kala Bhavan, Shantiniketan 2. Sutanu Chattopadhyay, Assistant Professor, Kala Bhavan, Shantiniketan .

Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, January - June, 2019 Vol. VII, No. I ISSN: 2319-8192 Life of Bagala: the Growth of Character; A Blending of Brecht’s verfremdungseffekt and Sircar’s Third Theatre

Aditi Banerjee Matriniketan, North Station Road, Agarpara, Kolkata-700109 ( A.T, at S.U.H.S.School , North 24 Parganas, W.B) Email: [email protected]

Abstract

The paper tries to explore the different kinds of techniques used by eminent playwright Badal Sircar in his Third Theatre play Life of Bagala which is a great example of using modified version of Brecht’s Verfremdungseffekt. Simultaneously the play develops the character of its hero Bagalacharan Batabyal who is a very ordinary boy with no magnanimous quality of heroism. My paper shows how through Sircar’s own version of estrangement effect and his artistry of direction the play shows in simple yet engrossing manner the growth of Bagala’s character- the subtle existential crisis and how he overcomes all oppressive instruments which nearly have succumbed Bagala to committing suicide ; how he realises and makes others realise magic is nothing that remains outside, true magic lies within one’s own self and strength of mind and that magic can conquer anything that wants to suppress our innate nature. Keywords: existential crisis, growth, heroism, character, estrangement effect, verfremdungseffekt, magic, strength of mind. Introduction The play, Life of Bagala has been Badal Sircar has written a variety of written as an ideal to third theatre. The cost is plays among which he has created some plays very minimal as the set is not designed but which are rich in humour, yet these plays have described verbally by the two stage managers. an underlying theme of existential crisis. In “From Vanguard to Avant-Garde? Bagalacharitmanas or Life of Bagala is such a Questioning the Progressive Bengali Theatre of play which is presented in a humorous way to Kolkata” Sudipto Chatterjee has pointed out deal with the character of Bagala i.e. one of the goals of Shatabdi, the performance Bagalacharan Batabyal who does not know the group formed by Sircar: worth or value of his life or existence. The play With his group Shatabdi (est 1967), shows in a unique manner the growth of Sircar started in the early 1970s what he Bagala’s character, through humour, satire and christened the “Third Theatre” movement in by incorporating some magical entity of a fairy West Bengal . . . Sircar’s Third Theatre broke only to represent the deepest desire of every away both from the commercial and the Group being to have some magic or magical change in Theatre by being free in form as well as his life.

Life of Bagala: ...... and Sircar’s Third Theatre ISSN: 2319-8192 finance. His was a kind of “poor” theatre that and practice. I will be discussing this later. rejected money as a means of buying theatre. Presently if we concentrate on Bagala’s The play starts with two stage character we find that Bagala is presented as managers. They are blowing trumpets as if those boys who are bullied by their friends. something really serious is going to happen. Bagala being brought up by his uncle and aunt More they try to emphasize the great stature of with no guidance from his parents as they died the hero, more the play becomes funny as no at his early age has not developed any self hero enters with pomp and grandeur: ‘A simple- confidence. In the mould of hilarious funny looking ordinary hero enters in an ordinary situation, Sircar has presented the grief, agony manner’ (Sircar 53). Sircar has tried to break of not having parents who certainly have a huge the age –old convention of the concept of hero importance in building of one’s personality. who must not always be someone Bagala’s constant harassment by others as bat- extraordinary. A hero can be anyone and that ball and even bagal which in Bengali means Sircar shows when the stage managers finally armpit, has certainly some psychological effect found their hero, very ordinary- amidst the over him. Bagala has never been accepted as audience. The hero’s entry breaks the the member of his uncle’s family. Bagala’s audience’s emotional connection with the story memory is somehow haunted by the treatment and that is exactly what Sircar aims at. He he has got from school to college. But this is wants to make audience aware that the theatre is presented in such a way that the audience not something beyond their reach, the hero is though empathise with Bagala but can never be not an ideal figure with ideal physique, ideal overflowed by emotional surge of losing mental strength and ideal ability of articulation; himself within the grief of Bagala and cannot the hero can be a simple ordinary common man use their reason to realise what is the with flaws and nervousness and frustrations, playwright-director’s actual intentions. The who constantly tries to find the meaning of his boys playing multiple characters constantly existence and fails to discover any value or give a jerk to audience’s imagination and they worth of his life. Sircar has chosen a hilarious are forced to inculcate reason and see the whole name for his hero for a particular purpose. He thing from an objective standpoint. has shown how people find pleasure in bullying The name Bagalacharitmanas in a person just for his name. Bengali is given by copying Ramcharitmanas Another important aspect of Sircar’s by Tulsi Das. Whereas Ramcharitmanas depicts play is that here actors play multiple characters the character of Rama, the incarnation of and actors play the role of anonymous Vishnu as the ideal person on earth in the epic characters. This aspect is seen in this play too. Ramayana, Bagala by no means even remotely Thus it can be related to verfremdungseffekt comes to the status and characteristics of Rama. used by Bertolt Brecht. Sircar has taken the idea Sircar has used it in a mock heroic sense but has modified it according to his own theory without any doubt. Bagala is accustomed to

Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, Vol. VII, No. I, January- June, 2019 bullying and ill-behaviour. He mechanically acting. Sircar has incorporated this idea with obeys all the orders of his uncle and aunt and is certain modification. Brecht has always tried to even afraid of his cousin. But still he is coping make a distance between the audience and the with his life with so many disorders. The actor. Walter H. Sokel in his article “Brecht’s problem arises when his uncle and aunt want to Concept of Character” has stated: get Bagala married to a rich man’s daughter. Epic in Brecht’s theatre Bagala who has not even settled in his own life conforms to the narrative could not even think to manage his life with an stance of the “authorial” novel. unknown girl who is allegedly not beautiful and Perspective constitutes a for which her parents want to get her married to fundamental problem of theatre a gullible boy and want to make a deal with for Brecht and he demanded a money. Sircar has thus shown very subtly the critical – that is authorial – evils of society where marriage is just a deal distancing of the audience from and parents feel insecure for their daughter who the happenings on the stage – is not so called beautiful and they give money an objective attainable only by to Bagala’s aunt and uncle so that they can keep way of critical distancing of the their daughter in their own house and keep actor from his role and the Bagala as their subordinate. The mentality of simultaneous breaks of Bagala’s uncle and aunt is so cheap and they continuity of the action. are so greedy that they take money and order Sircar uses chorus of boys and girls Bagala to marry the girl. Bagala who does not who come on the stage and dance and sing and exerts any courage anytime, somehow feels create a situation that the audience is bound to disturbed at the idea of living as a subordinate be distracted from their empathy with the hero in his in- laws house. He has the spark in or his situation. Sircar has used many children’s himself which he himself is not aware of. His rhymes in his play to add resonance. The character grows gradually. Bengali children’s rhyme: Sircar while building the character of Clap! Clap! Clap! Let’s make Bagala has used in his play alienation or for uncle’s! Clap! Clap! Clap! estrangement effect which he has borrowed Let’s make for uncle’s! None from Brecht though he has modified it. Brecht to bash at uncle’s! Great fun at has been influenced by this effect from Chinese uncle’s! (Sircar 58) acting as we find it in Douglas Robinson’s which is of great fun to the children, is here Estrangement and Somatics of Literature: used to create a completely opposite effect as Tolstoy, Shklovsky, Brecht. Both Brecht and Bagala is the most uncomfortable being in his Sircar were influenced by the acting of Charlie uncle’s house. When Bagala begins to speak Chaplin for his acting method was physical about his condition at his uncle’s place that he acting. His physical gesture is crucial to his is even afraid of Mantu, his uncle’s little son

Life of Bagala: ...... and Sircar’s Third Theatre ISSN: 2319-8192 and the audience are in the verge of having existing political entities when sympathy and feelings for the misfortune of Mitchell wrote) tend to deny Bagala ; Sircar used an estrangement effect by any connection between making the two stage managers coming and Shklovsky and Brecht; the idea retelling everything in such matter of fact that Brecht learned or borrowed manner that it creates a kind of funny effect for or even translated Shklovsky’s which audience’s reverie is broken and they priyom ostraneniya as the basis come to see that it is actually a play and the for his Verfremdungseffekt . . . reasoning within them begins to work . superseding the emotion which was almost Bagala’s dialogues which could have there to control them. This estrangement effect an impact on audience is just cut off with the is certainly adapted from Brecht who “learned conversation of two stage managers. the Verfremdungseffekt from Mei Lanfang’s BAGALA: Got bashing later impromptu performance in Moscow of the on too... in the hands of master Chinese acting styles popularly known as Mantu, uncle and aunt’s worthy Beijing Opera, and his major influences are descendent! therefore Chinese for generally Asiatic.” This is STAGE MANAGER 1: clarified by Douglas Robinson in his Nonsense! He doesn’t let us Estrangement and Somatics of Literature: say anything! What kind of Tolstoy, Shklovsky, Brecht. In the same book in Stage managers are we? chapter “Three : Verfremdung: Brecht’s STAGE MANAGER 2: Then Estrangement Theory” we find Stanley let him speak. We’ll only blow Mitchell’s elucidation regarding the connection the trumpet. (Sircar 59) between Brecht’s idea and Shklovsky’s: The difference between the stage As Stanley Mitchell noted in managers, the chorus and the main character is 1974, the split between blurred’ therefore creating the effect which is scholars who trace the etiology Brechtian in flavour. When Bagala is forced by of Brecht’s Verfremdungseffekt his uncle and aunt to wear dhuti and kurta for back to Shklovsky and those which they have even spent money, Bagala’s who trace it back to the gestures of fretting with wild dance and German tradition (especially clenched teeth and constantly expressing the Hegel and Marx) tends to run futility of his life are certainly going to make along ideological fault lines: the audience interested and involved too much Marxists in the former German within his character. But at the very climactic Democratic Republic (GDR) scene where the audience are anticipating of and Soviet Union (both of what Bagala would do next – the stage which, of course, were still managers come

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STAGE MANAGER 1: This BAGALA: Afraid of lizards, needs explanation. It is not afraid of cockroaches, afraid of hysteria. Our hero often resorts spiders ... to manifesting his anger and STAGE MANAGER 1: Fed suppressed wrath in this up! Can’t go on any longer. manner. Let’s exit making an end! STAGE MANAGER 2: In STAGE MANAGER 2: Let’s solitude and in subdued voice. go. Blow the trumpet. Because he could never attain (They blow the trumpets. the personality to speak his BAGALA stops and covers his mind clearly in someone else’s ears.) (Sircar 63) presence. (Sircar 62) As Bagala is continuously speaking Sircar is constantly using alienation monotonously the stage managers got fed up. effect as it seems that two scenes are occurring This is perhaps the connectivity with the simultaneously- Bagala is constantly audience through estrangement effect that is the proclaiming of what he is afraid while the stage audience would want to think in a serious way managers constantly interrupt and continue the about Bagala’s crisis but the presence of two dialogues of Bagala. The stage managers are stage managers and their activities and supposed to be there for the audience and dialogues are making a serious situation funny. Bagala should not interfere with them. But the If Bagala’s crisis is shown in a very serious stage managers are addressing him and he is manner that might affect the audience, but it is acting in the way they wish. A heightened shown objectively by the hilarious interruptions example of estrangement can be given: of the stage managers and the audience are BAGALA (continues bound to be distanced and not to be engulfed by meanwhile): Afraid of the emotional surge. fishmongers, afraid of the In this context we now can see Brecht’s grocers, afraid of the bus concept of character as stated in Walter H. conductor-s, afraid of the peon- Sokel in his essay “Brecht’s Concept of s, afraid of cows, afraid of dogs Character”: ... Brecht by no means intended to STAGE MANAGER 1: As a eliminate emotional servant without wages and a identification with his private tutor of the son ... characters. His purpose was STAGE MANAGER 2: merely interrupt again and Louder. Can’t hear you! again the process of identification and to lead the spectator out of character after

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he had put him there. The actor The play through its various techniques must build up his role in such a develops the character of Bagalacharan way that he identifies with his Batabyal. The stage manage 1 says that Bagala character but does not does not have the courage to defy orders of permanently lose himself in their uncle and aunt. The stage managers relate him. thus: Almost something like this happens in this play STAGE MANAGER 1: And of Sircar. He interrupts again and again and the Bagalacharan did not have the audience cannot completely lose emotion but at courage to defy their order- the same time the whole action of the play lead even the order given by their the ‘ spectator out of character’. son who reads in class seven ... According to Brecht as we find in STAGE MANAGER 2: They Sokel’s above mentioned essay knew this for certain, and The actor is to be the therefore indulged in the “philosopher” who furnished possible pleasure of grabbing- with knowledge of the future, no, no- securing fifty thousand conceives the figure in such a rupees. way that it can be judged. This judgment, however, is not a STAGE MANAGER 1: But Last Judgement pronounced tarring their face, our hero from eternity, but a judgment resolves to disappear into thin of the social utility of human air. See, this is how you use behaviour. language ... (Sircar 64-65) In Bagala’s case, Bagala’s clenching This kind of structure of telling the teeth, dancing wildly, teeth gnashing is story of Bagala is used by Sircar to give the certainly reflective of his future actions which play its effect. The story of Bagala can be will be shown in the course of discussion. The related in a straight-cut manner by which his two stage managers play an immensely vital heroism can be stressed. But instead of role as they produce the funniest effects with achieving courage by a miraculous dashing their matter of fact descriptions and the deed Bagala gathers his courage by uttering the theoretical representation of the hero’s life. word “Bastard” which he has heard million They present it in such mock-heroic way that times but it has never come out of him. the audience listened to the life struggle of the Bagala’s uttering of the word Shala (a Bengali hero but always oscillate between their emotion slang) is shown as a huge deed in a mock heroic ad rationality. The hero’s behaviour certainly sense: reflects the social utility of human behaviour.

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BAGALA: . . . Bastard! . . . . Sircar’s use of anonymous character is how beautiful! How effective! characteristics of his third theatre. In this play Bastard (louder) Bastard! It’s two characters are given a name i.e. Bagala and giving me nerve! Bastard. I’m Nila (Nilpari) and a character who does not gusty. Now I can lie too. . . . exist in action but only in other’s dialogues i.e. (Sircar 65) the son uncle and aunt is given a name Mantu. Bagala’s repetitive use of Bastard and getting The rest of the crew are anonymous. Singing inspired by it is completely contradictory to the and dancing of the boys is used as a device of high flown language of a traditional hero with a the Third Theatre. Another noteworthy device majestic speech through which he would show is description of action of the characters by the his anguish and his way to overcome it. Bagala stage managers rather than acting and thus has also done something which he were never managing the time as well as this is used as an expected to do – Bagala lies to his aunt and alienation effect for the audience: finally escapes to avoid his mismatched STAGE MANAGER 1: The marriage. As Bagala escapes befooling his aunt return of the Uncle. saying that ten rats are nibbling his dhoti, his STAGE MANAGER 2: Uncle- uncle goes to find him with aunt’s idea to offer Aunt dialogue. (Sircar 69) local boys money to catch Bagala. Here the The stage managers said to the audience that setting of the scene is not changed. Again the they know what will happen next, but they do stage managers enter. not have the right to speak as the playwright- STAGE MANAGER 2: Local director has not given them the right to speak. boys gossiping. With these they clearly indicate to the audience STAGE MANAGER 1 (gives a that there is no need to think it as a reality; this hard look): Sorry. The is a play, acting is going on and everything is neighbourhood boys whiling happening with the direction of the playwright. their time away. (Sircar 67) The second part starts with Bagala’s The effort of stage manager 1 of rectifying the lengthy dialogue. language to a more formal tone adds up to the BAGALA: Could you tell me humorous moment of the play. He is trying to what for you’ve given birth to maintain the gravity of the situation but the such a child? What made you audience finds its futility. During the interaction call me by this name?- None between the boys and the Uncle , the boys focus there! No father, no mother, no on the character of Bagala. heaven, no hell, no god, no BOY 1: Nibbling dhoti? demon, no ghost. Only I exist! BOY 2: Rats? Bastard Bagalacharan Batab ... BOY 3: Batball said? Then it’s Yes, Bastard! Dad and mom, true. (Sircar 68) you too ... no,no, it’s going too

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far! Bastard Uncle! Bastard character which creates magic and even magical Aunt! And the greatest bastard fairy is obliged to learn earthly activities. of all bastards is Bagalacharan Bagala inspired by the old man and the fairy do Batabyal! (Sircar 71) utter the word bastard to gain strength from it is Bagala’s words clearly reflect his existential a sharp strike on the so called dignified oratorial crisis. After leaving his so called shelter Bagala use of language that is supposed to give one is realising the pain of his existence. He cannot courage, integrity and strength. Both the old find the meaning of his existence. He feels man and Nila act as counsellors to nullify exhausted and thinks of committing suicide. At Bagala’s fear. this juncture the play takes another dimension NILA: The base of his fear? with the introduction of fairy to Bagala by the (THE OLD MAN nods) old man who prevents him from committing Mainly uncle and aunt. Their suicide. The fairy appears with striking of a rough treatment and orders lighter and does whatever she is ordered by the since childhood. Besides, all person who strikes the lighter and only the poking fun – as a result he got person who strikes the lighter can see her. highly, what do they say- Bagala is very much confused and afraid to sensitive, about his name. strike the lighter. He seems to be a typical good OLD MAN: Bravo! I think boy who does not have any connection with any your diagnosis is good enough. act that can be regarded as prohibited for an Now what about the therapy? ethically good man. Bagala is terrified at the Way out? suggestion that Nila, the blue fairy can be his NILA: Don’t know exactly. girl friend. From such stance it can be said that But I think if he could stand Bagala’s character is shaped by Sircar as a once boldly facing his uncle typecast of average Bengali boy who is not at and aunt ... (Sircar 93) all exposed to social crudeness who does not When the old man insisted Bagala to go and have any voice and who even finds it terrifying confront his uncle and aunt, Bagala was puzzled to have any interaction with girl. Sircar has and could not gather courage and is advised to created a fantasy character to initiate a change write a letter which he will give them as well as in Bagala’s character. Sircar with his fine 10000 rupees given by Nila. The booted up artistry has interwoven a fantasy character of a Bagala’s spirit, making him realise that he fairy to break the myth that only magic or already possesses guts or it could never be miracle can change one’s life or perspective and possible for him to leave his uncle and aunt give strength to his character. disgracing them and venture into a new world Sircar has used the fairy tale just to with just 3 rupees and 75 paise. Bagala abolish the notion that magic can change life. remembered what made him act like that. Instead he shows that its one’s strength of

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BAGALA (ashamed): It’s ... The first forward movement scene can be seen it’s a dirty word ... never in television or movie where it can be done by uttered it before. Suddenly that using techniques of camera, but the actors doing day ... (Sircar 96) this is certainly commendable and it is certainly Bagala hesitates to pronounce it in front of the a unique theatrical technique used by Sircar. old man and the fairy , but as he has Regarding the whole performing pattern, pronounced it “ Bagala is getting courageous. settings, props another side of Sircar needs to He is speaking louder” (Sircar 97). Here lies the be highlighted. Sircar had borrowed it from mastery of Sircar. In his crisp way he has Polish theatre director and theorist Jerzy presented the crisis, but certainly with humour. Grotowsky and he himself had admitted that he That moment is crucial as the audiences are on had only directly borrowed from Grotowsky’s the verge of getting emotionally involved with Laboratory Theatre. Life of Bagala is performed Bagala, Nila and the old man –Sircar again as Third Theatre which is mainly performed in introduces stage managers three and four so that the bare space with audiences at four sides. In the scene does not become monotonous. The this context we can see that Grotowsky has presented the scene with such crisp matter of worked upon actor- audience relationship as we fact manner that the audiences are bound to find in “ Grotowsky’s Laboratory Theatre : alienate from the play. Dissolution and Diaspora” by Robert Findley STAGE MANAGER 3: On and Halina Filipowicz : completion of scribing the letter ... The earliest explorations of the (From here onwards fast group during 1960s led toward forward-ed- writing, folding of research into the actor’s art and the paper: NILA supplying an by extension into experiments envelope; the letter being put in with the actor/ audience the envelope; a bit of talking; relationship and the the lighter is struck by arrangement of theatrical space. BAGALA on being told by the Grotowsky’s masterpiece Apocalypsis’s OLD MAN; exit of NILA.) performance pattern can certainly be regarded STAGE MANAGER 4: A bit as an inspiration for Badal Sircar’s Third of tete – a tete. Exit for bathing Theatre plays among which Life of Bagala is and food ... one. Though the subject matter is different and (Exit quickly BAGALA and the Sircar has created his plays according to his OLD MAN) locale i.e. Bengal, the concept of stage STAGE MANAGER 3: The performance is inspired by Grotowsky which return after meal. Nila is can be justified from the same essay by Robert beckoned. Findley and Halina Filipowicz: (Quick entry, etc.) (Sircar 98)

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Apocalypsis was performed Sloth, coward, idler- all with six actors (five men and a Brooms in your hands, have a ball. woman) in a totally bare space, (All come and join. Exit all the actors while surrounded on four sides by the singing and dancing with brooms in their audience, with only two hands.) (Sircar 110) spotlights aimed obliquely Conclusion toward the floor, and a Nila finally learns to do jobs by herself and minimum of properties: a loaf not by magic. Bagala helps her. The final song of bread, a knife, and some of Bagala and Nila is the crux of the play. candles. Sircar though introduced a magical fairy in his What makes Life of Bagala an play but finally he has shown that magic lies interesting experience is the growth of character within oneself. When Bagala creates the magic of Bagala. Apart from all the techniques and from his own strength of character the real structures it has a beautiful storyline of a boy magic mesmerizes everybody – his uncle and who transforms himself from a Zero to a real aunt and even his fairy Nila. Sircar succeeds to hero for in reality a hero is a person who can create a magic on stage with his Third Theatre. take control over his own life, who can protest Works cited: against the wrongs done to him, who can 1. Sircar, Badal. Two Plays- Indian History explore his true hobby and liking. Bagala Made Easy, Life of Bagala, Trans. Subhendu finally gathers courage to confront his uncle Sarkar. Oxford University Press, 2010. and aunt. When Nila constantly pushes him to 2. Sudipto Chatterjee, “ From Vanguard to give the letter to his uncle and aunt Bagala Avant-Garde? Questioning the Progressive succeeds as a true human being: Bengali theatre of Kolkata” in James Martin BAGALA: No. I won’t give the Harding and John Rouse ed. Not the Other letter. I don’t need the letter. Avant-garde : The Transnational Foundations (He tears up the letter. Throws of Avant-garde Performance, University of it away.) (Sircar 105) Michigan Press, 2006. p. 215. ProQuest Ebook Bagala finally wins the battle with his own self, Central, https://ebookcentral-proquest- Nila becomes his pal, no longer a maid or girl com.library.britishcouncil.org.in:4443/lib/britis friend. Bagala’s long cherished hobby of hcouncilonline- singing which he could never exert before is ebooks/detail.action?docID=3414759. now adored with his companion Nila: 3. Sokel, Walter H. “Brecht's Concept of BAGALA-NILA: Magic doesn’t help a real Character.” Comparative Drama, vol. 5, no. 3, attempt 1971, p. 182. JSTOR, JSTOR, Do away with it at this moment www.jstor.org/stable/41152557. Come with brooms, running Clean the filth by sweeping

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4. Robinson, Douglas. Estrangement and the 1971, p. 188. JSTOR, JSTOR, Somatics of Literature : Tolstoy, Shklovsky, www.jstor.org/stable/41152557. Brecht, Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008, 7. Findlay, Robert, and Halina Filipowicz. p. 169. ProQuest Ebook Central, “Grotowski's Laboratory Theatre: Dissolution https://ebookcentral-proquest- and Diaspora.” The Drama Review: TDR, vol. com.library.britishcouncil.org.in:4443/lib/britis 30, no. 3, 1986, pp. 202-203. JSTOR, JSTOR, hcouncilonline- www.jstor.org/stable/1145757. ebooks/detail.action?docID=3318399. 8. Findlay, Robert, and Halina Filipowicz. 5. Sokel, Walter H. “Brecht's Concept of “Grotowski's Laboratory Theatre: Dissolution Character.” Comparative Drama, vol. 5, no. 3, and Diaspora.” The Drama Review: TDR, vol. 1971, pp 182-183. JSTOR, JSTOR, 30, no. 3, 1986, p. 203. JSTOR, JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/41152557. www.jstor.org/stable/1145757. 6. Sokel, Walter H. “Brecht's Concept of Character.” Comparative Drama, vol. 5, no. 3,

Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, January - June, 2019 Vol. VII, No. I ISSN: 2319-8192 An Ideal, Emancipated Woman: A Fantasy or Reality?

Janu.V.Kumar Assistant Professor, Department of French Cochin College, Kochi Email: [email protected]

Abstract This chapter focuses on the plight of economically emancipated modern women in the society. It is a retrospection of the emotional and physical trauma she is subjected to during the course of her personal as well as professional life. The feminist movements and ideologies stressed on the financial empowerment of women which has definitely been a boon to her. But in the present scenario, drastic measures should be implemented to emotionally emancipate the modern women of our society. There is an undeniable need to eradicate evils like emotional labour, gender pay gap, discrimination based on appearance and sexual harassment at work. Another noticeable challenge that working women face is a work-life imbalance, which jeopardises their family as well as career. In the attempt to find a foothold, they lose their own identity. This alters the idea of what true emancipation should be. Keywords: Emotional emancipation, empowerment, discrimination, gender pay-gap, economic emancipation, multi-tasking, emotional harassment

Women are the real architects of the society- Harriet Beecher Stowe Introduction fighting for their political, social and A woman’s position has changed economical status. Technology and immensely and is making its greatest modernization have also created new prospects impression in our society today. Long ago, for improvement around the world. From an era women’s benefaction to society was where women were expected to stay at home insubstantial and presided over by men. Now, and take care of the ménage, the transformation women are standing tall and are representing has been tremendous. Government laws and its major roles in many significant domains. This subsequent amendments have witnessed larger change in women’s role seems to be at an inclusion of women with respect to their accelerating rate and can be witnessed in areas position in the society. There have been such as politics, professional training jobs, monumental changes for women in terms of medicine, business and law. Women’s access to employment in the past decades, with women education plays a pivotal role in contributing to gaining entrée into paid employment outside this transformation. They have become aware the homes in ways that their foremothers could of their rights and have emerged strongly only dream of. In superpowers like the US, for

An Ideal, Emancipated Woman: A Fantasy or Reality? ISSN: 2319-8192 the first time, in 2011, women occupied slightly always well behaved. Emma Goldman, in ‘A more than half the workforce. Women are documentary History of the American years, gaining access to jobs that used to be reserved Volume 2’, says that she fears if they had exclusively for men. Even those women formed a union, the young man would have working in factories and sweatshops have more risked freezing to death. She says that she can choice and liberty than if they remained at see nothing beautiful in this new beauty, who is home. Worldwide debates and discussions as cold as the stone walls and floors she dreams regarding the true liberation of women were of. Is this the ideal emancipated woman? The being held. More emphasis was given to the man who adores her, fears her wisdom and economic emancipation of women. It has perfection. The author has portrayed her as a definitely brought woman economic equality modern, ideal, emancipated woman. But she with man; that is, she can choose her own seems to be emotionless or rather emotionally profession and trade. But how far is this process enchained by her idealistic perfection. The of emancipation of women working out? Who main drawback of the emancipation of the is this emancipated woman? She is often urged present day lies in it artificial stiffness and its to exhaust all her energy, use up her vitality and narrow respectabilities, which produce a hollow strain every nerve in order to reach the market in woman’s soul that will not permit her to value. The emancipated woman is always drink from the fountain of life. The words scrutinized by the society; be it in the family or liberty and equality for woman were uttered workplace. She is subjected to a lot of with a lot of hope and aspirations. A new challenges and is almost always expected to be awakening is what we hoped for. The woman perfect. There is a kind of rigidness to that was to be free to govern her own destiny. But epitome of an ideal emancipated woman. The the emancipation of woman, as elucidated and French writer, Jean Reibrach, in one of his practically implemented today, has miserably novels, New Beauty, attempts to portrait the failed to achieve that goal. As Emma Goldman ideal, beautiful, emancipated woman. The ideal states, now, woman is confronted with the is epitomized in a young girl, a physician who necessity of emancipating herself from talks very cleverly and wisely, who is an emancipation, if she really desires to be free1. embodiment of kindness1. A young man who This definitely sound paradoxical, but is, she converses with was overawed by her undoubtedly the reality. wisdom and ultimately realises that he loves Challenges to emotional emancipation of her. But he never tells her of his love as he is women: From the ménage to the workplace not one to commit romantic absurdities. He Women are constantly striving to attain silences the voice of his nature and remains perfection in everything they do. Though to a silent. She too, is always exact, always rational, certain extent they are economically 76

Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, Vol. VII, No. I, January- June, 2019 independent, an alarming majority of these abilities in a daily scenario in the general emancipated women are not emotionally population. Around 66 women and 8 males satisfied. According to clinical psychologist, aged between 18 and 60 years old were put Linda Blair, a perfectionist is a person who through this test. The performance of both the strives for flawlessness, for a perfect creation, groups were compared based on various aspects outcome or performance2... This thirst for like overall accuracy of task completion, total flawlessness has emotionally enslaved the so time taken to complete the task, whether the called emancipated woman. They neglect their participants forgot to carry out the tasks and health, relationships and wellbeing in pursuit of whether they managed the interrupting events a perfect outcome. These women feel insecure, in the best possible manner. No massive miserable and dissatisfied with their position differences were found between men and and social status more than their foremothers. women in terms of serial multi-tasking These economically powerful women are often abilities4. More studies are being held in this seen to be socially and emotionally shattered. regard. But still it is quite justifiable to There is a sense of bewilderment in the conclude that the evidence for the popular women’s mind as to what should be their actual notion that women are better multitaskers is role in life. She constantly juggles multiple fairly weak. By bestowing her with this title, roles as a home-maker and a career woman. she is exposed to enormous pressure which Judith Petres Balogh in her fiction ‘The tends to make her emotionally vulnerable. She Countess and her daughter’ throws light on the constantly struggles, trying to juggle the emotional oppression faced by the countess various roles assigned to her – wife, mother and who mastered the art of juggling her duties as paid employee. And as mentioned earlier, the mother, wife and partner in such a way that perfectionist in her plays a considerable part in nobody ever noticed the effort behind it and no subjecting her to fatigue and role overload. The one ever found it amazing that she was always challenging demands of such roles may also available3. There is a popular belief that women cause conflict and psychological stress. Women are better at multi-tasking. But recent studies are persistently seeking balance between the prove the contrary. Paul Burgers, professor, various roles adorned by her. Most often she University of London, developed a fails miserably. At several instances, she is computerized task-CMPT,that was designed to advised to prioritize. But how can the ideal resemble everyday life chores and at the same emancipated woman do that? If she prioritises time, was based on the most comprehensive her profession, she would be portrayed as a theoretical model of multi-tasking activities. selfish heartless woman, concerned only about This study was employed to assess whether her career and less concerned about the well there are gender differences in multi-tasking being of her children. On the other hand, if she 77

An Ideal, Emancipated Woman: A Fantasy or Reality? ISSN: 2319-8192 is more inclined towards her family, she would domain. This has definitely generated be termed unprofessional. It is a reality that financially secure women brimming with women of today have the liberty to choose their extraordinary levels of confidence. They appear profession. But still in many parts of India, the to stride forward with their heads held high. It jobs of working mothers are looked upon as is certainly a matter of absolute pride. But to a optional and less significant than their great extent, this representation of an partner’s. This makes the situation more economically liberated woman is more or less a difficult for the working woman. There have visual imagery sans esprit. That is merely a been incidents where the working mothers felt reflection of her external self. In the process of so guilty that some even quit their jobs to securing a foothold in the profession of her reduce the stress. Though she is financially choice, she has to confront gargantuan levels of emancipated, the fundamentally deep-rooted discrimination. Women professionals are not feeling of inequality and discrimination still met with the same confidence as their male persists due to domineering attitudes of males counterparts. And those who have managed to and the age-old customs and traditions6. A few reach that alluring equality have done so at the modern educated women may look upon expense of their physical and emotional well- themselves as enlightened and progressive. being. There are quite a number of industries They even try to ape the western way of life but where women are paid much lesser than their the deep-seated inhibitions and archaic male counterparts. The revelations about the restraints always throng their mind. In the gender pay gap in cinema, professional sports society, women might get a lot of hypocritical and certain other fields are outrageous. respect, but at home their equal rights and Historically the pay gap has been catered for by privileges are a mere delusion. Studies have beliefs that women are meant to stay at home or shown that majority of men wanted their wives doubts that they could perform the jobs as to work outside the family for financial reasons efficiently as men. Thus they earned lower but they were not willing to share the salaries, even as they stepped into the household chores or help in managing the workforce in larger numbers. These days, the children. Her sincerity towards all argument is made vivid by the fact that women responsibilities is exploited. A woman should still execute an unbalanced share of household be able to experience a sense of happiness work and child care, so are more likely to work while handling these responsibilities. She part time, work from home or quit their jobs should be allowed to be her true self and yet in after child birth. When the U.S passed the oneness with others. Equal pay act in 1963, American women One cannot be oblivious to the stupendous earned around 60 percent of what men did. achievements of women in the professional Over the next 30 years the difference was 78

Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, Vol. VII, No. I, January- June, 2019 reduced in half to about 80 percent, but has abilities. In which sense is she less competent been relatively stagnant since the 1990s. The than her male counterpart? How she is not Nordic countries are often lionized for having considered eligible for an equal pay? The near economic parity but they still have female psychological impact of this discrimination is workforces that receive at least 15 percent less deep and it has adverse effects on the mental salary than men on an average7. Recently an and physical health of the working woman. A article in the Economic Times divulged that survey titled ‘Elephant in the Valley’ sought the women earn 20 per cent less than men, pointing opinions of more than 200 women with at least out that gender is considered an important 10 years of experience in the tech field. These parameter while determining salaries in India. women included corporate officers, founders According to the latest ‘Monster Salary Index’ and venture capitalists who revealed that they (MSI), men earned a median gross hourly feel undesirable in the office. This is mainly salary of Rs 231, compared to women, who because women find it difficult to strike the earned only Rs. 184.8. This analysis is based on right balance without being judged as too harsh the Wageindicator data-set covering the period or too fragile. So there is a possibility of being of 3 years, from 015 to 017. As per the survey, misunderstood by the colleagues. Around 84 a majority of respondents (69 per cent) said per cent of women have been accused of gender equality needs to be a top priority as behaving too aggressively. There is also a only 10 per cent organisations have a solid disparity in the kind of tasks assigned to them gender diversity programme. Data from a and around 47 percent of these women report recent government report show that in urban being asked to do lower level tasks never asked areas, a woman with a graduate degree gets of their male counterparts, like taking notes or paid Rs. 690.68 per day in the transport and ordering food. Two-thirds of the women storage sector while a man gets 30 per cent surveyed also said they felt excluded from more at Rs. 902.45. In agriculture, an illiterate social or networking opportunities because of woman worker in Rural India earns Rs. 88.2 their gender9. Denise Brosseau, now CEO of per day while an illiterate man receives Rs. Thought Leadership Lab shared an incident that 128.52, which is 45 per cent more. The global hurt her while working at a tech company in wage report 2016-17 published by the Silicon Valley. Her boss once at the elevator International Labour Organization in 2016 has ignored her presence and invited her male raised an alarm with the revelation that the colleagues to play golf. She felt totally out of gender pay gap in India, at 30 per cent was place at that moment. She even remarked how among the highest in the world8. This sort of no one wants to be excluded from any discrepancy affects the self-confidence of meetings, events or activities due to the gender women and in a way questions her skills and difference. This would hamper the self-esteem 79

An Ideal, Emancipated Woman: A Fantasy or Reality? ISSN: 2319-8192 of the employee which in turn would have a Conclusion negative impact on the quality of work While acknowledging the issue of performed. When faced with such issues of emancipation of women, more procedures discrimination on a regular basis, women feel should be undertaken by the policy makers to emotionally harassed. This would not only ensure that women are extensively made aware damage their careers, but would also alter their of their rights and the various legal measures physical and psychological health. Sexual that exist to protect them. Explicit gender bias harassment at the work place is also a has largely disappeared from the workplace due tormenting issue for women. MacKinnon to such tough legislation and increased focus on defines sexual harassment as “the unwanted diversity. But this has in turn made the shift in imposition of sexual requirements in the issues more subtle and these challenges have 10 context of an unequal power. ” McLaughlin et taken a different form from those encountered al advocate that “sexual harassment is used as by previous generations of women. By bringing an equaliser against women in power, rather awareness to these issues, women could 11 than instigated by sexual desire .” The overcome their fear and talk about the agony enforcement of the laws on prevention of instead of remaining mute. The actual aim of sexual harassment at the workplace is not the movement for woman’s emancipation was strictly undertaken by many organizations. The to enable women to be human in the truest women feel insecure and work in constant fear. sense. All artificial barriers were to be This too has adverse effects on her confidence demolished and the path towards greater liberty level and emotional health. Another issue was to be cleared. But through mere external which women deal with is emotional labour. emancipation, modern woman has transformed Studies reveal that women shoulder the into an artificial being. She has long forgotten majority of responsibility in relationships, both the art of expressing her inner qualities. in their careers and at home. They are not only Integrating work with life is definitely a underpaid across professions, but much of this challenge. But life would be easier if parental invisible work, known as emotional work goes responsibilities and other household chores are unrecognised. Gemma Hartley, author of “Fed shared with the other members of the family. Up: Emotional Labor, Women, and the Way The ideal situation is when every member of Forward” explores the mental load women the family helps around the house. This could carry. She says emotional labour is a combat the issues of role overload and reduce combination of emotion management and life physical and psychological stress. Working 12 management . The undervalued emotional and mothers need to feel their work is significant mental obligations and commitments cause a and that they are not sacrificing their child’s lot of trauma in women. well being in order to benefit themselves. 80

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Emotional empowerment of modern woman is 7. Suddath C. “Why women earn less”, the inevitable need of the hour. This is the only Bloomberg,4, April, 2018, means to create an ideal, emancipated woman. https://www.bloomberg.com/quicktake/why- References women-earn-less-than-men. 1. Goldman E. “Anarchism and Other Essays” 8. “Gender pay gap scenario daunting in Second revised edition. New York & London: India, women get paid 20% less than men”, Mother Earth Publishing Association, 1911. Economic Times, 07,March,2018, Pp.219-231. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazin 2. Blair L. “Am I a perfectionist?” The es/panache/gender-pay-gap-scenario Guardian.com 22 June 2016, 9. Krans B. “How Hostile Workplaces Harm https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2 Women’s Health”, Healthline,13 January 2016, 016/jun/22/am-i-a-perfectionist-google. https://www.healthline.com/health/womens- 3. Petres-B J. “The Countess and Her health-hostile-workplace. Daughter” Trafford Publishing (2003-06. 10. Paul F E. “Sexual Harassment as Sex 4. Laloyaux J. , Laroi F. , Hirnstein M. Discrimination:A Defective Paradigm”, Yale “Women and Men are equally bad at Law and policy review,Volume 8,issue Multitasking” Harvard Business Review,26 2,Article 9 pp334, 1990. September 2018, 11. McLaughlin H. , Uggen C. , Blackstone A. https://hbr.org/2018/09/research-women-and- “Sexual Harassment, Workplace, Authority and men-are-equally-bad-at-multitasking. the Paradox of Power”, American Sociological 5. Mondal P. “Essay on problems related to Review, DOI: 10.1177/0003122412451728, women in India”, pp. 626,627 http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/essay/essay- 12. Beck J. “ The Concept Creep of Emotional on-problems-related-to-women-in-india/31316. Labour” The Atlantic, November 26,2018, 6. Mondal P. “Essay on problems related to https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/201 women in India, 8/11/arlie-hochschild-housework-isnt- http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/essay/essay- emotional-labor/576637/ on-problems-related-to-women-in-india/31316.

Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, January - June, 2019 Vol. VII, No. I ISSN: 2319-8192 Understanding “Rationality”: An Analytical Nuancing Swarnali Roy Choudhury Research Scholar, Department of Philosophy Assam University, Silchar Email: [email protected]

ABSTRACT The quintessence of man’s ascendancy in the existing taxonomical order lies primarily on his being a “rational animal”. Rationality acts as the yardstick that demarcates the human class from all other classes of living organisms. But Rationality is not a simple notion; it is a multi- layered complex concept that needs to be analytically dissected in order to ooze its desired nuances. This paper is an attempt to analytically explore the different strands through which “Rationality”, as a theoretical foundational concept, can be understood. The idea here is to accentuate the importance of a proper understanding of Rationality, so as to ensure a basal framework upon which various philosophical and inter-disciplinary works can be structured. This is done by engaging with the conceptual analysis of Rationality, and elaborating upon two different ways of understanding Rationality as an Attribute – one as an “adjective”, and the other as a “noun”. The paper concludes with an appraisal of the notions of “resource-limited rationality” and “ideal reasoner” from the perspectives of Artificial Intelligence, which further contributes to the understanding of Rationality. Keywords: Rationality, Analysis, Ideal Reasoner, Resource-limitation, Artificial Intelligence.

SECTION- 1 would be accepted by all that Rationality The Concept of Rationality is an attribute. However simple this may Analysing any concept requires seem, it does exactly what Plato’s two- rigorous dissection of the various layers world theory did – explaining a concept in that cloud the meaning of a concept. In terms of a new concept which itself my opinion, the idea of a “simple stands in need of explanation. As the concept” is a myth, and it surely won’t proposed way of understanding Rationality be an exaggeration to assert that no is through that of rigorous analysis, so it philosophical concept is ever simple, and is but necessary to first understand the that the concept of rationality is no notion of attribute. But for simplicity’s exception to this. In fact, Rationality is a sake, I would not indulge in a layered concept. Analysing it would philosophical analysis of Attribute. require us to unfold the different I rather propose to understand the connotations it bears and the various notion of attribute from the standpoint of perspectives through which its meaning English Grammar. In English Grammar, surfaces. The stepping stone to this is to an attribute is understood as something ask the question – What is Rationality? It that says more about the noun. Now, it

Understanding “Rationality”: An Analytical Nuancing ISSN: 2319-8192 is but commonplace, based on this rational animal is so fundamentally description, to designate an attribute as an accepted by all that rationality has come adjective, which adds description to the to be recognised as the essential property noun. Attributes, thus understood, can be of the human class which separates it used only as an adjective, which qualifies from all other classes of organisms. So a specific substratum. This understanding much so that the proposition “ Man is a of attribute relates to its being a quality rational animal” is taken to be an instance possessed by a subject. But on analysis, of analytic proposition, the kind of it can be seen that this attribute-adjective proposition in which the predicate is relation goes the other way round – an contained in the subject. What this means adjective is always an attribute, but an is that – if the predicate term is dissected, attribute is not always an adjective. This it would be conceptually equivalent to the notion is exemplified from the following subject term, and that the terms “man” and instances which portray the different “rational animal” can be used usages of an attribute - one as an interchangeably. I here propose to argue, adjective and the other as a noun – following Quine’s rejection of i. The strong lady single-handedly fought analytic/synthetic distinction, that the with the thieves. statement “Man is a rational animal” is ii. The strength of the lady allowed her not an analytic statement, and then chalk to single-handedly fight the thieves. out its implications by focusing on the In ( i), the attribute is used as an enigmatic rationality/irrationality debate adjective, whereas, in ( ii), it is used as a which has occupied an important place in noun. So, set-theoretically speaking, an the recent considerations of the rationality adjective is a subset of attributes. With issue. this contention, there are two possibilities Quine in his paper Two Dogmas of to answer the question “What is Empiricism argues that the Rationality?” – the first is to accept analytic/synthetic distinction is rationality as an attribute and the other is unsatisfactory and hence unacceptable. He to consider it as a noun. And these two does so through two approaches – one, the possibilities have been dealt with in the meaning-approach and the other, the truth- following two sections. approach. I too will adopt these two SECTION- 2 approaches here to show that the Rationality as an attribiute (used in the statement “Man is a rational animal” is sense of an adjective) not really analytic in nature. Following the When Rationality is understood as meaning-approach, my argument is this – an attribute in the adjectival sense, it takes the form of a quality possessed by It has been the tradition to a substance. Following a Lockean distinguish analytic propositions from understanding of substance, it can be synthetic propositions on the basis that argued that the quality of rationality analytic propositions are ultimately cannot hang loosely in the air and thus reducible to the form of an identity- needs a substratum to support it. That statement like “A is A”, whereas, substratum for rationality is, accepted synthetic propositions cannot be so without much disagreement, the human reduced. So, in my chosen example, the being, and this human creature is not statement “Man is a rational animal”, unknowable. This view of man being the qualifies as an analytic proposition 83

Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, Vol. VII, No. I, January- June, 2019 because it can be reduced to the form of examines one further type of approach by “A rational animal is a rational animal”. which positivists and others have sought This is because, “man” means “a rational to provide a clear criterion for making animal”, and so, given their meaning- the distinction between analytic and equivalence, they can be replaced to get synthetic statements.” 3 In this approach, an identity statement. But what Quine the distinction is affected by appealing to rightly points out here is that this the notion of a prioricity or independence replacement is affected by appealing to of experience. Aprioricity is considered to the notion of Synonymy or sameness of be the mark of an analytic statement. But meaning. “Quine argues that this Quine rejects this view by proposing the traditional method for identifying analytic “holistic thesis” – statements is unsuccessful, since in “He shows that when we take into appealing to the notion of synonymy or account the grounds upon which we sameness of meaning it makes use of a accept the truth of a statement, as well as concept that is just as unclear and in the grounds upon which we may find need of further analysis as is the original necessary to reject or modify our claims concept of ‘analyticity’.” 1 Thus, this to know the truth, we can no longer draw appeal to synonymy carries in it the the kind of distinction previously appealed germs of Platonic two-world pitfall, and, to between [analytic] a priori statements therefore, fails to crystallize the concept (those whose truth is assured, no matter of Analyticity. There have, however, been what) and the synthetic a posteriori ones attempts to clarify this notion of (those subject to confirmation and Synonymy by postulating what it is. But disconfirmation by sense experience). The such attempts, Quine holds, are equally alleged distinction is a faulty one, because unsuccessful. Considering one such any statement is open to modification or attempt, Munitz writes, “… those who have rejection. There are no analytic statements attempted to render it [Synonymy] clear as such, forever immune to all revision or have used arguments or doctrines that are rejection.” 4 highly questionable. If, for example, one What Quine emphasises on here is were to attempt to clarify what that “truth-determination” requires us to ‘synonymy’ means by saying it is a consider the total network or web of matter of how, in fact, people use two beliefs in which a single individual expressions interchangeably, this makes statement features. Given any alteration in synonymy depend on empirical the network, a statement can move from (sociological, historical) facts of linguistic centre to periphery or vice-versa. So, no usage.” 2 This attempt is unsuccessful statement can be tagged as “absolutely” because in order to explain analyticity, it analytic by nature. Now, in addition to this takes recourse to experience, which is the holistic thesis, I would like to propose hallmark of synthetic propositions. Thus, another way of dismantling -the truth- the meaning-approach fails to maintain approach to analyticity. In the truth- the sharp cleavage between the analytic approach, what is stated is this – and the synthetic, and so, the statement If p is a priori, then p is analytic and “Man is a rational animal” cannot be if p is a posteriori, then p is synthetic. categorically called analytic in nature. But with the advent of Immanuel Kant, The second approach adopted by there has emerged the notion of synthetic Quine is the truth-approach. “Quine a priori judgements. The proposition “2 + 3 84

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= 5” is, according to Kant, a synthetic a answering the question – Are humans priori proposition. It is a priori because its rational? There are two diametrically truth is independent of experience, and yet opposed responses to this question – one it is synthetic, because the predicate is not that asserts that humans are rational, while contained in the subject. So, there can be the other which asserts that humans are a proposition p which is a priori as well irrational. These two opposed views as synthetic. Hence, “aprioricity” cannot be represent the rationality thesis and the the ultimate test for “analyticity” – because irrationality thesis respectively – “the after Kant, it has lost its Exclusivity. It is rationality thesis says that human not the case that only analytic reasoning competence matches the propositions are a priori; synthetic normative principles of reasoning (that is, propositions can also be a priori. So, it can the rules embodied in our reasoning be safely concluded that the statement competence are the same as those that “Man is a rational animal” is not we ought to follow), while the irrationality exclusively analytic in character. The thesis says that human reasoning implication of this is to put a question competence diverges from the norms (that mark on the view that rationality is an is, the rules embodied in our reasoning essential property of man. In other words, competence are different from those we this can take the shape of a fundamental ought to follow).” 5 The underlying question, the answer of which radically assumption of these theses is the belief in changes the ideal picture of rationality - the Standard Picture of Rationality, Are humans rational? Or Is man according to which, there are normative necessarily rational? principles of reasoning and humans have An interesting way of answering this or have not the capacity to determine question is to look at the rationality vs. what these principles are and act irrationality debate, with which accordingly. The defenders of the contemporary scholars have extensively rationality thesis hold that humans have been engaged in. What lies at the core of the competence to grasp these principles this issue is the notion that Rationality is and act accordingly, while those favouring an ability or a capacity or competence to the irrationality thesis argue that humans be reasonable. This idea of Rationality as lack any such competence. The advocates Ratiocination, or as a noun, is explored as of the irrationality thesis ground their the second possibility. claims on instances of mismatch between SECTION- 3 human reasoning and the normative Rationality as ratiocination (used in the principles of reasoning. They cite results sense of a noun) from reasoning experiments that display The understanding of Rationality as instances of such mismatch. One such a capacity or competence to reason is reasoning experiment is the conjunction – very different from understanding it as an experiment, where this kind of mismatch attribute possessed by a particular is seen – subject/substance. Here, Rationality attains “SUPPOSE a friend of yours is talking an autonomous status, an independent about his new friend Linda. He identity. It is no longer a subject- tells you that Linda is single, 31, bright, dependent property. But this improved- outspoken, and that, as a college status accorded to rationality brings with student, she majored in philosophy and it the difficulties of categorically was concerned with issues 85

Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, Vol. VII, No. I, January- June, 2019 of social justice. Given all your friend has cases of irrationality are only told you about her, rank the performance-errors and humans as such following statements in order of the are rational, because they have rational likelihood that they will be true of competence. Linda: What is interesting here is that this (1) Linda is active in the feminist entire debate regarding human rationality movement. stands on the notion of rationality as a (2) Linda is a bank teller. capacity or competence that surfaces in (3) Linda is a bank teller and is active in the feminist movement. instances of reasoning. But this capacity If you are like most people, you ranked has parallelly been understood as (3) as being more probable than resource-limited rationality or finite (2). This, however, is a mistake: (3) cannot competence. The following section be more probable than (2), attempts to explore this notion of because (2) is true whenever (3) is.” 6 resource-limited rationality and its arch- Here, the Conjunctive principle that opposed concept of an Ideal Reasoner. one should not attach a lesser degree of SECTION 4 probability to an event A than to both Rationality: Resource-Limitation, Ideal the event A and the event B occurring, Reasoner and Ai has been violated by the subjects of the The Standard Picture of Rationality, experiment. “It cannot be more likely that discussed in the previous section, is Linda is a bank teller and a feminist than grounded on Normativity. It has in its it is that she is a bank teller because in back – drop the notion of an idealised every case in which Linda is a bank teller situation wherein human reasoning would and a feminist she is also a bank teller.” 7 be so configured as to always be in On the basis of such reasoning accord with the normative principles of experiments, the advocates of the reasoning. Such an idealised conception of irrationality thesis claim that humans are rationality gives birth to the idea of an irrational. Ideal Reasoner. “Theories of ideal But the defenders of the rationality rationality are concerned with an ‘ideally thesis counter this by appealing to the rational agent’ whose beliefs are always distinction between Competence and consistent and ‘closed under logical 10 Performance. They argue that such cases of implication’.” This means that an ideal reasoning-mistakes are actually performance rational agent always achieves Deductive – errors. They hold that “…always doing Closure. “An ideal agent’s beliefs are what the norms of reasoning dictate is deductively closed, or closed under logical clearly not a necessary condition for implication, if and only if, any proposition counting someone as rational, since a logically implied by some of those beliefs 11 person can make all sorts of mistakes in is itself also believed.” reasoning without being disqualified as Now, deductive closure is possible rational.” 8 To substantiate this point, only for an ideal rational agent – an agent Stein gives the following example – “I can who is free from all resource – limitations have the capacity to do something (for or human finitude, like memory, attention, example, ride a bike or apply modus time, place, etc. Technically, it is not ponens) and yet not display that capacity possible for such an ideal agent to exist. on a particular occasion (for example, And even if we consider the possibility because I am tired or drunk).” 9 So, the of its existence in some non-human 86

Understanding “Rationality”: An Analytical Nuancing ISSN: 2319-8192 intelligent system, like the A.I., then also, fulfil, and to avoid failure.” 14 Thus, it is a deductively closed agent will never be a possibility that with some major able to recover from inconsistency. In technology enhancements, it would be connection to this issue, Harman writes, possible to construct some artificially “Could an ideal agent’s beliefs be intelligent system which would be a self- inconsistent? If these beliefs were also conscious deductively closed agent, and deductively closed, the agent would then which would then be able to recover believe everything, because everything from inconsistencies. Such achievements follows from inconsistency.” 12 To would, minimally, actualise the “myth” of substantiate this point, Harman considers an Ideal Reasoner, and maximally, open a an example of recovery from wide array of different possibilities of inconsistency by an ordinary non-ideal understanding the various shades of rational agent – rationality. “An ordinary non-ideal rational To conclude, it may be said that agent, Tamara, believes that Bill is in his Rationality, with its myriad interpretations office, but when she looks into the office, and nuances, is a multi-dimensional no one is there. At least for a moment, concept that needs to be patiently Tamara has inconsistent beliefs, believing analysed for a wholesome understanding both that Bill is in his office and that no of its theoretical and practical import. one is in Bill’s office. Tamara quickly Being a layered concept, it requires and painlessly recovers from this analytical unfolding to assess its meaning- inconsistency by dropping her belief that dimension. So, from a critical analytical Bill is in his office, concluding that he perspective, Rationality functions as the must have stepped out for a moment.” 13 backdrop upon which all intelligent But if this momentary inconsistency rational endeavours are carried out. crept into the beliefs of a deductively Notes and References closed rational agent, he would have never 1, 2 Milton K. Munitz, Contemporary been able to recover from it, because Analytical Philosophy (London : there would be no trace to find out how MacMillan Publishing Company, 2007) he acquired this inconsistent belief. So, the 358. 3 Munitz 359. concept of Ideal Reasoner is a myth, and 4 the resource – limitation of rationality Munitz 361. 5 Edward Stein, Without Good Reason : must be duly considered while attempting The Rationality Debate in Philosophy and to conceptualise Rationality. Cognitive Science (Oxford : Clarendon However, with the growing Press, 1996) 10. availability and improvisations on 6 The reasoning experiments that are Artificial Intelligence (AI), it might well usually employed to test be possible for an ideal non-human rationality/irrationality, are often “formal- reasoner to recover from inconsistency. logical” by nature, like the cited And that would fructify once the “conjunction-experiment”. Stein 01. 7, 8 intelligent system becomes “self-aware”. Stein 07. 9 “AI theorists propose it is possible to Stein 09. 10 determine what an AI’s fundamental Gilbert Harman, Reasoning, Meaning drives will be. That’s because once it is and Mind (Oxford : Clarendon Press, self-aware, it will go to great lengths to 1999) 21. 11 Harman 21-22. fulfil whatever goals it’s programmed to 87

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12 Harman 22. • Harman, Gilbert. Reasoning, Meaning 13 Harman 22-23. and Mind. Oxford : Clarendon Press. 1999. 14 James Barrat, Our Final Invention : Print. Artificial Intelligence and the End of • Munitz, Milton K. Contemporary Human Era (New York : St. Martin’s Analytical Philosophy. London : Press, 2013) 08. MacMillan Publishing Company. 2007. Works cited Print. • Barrat, James. Our Final Invention : • Stein, Edward. Without Good Reason : Artificial Intelligence and the End of The Rationality Debate in Philosophy and Human Era. Cognitive Science. Oxford : Clarendon • New York : St. Martin’s Press. 2013. Press. 1996. Print. Print.

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Ethnicity and Ethnic Conflict - Evidences from North Eastern Region of India Prakash Khundrakpam Independent Researcher Bonepa Attila, Near St. Xaviers' School, Tura West Garo Hills District, Meghalaya - 794001 Email: [email protected]

Abstract

Ethnicity, one of the most contested concepts in social sciences, refers to the cultural or historical affiliations of an individual. The North Eastern Region (NER) of India, with its distinct culture and historiography is home to several ethnicities that have in recent times asserted their identities; mostly in the form of violent ethnic conflicts and insurgency movements. The paper attempts to differentiate ethnicity from several other similar yet academically different terms such as communalism and racism. Having done so, the paper proceeds to chart out the process of transformation of relatively peaceful multi-ethnic societies in the NER into arenas of ethnic conflicts and chaos. The paper also coins the peculiar phenomenon of “the wave factor” that is crucial in the development of ethnic conflicts. The paper concludes with several suggestions to resolve and ameliorate ethnic conflicts in the region. Keywords: Conflict, ethnicity, communalism and wave effect. Introduction ii. a shared belief by group members in the The world ethnic has been derived from myth (or historicity) of common ancestry the Latin word ‘ethniko’ which means and descent, common identity. In common parlance, iii. the presence of historical memories among ethnicity is considered to be the mobilisation group members (as interpreted and diffused of a group of people who share common over generations, often verbally), attributes in terms of culture, language, iv. a distinctive shared culture; association religion or history. However, on more strict with a specific territory or ‘homeland’ and terms, ethnicity, like all other concepts of v. a sense of common solidarity and common the social sciences is essentially a contested religion, if there, can be cementing force. concept-contextual, situational and Objectives relational. Smith (1993) stated that ethnicity The main objectives of the paper are: has the following characteristic bases: i. To draw distinctions between ethnicity, communalism and racism, i. a distinct group name in order to be ii. To chart the process of transformation of recognized as a distinct community by both relatively peaceful ethnic cleavages to ethnic group members and outsiders, conflicts and

Ethnicity and Ethnic Conflict - Evidences from North Eastern Region of India ISSN: 2319-8192 iii. To enumerate various cultural, economic and India do not claim singular loyalty to the state political determinants of ethnic conflicts with nor question loyalties of other groups to the special reference to the North Eastern Region state. But, what they do seek is differentiation, (NER) of India. autonomy and secession. The assumption that Ethnicity, Communalism and Racism – ethnicity warrants ethnic conflicts, is also The Traditional Triplet misleading, as explained later. What essentially The relationship between ethnicity and separates the two is that ethnicity need not be communalism is that of a thin line. While violent whereas all forms of communalism scholars like Paul (1991) uses ethnicity and evolve sooner or later into political and social communalism interchangeably, it would be wise violence. It is to be stressed here that ethnicity to establish boundaries between the two. Gupta and communalism can turn into one another in (2005) provides a subtle differentiation between the changing context of time and space and that the two. Ethnicity to him denotes mobilisation of is what precisely makes the differentiation so a group in relation to another group with difficult. reference to the nation state. An ethnic group There are also differences between thus, either proclaims itself to be the real ethnicity and racism even though sociologists adherent of the faith in the territory of the like Marger (2014) draw no distinction between state/nation or questions the loyalty of another the two. Marger views ethnicity as the synonym group to the state or nation. In this opinion, any of race. However, other contemporaries suggest mobilisation based on culture or history, but not otherwise. First, race is unitary. An individual in relation to the attributes of a nation state is can only have one race, while one can claim mere communalism and not ethnicity. In doing multiple ethnic affiliations. For example, a child so, Gupta seems to presume that ethnic conflicts born of inter-culture marriage between a South are inevitable as the definition of ethnicity itself Indian Tamil and a North Indian from Bihar can warrants it. However, the criteria that an ethnic claim ethnic affinities to both Tamil and Bihar, group is always mobilised in relation to a nation- assuming the child is exposed to both the state appears cosmetic. An ethnic group need not cultures by the parents. Another fundamental mobilise itself with reference to the nation state. difference is that ethnicity is a social construct It can thus merely seek to establish a based on cultural affiliations, while race is commonality between its members and to biological. For example, a Mizo child adopted differentiate from other groups. Gupta’s just after birth and brought up in Punjab by formulation is however understandable as it was Punjabi parents is ethnically Punjabi. The child based in Western India and centered on the will feel Punjabi, eat Punjabi food and know forces of Shiv Sena and Akali Dal, ethnic cum Punjabi culture. However, his/her race remains political forces which claimed such singular Mongoloid and not Aryan like other Punjabis. loyalty to the state. Ethnic groups in the NER of Moreover, one can choose one’s ethnicity while

Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, Vol. VII, No. I, January- June, 2019 race is imposed on an individual and cannot be Belongingness, taking pride and a public changed. acknowledgement of one’s culture gives people Ethnicity thus is a very fluid concept and is a sense of security, rootedness and most very contextual and its definitions change with importantly identity. By contrast, a weak and respect to space and time. Quoting one of the fractured cultural identity leaves people feeling most influential political scientists of all time, isolated and frustrated. Isaiah (1959), “the vagueness of the concepts, What then propels essentially harmonious and the multiplicity of the criteria involved, is an ethnic relations to ethnic conflicts and downright attribute of the subject-matter itself, not of our violence? Before we attempt to enumerate the imperfect methods of measurement, or various social and economic reasons of ethnic incapacity for precise thought”. conflicts, the paper would attempt to study a Having distinguished ethnicity from other very peculiar phenomenon that is seen in the similar terms like communalism and racism, this evolution of ethnic conflicts from ethnicity. The article will treat ethnicity as the state or fact of author prefers to coin it “the wave effect” as a belonging to a commonality based on culture relevant term for it is absent in the existing and history. Ethnicity would thus denote literature. “cultural identity”, the desire to establish it in The wave effect is the rampant spread of case of its absence, or to preserve it in case of the ideas and actions of hatred, violence and fragmentation. ethnic disharmony among the otherwise From Ethnicity to Ethnic Conflicts harmonious ethnic groups in a short amount of It is a common misconception that time. It spreads exponentially like wildfire and is ethnicity and ethnic conflicts are one and the very difficult to control. same. Although ethnic conflicts are derived from It differs from propaganda in the sense that ethnicity, all forms of ethnicity need not result in while propaganda is misleading information or conflicts. To put an end to this misconception, it news designed by an authority and used to should be remembered that while ethnicity is the promote a political agenda or cause; the wave idea and ethnic conflict is the clash of ideas. effect does not have concrete origins nor is it Inter- ethnic group relations when harmonious centrally designed by some authority. The origin do not cause conflicts. It thus follows that of the wave effects are shrouded in mystery and ethnicity, contrary to what is thought in are hard to trace. It is understood that it sprang mainstream circles, and is not always “bad”. In out of ethnic discontent but the exact location, this, belongingness to an ethnic group is situation and cause is hard to determine. The desirable in the sense that human beings are not wave effect also differs from mob action. While “unencumbered selves” or “atomized” but mob action requires the physical presence of the concrete social beings. The real identity of a mob in the location, the wave action need not human being is located within a social grouping signify the physical presence of actors. It need and ethnicity is one such grouping. not signify even “action”. It can be merely an

Ethnicity and Ethnic Conflict - Evidences from North Eastern Region of India ISSN: 2319-8192 idea, and a fiery devastating one at that; strong iii. Lack of Employment: It is said that the enough to disrupt the harmonious relations youth are the pillar of the nation. However, it is between two ethnic groups and cause chaos. ignored that it is also the youth that can spell The wave effect also differs from “false ruin and devastation of it. The youth signifies news”. False news as the name implies news that energy, emotions and the desire to do and is objectively false. The wave effect need not be achieve something. Lack of opportunities for based on false news but can be based on true, them results in the youth being frustrated and objective news. Although during the progression make them prone to radicalisation and influence of the wave effect, the news might become of any emotional appeal. The energy of the exaggerated and fabricated, the essential youth is thus channeled by the wave effect to foundations of the wave effect might have been further and to perfect the phenomenon of ethnic on true, objective news. disharmony. Certain conditions are favorable for the “wave The wave effect is seen frequently in the effect” to take place. They are: NER of India, a region that shows the presence i. Technology: Internet connectivity and the of all the above three factors. The introduction growth of social media have been crucial for the of high speed internet such as that of Reliance phenomenon. People tend to believe almost Jio has proved to be a driving factor in everything they see on the internet, if presented increasing the phenomenon of wave effect in the in an emotional manner, appealing to the basic region that formerly lacked proper internet human instincts of pain, sadness, discontent, connectivity for the general public. The ethnic helplessness etc. Irrespective of whether the rivalries between the bigger tribe and on the news is true, false, or fabricated; social media other side, various ethnic groups of the region; takes it to a whole new level. New additions to ethnic rivalries between the NER and mainland the “wave” are made at each level or by each India and the issue of ethnic conflict between individual until the wave effect gains maturity Assam and Mizoram on the border issue have and spreads at a lightning pace. been spread by the “wave effect”. ii. Lack of Education: People lacking sufficient Determinants of Ethnic Conflicts: education tend to be more affected by the wave North East India, comprising 8 states effect. It is true that well educated people can houses a plethora of cultures and communities. also be religious or ethnic fundamentalists, but it It is thus a breeding ground of ethnic groups. is also not wrong to say that the majority of the Ethnicity in the region shows a very peculiar and people who are fundamentalists are less distinct characteristic. While most ethnic groups educated. The lack of education results in a lack in other parts of the nation and the world focus of cognitive thinking and reasoning to question on identification and differentiation from other the authenticity of the “wave effect” or the ethnic groups; ethnicity here ironically shows mental firmness to not be swayed by it. the trend of identification and amalgamation of small ethnicities into a large ethnic group, with

Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, Vol. VII, No. I, January- June, 2019 the so formed large ethnic group attempting The modern welfare state is a construct that identification and differentiation from other has taken upon itself a large number of large ethnic groups. Important factors for such responsibilities; arguably more than it needs to. an attempt to fuse a larger ethnic identity by The state has become responsible for the amalgamation is the belief in a common ancestry regulation of practically all aspects of life of its and more importantly, political aspirations. The citizens- from healthcare to education, from infusion of various smaller tribes into the larger insurance to law. It is therefore, only natural that tribes is an example of this. the citizens would expect more from the state. It The following paragraphs attempt to list is natural if the citizens expect better healthcare, and study several determinants of ethnic better educational facilities and so on. However, conflicts and ethnicity in the NER of India. It is with increase in population and crunch on to be noted here that the mentioned determinants resources, most democracies including that of are not exhaustive but are the ones that bear the India fails far short of meeting such high-rise most importance in region. expectations of the citizens (which it initially i. Modernisation and the State: At first glance, promise either through electoral politics or it might seem absurd to state that modernisation manifestos). In the end, it comes down to the is one of the main reasons for aggravating state being assessed by its citizens as inadequate, ethnicity and ethnic conflicts. The nation distant and most importantly, a failed apparatus building, modernisation perspective went on to that does not deliver. At the same time, the state that ethnicity would be eliminated once the ability of the citizens to influence the state has processes of nation building and modernisation declined swiftly. The bureaucracy stands in the is complete. Implicit in their understanding is way of the ordinary citizen and the ruler. the assumption that ethnicity is a “traditional”, Decentralisation and ideas of e-governance has “feudal” value that stands in contradiction and removed some of the impediments but inferior to modernisation and nation building. In interactions between the citizens and the the modernisation theories, traditional identities government remain largely confined to a minor such as ethnicity and related conflicts were section of educated, middle class citizens with supposed to disappear in the course of access to proper technology and channels. As a development. result, loyalties of the citizens start shifting to However, the last few decades have proved more value laden, traditional and small that these assumptions are seriously flawed. groupings. A return to ethnicity is thus Ethnicity has stood its ground in the face of facilitated. modernization, resisting attempts of Effective governance is the ideal way amalgamations and uniformity. Contrary to forward. Recent attempts of the government for eliminating traditional identities like ethnicity, “minimum government, maximum governance” modernization has surprisingly aggravated such are noteworthy in this regard. Local self- traditional identities and conflicts. government would bestow a sense of

Ethnicity and Ethnic Conflict - Evidences from North Eastern Region of India ISSN: 2319-8192 participation on the ethnic groups, preventing The latter are resentful because their economic them from radicalisation. Grievance redressal success is not reflected in full social and mechanisms need to be in place in case of failure political acceptance in the multi ethnic society. of any state machinery to fulfill welfare Human nature being what Hobbes had called demands. “self- interested”, it is natural for the ethnic ii. Relative Deprivation: Relative deprivation is group with better economic success to demand best explained by Gurr (2010) as a gap between more social acceptance and political power. Any the expectations and the present (real or contest from the other ethnic groups seems to perceived) situation of a person/group vis-à-vis frustrate the social and political aspirations of economic situation, political power and social the economically successful ethnic group. This status. Relative deprivation conforms to Lenin’s sets the scene for conflicts. view that it is the feeling of being exploited The Indian state of Meghalaya is the classic rather than the exploitation itself that makes a example where ethnic conflict, although non- person revolutionary. Relative deprivation thus violent and relatively peaceful, is present due to emphasises the psychological aspect of conflicts. the concept of relative deprivation. The Garos In a multi-ethnic state or society, it is not just the demand a separate state feeling they have been poorer or deprived ethnicity that instigates a deprived. The Khasi and Jaintias together have conflict. The ethnic group that have done well also raised a similar demand, although they are feel that they could do much better if only their economically better placed than the Garos. future was not tied to the other ethnic groups in The only viable long-term resolution the structure of a single state. The deprived mechanism here seems to “inclusive growth” as ethnic group on the other hand feels the same; envisioned by the 11th Five Year Plan. Bridging that they would do better alone, perceiving the the difference in the levels of economic better ethnic group as their depriver. development experienced by the different ethnic Rothschild (1981) explains this beautifully groups is crucial. Short term measures like stating that ethnic assertiveness today appears to reservations and handicaps should be utilised be the keenest among the least successful and with precautions as it can amount to mere those who have been the most successful ethnic “appeasement” of one ethnic group, thereby groupings.The former resent at their failure, increasing the frustration of the other ethnic perceiving the other ethnic group’s success to be groups. the reason. As Hobbes (1651) had so eloquently iii. Resource Competition: Ethnicity can be in stated, the power of one resists and hinders the many cases, a “façade” for deeper socio- power of another. This result in what Hobbes economic cleavages. Kellas (1994) opined that had called “a power struggle” culminating in a material and economic interests are the sole “state of war”. In the modern multi ethnic factors that actually define ethnic conflicts. It is society, this state of war manifests itself in the individuals who seek their own advantage who form of ethnic conflicts. play the card of ethnicity to secure scarce

Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, Vol. VII, No. I, January- June, 2019 resources. It is to be noted here that resources appeasements, ceasefires, reservations and so can be either political or economic. on. Attempts to completely resolve such The state of Manipur exemplifies the best conflicts with deeper insights are the need of the example of ethnic conflicts arising out of hour. Such conflict resolution mechanisms resource competition. The people in the valley- include legislation of new laws, acts of redress, The Meiteis have continuously demanded an precedent setting Supreme Court judgements “Inner Line Permit (ILP) System” on the lines of and if needed, redrawing state boundaries. On the system already present in Arunachal the part of the ethnic groups, it would involve Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram to check the sacrificing some of their customs, attitudes and flow of migrants into the state, which is facing a values for the greater good, that is, conflict severe crunch of resources – economic, political resolution. and even cultural. The hill tribals on the other iv. Elite Competition and Electoral Politics: hand, have opposed the demand. The hill areas Politics in a multi ethnic society is, to put it are already governed as a special area under bluntly, a messy affair. Appeals to caste, creed Article 371C, which prohibits outsiders from the and ethnicity to secure votes are common in the state and even the valley areas of the state from Indian political scene. There are various reasons buying land and settling in the hill areas. The for doing so. One of the main reasons is to tribes subscribe to the notion that the imposition appeal to the basic, animalistic raw nature of of ILP would render Article 371C void, thereby human beings- that of self-interest and group rendering the hill areas liable for settlement by dynamics. By appealing to the electorates in the valley people viz. the Meiteis. ethnic terms, a political party can garner support As the state or any other entity cannot overnight. create unlimited resources, negotiation seems to The elites thus use already existing ethnic be the only logical method of resolution here. cleavages to secure political goals, deepening However, negotiation would work effectively them in the process and making conflicts only in combination with other factors. In inevitable in the long run. It is to be noted that addition, negotiation should aim at “conflict the instigation and aggravation of ethnic resolution” and not “conflict settlement”. conflicts by the elites is a distinct drawback of Conflict resolution involves a complete the democratic political system and electoral transformation of the relationship and dynamics politics in India. between the conflicting parties that eliminates It is ironic that strengthening democracy the cause of the conflict. Meanwhile, conflict and the process of electoral politics is the only settlement is a temporary rational or legal resolution mechanism, for a problem caused by compromise of specific issues at a specific time. democracy and electoral politics itself. While The Government of India has mostly dealt with some might call for dismantling democracy so the ethnic problems of the NER on a that electoral politics and elites cannot appeal to “settlement” basis such as temporary and deepen ethnic cleavages, it should be noted

Ethnicity and Ethnic Conflict - Evidences from North Eastern Region of India ISSN: 2319-8192 that democracy at least provides another chance Practically, the Indian nation state and the every few years, to dispose of any representative Central government has (or assumes it has) or party that utilises such appeals or misuses bigger primary problems than the problems of ethnic cleavages for political gain. Any other the North-East, the periphery. The feeling of form of government falls short in neglect revitalises the prospect of “ethnicity” as accommodating ethnicity. What is needed then a means by which the periphery can escape the is not the forsaking of democracy but the bondage of internal colonialism. strengthening of it. Short term measures can As mentioned above, “inclusive growth” is include proper restraints on mobilisation through the key. With respect to the NER, the Indian ethnic or other group appeals that are harmful to government has taken up significant steps to the society, legitimate restrictions on the ignite and sustain growth. The establishment of freedoms of speech, press and media; the statutory North Eastern Council in 1971 as strengthening the Election Commission of India the nodal agency for the economic and social and so on. In the long run, democracy should development of the NER is noteworthy. General attempt to awaken the people so that the people measures aimed at inclusive growth include the in turn can take onus on themselves to “purify” setting up of Niti Aayog in 2015 with foci on the democratic process. This can be brought “cooperative federalism” and “bottoms-up” about only by proper education- education not development approach. What is needed is to centered on literacy or rote learning but on a strengthen the functioning of such bodies and complete harmonious development of an grant them autonomy if needed. individual vi. Cultural Deprivation: Cultural deprivation v. Internal Colonialism: The idea of internal may be real or perceived. What is common is the colonialism is perhaps the most important idea feeling of insecurity among ethnic minorities behind ethnic conflicts in the NER vis a vis the and the fear of getting lost in the sea of majority. Indian nation state. Developed by Latin Cultural deprivation results from discrimination American writers based on dependency theory, and oppression by the majority, the state the theory of internal colonialism argues that the identifying itself with the majority or the relationship between the “core” community homogenisation process implicit in nation within the nation (mainland India and central building. In all cases, the threat to their identity government) and the periphery (North East, state instigates a radical return to ethnic groupings governments and tribal groups) are characterised and instills a sense of hostility towards the state by exploitation. or other ethnic groups. As the small ethnic groups in the region are The state should shed its homogenisation or characterised by a small population and minimal nation building process of creating a singular representation in the national assemblies, they national identity. It is high time that the state lack the political power to effect peaceful, yet adopts the policy of multiculturalism. strong constitutional demands on the nation. Multiculturalism, in simplest of terms, refers to

Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, Vol. VII, No. I, January- June, 2019 the descriptive cultural diversity that arises out well as the state governments must thus find of racial, ethnic and linguistic differences. It also ways to resolve and foresee such conflicts. To connotes a normative positive endorsement (not do so requires not only the know-how of the negative) of the diversity based on the premise most appropriate techniques of conflict that it is necessary for existence of the society or resolution and management, but also a holistic that it provides benefits to the society at large. and deeper understanding of the ethnicities in Politics of recognition, culture and identity, question- of their attitudes, natures, identities minority rights and diversity within unity are the and the manner in which they are enmeshed and central tenets of multiculturalism. enwrapped with each other. Multiculturalism is also not to be confused References with pluralism in this regard. Pluralism is • Banton, M. (1983). Racial and Ethnic essentially a liberal strand that does recognise Competition. Cambridge, New York: Cambridge differences but does not seek to preserve them. University Press. Their end goal is the dissolution of differences • Barth, F. (1969). Ethnic Groups and and bringing uniformity. Multiculturalism on the Boundaries. Boston: Little Brown. other seeks to preserve such diversity and would • Bell, D. (1975). Ethnicity and Social Change do so by granting differential rights of self- In Ethnicity, Glazer N. and Moynihan D.P., government and poly ethnic rights. The Indian eds.,Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, constitution recognises both of them, while the 141-174. current USA gives primacy to pluralism but not • Gans, H. (1979). Symbolic ethnicity: the multiculturalism as is evident in the idea of the future of ethnic groups and cultures in America. uniform “American dream”. However, Ethnic and Racial Studies, 2, 1-20. recognition of the ideals of multiculturalism is • Geertz, C. (1963). The Integrative not enough. It should be rigorously pursued. Revolution: Primordial Sentiments and Civil Culture and ethnicity should not be antagonistic Politics in the New States. In Old Societies and to social cohesion but rather promote it and New States, C. Geertz, ed., New York: Free multicultural policies would achieve just that. Press.105-157. Conclusion • Gupta, D. (2005). Learning to Forget: The It is time to realise that ethnicity not only Anti-Memoirs of Modernity, USA: Oxford has survived the onslaught of modernity but has University Press. often re-appeared and reasserted itself in • Gurr, T. R. (2010) Why Men Rebel? societies in which it was thought to be gone or Colorado: Paradigm Publishers. unimportant. The issue of how to deal with multi • Hobbes, T. (1651). Leviathan or The Matter, ethnic states and ethnicity thus remains Forme and Power of a Common-Wealth significant today even in the face of increasing Ecclesiasticall and Civil, London: Green globalisation and modernisation. Ethnic conflicts Dragon. are thus ubiquitous. The Indian government as

Ethnicity and Ethnic Conflict - Evidences from North Eastern Region of India ISSN: 2319-8192

• Isaacs, H. (1975). Basic Group Identity: the Idols of the Tribe. In Ethnicity: Theory and Experience, Glazer and Moynihan, D. P. eds., Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 29- 52. • Isaiah, B. (1959). Two Concepts of Liberty.London: Oxford University Press. • Joseph R. (1981). Ethnopolitics, a Conceptual Framework Columbia: Columbia University Press.

• Kellas, J. G. (1994). Nationalism and ethnic conflict: the contribution of political science to political accommodation. Studies in East European Thought, 46,(1-2),105-117. • Marger, M.(2014). Race and Ethnic Relations: American and Global Perspectives. United States: Cengage Learning. • Paul, R. B. (1991). Ethnicity and Nationalism: Theory and Comparison, New Delhi : Sage Publications. • Ross, J. A. (1982). Urban development and the politics of ethnicity: a conceptual approach. Ethnic and Racial Studies. 5, 440-456. • Smith, A. D. (1993). The ethnic sources of nationalism. Survival. 35,148-52. • Stack, J. F. (1986). The Primordial Challenge. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. • Wsevolod, W. I. (1979). Definitions of Ethnicity, 79, (6) at Occasional Papers in Ethnic and Immigration Studies, Ontario: Multicultural History Society of Ontario.

Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, January - June, 2019 Vol. VII, No. I ISSN: 2319-8192 Sexspionage, Predators and the Butterfly: a Reading of David Henry Hwang’s M.Butterfly

Debaditya Mukhopadhyay Assistant Professor of English Manikchak College, Malda, WB Email: [email protected]

Abstract

The play M. Butterfly by David Henry Hwang has been studied chiefly as a play that problematizes Gender Stereotypes and the West’s Orientalist view but the presence of Espionage in the play also appears to be an important topic worth a critical discussion. Since the play has dramatized not simply an adaptation of Giacomo Puccini’s Orientalist Opera but it is also a play based on a real incident that had a secret agent involved, the study of the depiction of the world of Espionage in the play seems all the more significant. The plot involves a case of “Sexspionage” and has plenty of subversive elements. This paper attempts to study the significance of the play’s subversion of the roles played by the two common types, namely the male predator and the female butterfly, in the world of Sexspionage and thereby arrive at the play’s depiction of an exploitative and manipulative aspect of Espionage in general through Close-Reading of significant portions and a comparative study with canonical thrillers about Sexspionage like Casino Royale of the James Bond series. Keywords: M.Butterfly, Sexspionage, James Bond Series, Subversion.

Conventionally literary works that focus on seems to focus on a few other perennial themes of Espionage are classified as Spy Thrillers. Espionage Literature in a subversive manner. However, there are ample number of examples Rather than producing a typical Spy story for that problematize the validity of such meeting the expectations of a reader who prefers classifications by showing that literary works can to ‘consume’ a Spy Thriller, that offers violence, have Espionage as its subject without the element erotic encounter, fast-paced action and ultimately of thrill in it. For instance, The Secret Agent by a twisted surprise at the end, the playwright has Conrad or Sweet Tooth by Ian McEwan has chosen to engage his play with the sufferings of spying as their crux of the matter but they are people involved in Espionage. The cheap thrills certainly not ‘thrilling’ in the sense a typical Ian that the generic Spy Thrillers appear to be Fleming novel is. Similarly, in David Henry engaging the readers with are problematic, Hwang’s well-known play M Butterfly , because they divert the readers’ attention from Espionage appears to be portrayed minus the many real problems that spies have to face and generic elements that are used to produce an since Hwang’s play talks about Espionage while edge-of-the-seat narrative. Instead, Hwang’s play it carefully avoids the typical elements used by

Sexspionage, Predators and the Butterfly: ...... Henry Hwang’s M.Butterfly ISSN: 2319-819 most of the writers engaged with the subject, it way such stereotypical views might help seems important to study this play’s subversive Espionage in reality. strategies. Cases of Espionage documented both in As mentioned above, the typical thrillers news media or fiction attest that exploitation of create a diversion from reality and such diverting an individual’s erotic desire is frequently carried nature of the conventional thriller seems to owe out for making the target divulge important and its origin to its engagement with Ideology. classified information. Keeping this in mind Michael Denning observes: “Since the turn of the Nigel West writes: century, spy thrillers have been ‘cover stories’ for Clearly, ideology and money can play a our culture, collective fantasies in the imagination large part in creating the circumstances in which of the English-speaking world, paralleling reality, someone opts to betray a country, employer, expressing what they wish to conceal, and telling family, tribe, nationality, or religion, but one the ‘History of Contemporary Society’” (1). frequent common denominator is the role of Influenced by some fundamental purposes of “sexspionage,” a term memorably coined by Ideology, namely, “false ideas which help to British author David Lewis in 1976. It is a legitimate a dominant political power”, “socially fact...that love and sex are often cited as factors necessary illusion” or “identity thinking” in the transformation of an otherwise (Eagleton 1-2), a Spy Thriller serves a nation by conscientious public servant into a traitor. There using its political enemy as a detestable and cruel are examples of dedicated professionals, trapped villain; helps heteronormative masculinity to get in an unhappy marriage, who think they have celebrated by frequently using typical machismo- found solace elsewhere; the lonely homosexual, fuelled characters as heroes and socializes caught in a classic honeytrap and coerced into heterosexuality by emphasizing on the hero’s compromising classified material to satisfy his sexual potency and restricting his sexual blackmailers; the vulnerable secretary, seduced encounters with women only. Hence, in the game by the handsome “raven”; the besotted ingénue, of sexspionage, traditionally, the male agent is anxious to retain the affections of his quest. In a supposed to be a predator and his female surprising number of espionage cases, sex has counterpart is expected to be as delicate and played a significant role (xxviii) tender as a butterfly. This paper will present an Looking at the plot of Hwang’s play it analysis of Hwang’s play focusing on its seems justified to call it a play not about debunking of the male-predator / female-butterfly Espionage in general but Sexspionage. Moreover, binary. In the paper, this play will be discussed as it seems to surpass the limitations of a generic a text that attempts to point out how illusive the tale of Sexspionage by presenting a protagonist stereotypical ideas regarding gender, as employed remarkably different from the predator model in Spy Thriller can be and indicates a possible espoused by the thrillers that deal with Sexspionage in a generic way. In these run-of- 100

Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, Vol. VII, No. I, January- June, 2019 the-mill tales of Sexspionage, the hero does get blackmailed her imposing threats on these men’s initially trapped by a seducer, as it frequently lives. happens in actual cases but while offering a Unfortunately such a suicide note cum resolution to this, the writers nearly always seem confession is thrown away by Bond “as if it had to avoid the depiction of reality. They model the been a scorpion” (224) and most importantly, heroes after the predator type. This predator-hero Fleming shows how instantly his hero, driven by never divulges the secrets. Rather he hunts the commitments to his nation can instantly kill his enemy, that is the seductress and at the end this emotions for his beloved. Fleming writes: “He female character turns out to be vulnerable as a saw her now only as a spy. Their love and his butterfly through her defeat or in some cases, grief were relegated to the box room of his mind. death. Later, perhaps they would be dragged out, For instance, in Casino Royale, the very dispassionately examined, and then bitterly thrust first of the James Bond series, Ian Fleming offers back with other sentimental baggage he would a Sexspionage story which seems to be a very rather forget. Now he could only think of her significant example of the plot getting resolved treachery to the Service and to her country and of by convention rather than reality. In this novel the damage it had done.” (227). The most blatant Fleming seems quite close to acknowledging the expression of Bond’s unemotional nature is to be ‘human factor’ in every Spy but ultimately he found in the last line: “The bitch is dead takes a very significant kind of a detour. Vesper now”(229). From these extracts, Fleming’s Lynd, the woman involved with Bond in this deliberate ignoring of Bond’s humane feelings or novel develops a relation with the formidable Spy reducing women to potential sources of problem during his mission and eventually when Bond too in the world of Espionage is to be found very begins to reciprocate she turns out to be a double- clearly. In the latter novels as well as their film agent. Not only is Bond saved from being adaptations Bond kills women who attempt to reduced to a gullible victim of a honey-trap but honey-trap him multiple times. The case of Fiona his unemotional way of reacting at his beloved’s Volpe of Thunderball is one significant example. death proves that he is not a butterfly but a Bond enjoys her company, gets intimate and has powerful predator who has no place for weakness her killed in a very casual manner. All these in his life. For resolving the plot in this way highlight Bond’s status as a part of hegemonic Fleming seems to completely ignore the fact that masculinity. He does not have to avoid indulging Lynd’s letter to Bond before her death contains in intimacy with these seductresses because such genuine confession about her conditions. The indulgences prove his sexual potency and certify way Lynd introduces herself shows how she is him as a heterosexual but at the same time; these forced by Russians to be an infidel. They used affairs do not have any influence on him, as being her emotional weakness for her beloved men and jilted in love is something that a macho figure

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Sexspionage, Predators and the Butterfly: ...... Henry Hwang’s M.Butterfly ISSN: 2319-819 cannot simply afford to be. In short, Bond woman and yet like the tender-hearted Cio-Cio- remains a predator. San of Puccini’s opera she too commits suicide. What sets David Henry Hwang’s play Though Cio-Cio-San’s suicide is a result of her apart from this conventional take on Sexspionage dejection by Pinkerton, they are both connected becomes evident right from the beginning of the by the helpless, incapable and fragile image of play. Unlike a thriller it does not try to lead on women that helps the masculinity of heroes like the readers. The audience find Rene Gallimard, Bond or Pinkerton appear strong. Gallimard the deluded Intelligence Officer in prison. Right describes Cio-Cio-San saying: “Its heroine, Cio- from the beginning it is clarified that this play Cio-San, also known as Butterfly, is a feminine will not attempt to raise the suspense in the ideal, beautiful and brave. And its hero, the man audience by depicting the gradual entrapment of for whom she gives up everything, is-....not very Gallimard. The whole play is in fact Gallimard’s good-looking, not too bright, and pretty much a recollection and retrospection about his wimp” (5). The subjugation of such a beautiful experience which, due to the abundance of action, and as Gallimard calls her, brave woman, to a chase-sequence and random twists and turns in man who is average in all senses of the word, the plot, a hero of a thriller is never able to do. proves the superiority of one gender over the The brief description of Gallimard says: “Rene other. Pinkerton literally buys Cio-Cio-San in Gallimard, 65, in a prison cell. He wears a Puccini’s opera. comfortable bathrobe, and looks old and tired.” Pinkerton was not a Spy per se but he and (1). Subversion of the familiar tropes seems to be Bond are certainly linked due to the roles they guiding Hwang’s play all along. Sonfgeng Wen played for their respective nations. Both embody observes: and endorse a toxic masculinity that a dominating David Henry Hwang’s M. Butterfly is not only a nation, associates itself with. Ruthlessness in reinterpretation, but also a subversion of the characters like Pinkerton or Bond attests their Western stereotypes of Asia and the Asian excellence only. Rene Gallimard is also people. . . The French diplomat is attracted by the technically an Intelligence Officer and the nature opera singer’s performance of Madame Butterfly of his work, as explained by Ambassador Toulon, as the “convincing” performance fits more into is very much akin to that of a Spy albeit a the stereotype of the Oriental woman in the bureaucratic one. He is playing the function of a diplomat’s eyes. (46) Spy in the play and hence he was expected to be Such an observation is undoubtedly an ruthless. The conversation between Gallimard invaluable one for analysing the politics of and Toulon reads: Hwang’s play but the relation between the TOULON: Look, Gallimard, there’s not much to Western stereotypes of the Orient and its subjects say. I’ve liked you... .You were no leader, but and the world of Espionage is not clarified in it. you were tidy and efficient. Interestingly, Vesper Lynd was not an Oriental GALLIMARD: Thank you, sir. 102

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TOULON: Don’t jump the gun. Okay, our needs magazines at my uncle’s house. One day, as a in China are changing. (37) boy of twelve. The first time I saw them in his Later in the conversation Toulon informs him: closet . . . all lined up-my body shook. Not with “We’re going to be doing a lot more information lust- no, with power. Here were women-a gathering in the future. The nature of our work shelfful- who would do exactly as I wanted.” here is changing.”(37). He tells Gallimard: (10). “You’re going to coordinate the revamped Interestingly, in every stage of his relation intelligence division . . . they also tell me you get with Song Lilling, Gallimard was encouraged to along with the Chinese.”(38). get into the relation because Song made him feel From the above mentioned conversation it superior. At the end of their first meeting he says: becomes clear that Gallimard was given a duty as “Women do not flirt with me. And I normally an in-charge of the network of French Spies can’t talk to them. But tonight, I held up my end mostly because it was observed that he could of the conversation.” (22). His second meeting interact with the Chinese without raising with Song ends with significant words from him: suspicion. Such duties make him a predator “Did you hear the way she talked about Western whose role is to watch the prey and wait for the women? Much differently than the first night. right time. Since toxic masculinity was not She does- she feels inferior to them-and to me.” inherent to him, he found himself a little misfit (31). During the period of deliberately avoiding for his position. In fact, multiple scenes in the interactions with Song he felt something very play attest the fact that Gallimard never had the interesting: “I knew this little flower was waiting aggression or promiscuity inherent to a predator for me to call, and, as I wickedly refused to do so, like male figure, in him. For instance, when his I felt for the first time that rush of power-the friend Mark gives him a very graphic description absolute power of a man.” (32). Song’s coyness of orgies that he often participates in with gusto, worked as an important catalyst in drawing Gallimard replies: “Mark, I can’t ... I’m afraid Gallimard closer to Song. Gallimard in the play they’ll say no-the girls. So I never ask.” (8). seems to get aroused particularly by coyness and Though Galimard himself was not comfortable in tenderness rather than by an attractive body. He being a virile person, his transformation becomes disliked Renee, an alluring woman, simply inevitable. The play shows how even a man like because she was very frank and did not hold men Gallimard gradually develops a desire to be in a high esteem like Song pretended to. dominant with time by showing how his identity Gallimard comments about Renee: “Renee was of a male, a Western, influences him to embrace picture perfect. With a body like those girls in the aggression. Especially the scene where Gallimard magazines . . . it was exciting to be with someone talks about his reactions towards pornographic who wasn’t afraid to be seen completely naked. magazines seems to be very significant in this But is it possible for a woman to be too context. He says: “I first discovered these 103

Sexspionage, Predators and the Butterfly: ...... Henry Hwang’s M.Butterfly ISSN: 2319-819 uninhibited, too willing, so as to seem almost too like him, whose very ontology makes them . . . masculine? (54). remain unnoticed in a crowd and how hegemonic Ilka Saal’s insightful essay on the play masculinity has an insidious existence in these analyses this aspect of the play, saying: men as well. Gallimard seems almost like the Based on polarization, on binary oppositions, ideal figure that the recruiter for the Central Western consciousness as portrayed in the Intelligence Agency was looking for in Chuck Butterfly myth functions in a rather simplistic Barris’ ‘unauthorized’ autobiography Confessions way. It constructs its identity in oppositions, by of a Dangerous Mind and yet even this man was setting itself off against an Other. This equation is honey-trapped. To make matters more interesting, easily applied to M.Butterfly. To affirm Gallimard confesses at the end that he actually Gallimard's phallus, Song Liling has to give up knew that Song was a man. He says: “I knew all his. The weaker Butterfly appears, the stronger the time somewhere that my happiness was Gallimard imagines himself to be. (636). temporary, my love a deception. But my mind A ramification of the prolonged depiction of Men kept the knowledge at bay. To make the wait as superior in general and in the world of bearable.” (88) . False sense of power or Espionage in particular, seems to have been masculinity might have helped Song’s plan to highlighted by Hwang’s play through the gulling succeed initially but Gallimard seems to have of Gallimard. What happened between Gallimard developed attachment with that false image of a and Song in the play is neither accidental nor human being created by Song, for it gave exceptional, because Song simply used the company to a neglected soul like him. That is binarism created by masculinity and what being the Butterfly meant for Gallimard. heteronormativity, against a person who, after Butterflies, in this context, are sensitive, getting allured by the charm of such discourses, emotional and sacrificial selves and as had decided to embody them. Song makes it very Gallimard’s case suggests, such qualities may be clear that he had utilized the gender stereotypes found in neglected and emotionally deprived created by such binarism to the fullest. During his individuals of all genders, such features were not appearance in the Court Song says he could to be associated exclusively with the female. easily dupe Gallimard because “when he finally Gallimard’s love for the Butterfly figure and his met his fantasy woman, he wanted more than final recourse into it by transforming himself into anything to believe that she was, in fact, a the Butterfly seems to offer this important fact woman.” (83). Song’s comment is also full of about Espionage- be it a male or a female Spy, references about how his Oriental identity helped the exploitative Spies are guided by predatory him further. motives in the tenebrous world of Spying and Apart from these, the play, through the their targets are Butterflies with the Human sufferings of Gallimard, seems to also talk about Factor of love affecting their decisions. The how the Spy network attempts to utilize people world of Espionage in general and Sexspionage 104

Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, Vol. VII, No. I, January- June, 2019 in particular, in a way, thrive on manipulation of • Fleming, Ian. Casino Royale. London: solitary individual’s neglected condition and the Vintage books, 2012. Print. immense desire for attention and companionship • Hwang, David Henry. M Butterfly. New these create. M. Butterfly manages to disclose this York: Plume , 1989. Print. with a significant emphasis. Hwang’s play, • Saal, Ilka. "Performance and Perception: therefore, along with presenting important ideas Gender, Sexuality, and Culture in David Henry regarding Gender Stereotypes and the Power Hwang's "M.Butterfly"." American Studies 43.4 game between Orient and the Occident, seems to (1998): 629-644. Print. bring into the notice of the readers a not so great • Wen, Sonfgeng. "The Subversion of the aspect of the perennial Great Game. Oriental Stereotype in M. Butterfly." English References Language and Literature Studies III.2 (2013): 44- • Denning, Michael. Introduction. Denning, 49. Print. Michael. Cover Stories Narrative and Ideology in • West, Nigel. Introduction. The A to Z of the British Spy Thriller. New York: Routledge, Sexpionage. Plymouth: Scarecrow Press, 2009. 2014. 1-6.Print. xxvii-xxxiii. Print. • Eagleton, Terry. Ideology: An Introduction. New York: Verso, 1991.Print.

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The 20th Century Bengal Art Movement and its Reflection in Tripura

Chirojyoti Bhattacharjee Research Scholar, Department of Visual Arts, Assam University, Silchar Email: [email protected]

Abstract

Bengal was the nerve center of every socio-economical, socio-cultural or socio-political activity during the British colonial rule in India. This British capital of India was witness of many revolutionary movements which are collectively leaded by the intellectuals, freedom-fighters, artists, writers, and common peoples. 20th century Bengal revivalist movement or Swadeshi movements were not only limited within a political paradox but also influence the art and literature of Bengal in that time. The Indian artists under the leadership of Abanindranath Tagore have developed a new style of Art against the western style of paintings. This new style of paintings was called Bengal-School of painting style, which is full of Indian indigenous sensibility. As Tripura of undivided India was politically and culturally attached with Bengal so each social movements and activity of Bengal has also makes an impression in this land. Many artists from Tripura were studied art in Bengal and become accounted with Bengal-style of paintings. Art become a language of visual communication and expresses the social life of the native people of this land. Artists like Nalini Kanta Majumder, Dhiren Krishna Deb Barman, Hrishikesh Deb Barman of Tripura, whose paintings were the real example of this style of work. The works of those artists has created a significant change in the art practices of Tripura which later on promoted Tripura’s art practices towards modernism. The main objective of the study is to figure out how the art practices of Tripura become influence by the major art movement of Bengal during 20th century. Keyword: Art movement, Bengal school, Tripura artists -Nalini Kanta Majumder, Dhiren Krishna Deb Barman, Hrishikesh Deb Barman Introduction fighters, artists, writers, and common peoples. The 20th century Bengal emerged with a 20th century Bengal revivalist movement or significant position in the history of India. Swedishi movements were not only limited Bengal was the nerve-center of every socio- within a political paradox but also influence the economical, socio-cultural and socio-political art and literature of Bengal in that time. The activity during the British colonial rule in India. partition of Bengal also an important event This British capital of India was witnessed of which produced new social, political and many revolutionary movements which are cultural processed in the state. The Bengali collectively leaded by the intellectuals, freedom- society was eyewitness of long-term

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The 20th Century Bengal Art Movement and its Reflection in Tripura ISSN: 2319-8192 transformation in the 19th and 20th century, Bengal-School of painting style, which is full of which leaded many social reformation and Indian indigenous sensibility of Ajanta and awareness within the society. Many socio- Ellora cave paintings. As Tripura of undivided religious superstition was dissolved with the Indian was politically and culturally attached introduction of western education and British with Bengal so each social movements and laws. Modern higher education institute was activity of Bengal has also makes an impression established by the colonial rulers, Christian in this land. ‘Bengal School of Art’ is also an missionaries and secular nationalist agencies, art-movement of colonial period which evolve in which led the awakening of Bengali educated Bengal and extend all over the India. Many community and resulting Bengal Renaissance. artists from Tripura were studied art in Bengal Bengal Renaissance was a socio-religious, and become accounted with Bengal-style of socio-cultural, artistic and intellectual movement paintings. Art become a language of visual of Bengal of nineteen and twenties century. The communication and expresses the social life of Bengal Renaissance contributed towards the the native people of this land. Artists like Nalini strengthening production of literature, art, Kanta Mojumdar, Dhiren Krishna Deb Barman, drama, music, science, philosophy and and Hrishikesh Deb Barman of Tripura, whose intellectual thoughts etc, which created a strong paintings were the real example of this style of cultural temperament of Bengal. In 20th century work. The works of those artists has created a Bengal, the women protested against the male significance change in the art practice of Tripura dominated public life more strongly and which later on promoted Tripura’s art practice organized radical protest movement. Knowingly towards modernism. or unknowingly art also become a language of Objective of the study all those protest. The primary objective of the study is to Art is a visual language of figure out how the art practices of Tripura communication, art not only give aesthetic become influence by the major art movement of pleasure to its viewer but also record the history Bengal during 20th century. of the then culture. The formal art education was Data and Methodology started in India with the establishment of British The method to be adopted for undertaking art school but the British had not shown any the proposed research paper is essentially an interest in the Indian indigenous art form, rather analytical approach to review and understand the they introduce a strong western realism and scenario of 20th century art movements in academic style of paintings which is known as Bengal and its influences in Tripura, because western style of paintings. The Indian artists Tripura is culturally attached with Bengal. The under the leadership of E.V Havel and data is to be collected from secondary sources Abanindranath Tagore have developed a new only, which included books related to the style of Art against the western style of subject, Magazine, Bulletins and Internet. paintings. This new style of paintings was called

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20th Century Bengal Art Movements studying western style of paintings can never Indian art has a long history of develop their artistic talents which is needed for development from the time of Indus-valley the development of Indian art and aesthetic. Civilization. Before the British came in India the With the help of artist E.V Havel, Mughal ruled, and they create a synthesis of Abanindranath Tagore has developed a new Indian indigenous art and Persian art which style of Art against the western style of paintings resulted Mughal style of painting. Mughal and in the beginning of 20th century. This new style Rajput style of miniature paintings often called of paintings was called Bengal-School of Art Indian art. After the collapse of Mughal Empire style. Indian Society of Oriental Art was the artists of the Mughal court take shelter in established by the effort of some eminent provincial state like Ayodhya, Patna, personalities of Calcutta, including European Murshidabad and their art were often termed as and Indian in the year 1907. Abanindranath left 'Provincial Mughal Art'. With the rise of Government Art School in the year 1915, and Calcutta as the centre of colonial rule, artists then he gave attention to develop the Indian from Murshidabad and even from Ayodhya and painting style with Oriental Art Society, at Patna started to gather in Calcutta in search of Jorashanko, Calcutta. jobs. The British Government needed artist for Bengal School of Art: Abanindranath Tagore the administrative purposes such as worked at the Calcutta Government School of architectural, botanical and zoological drawings Art and Craft as its vice-Principal from 1905 to and appointing English artists were more 1915 and with in the span of ten year he expensive for those works. So the local artists succeeded to establish the Bengal school of were gradually trained and employed for these painting on a solid foundation. From 1905 jobs. These provincial artists very quickly Nandalal Bose, Surendranath Ganguli, Ashit learned the new technique and by assimilating it Kumar Haldar, K. Venkatappa, Kshitindranath with their traditional knowledge created what is Mazumdar, Shailendranath De and some other now termed as 'Company Art'. The Calcutta first batch students of Abanindranath who School of Industrial Art was established in 1854, studied under him at the school, he taught them which later became Government School of Art. in his personal method with an aim to develop Many Indian artists were skilled in European art each of them into an artist of individual tests and techniques such as realistic style of the west, propensity. In his teaching Abanindranath’s with a proper knowledge of perspective and emphasis was on the aesthetic rather than anatomical realism. The aesthetic beauty and the technical aspect of painting. concept of art were totally western influenced. Characteristic of Bengal School of art The partition of Bengal, Bengal revivalist was inspired by Indian mythology and tradition movement or Swedishi movements directly or including history and the Ajanta fresco and indirectly awakened the mind of artists. Soon Mughal miniature painting for creating Indian they realized merely coping western art and own style of paintings. The figures and the

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The 20th Century Bengal Art Movement and its Reflection in Tripura ISSN: 2319-8192 colors of Bengal School painters were inspired painting and this is the first step of India towards by the Ajanta mural figures and they use the modernism. wash technique of paintings which is developed Apart from this many other art activities by Abanindranath Tagore with collaboration happened during the 20th century in Bengal. Like with Japanese painter Kakuzo Okakura and the Haripura congress panel work of Nandalal others. Initially the disciple of Abanindranath Bose, Calcutta Group, works of sculptor strictly followed the tradition of Bengal school Ramkinkar Baij, and the paintings of of art but later it felt monotonous. So some of Gaganendranath Tagore, Rabindranath Tagore, the artists of Bengal school started working on Abanindranath Tagore, Nandalal Bose, Jamani local scenery and subject from modern and rural Roy, Mukul Day, Dhiren Krishna Deb Barman, life with Bengal-School technique. This within the center of Calcutta and Santiniketan, movement was associated with Indian those movements created a huge influence in the nationalism and the first step which was taken Indian subcontinent. Art of Bengal was not only against the domination of western colonial limited within the male contribution female influence in Indian Art. Abanindranath Tagore's artists also played a significant role for the best-known painting, Bharat Mata (Mother development of art which collectively developed India), depicted a young woman, portrayed with the post-independence modernist art in India. four arms in the manner of Hindu deities, In above a small discussion on the 20th holding objects symbolic of India's national century art in Bengal is given to understand the aspirations. major art movements which are emerged with Kala Bhavan, Santiniketan : The foundation of may be some political sentiment or artistic taste Santiniketan by Rabindranath Tagore in 1917 but had contributed a new-style and technique in and then introduction of Kala Bhavan in 1919 is the field of Indian art. But the objective of the also another important step of Indian art towards study is to figure out how the art practice of its advancement. Kala Bhavan was started with Tripura becomes influenced by the major art four students, Harichand Dogra, Ardhandu movement of Bengal during 20th century. There Prashad Bandhopadhay, Krishna Kinkar Gosh, for it is very important to analyze the 20th and Dhiren Krishna Deb Barman. Artist Binod centuries art practice in Tripura and the artist Bihare Mukhopadhay later joined the Kala who are influenced by such art style. Bhavan. Nandalal Bose was the teacher of Reflection in Tripura Santiniketan at that time. Under the leadership Tripura is a hilly state of North-East India. of Nandalal Bose, a new kind of art developed in This land is known for its long history of Santiniketan which was a free synthesis of east Manikya rule and its tradition & culture of tribal and west. Which influenced the student very and non-tribal people. The history of Manikya much and they have break down the idealist kings is no-doughtily more than five hundred boundary of art and created new style of year old. Those Manikya kings had ruled Tripura till 1949. Tripura was known as “Hill

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Tipperah” during the British period. The British Dhiren Krishna Deb Barman, Salil Krishna Deb Government gave Tripura the status of “native Barman and Pranjal Krishna Deb Barman, state” under the general supervision of a political Sailesh Krishna Deb Barman, and Nalini Kanta agent. Tripura merged with the Indian Union on Majumdar. When monarchy was ended and October 15 1949. On January 26, 1950 Tripura republic of Tripura was setup the artists and was accorded the status of a ‘C’ category state court artists of Tripura work as a pathfinder for and on November 1, 1956, it was recognized as the development of art in Tripura, it resulted in a Union Territory. With the sustained efforts and the present art scenario of Tripura and its struggle of the people of Tripura, it gained full development till date. With the immense efforts statehood on January 21, 1972, as per the North- of the artists and art lovers in the year 1975 East Reorganization Act, 1971 Tripura Govt. Art and Craft College was The art practice in Tripura was started in established in Agartala. Establishment of Art the court of Manikya kings. But the Manikya College in Agartala is directly linked with the court-art history is not so old; it was started from development of the artists and art of Tripura. Maharaja Krishna Kishore Manikya in about Tripura was culturally attached with 1830 to Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya in 1947. Bengali. The administrative language of Tripura Many British artists were commissioned and during Manikya period was Bengali. Even today engaged to make portrait and full figure of the also the Bengali and Kokborok are the main Tripura Maharajas and royal family members. languages of Tripura. The Rajmala [history of Those Manikya kings were not only patronized Manikya dynasty] is also written in Bengali. art some of the royal family members were great Tripura royal family had a good relation with artist per excellence. The art (painting) which is Tagore family of Kolkata. Even Rabindranath first introduce in Tripura it was western style of had visited Tripura several times. Manikya kings art but later the Indian style of paintings was supported Rabindranath Tagore for the also patronized by the Manikya kings during 20th establishment of Santiniketan and scientist century. The artist from Kolkata and the native Jagodish Chandra Bose for his scientific artist who studied art in Kolkata were appointed research in abroad. Many scholarship and in the court of Manikya. Court artists like Agni economical support was often provided by the Kumar Bhattacharjee, Shashi Kumar Hash, Manikya kings for the promotion of literature, Shayamacharan Chakraborty, Sukhilal Day, science, art and culture of Tripura and Bengal. Suresh Chandra Deb Barman, Ramendranath The cultural bridge which had created between Chakraborty etc. When painting was started in Tripura and Kolkata for the relation of royal family, simultaneously the people who Rabindranath Tagore with Manikya family is were close to royal family shown their interest still exists. Many students went to Santiniketan towards art, as a result, art was flourished and Govt. College of Art to study Fine-Arts. outside the royal family and many people started Amongst them artist Dhiren Krishna Deb work. Those were Anil Krishna Deb Barman, Barman was the student of Nandalal Bose and

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The 20th Century Bengal Art Movement and its Reflection in Tripura ISSN: 2319-8192 first batch student of Kala Bhavan, Santiniketan. Shillong 1946 and then he came to Agartala, Artist Nalini Kanta Majumdar was also a student Tripura. During the independence of India he of Abanindranath Tagore. Hrishikesh Deb was in Tripura, and there he was still continuing Barman was a student of Kala Bhavan, his practice of painting. In the year 1951 he left Santiniketan and trained under the supervision Tripura and joined Kala Bhavan, Santiniketan as of Nandalal Bose, Ramkinkar Baij and Dhiren principal. Krishna Deb Barman. All those students were Nalini Kanta Mojumdar (1903-1986): He was trained under the great masters of Bengal. They born in the village Kanduey, Bramhan Bariya have achieved mastery in Indian style of art district, Kumilla (present Bangladesh). His which was a leading trend in art of Bengal the father’s name was Rajnikanta Majumdar. His then time. Apart from them so many students father was royal servant of Tripura. In 1925- who studied art in Kolkata become expert in 1931, artist Nalini Kanta Majumdar was the different style and medium which later they student of “Indian Society of Oriental Art”, introduce in Tripura. Kolkata and was working under the supervision Artist Dhiren Krishna Deb Barman : He was of Abanindranath Tagore, Gaganendranath born in the year 1902. His father Joy Krishna Tagore and Khitindranath Majumdar. In the year Deb Barman was an employee of Tripura’s royal 1949 he left Kolkata and came back to Tripura. family. Dhiren Krishna Deb Barman started his He served as a representative of Tripura in Lalit education from the Asram Vidyalaya Bolpur Kala Academy, New Delhi for few years. He (Santiniketan) in 1911. In the year 1919 he participated in many national and international joined Santiniketan as a student of fine arts. He exhibition and his paintings were appreciated in was one of the four students of Santiniketan at many national and international newspapers and the starting (1919) and his batch mates were magazines. The painting style of Nalini Kanta Harichand Dogra, Ardhendu Prashad Majumdar was truly Indian style and the hands, Bandhopadhay, Krishno Kinkar Ghosh. Artist feet’s and facial expressions of figures along Benod Behari Mukherjee was also a friend of with their body movements are greatly Dhiren Krishna. After completing his course in influenced by Ajanta’s paintings. Nalini Kanta the year 1925 he was appointed in Santiniketan mostly did his painting in wash technique and as a teacher. Nandalal Bose was the teacher of tempera treatment. As an example of that Santiniketan at that time. Dhiren Krishna painted paintings style we can take Nalini Kanta’s one mostly inspired by Indian style of paintings Painting “Bath Scene” which consists of four which was a most dominating style in Bengal lady figures who were taking bath in a Semi- during that time. His 24 paintings is in a private nude position. The hands of the lady figures are collection of Santiniketan. In 1937 he went to similar with that of the hand of Buddha of London for mural painting in ‘India House’. He Ajanta. The colors and lines are inspired by painted fresco in Calcutta University in 1936 Indian painting style which was popular in that and the house of Tripura Royal family in era and the movements of the figures in his

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Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, Vol. VII, No. I, January- June, 2019 paintings are quite identical to many paintings of painting was done with water color in wash Abanindranath Tagore. Abstraction is not technique. The figure and the colors are identical present in his paintings. He creates his own trend to Indian style of paintings. The hands, feet, eyes by depicting the life style of ordinary rural are matching with Ajanta paintings and these village’s scenario. As he belong to Tripura, so styles of paintings were very popular in Bengal sometime Tripura’s village life also finds a in that era. Abstraction was not present in space in his painting with his imagination. For paintings but his later period paintings shown example it can be mention the name of paintings his interest towards modernism. He had also “The Village Ferry” and “Repose”. Stylistically chosen subject from Tripura tribal life for these two paintings follow Indian style but the paintings. For instance, his painting ‘Life’ is subject matter is related to Tripura’s own tribal done in water color wash technique. It is a life. depiction of a tribal mother feeding her child. Hrishikesh Deb Barman: He is a painter as The figure is depicted with full traditional dress well as a poet, was born on 4th Feb 1927 in of Tripura tribal community. In the background Agartala. He did his schooling from Umakanta of the painting is composed in a natural Academy. After that he went to Santiniketan. He environment with dog, birds and bamboo made was a student of Kala Bhavan, Santiniketan and house (Tong-Ghar) with some traditional trained under the supervision of Nandalal Bose, artifacts. But the style of the paintings is truly Ramkinkar Baij and Dhiren Krishna Deb his own and the figure is composed in tribhango Barman. Hrishikesh Deb Barman was influence pose. Eyes, hand and facial expression are by Indian style of paintings (Bengal school style similar to Ajanta Paintings style. The linearity of of paintings lead by Abanindranath Tagore). He his paintings strongly represented the Indian was trained in woodcut, linocut, pencil, ink, sensibility in his work. wash technique in water color etc. In the year Conclusion 1958 he passed out from Santiniketan. The 20th century Bengal was witnessed of painting style of Hrishikesh Deb Barman was several developments in society by its socio- truly Indian style and the hands, feet and facial cultural, socio-economical, and socio-political expression of figures along with their body movements or reforms. Which is directly or movements are influenced by Ajanta’s paintings. indirectly influenced the then artists of Bengal. The bold lines, colors and the subjects were That is why many art movements take place in matching with the characteristics of Ajanta cave Bengal during 20th century. The Bengal School paintings. For example ‘Mar Vijay’, in this of Art movement was a great movement of 20th painting Buddha was depicted with six semi- century in the field of art which opened the door nude female figures. It is a depiction of Buddha of Indian modernism. This movement was the from Jataka story. Buddha is seated under the first art movements in India for developing Bodhi tree just before his enlightment when Mar Indian’s own style of paintings and aesthetic. sent his army to destruct Sakyamuni. This Under the leadership of Abanindranath Tagore 112

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Bengal school of art was developed which later those art movements. Court art of Tripura began known as Indian style of painting, because it was with western style of art but with the great inspired by the Indian cultural subjects and influence of Indian style of art with a Ajanta fresco and Mughal miniature paintings. nationalistic approach inspired Manikya kings to Later this ‘Indian style of painting’ was carried introduce Indian style of art in their court. forward by the Indian artists towards Maharaja Birendra Kishor Manikya of Tripura modernism. Tripura was culturally much closed was also an artist of western genre says to with Bengal that is why this Indian style of art Abanindranath Tagore that … “if I could see was also introduced in Tripura by the artist who your painting style before then I will obviously had taken education under the great masters of paint in this technique” (Barman D. K., 2009). Bengal School of art

Glommy Radhika by M.A.R. Chugtai Bharat-Mata by Abanindranath Tagore

Journey’s End by Abanindranath Tagore landscape paintings by Nandalal Bose

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Works of Artist Hrishikesh Deb Barman

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Works of Artist Nalini Kanta Mojumdar

Reference • Deb, B. (1999). Tripurar Silpacharcha. Bidhan Sarani Kolkata: Sankar Mandal, Deep Prakasan . • Barman, D. K. (2009). Tripurar Shilper • Jahan, B. (2008). Abstraction in Indian Itibriti. (N. Poddar, Ed.) Binsha Shataker Paintings Post Independence Era. New Delhi: Nirbachita Prabandha : Prasanga Tripura , 97- Kaveri Books 103. • Khanna, B. & Kurtha, A. (1998). Art of • st Barman, S. K. (2008). Raj Amoler Chitrakala Modern India (1 ed.). London: Thames and ; Smriti Bismrito. (N. Poddar, Ed.) Hudson publication Bingshawsatoker Nirbachita Prabandha : • Mitter, P. (2007). The Triumph of Modernism Prasanga Tripura , 64-68. India’s Artists and the Avant-garde 1922-1947. • Bhattacharjee, P. B. (2011). Tripura A Living New York: Oxford University press Museum of Art, Architecture & Culture. Agartala: • Raychoudhury, D. N. (2011). Manikya Sumita Sengupta, Naba Chandana Prakashani. Shasanadhin Tripurar Itihas (2nd ed.). • Chakrabarti, S. (2003). Chitrakar Dhiren Agartala: Jnan Bichitra Publication. Krishna . Agartala: Akshar Publication. • Choudhuri, B. (2001). Tripurar Rajsabha Shilpi. Agartala: Rina Roy, Tripura Darpan.

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Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, January - June, 2019 Vol. VII, No. I ISSN: 2319-8192 The Concept of Suffering in Indian Philosophy: An Analytical Study

Dr. Ms. Purnima Das Assistant Professor of Philosophy Maynaguri College, Dist. Jalpaiguri, W.B. Email:[email protected]

Abstract

In this paper an effort has been made to throw some light on the concept of suffering in Indian Philosophy in general and Bauddha, Nyāya and Sāmkhya in particular, which is followed by some critical remarks. First of all in Buddhism, everything is full of suffering. As everything is momentary, we cannot enjoy our pleasure for a longer period of time. Through the exercise of Eight- fold -Path one can get rid of the suffering. To the Naiyayikas, our main problem of suffering is related to the unpleasant thing with body and sense- organ. Excessive desire and greed are the main causes of our suffering. The Sāmkhyakārikā begins with enquiry being affected by the suffering of three types. When an individual suffers from sorrow, he will have doubt whether such suffering can be removed or not. This doubt gives rise to innovation of a way for its removal. To me suffering may be taken as the pillar of success. For, one’s own mind becomes purer being free from impurities through the fire of suffering, just as gold becomes free from impurities if it is put in fire. Keeping this in view we should welcome suffering for getting happiness purer in nature. Keywords: Indian Philosophy, suffering, Buddhism, Sense organs. Introduction ear etc. a man has also been suffering from In Indian Philosophy ‘suffering’ is a mental problems leading to the physical ones. As common word. Indian thinkers have discussed they are not mentally happy, they are burning about it both theoretically and practically. All with the fire of suffering. Indian schools of Indian Philosophy irrespective Suffering in Indian Philosophy of theistic and non-theistic have accepted Let us discuss ‘suffering’ in different ‘suffering’ in their own points of view. points of view of Indian Philosophy. First of all It is a common allegation against Indian in Buddhism, everything is full of suffering Philosophy that it is pessimistic in nature. In the (sarvam duhkham). Birth, illness, old age, pessimistic point of view, everything is taken to separation from the favourite or aversion, death, be full of suffering having no pleasure, no connection of unpleasant thing is the major cause happiness at all. Life is a continuous process of of suffering. World is full of sorrow. Every suffering. Man is suffering from different kinds apparently pleasurable thing brings suffering. of physical and mental pain. Like different type Suffering and pleasure are two sides of the same of physical diseases as heart, lung, kidney, eye, coin. So we cannot independently enjoy one of 116

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them. As everything is momentary, we cannot have been various types of sufferings. First enjoy our pleasure for a longer period of time. question automatically arises: why does an Buddha says that, which is non- eternal, is the individual take birth? Answer is simple in cause of suffering. All is momentary and hence, Buddhism that is bhava, means desire to rebirth. sorrowful. In Buddhism we have found Four The cause of bhava is upādāna, which means Noble Truths that are (1) everything of the world infatuation towards the material things. Tŗşnā is is suffering, (2) There is cause of suffering, (3) the cause of upādāna. Tŗşnā means enjoyment. there is the cessation of suffering, (4)There is a The cause of tŗşnā is vedanā, i.e., the previous path to remove suffering.1 sense experience of desirable and favorable In this world we see each and every part things. How does the vedanā come? The answer of life is full of sorrow. Buddha has said that is şadāyatana which is a combination of five pond, lake, river, sea, ocean do not contain that external senses organs (eye, ear, tongue, nose and much water which can be accumulated through skin) and one internal sense organ (mind). How our tears. . Birth, illness, old age, death, pleasure does the şadāyatana work? The şadāyatana does un-pleasure etc., are all related to our emotion not work if there is no mind-body organism, that is sorrow. which means behind the existence of şadāyatana, Every effect has a cause. So we can say i.e., mind-body organism is presented there. that if sorrow is an effect, it has a cause. In Mind-body organism cannot exist without Buddhism we have found a causal chain which is consciousness or vijňāna which means an object called Pratītyasamutpādavāda’. That means developing day by day in mother womb. The everything in this world has been originated from main cause of Consciousness or vijňāna is another thing and hence it is dependent. All samskāra, the trace of past life experience things are organized in a systematic way. This leading to rebirth. Avidyā (Ignorance) is the cause system run in a cyclic order and it is called of samskāra, but it is not only cause of samskāra, ‘Bhavacakra ‘i.e., cycle of transmigratory estate. it is the root cause of every problem and This circle or Bhavacakra has twelve links, suffering. Avidyā means lacking of proper which are avidyā (Ignorance), samskāra knowledge about four Noble Truths.2 (Impressions of karmic forces), vijňāna (initial Every effect has a reason or cause, so consciousness of the embryo), nāma-rūpa without reason in this world suffering does not (psycho-physical organism), şadāyatana (six come into being. If we are desirous of the sense organ including mind), sparśa (sense- cessation of suffering or sorrow, first of all we object-contact), vedanā (sense-experience), tŗşnā shall find out the main reason of it. But the (thirst for sense-enjoyment), upādāna (clinging to question arises in our mind- how can I stop or this enjoyment), bhava (will to be born), jāti eradicate or get rid of suffering? According to (birth or rebirth), jarā-maraņa (old age and Buddhism, we can get the path by way of death). Had there been no birth, there would not attaining Nirbāna, which literally means ‘the 117

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extinguishment of fire’. Nirbāna is the eternal related to soul, it is to be taken as a bound soul or solution for suffering. individual soul (jīvātmā) which is otherwise described as soul limited by body What is Nirbāna? Normally when we are free (dehavāchhinna ātmā). Our main problem of from hatred, jealousy, anger, false ego, we do not suffering is related to the unpleasant thing with have any attachment towards material thing body and sense- organ. Excessive desire and leading to the cessation of the desire of rebirth greed are the main causes of our suffering. All and it is the state of Nirbāna. The right miserable things come in our life for our knowledge of four Noble Truths can lead us to ignorance or lack of proper knowledge. False the path of Nirbāna. knowledge or illusion is the origin of delusion, The path of Liberation: anger and desire. If we want to get relief from all Among the Four Noble Truth the fourth types of pain or sorrow, we have to attain the one is a way or mārga to get rid of suffering proper knowledge about soul. The right cognition (duhkha-nirodha- mārga). If the prescribed rules of the categories leads us to the attainment of and regulations are properly followed, we can get liberation which is nothing but absolute cessation relief from sorrow. This Noble Truth has advised of suffering (tadatyantavimukto’pavargah).4 In us how to follow rules and regulations prescribed Nyāya liberation is called apavarga. by Buddha for the well-being of all creatures. In According to Sāmkhya Philosophy this world and Buddhism we have found eight-fold path or our life is full of suffering. By this they do not aşțāngika mārga. This path is called Middle path mean that in this world there is no pleasure. But by virtue of the fact that this suggests neither too that type of pleasure is not totally pure, it is much luxury nor strict rigorous life. Hence, it mixed with pain. For that reason happiness or follows middle way. pleasure is temporary. The Sāmkhya philosophers The eight-fold path is: 1. Right Vision, 2. Right are of the opinion that suffering is of three types- Resolve, 3.Right Speech, 4.Right Conduct, ādhyātmika, ādhibhautika, and ādhidaivika. The 5.Right Livelihood, 6.Right Effort, 7.Right ādhyātmika pain arises from our physical and Mindfulness, 8. Right Concentration. These paths mental desire. Physical and mental dissatisfaction make our mind free from impurities to realize the is the origin of ādhyātmika pain. If man, animal, Truth.3. bird, insect etc. are the sources of pain then this is Let us see the attitude of the Naiyāyikas called ādhibhautika. The ādhidaivika pain is towards suffering or duhkha. The Naiyāyikas say originated from earthquake, draught, unnatural when soul is related to mind, mind with sense- power, which is under the control of Divine organ and sense-organ with external thing then Being. the cognition of the objects including the qualities The Sāmkhyakārikā begins with enquiry like intelligence, desire, happiness, sorrow etc. being affected by the suffering of three types arises in our soul. When mind and body are (duhkhatrayābhighātād bhavati jijňāsā). When 118

The Concept of Suffering in Indian Philosophy: An Analytical Study ISSN: 2319-8192 an individual suffers from sorrow, he will have simply a natural game of life and there are ways doubt whether such suffering can be removed or for removing it. When the cause of suffering is not. This doubt gives rise to innovation of a way diagnosed, it is easily to follow the path as per the for it. In Tattvakumudi it has been explained that prescription of our Śāstras or Teachers. That is a sufferer has got doubt about its removal, why; Buddha is described as a physician of the because such suffering cannot be dispelled worldly disease (bhavarogavaidya)6 who can through an ordinary means (laukika upāya). The diagnose (nidāna) the disease of an individual suffering related to body (ādhyātmika duhkha) and prescribes a right path for him so that he can and suffering caused by external factors like get rid of suffering. But it is due to our laziness or animal etc. (ādhibhautika duhkha) can somehow ignorance that we do not want to incline to be managed if an individual takes prior remove the cause. This conception or poor precaution. But doubt regarding its removal is mentality has come from our ignorance. We do more prominent when we see our helplessness in not want to remove ignorance with knowledge. case of suffering arising out of Divine will We are more engaged in earning money, (ādhidaivika duhkha). The calamities caused by property, higher degree, physical comfort, which earth-quake, draught, flood etc. are not under the provide us a temporal happiness. In other words, control of human being and hence it under Divine they give us some freedom of suffering which is will. So the prior precaution cannot help us to of temporary type. Being infatuated with the remove such suffering. Doubt becomes stronger momentary pleasure or happiness we become less in such cases regarding the impossibility of its interested in availing the ultimate cessation of removal. To the Sāmkhya system the absolute suffering. ‘Suffering’ is generated by the human cessation of suffering is not possible even being by their ignorance and poor thinking. Day through the super-normal means (alaukika by day our society is increasing mentally weak upāya). Doubt is clear when Iśvarakŗşna has and poor due to which we are not free from pain prescribed a path of its removal. To him the or sorrow. cognition of the discrimination between Prakŗti Conclusion and Puruşa is the cause of the cessation of To my opinion suffering is an idea suffering. Most of the systems of Indian produced through immature idea of our mind. It Philosophy are found to be worried about is occupied our mind for our ill- mentality and suffering and its removal.5 In the above I have ignorance. If we want to find out the cause of pointed some points of view about suffering sorrow, we find that failure to achieve the according to the some systems of Indian desired, or unsuccessful in different fields of life Philosophy. are the same. Life is a continuous process like Though suffering creates some sort of water flow, failure or success is immaterial in our disturbance in our life yet do not think that it is work. We can easily over come failure and kind of burden of life. Rather we can say it is eradicate pain or sorrow by our work, behavior, 119

Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, Vol. VII, No. I, January- June, 2019 healthy positive thinking. Moreover, suffering 2. Ibid. may be taken as the pillar of success. For, one’s 3. Hari Shankar Prasad: The Centrality of Ethics own mind becomes purer being free from in Buddhism, Motilal Banarasidass, Delhi, 2007, impurities through the fire of suffering, just as pp. 4-11. gold becomes free from impurities if it is put in 4. Nyāyasūtra with Vātsyāyanabhāşya-1.1.22 fire. Keeping this in view we should welcome 5. Sāmkhyakārikā-1 with Tattvakaumudī, suffering for getting happiness purer in nature Bengali trs by Narayan Chandra Goswami, and permanent in character. Kolkata, 1982, pp.1-10. References 6. Dhammapada 1/7-8 and 24/5. 1. Jeffrey Hopkins (Ed): Kindness, Clarity and Insight, Motilal Banarasidass, Delhi, 1997, pp.21- 25.

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Prominent Socio-Economic Factors Affecting Academic Achievement of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Secondary Level Learners in Tripura: An Analytical Study

Litan Das Asstt. Professor in Life Science, IASE Kunjaban, Agartala, West Tripura and Research scholar, Dept. of Education Assam University, Silchar Email : [email protected] Dr. R. K. Mahto Assistant Professor, Dept. of Education Assam University, Silchar Email: [email protected]

Abstract The social system and its various sub-systems in any society are dynamic in nature. The social system constantly changes because of changes in its different sub-systems. After attainment of our independence, with the adoption of equality and justice as the guiding principles of our democratic polity, the concept of ‘mass education’ has been emphasized and concerted efforts have been made to universalize elementary education .In every society, educational motivation, aspiration and performance are affected to a great extent by social and economic factors. This is more likely to be so in Indian society where the physical, socio-economic and cultural environment of different groups shows very wide contrasts. As India has adopted equality of opportunity as its national goal, the study of social and economic factors behind educational motivation, aspiration and performance has become significant in present time. The accountability of such study is more in case of socio-economically disadvantaged groups like Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Keywords: Socio-economic factors, academic achievement, Scheduled Caste, Scheduled tribe, Secondary level, Tripura Introduction educators. Educators, trainers, and researchers Education has been acclaimed as the have long been interested in exploring variables prime tool of development. It leads to contributing effectively for quality of modernization of generation.. It ensures the performance of learners. Generally these factors acquisition of knowledge and skills that enable include age, gender, geographical individuals to enhance their productivity and belongingness, ethnicity, marital status, socio- improve their quality of life. This increase in economic status (SES), parents’ education level, productivity also leads towards new sources of parental profession, language, income and earning which enhances the economic growth of religious affiliations (Ballatine,1993). a country (Saxton, 2000). The quality of The present study aims to find out students’ performance remains at top priority for personal, family and Socio-Economic factors

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Prominent Socio-Economic Factors...... : An Analytical Study ISSN: 2319-8192 that account for academic achievement of ‘Prominent Socio-Economic Factors Affecting students belonging to socially backward Academic Achievement of Scheduled Caste and communities (ST and SC) in school education at Scheduled Tribe Secondary Level Learners in secondary stage in Tripura. Tripura’ The Significance of the Study Objectives of the study Tripura is a small state in the north east The main objectives of the study are: region of India. It presently comprises of 8 a) To study the socio-economic conditions of Districts, 23 Sub divisions and 58 Blocks. Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Secondary According to the 2011 Census total population level learners in Tripura. of the state is 36,71,032 and the average literacy b) To identify the socio-economic factors rate is 87.75 per cent. It is still a backward state responsible for scholastic performance and with respect to social , economic and academic achievements of Scheduled Caste and educational progress .The population of this Scheduled Tribe Secondary level learners in state is mixed, comprising of both tribal and non Tripura. tribes .The people of this state are by and large c) To suggest remedial measures to improve the poor. A large Section of population belongs to socio-economic conditions of Scheduled Caste socially backward classes like Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Secondary level learners in (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST). Most of them Tripura. belong to lower income groups and live hand to Methodology Adopted mouth. The children of such families face multitudes of educational problems owing to Method their low to lower-middle socio-economic The present study is a descriptive sociological status(SES). survey. The study was carried out in four Under the revolutionary light of Universal districts of Tripura, namely, West Tripura, Elementary Education (UEE), Sarva Siksha Sipahijala, Gomati Tripura, and South Tripura. Abhiyan(SSA) and Rashtriya Madhyamik The target population comprises the Secondary Siksha Abhiyan(RMSA) all children of the State level students of the districts belonging to are entitled to opportunity of enrolment and Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) access to education .Students belonging to SC communities. Sociological survey was and ST category enjoy the benefit of Reservation conducted by developing and executing specific policy in Public sector and also get monetary tools. and objective reinforcement in course of their Sampling:- academic life .Yet, a good number of SC and ST Samples were selected by the method of random students suffer from failure and stagnation and sampling from five schools of each district. In most of them become drop outs .Considering order to get wide random samples, 25 students above facts, the investigator took the following from each school i.e. a total of 500 students, 25 problem in hand for study: Headmasters/Headmistresses, 125 teachers and

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125 parents/guardians were selected for the Some special attributes were also recorded and present study. collected. To find the relationship between Tools Socio-Economic status and scholastic i) Socio-Economic status scale for students achievement, the latest school/board was used. examination results of the concerned students ii) Problem check list and information schedule were also collected. was developed by the researcher and was used Analysis and Interpretation of Data subsequently. Data were analysed qualitatively and iii) Interview schedules for head of institutions, quantitatively. Collected data were compiled and teachers and parents were also used. scores computed. Then the data were tabulated Data Collection and statistically analyzed in terms of total score The researcher has collected data from the and chi-square test. The tabulated data were selected samples as mentioned earlier. The expressed graphically and Results and Findings above mentioned tools were used for collecting were discussed with suitable interpretation.

data. The researcher observed that the chi-square is The researcher visited all the selected schools most relevant and appropriate in analyzing personally and collected relevant data. Data was categorical variables in this specific case. The collected from five schools of each of the four chi-square test is a statistical test used to Districts as mentioned earlier. 20 Nos. of examine differences with categorical variables. secondary level Scheduled Caste and Scheduled It is relevant here for estimating how closely an Tribe students from each school comprising of observed distribution matches an expected both boys and girls were brought under distribution. It is also useful here for estimating investigation. They were supplied with the SES whether two random variables are independent scale and standardised Problem checklist and or not. Assessments of significance levels were information schedule. Finally, the responses of done correctly with the help of chi-square tests these students were recorded and collected. in this specific case. In order to avoid Pertinent information were also collected from assumptions, non-parametric tests like chi 25 Nos. of Headmasters/Headmistresses, 125 square tests are implemented here. Chi square Nos. of Teachers and 125 Nos. of test is important here to test significance levels Parents/Guardians using interview schedules. among categorical variables. Table 1 : Type of family Categories Joint family Nuclear family Total 1st Division 50 40 90 2nd Division 72 38 110 3rd Division 195 105 300 Total 307 193 500

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From the above data and result it is observed enough to reject the null hypothesis and to that the computed X2 value is 13.29 and the accept the fact that the students residing in joint corresponding critical value (df = 2) is 5.991 (at families actually did better with respect to 0.05 level) which is less than the computed X2 achievement of the those students of the study value. That means the X2 value is significant who are from the nuclear families. Table : 2 - Total number of family members Categories Less than four Four More than four More than six Total 1st Division 9 45 28 8 90 2nd Division 12 56 32 10 110 3rd Division 61 10 109 120 300 Total 82 111 169 138 500

From the above data and result it is observed enough to reject the null hypothesis and to that the computed X2 value is 179.11 and the accept the fact that the students residing in joint corresponding critical value (df = 6) is 12.592 families having 4 to 5 members in numbers (at 0.05 level) which is less than the computed actually did better with respect to their level of X2 value. That means the X2 value is significant Academic Achievement.

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Table 3 : Highest level of education of parents/Guardians senior Post Categories Primary Middle Matriculation Graduation Total secondary (+2) Graduation 1st Division 3 3 4 10 26 44 90 2nd 5 6 6 7 34 52 110 Division 3rd Division 109 74 60 41 10 6 300 Total 117 83 70 58 70 102 500

From the above data and result it is observed enough to reject the null hypothesis and accept that the computed X2 value is 292.83 and the the fact that the children of the learned parents corresponding critical value (df = 10) is 18.307 actually are better off in Academic Achievement (at 0.05 level) which is less than the computed in comparison to those whose parents are not X2 value. That means the X2 value is significant that much educated.

Table 4 : Total monthly family income from all sources (in Rs.)

50,000 20,001 to 10,000 to 5,001 to 4,001 to 3,001 to Categories or Total 50,000 20,000 10,000 5,000 4,000 more 1st Division 20 28 24 12 4 2 90 2nd Division 18 24 42 16 6 4 110 3rd Division 48 90 52 69 36 5 300 Total 86 142 118 97 46 11 500

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From the above data and result it is observed accept the fact that the students whose monthly that the computed X2 value is 31.88 and the family income is 50000 or more did the best and corresponding critical value (df = 10) is 18.307 the trend of the academic achievement of the (at 0.05 level) which is less than the computed students revealed that the more the family X2 value. That means the X2 value is significant income, the more is their academic performance. enough to reject the null hypothesis and to Table - 5 : Possession of Agricultural Land by the family Categories Yes No Total 1st Division 50 40 90 2nd Division 65 45 110 3rd Division 193 107 300 Total 308 192 500

From the above data and result it is observed value. That means the X2 value is not significant that the computed X2 value is 2.61 and the and thus the null hypothesis is accepted. corresponding critical value (df = 4) is 5.991 (at Therefore, we can say that whether a family 0.05 level) which is more than the computed X2 possesses any kind of Agricultural land of their

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Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, Vol. VII, No. I, January- June, 2019 own or not doesn’t have any impact on the students’ level of Academic Performances. Table 6 : Economic status of the family

Categories Rich Middle class Poor Total 1st Division 26 48 16 90 2nd Division 37 59 14 110 3rd Division 82 98 120 300 Total 145 205 150 500

From the above data and result it is observed 2. Students residing in joint families showed that the computed X2 value is 39.19 and the better scholastic performance than those residing corresponding critical value (df = 4) is 9.488 (at in nuclear families. The reason may be that in 0.05 level) which is much less than the joint families academic progress of children can computed X2 value. That means the X2 value is be nurtured by other family members in addition significant enough to reject the null hypothesis to parents. and accept the fact that the students residing in 3. Total number of family members is a middle - economic class families did better in significant factor to affect academic Academic Achievement than those students of achievement of the children. It has been found rich and poor economic class families. The that families comprising of 4-5members have economically poor students mostly did not score the trend of better academic performance. more than 45%, whereas the rate of securing 1st 4. Parental education significantly affects division and 2nd division are higher if we academic achievement of their wards. consider the students of middle socio-economic 5. Monthly family income has a significant background. proportional relation with academic achievement Findings of the children. Major Findings 6. Possession or non possession of agricultural 1. There is no significant difference between SC land by the family has no significant impact on and ST students in respect to Socio-Economic academic achievement of the children. status and academic achievement. 127

Prominent Socio-Economic Factors...... : An Analytical Study ISSN: 2319-8192

7. Students belonging to families of middle SES agricultural land by the family have no performed better regarding academic significant impact on academic achievement, a achievement as compared to those of high and good number of other factors affect significantly low SES. the academic achievement of the children. These Measures to improve Socio-Economic factors include joint or nuclear family, parental Conditions of SC and ST Secondary Level education, stable job and family income and Learners more precisely high, middle or low SES. 1 Making parents/guardians aware of the References necessity of educating their wards. • BINDU, R.P. Progress of Education of 2 Improving home environment and making it Scheduled Castes in Uttar Pradesh , Ph.D. favourable for study. Edu,.BHU 1974. 3 Maintenance of congenial school • Central European University: Email environment which would be learner-friendly. Education Inequality; Turkey: Factors Affecting 4 Boosting up of the level of future aspiration Girls' Schooling; Anil Duman. of the learners. • CHATTOPADHYAY .N , A Psychological 5 Removing social, economic and cultural Study of intelligence of Tribal and Non-tribal backwardness of SC and ST Secondary Level Children of Tripura ,D.Phill.Psy.,Cal.U .,1961 learners. Research. 6. Opening up of new awareness of job- • CHINTIS , S ., The educational Enrolment facilities to the parents/guardians of SC and ST among the Scheduled Castes of Mahasratra , learners. TISS, Bombay , 1974. 7. Special educational support to first • Das , S . 1992 Level I –Level II abilities of generation learners by govt. & non Govt. socially disadvantaged children : Effects of organizations. home environment caste and age . Ph.D.., Psy . 8. Provision of reinforcement in terms of Utkal Univ. [KCP 0488]. incentives, scholarships and awards for special • Ganguly Malabika. 1989. Socio-economic academic achievement to SC and ST Secondary status and scholastic achievement . Indian Level learners. Educational Review .Vol .24 (1) 84-94. 9. Recruitment of trained teachers. • 10. Provision of remedial teaching for Garg . Chitra . 1992 . A study of family backwards SC and ST learners. relations, socio-economic status , Intelligence Conclusion and adjustment of failed high school students .Ph.D., Edu , Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna The different parameters of Socio- Garhwal Univ.[KBB 0545] Economic status have variable effects on • GEORGE , E ., I Educational Problems of academic achievement of SC and ST secondary the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe level students of Tripura. While possession of

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college Students in kerala ,Dept of psy., Ker . U ,. 1975. (ICSSR financed) • Indra . 1991 , A study of relation of social class , religion , family size and birth order to academic achievement of high school students .Ph.D ., Edu . Agra Univ .[SS 0793] • Investigation - Psicopedagogica: Personal, Family and Academic In Factors Affective Achievement in Secondary School • "Journal of Family Psychology"; The Influence of Parent Education and Family Income on Child Achievement: The Indirect Role of Parental Expectations and the Home Environment; Pamela E. Davis-Kean; 2005

• Lal . S .K., Educational Progress and Problems of scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe college Students in Rajasthan , Dept of Soc ., Jod., 1974 (ICSSR financed) • LALITHAMMA , K . N ., Some factors Affecting Achievement Of Secondary School Pupils in Mathematics , Ph. D Edu ,. Ker . U., 1975 • NAYAR . P . B. The scheduled Castes and Tribe high school Students in Kerala, Dept of Soc ., Ker . U . , 1975 (ICSSR financed)

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Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, January - June, 2019 Vol. VII, No. I ISSN: 2319-8192 Contemporary Art Activities in Manipur: A Study on a Recent Art Workshop

Moirangthem Monali Department of Visual Arts Assam University, Silchar Email: [email protected]

Abstract The Art of Manipur developed with the amalgamation of both tradition and modern ideas during the early 20th century, which is similar to mainland Indian art. Paintings during the pre-Independence period were primarily on the traditional ethos; however the artworks of post-Independence were the reflections of modern elements and forms. The art movement of Manipur witnessed an outstanding episode in the art scenario through the 2nd International Art Camp, 2017 organised by North East Brothers Entertainment in association with Tourism Department of Manipur. Artists from Manipur, India, Turkey, Russia, Haiti and South Korea participated in the camp. The clustering up of artists from different cultures and traditions provided a creative space for sharing ideas and exchanging knowledge. The camp drew people from different backgrounds to be a part of the aesthetic journey. Artists, art lovers and the people of Manipur strongly felt the Camp was a laudable experience and expects more participation from all disciplines in the future. Keywords: Art movement, 2nd International Art Camp, Sangai. Introduction establishment of State Kala Akademi and Manipur, a tiny state in the north-east region of second, the setting up of Arts Society Manipur, India is well known to the world for its rich the only pioneering art organization. Manipur cultural heritage of art and culture; dance and State Kala Academy and Arts Society Manipur sports. Every year Manipur celebrates the Sangai has been playing a key role in the art movement Festival –the biggest festival which is held from of Manipur by organizing various art activities 21st till 30th of November. And as a part of it, 2nd such as seminars, workshops, exhibitions and International Art Camp was organised by North symposiums. Arts Society Manipur organizes East Brothers Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. in Governor Art Award at the interval of three association with Department of Tourism, years ; Annual Art Award is also held every year Manipur to promote the art of Manipur. in visual arts for painting, sculpture, graphics and It is important to lay an insight on the art photography to encourage the artist fraternity; th discourse of Manipur before I begin to discuss each year on 17 February art exhibition is held the works of artists from different parts of the with the sponsorship of the royal family of world. Modern art practises in Manipur became Manipur in memory of the late social activist and active around the late 20th century which is modern painter –Maharajkumar Priyabrata primarily because of two factors: first, the Singh. Furthermore, State Kala Akademi also 130

Contemporary Art Activities in Manipur: A Study on a Recent Art Workshop ISSN: 2319-8192 organizes Annual Exhibitions; publishes a M.S.U, Baroda; Visva Bharati University, quarterly journal dealing on art, literature and Shantiniketan and many other. After being performing arts; memorial lecture in exposed to the mainstream Indian Art, they remembrance of Ningthoujam Bhadra Singh, the began to bring in new waves in the contemporary pioneer artist of Manipur. Apart from this, Art of Manipur. And these artists began to search Imphal Art College, the only Art College in the for a ‘new’ identity trying to create their own state has also been contributing a paramount individual style. As Ananda Coomaraswamy share in the art scene of the region. The college rightly points out, “art is primarily an intellectual which is affiliated to Manipur University offers act; it is the conception of form which B.F.A course in the field of painting, sculpture, corresponds to the ‘idea’ perceived on the minds graphics and applied arts. The Imphal Art School of the artists”. These artists gradually began to was established in 1949 by the modernist painter explore more and held group and solo - Hanjabam Shyamo Sharma and through his exhibitions outside the state. Through the untiring dedication and enthusiastic zeal it was advancement of electronic media, artists of later upgraded as a College in the year 1959. Manipur are actively participating in parallel Museums also play a pivotal role in conserving wavelength with the mainstream Indian art. and preserving the cultural background of the Objectives of the Study region. It is important to mention the two main 1. To provide a brief account on the art museums of Manipur which has a collection of movement and events of Manipur. rare artworks in exhibit. First is the Manipur 2. To understand the art scenario of Manipur State Museum run by the Government of incoherence with the works of the participating Manipur. The art gallery of the museum which artists of 2nd International Art Camp. houses paintings dealing with historical accounts, Data and Methodology cultural significance and of contemporary styles The data is collected from both (a) primary was partly renovated by the Indian Museum of sources and (b) secondary sources. For primary Kolkata. Another museum is a private museum data, interview with the participating artists has run by Mutua Bahadur which has a collection of been conducted and for secondary data, books early artworks of the traditional artists of are taken into account. Manipur significantly relating to the socio- Contemporary Art Scenario of Manipur religious background of Manipur. Manipur has been witnessing an increasing Due to the advancement of technology, number of art activities within the state. Through transport system became more easily accessible exhibitions organised by Arts Society Manipur due to which the local artists began to move out and Manipur State Kala Akademi it has provided of Manipur. These artists were being trained a platform for the artists to showcase their works from well established institutes of India like to the audience. Simultaneously, the audience of Government College of Art and Crafts,Calcutta; Manipur also gets the opportunity to appreciate 131

Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, Vol. VII, No. I, January- June, 2019 the art of Manipur. In fact, both the artist and the Manipur. His dedication and tireless efforts for audience share a parallel journey in the art world. the development of art is appreciated with Besides exhibitions, workshops and seminars are awards and honours given to him. also conducted with artists participating from Second is Yendrembam Ibochouba Singh former different parts of India. art teacher at Imphal Art College who has The contemporary artists of Manipur exhibit completed his M.F.A in Graphics from M.S.U, ‘new’ forms of art and techniques trying to create Baroda. His works are a representation of socio- their own individual style. This search for cultural background of Manipur. Ibochouba is a individualistic style goes hand in hand with the versatile artist who is well versed in painting as socio-political tensions prevailing within the well as sculpture. He is by nature a silent state. Their works reflect a deep sentiment with observer and well acquainted with his students. issues pertaining in their motherland. However, Interaction with the Participating Artists there are other artists as well portraying the rich Now, let me connect the contemporary art of cultural heritage of Manipur with its diverse Manipur with the participants of 2nd International forms of beauty. Art Camp. Imobi Sharma, a well known artist Two senior artists of Manipur are taken into from Manipur is greatly influenced by the account to highlight on the contemporary art Impressionist artist- Gustav Klimt .He trends in Manipur. First is Koolchandra M-them incorporates the Manipuri elements in his whose works are a mirror reflection of the socio- painting and tries to create his own individual political issues of the state. His earlier works style. His works are on great demand in India as portray the love and bonding between the valley well as abroad. Golmei Gandampu’s series of and the hill people of Manipur. Manipur is a state paintings represent the dance forms of Kabui inhabited by thirty-three scheduled tribes in the community where he belongs. He skilfully hill regions and the Meiteis who are the dominant employs the brushstrokes with swirls to signify community resides on the valley areas. the beautiful dance movements. He expressed the Koolchandra’s emotions and sentiments are Kabui dance is loosing its foot and desires to poured out with a heavy heart through the preserve it, through his visual representations. canvas. He tries to convey the message on the Chandam Lalit is more inclined towards the harmful effects of drugs to the youths of Manipur social issue which prevents him from painting through the implementation of dark colors and the beauty of nature. Ultimately, he prefers to bold brush strokes. He also paints on series on symbolize the social events through the depiction the rituals of Manipur to reflect the cultural of female figures with swift brushstrokes. Meena significance and the traditions of his motherland. Laishram , the only female artist from Manipur Former President and Secretary of Arts Society who is based in Delhi expressed the fond Manipur, Koolchandra has been actively memories of her childhood days through her participating in the modern art movement of canvas. Meena’s representation of art is more 132

Contemporary Art Activities in Manipur: A Study on a Recent Art Workshop ISSN: 2319-8192 closer to naive art with the techniques and the Laxman introduced me to other participants from elements that she employs. India -Sobha Broota, Nilen Sen Gupta and The visual arts constitute a language and one can Prabhakar Kolte and we sat down together over a approach an image in terms of its formal cup of tea. Sobha was impressed by the natural elements: line, shape, space, colour, light and beauty of Manipur and of the important role that shade- and consider its aesthetic impact on the women play in the society. She praised the hard- viewer. The exhibition provided a space to working nature of the people of Manipur. Sobha reflect back on the contemporary art of Manipur works on oil medium using basic techniques and as it gives an idea on how the viewing public is inclined towards abstract art. I put up a perceived it. And interactions with mainland question to her which is both simple and Indian artists provided a glimpse of it. Getting complex ‘what does art mean to you?’ she information that Laxman Aelay was participating replied ‘it is difficult to answer and beyond in the camp, the next day, I went straight to the explanation’ instantly, Prabhakar turned to me hotel lobby and said to the receptionist, ‘Can you and said ‘that is the answer to your question.’ please send a message to Laxmam Aelay that his And we all had a good laugh together. The nature daughter’s classmate is waiting for him at the of art has been a vexing question for centuries lobby.’ After few minutes, we introduced and it has been discussed by artists, poets, ourselves and began our talk about his works and philosophers and others. Their views have given the art discourse of Manipur. Coming from the us an insight into the creative process but they weavers’ community of Telangana, Laxman uses have not produced a universally acceptable local elements to look the world through art. His definition of ‘art’. works are focussed around the socio-political and My second interaction session was with foreign contemporary situations. He developed his works participants from South Korea, Russia, Turkey through his preconceived ideas and subconscious and Haiti. Song Keun Young , female artist from elements. A man of multi talents, he has done South Korea uses traditional techniques and video art, photography, installations and logo concepts. She uses Korean ink and paper which designs. He feels the contemporary art of she either makes it by herself or buys it from the Manipur is at its initial stage and need to have market. Her paintings depict the love of reading discussions, seminars and art documentation by the noble man in his study room. To Kim In more often. On this note, I would also like to Tae, Manipur reflects his childhood urge both young and old artists and people from neighbourhood scene. He paints on acrylic different walks of life to share the creative space medium and expressed his love for nature. In his together and interact with one another. This very painting, he uses flat planes with bright colors simple yet big step, will definitely contribute for and symbols. Julia Zhukova and Elena a place in the mainstream Indian art through a Brazhunenko from Russia expressed their love larger perspective. After our conversation, for landscape paintings. To Julia, the streets of 133

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Imphal city gives her the inspiration to paint and Manipur. The camp also gave a space for for Elena Post-Impressionisn influence her documenting the artworks of individual artists works. Emine Tokmakkaya, a female artist from from across the world. Organizing such camp Turkey is more into the traditional and mystic provides a place for Manipur in the national as concept. Her works focuses on dreams and well as the international art movement. women. Her painting is more absorbed towards References the mystic elements of her cultural background • Coomaraswamy, Ananda K. Introduction to and portrays fish as a good omen. She feels that Indian Art. New Delhi: Oriental Publishers, Indian art and her art has the same concept as 1969.Print. both arts are rooted to their traditions. Garry • Monali, Moirangthem. “Art and Artist: A Laurent from Haiti paints as a therapeutic Creative Space”, Unpublished seminar paper, treatment to his country’s sufferings. Garry International Science Congress, Bhutan, 2017. works on acrylic and most of his works are • Monali, Moirangthem. “Modern Paintings of associated with the play of texture. In his Manipur A Survey of the Early Phase Artists painting he depicts Sangai, the state animal of (1907-1976)”, Unpublished Dissertation, Manipur from where the Sangai Festival takes Hyderabad Central University, 2013. its’ name. • Sanajaoba,Naorem,Ed.Manipur Past and Conclusion Present the Ordeals and Heritage of a The shared relationship between the Civilization. Vol.I.New Delhi: Mittal contemporary artists of Manipur and the Publications, 1991. Print. participating artists along with the viewers are • Singh,L.Joychandra.The Lost Kingdom nd noticeably reflected on the 2 International Art Royal Chronicle of Manipur. Calcutta: Camp. It served as a platform for sharing Prajatantra Publishing House,1995. Print. creative ideas and learning each other’s culture • Vashistha,Neelima. Tradition and Modernity and traditions which gave a great impact upon in Indian arts during the Twentieth the art fraternity as well as the masses of Century.Shimla : Indian Institute of Advanced Manipur. It also played the role as awareness Study,2010. Print. among the intellectuals and common people of

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Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, January - June, 2019 Vol. VII, No. I ISSN: 2319-8192 Socio- Economic Status of Slum Dwelling Women: Case Study on Tripura

1 Manisha Karmakar, Research Scholar, Dept. of Economics, Tripura University 2Dr. Jahar Debbarma, Associate Professor, Dept. of Economics, Tripura University

Abstract The main objective of the study is to analyse and measure the socio-economic status of slums dwelling women of Tripura. Among the eight Northeast states, Tripura is one of the developing states. According to the census of India - 2011, the number of the city reported slum in Tripura is 15. The study is mainly based on the primary data. From total slum households, samples of 200 households are selected by applying purposive random sampling method. Out of total respondents, 100 are taken from Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) and another 100 are taken from two Nagar Panchayats, viz. Udaipur and Khowai, 50 each from these area. Respondents are ‘ever married women’ within age group 15-49. To examine the status of slum dwelling women variables like demographic, educational, health, economic, crime against women and decision-making power of women have been considered and status index values have been framed. 73.5 percent of the samples households belong to BPL. Out of the total sample size, 36 percent of women are illiterate. 58.5 percent of the respondents are homemakers and 13 percent works as housemaid. 27 percent of the respondent’s monthly income within the range of Rs.1500 to 2000/- only. Average BMI of slum women is normal with 23.425. On the other hand, 22.5 percent of the women have found to be victim of domestic violence either by husband or by other family members. Only 23 percent of respondents can take decision on spend their own earning. In status index value, education and economic status is found to be less than other indices like health, no crime against respondent, decision-making ability. The overall socio-economic status of slum dwelling women in Tripura is not at all encouraging and most of them live in a deplorable condition. Majority of ever married women are absolutely have no independence in many issues related to their socio-economic status. Keywords: Socio-economic status, Slum, Women I Introduction National Commission set up an Act of Parliament Women play a pivotal role in the overall in 1990 for women to safe guard the rights and progress of a country, as they constitute half the legal entitlements of women. human resources of a nation. The socio economic Right from First Five Year plan the issue status of women may give light on the of providing equal status to women has been development of the society. It is widely perceived sharply focused in the development process. In th that any type of discrimination is curse of human the 11 plan (2007- 12), the issue of gender society. The constitution of India guarantees empowerment and equity is made as essential th equality of sexes in various fields of life. The component to improved the status of women. 12

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five year plan have stressed the importance on The percentage of slum population to the total inclusive growth. population of Tripura is 3.26. On the other side, like most of the third Objectives of the Study world countries, India is going through a period The broad aims and objectives are to assess of repaid urbanisation. Economic development is overall socio-economic conditions of the slums generally reflected by growth of urbanisation. In dwellers. However, the main objective of the most of the Third World Countries, the rapid study is to measure the socio-economic status of urban growth occurs through squatter settlements slums dwelling women. (Mandal, 1980). It was reported that there are Research Methodology about one billion people around the world now Selection of Study Area live in city slum by Mrs. Anna Tibaijuka, In the study, urban slums of Tripura are Executive Director of UNCHS (United Nations considered. According to the census of India- Center for Human Settlements) – Habitat, 2011, there are eight districts with 23 sub (Kellenberger, 2009). divisions and 19 municipal towns in the state of In 2011, the total number of slum Tripura. Agartala is the capital of Tripura and is households is 137.5 lakh, which is 17.4 percent of only city of the state having one Municipal the total urban households of all the states and Corporation. There are 13 towns with one each union territories. Municipal Council and six Nagar Panchayats. In India, there were several plans and Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) measures adopted to improve the socio-economic is the largest urban area in Tripura and having conditions of slum dwellers. However, one factor largest slum area and population. So, Agartala often goes neglected in most of the slum Municipal Corporation (AMC) has been selected development plans, which is the involvement of as one of the study area. Another two Urban women. Women largely withstand the worst of Local Bodies namely; Udaipur Municipal the sub-human living conditions in slums (Moser, Council and Khowai Municipal Council have 1987; Amis, 2001). been selected as study area out of total 19 Urban Tripura is a tiny and economically Local Bodies in Tripura with random sampling backward but developing state. Tripura has 155 method. urban slums with 5.5 percent population to total Data Collection urban population (including Agartala Municipal Both Primary and Secondary data have council (AMC) and fifteen Nagar Panchayats) in been collected. However, the study is mainly the state. Agartala Municipal Council (AMC) based on the primary data alone has 59 slum areas with 43,947 slum dweller Sample Size and Sampling Method population and the total population of slums in 15 From total slum households, samples of Nagar Panchayats in Tripura is 616804. about 200 households are selected by applying According to the census of India - 2011, the number of the city reported slum in Tripura is 15.

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Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, Vol. VII, No. I, January- June, 2019 purposive random sampling method. The steps come from lower castes. It is also seen that poor are households include more wage earning women. Step 1: Care has been taken in selection of Tripathy, (2013) studies the socio households to ensure that households are with economic status on the basis of education, ‘ever married women’ within age group 15-49. income and occupation. Step 2: In slum areas out of 200 households 100 Naveen, Aggarwal, Chand (2003) make are from Agartala Municipal Corporation, 50 are the study to determine the pattern of from Udaipur and 50 are from Khowai are consumption, employment, educational and selected for study. economic status of slum population of Delhi Tools Used for analysis slums. Usual statistical tools like Average, Percentage, Anjali (2005) shows that Slum Arithmetic Mean Maximum, Minimum, etc. have population bears dual burden of diseases – been used for the present study. diseases due to life style, urban living and Literature review diseases due to poor economic status and thus Statistics of Women in India (2010) living conditions. describes the adopted steps adopted in different II planning periods for improving the socio- Analysis and Interpretation of Results economic conditions of Indian women. The socio economic status of women is Chakraborty (2008) has made a the reflection of the society. The socio-economic comparison between the north Eastern states of status of slum dwelling ever married women India and India as a whole with Tripura in respect within age group 15-49, have been studied with of the indicators like sex ration, IMR, gender the help of following variables like demographic , parity index and work participation rate. Except educational, health, economic, crime against educational scenario the women status of Tripura women and decision making power of women. is not satisfactory. The study is analysed in two different angles: Datta (2008) has shown the socio- 1. By tabular form and taking average value of economic status of women in Tripura. The study all indicators, shows that the status of women in Tripura is in 2. By measuring status index. transition. In terms of gender ratio, educational 1. Demographic Status status Tripura is in rising position but state needs The demographic status of women are special care by the government for the growth of analysed with the help of following determinants employment generation for women like household characteristics and age structure of empowerment. the respondents. Razvi, Roth (2004) tries to show the low 1.1: Household Characteristics level of status of women in India. There is a Types of family, average size of family relationship between gender, caste, class, and members, sex ratio and child sex ratio have been income because the majority of poor women taken as parameters of household characteristics.

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1.1A: Types of family ratio of the population below six years of age In developing countries, it is found that shows the sex ratio at birth and rate of mortality most of the families are of two types namely by sex after birth. Total number of people of the nuclear families and joint families. It is seen that surveyed family is 755. Out of this total number out of 200 families’ 30 (15%) families live in of female is 369 and the rest 386 are male. The joint family system in slum areas. sex ratio in slum survey areas is 956. On the 1.1B: Average Size of Family Members other hand, for child sex ratio, there are total The members of the family who live in number of child (age 0-6) is 76, and out of this one roof and take food jointly are considered as male child is 36 and female child is 40. The child the family members. It is found that the average sex ratio of slum survey areas is 1011. size of the family members is 3.78. 1. Educational Status 1.1C: Sex Ratio (females per 1000 males) and Literacy rate is considered as a true child sex ratio measure of educational status in all census of Sex ratio is treated as an important India. On the other hand, Educational attainment indicator to measure the women status. Child sex helps to show the level of literacy. Table 1: Education attainment of Respondents Caste Illiterate Primary Secondary H.S UG Total Literate 1 2 3 4 5 (2 to 5) Total 72 (36) 42 (21) 72 (36) 11(5.5) 3 (1.5) 128 (64) Source: Field Survey. The figures in the parenthesis are in percentage The total literacy rate of respondent is 64 regarded as normal since it falls within the range percent and illiterate rate is 36 percent. Out of the of 18.5 to 24.9. total literate of 128 respondents, 72 are 3.2: Reproductive health status completed the secondary level, 11 have The reproductive health status of completed Higher secondary level and only three respondent has been studied with the help of, respondents are graduate. Average Age at the time of marriage, Average No 3. Health Status of Birth (Total Fertility Rate), Average Age of Health Status is one of the important respondents at the time of first birth. indicators for determining status. The The total average age at the time of determinants of health status of respondents may marriage of all respondents is 19.29 years and be Body Mass Index, reproductive health and total average age of the respondents at the time of immunisation of children, the first birth (whether the child is alive or not) is 3.1: Body Mass Index 21.88. In addition, it is found that the total To measure nutritional status of women average number of childbirth is 1.84. Body Mass Index (BMI) is treated as one of the 3.3: Immunisation of Children most popular and effective measure. The average The Universal Immunization Programme BMI of total respondents is 23.425. This figure is provides children with vaccinations against six

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Intellection: A Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal, Vol. VII, No. I, January- June, 2019 vaccine-preventable diseases. It is found that 66 Economic status of women somehow percent children of the respondents are fully depends on the employment status of women, as immunized, 5 percent are partly immunized. well as employment status of her family members Together 71 percent are fully and partly like head of the family and other members also. immunized. 29 percent are not immunized, this Employment status has been calculated from the figure is quite high and have not taken vaccine. nature of occupation . 4: Economic Status Out of 200 respondents only 26 percent are from APL group whereas majority of them belongs to BPL group with 73.5 percent. 4.1: Employment Status of Respondents: Table: 2: Occupation of the Respondents Occupation No. of Respondents 1. Agricultural labourer 22 (11) 2. Construction Worker 16 (8) 3. Govt. Service 1(0.5) 4. Petty Business 12 (6) 5.Self Employed 4(2) 6. House-maid 26 (13) 7. Sales Worker 2(1) 8. Housewife 117 (58.5) Total 200(100.0) Source: Field Survey (2014-15). The figures in the parenthesis are in percentage terms. It is also seen majority of respondents monthly income group of < 1000/- and 1001- 117 (58.5 percent) are housewife and their 1500/-. contributions towards economic activity is treated 4.2:Housing condition to be zero. So, only 41.5 percent of the The majority of the respondents’ houses respondents are engaged in economic activities. are made of Kachcha i.e. 64 per cent. Kitchen is However, 13 percent of the respondent are found one of the most important parts of the household. to be engaged as domestic maid servant and It should be cleaned and well ventilated. Smokes followed by agricultural labourer with 11 percent. of kitchen may cause different types of problems Others are very insignificant. with health problems also. It is the main working It is found that out of 83 respondents place for most of the women. 49 percent have engaged in economic activities, 27 percent has non-attached means a small separate cooking income within the range of Rs.1501/- to 2000/- house adjacent to the main house and 4.5 percent per month. There are 20 percent each having families do not have proper kitchen in the house.

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Water plays a vital role for the wellbeing variables. 88.5 percent of total respondents, 200, of human. It is found that 69 percent households has a Mobile sets (at least one), which is are dependent on tube well. Though there are expected. 75.5 households have colour TV and facilities of piped water supply but only 30 50 percent of family owned vehicles mostly three percent of the houses have access to it and often wheelers. Only 24.5 percent rear livestock and it it is insufficient. So, they have to depend on is interesting to find 3 families had desk top protected dug well, unprotected dug well, lake or computer. ponds for drinking as well as other purposes. 5: Domestic violence Women and Decision- Sanitation is also considered as making ability of respondent important indicator of women status. From the 5.1: Domestic violence against women analysis it is found that 52 percent households are Domestic violence against women is having kachcha (not proper) toilet and 40.5 considered as an important indicator for percent are having proper toilet. It is very measuring socio economic status of women. interesting to find that even now there are 12.5 However, out of 200 respondents, only 45 (22.5 percent of the households are still not having percent) has disclosed as the victim of domestic sanitation facilities at their homestead and all violence meted out by their husband and in-laws. family members do it in open place for 5.2: Decision making ability of respondent: defecation, mostly in the nearby river bank, field The ability of women to take decisions etc. on different aspects of life as well as family In order to assess the living standard of affairs has a great importance on her socio the family as well as the status of the respondents economic status. Decision making ability is a the family assets is one of the most important kind of empowerment of women. Table 3: Decision making ability of women respondent Decisions Taken by Total Jointly Self Spouse Cannot Say Decisions about 1. What to cook on a daily basis 97 63 34 6 200 2. Whether to buy expensive item 72 27 64 37 200 3. No. of children 124 34 29 13 200 4. Women’s earnings spending 86 46 37 31 200 5. Men’s earnings spending 91 36 49 24 200 6. What to do if a child falls sick? 108 41 41 10 200 7.Health care about women’s health 94 59 45 02 200 8. Education of children 100 21 68 11 200 9.Marriage of children 93 13 74 20 200 10.Choice for income generating activity 91 12 90 07 200 11. Visit to relatives 102 40 42 06 200

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12. Sale and purchase of property 76 10 106 08 200 13. Amount or sources of savings or loans 79 9 106 6 200 Source: Field Survey (2014-15). In case of choice of undertaking income- Credit has been given by score 0 and1. For generating activity, sales and purchase of example, if BMI of the respondent is within property, amount or source of savings or loans, normal range, has given score 1, other wise 0. For man only takes the most of the decisions. Women the case of reproductive health, age of marriage decision-making power is shown in case of 18 or above has given score 1, and score 0 for cooking decision, taking treatment of her own below 18 years. and children, spending her own earning etc. Economic Status: Measuring economic 2. Women Status Index status, all the indicators individually are given To examine the Socio-Economic status of women score 1, for having and 0 for not having. Thus five indicators like educational status, health considering all indicators taking for measuring status, economic status, crime against women, the economic status of the respondent has been and decision-making ability have been studied. calculated dividing individual score by summing Taking average of these status indices of all up the total score. Taking the average of the value respondents, the status index of women (Y) has of the status index, the economic status index has been calculated. been measured. Educational Status: Educational level Crime against women: In this case has been divided into six categories, illiterate, occurring crime against the respondent in any primary level, secondary level, higher secondary form and from any one of family members has level and graduation and above. Score 0, 1, 2, 3 been scored by 0, and non-occurrence by 1. and 4 has been given. The educational status of Decision making ability: In this case all the individuals is measured by dividing the also, involvement of respondent in decision score of the individual by the total number score. making, has given score 1, otherwise 0. For e.g. whose score is 1(one), her value of the score will be 1/5=0.2. Taking mean value of the scores of each respondent, the status index has been calculated. Health Status: For measuring health status, total eight indicators have been taken. Table 4: value of Status Index: Caste Women Educational Health Economic No Crime Decision Status Status status status against making ability respondent ALL 0.412572 0.231 0.569375 0.203819 0.415 0.643667 Source: Field Study, Self Calculations on the basis of Primary data.

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From the table 4, it is shown that, the value of 5. 27 percent of the Respondents have monthly overall women status of slum dwellers is 0.413. income within the range of Rs.1500 to 2000/- This value indicates that the status of women in only. slum dwelling is not up to the mark since it is far 6. 64 percent of the respondent’s dwelling is below 1. This means slum women are lagging far kuchcha and 76 percent of the household has behind. In case of the individual women status separate or no attached kitchen. indices, the value of educational status is 0.231, 7. For drinking water and other purposes, 69 value of Health status is 0.569, Economic status percent of households are dependent on tube is 0.203, No crime against respondent is 0.415 well. 47 percent household have kuchcha toilet and Decision making ability status is 0.643 and 13percent had no toilet at all and defecation respectively. Therefore, it is found that the are done in open field. women status index in case of education and 8. All the houses are having electricity economic status is much less than other indices connection. 88.5 percent of households members like health, no crime against respondent, Decision owned Mobile and 75.5 percent households have making ability. colour TV and only 3 families had desk-top Major Finding: computer. From the above analysis and interpretation of 9. 22.5 percent of the women have found to be results the major findings are as under: victim of domestic violence either by husband or 1. Out of the total sample size, 64 percent of by other family members. women are literate and 36 percent of them are 10. Only 23 percent of respondents could illiterate. However, amongst the literate majority take decision on spend their own earning. In case respondents are in the primary and secondary of Choice for income generating activity, only 6 levels. percent could take independent decision. 2. Average BMI is found to be normal with 11. In women status index analysis it was 23.425. The total average age at the time of found that education and economic status are marriage of all respondents is 19.29 years and below or less than other indices like health, no total average age of the respondents at the time of crime against respondent, decision making the first birth is 21.88 years. The percentage of ability. the children of the respondents as fully Conclusion immunized is 66. As development of a nation is almost impossible 3. 73.5 percent of the sample households belong without development of women, the socio to BPL. economic status of women is one of the most 4. 58.5 percent of the respondents are housewife important necessary conditions. Urbanisation is and 13 percent works as housemaid. Only 1 an indicator of development. On the other hand, respondent found to be working as Govt. service slum immergence is associated with urbanisation. under AMC as class IV staff. The overall socio-economic status of slum

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dwelling women in Tripura is not at all General & Census Commissioner, India, New encouraging and most of them live in a Delhi, 30-09-2013. deplorable condition. Majority of ever married 4. Chakraborty, Dipannita., (2008). “Status of women are absolutely had no independence in women in North Eastern States of India: an many issues related to their socio-economic Analysis with Special Reference to Tripura” status. Many of these slum women are not Chakraborty, Kiran Sankar, (ed) “Empowerment engaged in gainful employment which is visible and Status of Women in Tripura” Akansha in their occupation and monthly income. Majority Publishing House, New Delhi-02. of women had low level of education attainment 5. Department of Town and Country Planning. and are simply kept as housewife. Moreover, 6. Economic Review of Tripura, 2012-2013; more than seventy percent of the households 7. Kellenberger, Carrie, “Slums Around the belong to BPL category. The dwelling conditions World”, Destinations, Lifestyles, and Cultures in are not up to the mark. And most of them are Asia April 5, 2009 suffering from lack of basic amenities. It can shed 8. Kumar, Naveen., Aggarwal, Suresh Chand., a light of hope that least number of the 2003 “Patterns of Consumption and Poverty in respondents has reported them as the victim of Delhi Slums” Economic and Political Weekly. any type of domestic violence. All variables like 9. Mandal, R.B., “Urban Geography: A Text demographic, educational, economic, health, Book” Concept Publishing Company, New domestic violence against women shows poor Delhi-59. values, except the average BMI of the women 10. Population Census-2011 and decision-making ability of women is found to 11. Radkar. Anjali, “Health Status of Slum be in good position. Dwellers in Pune”2005 downloaded on28.03.12 References 12. Report on National Family Health Survey - 1. Agartala Municipal Council, Govt. of Tripura 3. 2. Bhatnagar, M., “Urban Slums and Poverty”, 13. Slum Data Census-2001 Ritu Publications, Jaipur, India, 2010. 14. Statistics of Women India- 2007. National 3. Census of India- 2011, Primary Census Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Abstract for Slum, Office of the Registrar Development, New Delhi – 110016.

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Call for papers for next issue ( Vol.VII, No.II) It is for information of all interested researchers that the 14th issue (July– December, 2019) of bi-annual interdisciplinary research journal viz. Intellection (ISSN: 2319-8192) of Barak Education Society will be published tentatively in the month of July, 2019. Therefore, we would like to invite all academicians from various disciplines to contribute research papers for the ensuing issue of Intellection. It may kindly be noted that the following guidelines are required to be adhered to for this purpose. 1. Research article must be original and unpublished which is to be certified by the author. 2. The title of the article should be appropriate for its contents. The article should be written with proper methodology. 3. There should be keywords, introduction, objective, data analysis, findings and conclusion. There must be references furnished as per latest system of research paper writing. 4. The article should be composed as MS Word document of 7 to 8 pages printed in A4 size paper and text should be in font size of 12 in Times New Roman with 1.5 spaces on one side with 3 cm margin. 5. The research article must have an abstract of not more than 200 words. 6. The author should take sufficient care for avoiding spelling and other grammatical mistakes 7. The author(s) should send the article through e-mail as attachment file in MS Word document. In addition to hard copy may also require to be sent. 8. A short note about the author should accompany the article which must contain full name, postal and email address, phone number, academic accomplishment and positions held if any. 9. Maximum two articles in Bengali may be published in this issue on any topic relating to Bengali language and /or literature 10. Article accepted after review will be published as per decision of the publication committee. The identity of the reviewer(s) cannot be disclosed. 11. Editorial Board may go for plagiarism test before publication of any particular research paper wherever recommended by the reviewer(s). 12. The journal will be uploaded and published in the website : www.besngo.org 13. The Editorial Board have every right to reject any research article on reasonable ground.

Prof Nikunja Bihari Biswas, Department of Education, Assam University is the Chief Editor of the journal. For further information one may request through email id given below. The last date for submission of full paper to the Editor with copy to the Managing Editor is 31st May, 2019.

Sd/- Sd/- Dr.A.H.Chaudhury Dr. Baharul Islam Laskar Managing Editor Editor Phone No. 9435370812 Phone No.9435988843 Email id: [email protected] Email id: [email protected]

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