NEWS FROM.llAS 23

he seminar on 'Fifty Years women's status by the governrnent of India's Independence' and the NGOs. However, she organized by the Institute In a Seminar's Wake T regretted the wide gap between ~om 24 to 27 September 1996 aimed at provisions in the law and their reflecting and exchanging experiences Samir Banerjee reviews the Institute's National Seminar on implementation. on the five decades of India's Fifty Years of India's Independence Vir Bharat Talwar in his 'Tribals in independence so that a systema!ic Free India: Victims of Progress' understanding of this past could Betrayal', sea thing! y attacked the state can see the source of the continued focused on detrimental processes of revitalize our vision. To revisit the of education in independent India. dominance of English, the emergence assimilation and acculturation, past, particularly while meditating on Gopi Chand Narang, in his paper of an agricultural education leading to marginalization the significance of a term as contextual to sustain and 'Linguistic Id.entity in North-Central the emerging green revolution alienation of tribal societies. He drew and relative as 'freedom', is a difficult , the India: The Case of Urdu', emphasized creation of conditions for American attention to the disturbing fact that task. To initiate this discourse, the the relationship between cultural penetration and consolidation over much of what tribal societies could Institute had suggested some broad identity and language, and drew our the political economy as a whole, and teach - particularly in terms of themes. They included the significance attention to the strange predicament Shekhar Pathak in his state and the implications of freedom Urdu in the overlap ofUrdu and Hindi, Promises and Pitfalls' suggested 'Halat-e-Himalay: Fifty Years of for India, particularly in terms of the thanks to the television, films, and liberating education from Development and Destructihn in the future and of human civilization. the ghazals. stranglehold of bureaucrats and Himalayan ,Mountains', sought to Narendra Mohan in his 'Search for politicians by making it autonomous, highlight the destruction caused Papers and Individual Presentations by the Meaning of Independence in and stressed the need for improving unsustainable mobilization practices Literature' began by recalling the quality of primary education and in a fragile eco-system. Giving ample B. K. Bhattacharya's paper which nostalgically the fond hopes at the of selective vocationalization detail on the destruction and the opened theseminarwasaninteresting at the dawn of independence. These, middle levels. anomalies generated, Pathak showed blend of hopes, reflections on the however, have remained hopes and In his 'Freedom or Fei~rdom', Vi jay that while the holding capacity ofsuch 'Indian Revolution' and a dialogue the reality is one of tension, crisis, S. T. Shankardass suggested that eco-systems can be understood with past leaders-Gandhi and Lohia. anomalies, curtailing of creative human rights movements had much through a study of specificities, local Bhattacharya felt that the Indian spaces, and a growing hiatus between potential to usher in genuine freedom, histories, sus.tainability practices, local revolution remained unfinished, and national and regional identities. T. R. but felt that such movements have to genius,externallinkages,etc., itcannot that in order to find inspiration we S. Sharma in his 'Translating Literary 'give up both their state base and their be made elastic by prising them open need to go back to a proper evaluation Texts: A Phenomenological Study' western conceptual legacy.' His in the name of development and of the freedom movement. Taking discussed issues of translation from analysis, while stressing 'rights' and progress. stock of the past fifty years, Ajit Indian languages to English, and 'needs', did not explicitly address the For Shivaji K. Panikkar in his Bhattacharjea, in his 'From White to elaborated a theory of translation issue of 'responsibilities.' L. B. Verma 'Political Significations: Modern Brown Elite', found it hard to suppress using Indian aesthetic categories such made a presentation on 'Living Fifty Indian Art and Art Criticism', 'art is a a sense of 'deep disappointment, of as msa, riti, alat~kara and dhwani - Years of Freedom: An Exercise in Oral historical category, conditioned by the hopes betrayed, of grave anxiety for aspects of a literary text which the History.' It was not clear how one particular political economy'. the future.' Bhattacharjea, however, translator has to encounter. could come to grips with the Panikkar described how different saw a ray of hope in the initiative of In 'Is a Fresh Look at The Consti­ complexities of traditional symbolism, paradigms beginning with the activists who have shown what tution Necessary?' Sandeep Shastri particularlywithinlanguage. Thomas Nehruvian mode, to the inter­ mobilizing around linking the analysed the Indian parliamentary Pantham, in his provocative paper ventionist, the solipsistic to the academic right to information with system. Contrary to the expectations 'Indian Secularism and Its Critics: neo-narrative mode guided the Indian the practical right to livelihood, does that this primary political forum of Some Reflections', argued that the artists. While the presentation focused to evoke grassroots consciousness. the country would foster an egalitarian Gandhian vision of Indian secularism on the artist-elite-critique-dealer Bhupinder Parihar in his 'National political milieu, it has largely been 'entailed a relative automony of the hegemony, it left one with a disturbing Integration in a Pluralis~c Society' used for consolidating sectarian political and the religious ( qr~a ethical feeling that aspects such as inspiration emphasized the lack of system­ aspirations and positions of power. In or spiritual or moral) such that they and instinct were being reduced to building initiatives in free India. For his 'Foreign Policy and the Discourse can engage each other in a constructive being handmaidens of history. him, 'in the present socio-political of Freedom in India', Bhupinder Brar way.' Krishna Sobhti's 'Aaj aur Kal' was existential predicament , the difficult postulated freedom as a 'condition Rani D. Shankardass in her, 'The a creative artist's presentation - her question is how to strike a balance that is constantly restructured and Patelian Tradition of Indian Unity: effort was to articulate the reflections between unity and diversity, betwee n reappropriated by continually Origins, Manifestations and Mis­ of an ordinary human being; to present national identity and cultural polari­ enduring subjects'. representations', suggested that Patel, how a simple citizen comprehends ties, between ethnic and linguistic To be able to outline the contours unlike other leaders, was a pragmatist the constant exchange with society multiplicities.' Addressingthe efficacy of the debate on intellectuals, Peter De to the core, most comfortable w hen and its institutions. Peering into of the judicial process, parti cularly in Souza in his paper; 'The Political 'identity or community-interest was different social sections, people, the sphere of hum an rights, I. P. Responsibility of Intellectuals in visibly dominant'. For him 'national forums, practices, she found a complex Massey suggested that since ind epen­ India', began by situating them in assertion' was not to be confused with of creative responses, regressions and dence, there has been an evolution terms of three locations - within the 'nationalist feelings', while discipline hope. Above all, what impressed h er from civil and political rights to university system; as part of the and unity were interchangeable most was the enthusiasm of a yet-to­ economic, social and cultural rights. cultural context of a post-colonial notions. However, the consideration mature dynamism found among the For B. G. Tandon, the appropriate society; and, lastly, in terms of their of discipline a nd unity as inter­ youth, women and environmental way to describe the Indian condition class background. While the changeable can be fraught w ith movements. after fifty years of freedom was emergence of a plurality of points of contradictions and m ay, as 'anarchy'. And the reason was clear. From the Wake view has led to an oscillation in the Shankerdass cautions, ' produce The 'Indian character is a compound quality of the discourse ethics, the unintended effects'. After fifty years there is no question of seven deadly sins - irrationality, emerg~g importance of executive and A glaring absence in the agenda of that we needed a holistic, wide­ religiosity, materialism, physica l political authority has managed to the seminar was pointed out by U. ranging understanding of actions and feebleness, conservatism and infuse a mix of conformism, scepticism Vindhya who wondered whether the events. The seminar had the potential conceitedness'! Som P. Ranchan and pedantic notions of social justice. absence of any discussion of gender to make a meaningful effort in this suggested that we moved away fro m Through a critical and incisive issues was a matter of sheer chance or direction. Expectations were deep, the prayer-petition-protest mode analysis of the content, conclusions design. In a hurriedly put together, demanding clarifications, analyses to one of self-assertion. C. D. and recommendations of the Kothari though comprehensive and thought­ and explanations. Narasimhaiah's paper, 'Our Commission Report of 1966, Krishna ful presentation, she listed some steps Universities: A Story of Unredeemed Kumar argue d that in this report one taken towards the amelioration of co1~td. on page 25 Summerhill 24 NEWS FROM llAS

Hume on Religion: Sociolinguistics in India: Lectures by Edward Craig Retrospect and Prospects

rof. Edward Craig, Fellow of discussed Hume's arguments on the nrecentyears, there has been an The papers focused on the critical P Churchill College, Cambridge rationality of religious belief, and I increasing recognition of the issues of the hegemony of one was a Visiting Professor at the started with the traditional need to assess the work done so far language over others, the devalori­ Instit:ute in August and September distinction between revelation and in sociolinguistics in India, as well zation of a host of Indian languages 1996. He delivered a series of three natural theology. What gave rational as to identify priorities for future and the marginalization of several lectures on David Hume's views on assurance that a revelation is research. It was with this in mind speech communities. issues of religious belief. The genuine, for Hume's contem­ that a Research Seminar-cum-Study Prof. L. M. Khubchandani dwelt lectures, insightful, witty and lucid, poraries, was the occurrence of Week was organized from 7 to 12 at length on the dynamics of spanning a large variety of Hume's miracles. Therefore, Hume's October 1996 at the Indian Institute 'language as an institution while texts, appealed to both the philoso­ discussion of revelation as the of Advanced Study, Shimla under highlighting such characteristics of phers and non-philosophers in the ground of religious belief took the the aegis of the Inter-University natural languages as their openness audience alike. . form of a discussion of the credibility Centre for Humanities and Social and overlapping fluid boundaries In his first lecture, Prof. Craig of miracles and, as testimony is often Sciences. which meet the demands of fuzzy 1 addressed the larger questions in the basis of belief in miracles, of the The seminar was inaugurated by reality. He made out a strong case Hume's philosophical writings in credibility of testimony. Now, Prof. D. P. Pattanayak, eminent for a new paradigm of language terms of which his arguments about testimony is credible to the extent linguist and former director of the development that treats speech as Central Institute of Indian an religion can be understood. Against that the probability of it being false ongoing process of becoming Languages. Prof. Pattanayak rather than a well-defined a conception of human beings as is lower than that of the event it and exhorted Indian scholars to free enclosed structure ~f being. Prof. sharing in the nature of god, Hume reports. As miracles are events that themselves from the unitary, AditiMukherji, addressing the issue presented an alternative picture go against the law of nature, even mono-model conception of language of linguistic standards, expressed which portrayed them as fully the strongest testimony will not which is a gift of the predominantly serious misgivings about normative natural components of nature, override the claims for not believing monolingual western world, and to perspectives which smacked of continuous with the animal in miracle s. develop an alternative multi-model hegemonic arrogance, and argued kingdom. 'Hume fought with the The move to found religious belief approach in order to deal meaning­ for an approach which focused more weapons of philosophy', suggested on natural theology does not fair fully with the infinitely diverse and on negotiated standards and was Prof. Craig, 'the s ame battle as any better b efore Hume. Hume complex Indian sociolinguistic more relevant to our multilingual Darwin was to fight with biological contended that natural theology reality. This was followed by a paper and multidialectal reality. Sadhana ammunition a century later.' does not have any consequence other by Prof. Udaya Narayana Singh Saxena's presentation also high­ An aspect of the image-of-God than those which could equally well which provided a critique of the lighted the need to rid ourselves of a doctrine was the belief that human be drawn by rational atheists from sociolinguistic enterprise in India mindset that equates language knowledge, although infinitesimal their experience of the world and thus far, as well as a programme education and literacy with the compared. to -~~ ~ty of divine life on it. and agenda for future research. He teaching, imposition and knowledge, possessed the same Now,evenwhenthesearguments stressed th17 need to distinguish propagation of a predetermined qualities of infallibility and certainty are rejected, there is· still the between the discourse emerging linguistic standard. Dealing with as the latter in two areas: logic and · possibility of justifying religious from underprivileged speech related issues, Profs. J. Suresh and mathematics on the one hand, and belief on the grounds of faith and communities and the discourse on Hemaprabha cited their experiences the present states of our. minds on pragmatic considerations related to language that has come from centres in Tamil Nadu. the other. Hume argued that hardly morality. Hume'sresponses to these of cultural power in the past. Focusing on language contact and any such reliable knowledge was arguments can be found in his In the sessions that followed, it convergence, Dr. Anvita Abbi and became available, and that the faculties that Natural History of Religion, and it is patently obvious that most Prof. B. N. Patnaik provided rich of the participants shared gave us that degree of insight into to this text that Prof. Craig turned in the views data in order to speculate as to what and concerns expressed in the the truth of our beliefs - reason and his third and last lecture. Hume had language-external factors could opening session. The presentation possibly tilt the balanc the se!lses - played a small and a bleak vie\\ of the effects of religious e in favour of by Kailash Aggarwal provided a one or the other linguistic marginal role. beliefs, an i saw intolerance and item or critique of the concept of ethno­ structure. Theirpresentationsserved Prof. Craig remarked that unlike despair tht!re. Prof. Craig argued linguistic vitality with reference to to show how linguistic theory on its 'Hume's scepticism, which is well­ that Hume'e remarks referred to a the prevailing sociolinguistic own cannot account for the known, his carefully maintained particularly har sh version of pre­ discourse, and showed how, being a persistence or disappearance of agnosticism with respect to meta­ destination, strongly associated in typological construct, it suffers from certain linguistic features in physical questions was not widely Hume's times with Calvinism. He a lack of integration of its constituent language-contact situations. From appreciated. Hume's arguments suggested that Hume's reluctance parts. Dr. H. R. Dua and Prof. H. C. language contact and convergence centred on suggesting that the to admit that religious belief may Narang, in their papers, dealt in to contact across languages was a metaphysical beliefs he addressed have good effects should be seen as considerable detail with the politics logical step. Thus translation - could not have arisen from reason a 'striking example of the principle of language and the complex another core area within socio­ or the senses. This negative phase of that in the neighbourhood of our problems of language planning in linguistics - came up for discussion the argument is usually followed by prejudices nearly all of us tend to the heteroglossic Indian context. next. The lead here was provided by a positive phase, where Hume drop our intellectual standards.' Their viewpoint was reinforced by Prof. Suresh Kumar who gave an presented his alternative account - 'Hume's standards', Prof. Craig thepresentationofProf. R P. Saxena. elaborate account of the linguistic secular and naturalistic, based on concluded, 'are norm'ally so high The~e papers raised serious and socio-semiotic functions of psychology - of the origin of such that the disparity is particularly questions about the politics that lay interlingual translation. The beliefs. obvious.' All the three lectures behind several policy decisions, and discussion on translation was In the second lecture, Pro£. Craig generated considerable discussion. argued that a flawed approach to considerably enriched by the language planning and develop­ presentation of Dr. R. Gargesh who ment could often be seen in them. dwelt on the notion of equivalence Summerhill r .. J

NEWS FROM llAS 25

in translation, and focused on the three-day Seminar on the pragmatic and affective considera­ A 'Dynamics of Identity and Dynamics of Identity and Intergroup tions that often determine trans­ Intergroup Relations in North-East Relations lational strategies. India' was organized from 12 to 14 in North-East India The proceedings of the seminar November at the Institute. The basic were rounded off with the brief but purpose of the seminar was to 'Ethnicity, Religion and Language: heterogenous Assamese society in a lively presentations by Selvyh Jussy, present the problems of the North­ A Case Study of the Khasis of historical perspective. Prof. Misra A. R. Fatiht and Sudhir Bhan. Jussy East for an in-depth and dispassio­ Meghalaya', examined a number of critically examined the changes in addr.essed the construction of nate discussion. issues related to ethnicity, religion the cultural content of communities 'nation' .and 'community', while Dr. Kailash S. Aggarwal, in his and language. in Assam, particularly emphasizing Fatihi spoke of his work onlanguage introduction to the seminar, argued Dr. Kamal Mitra Chenoy, in his the alienation of tribal content in use in the print media in terms of that it was through a political-moral paper 'Militarism, Civil Society and Assamese middle class. Gricean maxims, and Sudhir Bhan paradigm that we could negotiate Intergroup Relations in North-East Prof. L. B. Verma's paper, 1ndians reported on his work with bilingual prevalent and emergent crises and J?dia' examined the impact of a high inNorth-Eastlndia:MisfitMayangs aphasics which has yielded some conflicts, emphasizing shared goals degree of militarization on day-to­ in Manipur', raised some intriguing extremely interesting results. and interdependence with a view to day life in the North-East. Dr. questions about the role ofMayangs, Several sessions of the seminar­ optimizing the value of life for each Chenoy was critical of the human vaguely defined as non-Mongoloid. 1 cum-study week were marked by individual, group and community. rights violations in the region in Prof. Lal Dena, in a paper titled 'The lively interventions and animated Dr. Sujit Chaudhury, in his paper counter-insurgency operations Kuki-Naga Conflict: Juxtaposed in discussion. Two things became very 'The North-East: A Concept under the cover of the Armed Forces the Colonial Context' viewed the clear during the deliberations. First, Re-examined', showed how North­ Special Powers Act. Dr. Lima genesis of the ethnic conflict in sociolinguistic discourse in India is East India could not be taken as an Imchen's paper, 'Politics of Tribal Manipur over the issue of a Kuki undergoing a sea-change, breaking undifferentiated region as it was Identity and Interpretative homeland, as the,direct outcome of away .from old modes and moving marked by significant i~ternal Monopolies', argued that a number a clash of interests over the control towards a 'concerned' mode. This variations and socio-cultural of North-Eastern tribes, including ofland and resources, a clash deeply movement is indicative of a growing pluralities. Dr. B. S. Mipun and Dr. the Nagas, should be considered rooted in the colonial policy of realization on the part of socio­ D. K. Nayak, in their paper 'A indigenous peoples, and their 'divide and rule'. Mr. Pradeep linguists that meaningful work on Geographical Background to the traditional social and political Phanjoubam, in his paper 'Ethnic language in society cannot be done Peopling of North-East India', institutions strengthened. Dr. Identity and Community Relation­ by merely working on people, but analysed the specific gee-demo­ Imchen stressed that these ship in the North-East' carefully by combining working for people graphic features of the peoples in institutions constituted the basis of examined the dynamics of ethnic and working with people, and by the North-East in a historical popular self-government among the identity in Manipuri society, with a letting the feedback from real perspective. The authors argued that Nagas in the past, and that they critical appraisal of the notions of communities of language users the tremendous diversity, small must form the basis for the 'mainstream' and 'sidestreams'. inform and modulate the concepts, population size and high degree of development of contemporary Rejecting the idea that the Nort:h­ frameworks, and methodology of concentration of communities made principles so that the indigenous East agenda had come to a dead the researcher. A critique of earlier it a distinctive geo-ethnic region. people could decide the form and end, Mr. Phanjoubam explored some work is an essential part of this Dr. K Suresh Singh, presenting a content of their political, economic of the possibilities of peace within a change, but what is perhaps more good deal of data on North-East and cultural institutions for pluralistic framework wherein the i.n.1.portant is the gradual but sure communities from his People ofIndia themselves. Dr. V. K Nuh, in his mainstream becomes resilient emergence of a dialogic and project as well as from his four paper 'Dynamics of Identity and enough to democratically accommo­ negotiatory mode of sociolinguistic decades of experience in working Intergroup Relations in North-East date the sidestreams. research. The seminar-cum-study with indigenous and tribal groups India' said that though external Dr. Mohammedd Asif presented week served to highlight this in India, emphasized the sense of colonialism had come to an end with a paper on 'Development Initiatives movement. justice and fairness of the people the departure of the British, a form and the Concomitant Issues of R. s. GUPTA and communities in the region. of internal colonialism had got Displacement and Impoverishment Examining the issues of insurgency, legitimated in the name of intheNorth-EasternStates',arguing In a Seminar's Wake inter-group conflicts, cultural and development and modernization. that the problems of displaced co'!:td· from page 23 environmental degradation, Dr. Nuh proposed thatNaga identity indigenous peoples in the North­ destabilization and dehistoricization be defined in terms of their land and East were a consequence Wemustacceptwefellshort. Was of ill­ of the people in the North-East, Dr. forest since the natural environment conceived and mal-implemented it because we were constrained by Singh argued that the tendency to not only provided the basic source 'development' projects in an indulgence in value-relativism? the region view each problem as State vs. of life for them, butit also determined and the long-standi Or was it due to a truncated capacity ng heavy militancy had led to a simplistic and their culture, social systems, political military presence to appreciate the significance of in the region. ploarized approach. structure, economy and religion. Dr. Asif further argued social differences and to translate that the Prof. M. N. Kama, in a paper Dr. Monirul Hussain, presenting governmenrsfailuretorespondto apparent anomalies and contra­ entitled 'Socio-Economic Aspects of a paper titled 'Fear of being Killed, the negation of the adverse dictions into meaningful enterprise? effects of Ethnic Identity in North-East India', Violated and Displaced: An development often led to disastrous Maybe the cause was an regretted that in most debates and Incomplete Dossier of Terrorism in social consequences. 'independence-lag' sustained discussions on the North-East, the Post-Colonial Assam', focused on The last session of the seminar courtesy globalization. It must be basic issues and ground realities the human rights violations by was in the form of a conceded, in thewakeoftheseminar, panel discussion, were either ignored orcamouflag ed. underground and private groups, followed by a general discussion as the ripples smoothen, that my Prof. Kama further emphasized that especially in Assam. Dr. Hussain among all the participants. Prof. feelings remain mixed. Perhaps this the journalistic focus on social evils pleaded for working out better Mrinal Miri chaired the session is what the contradictory location of and like drug-addiction, AIDS and human and democratic alternatives the panelists were the intellectual is all about. Dr. K S. Singh, insurgency had led to a diminished · to deterrorize the society in Assam. Prof. Sujata Miri, Prof. L. B. Verma, awareness of the progressive Prof. Udayon Misra, in his paper Prof. M. N. Kama, Prof. Udayon SAMlR BANERJEE is a Fellow of the potential of traditional institutions 1dentity Transformations and the Misra and Dr. Kamal Mitra Indian Institute of Advanced Study Chenoy. , of governance in the region. Assamese Community: Some Shimla. Dr. Morning Lyngdoh, in her paper Posers', looked at the ethnically l

Forthcoming Events at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study

ORGANIZATION-BUILDING AND EMPOWERMENT: VISITING PROFESSORS REFLECTIONS. ON SOME GANDHIAN IDEAS, PRACTICES AND EXPERIENCES DR . L. M . KHUBCHANDANI, Director of the Centre for In recent years, the emerging discourse on social action that addresses Communications Studies, Pune will be a Visiting Professor at issues of empowerment and ethics has looked to the Gandhian the Institute in April-May 1997, and will deliver a series of three legacy for inspiration and guidance. Gandhian movements in lectures on LANGUAGE: ENVIRONMENT AND TRADmON. The lectures independent India, such as bhoodan,gram vikas,gramdan and gram will specifically address issues specifically germane to the Indian swaraj may have much to contribute to a clarification of the locus of plurilingual milieu. Prof. Khubchandani's publications include social action in contemporary India. The following questions form Tribal Identity: A Language and Communication Perspective(1992), the principal ~o-ordinates of the seminar: What can one learn from Language, Culture and Nation-Building and Plural Languages, the Gandhian j heritage regarding organization-building and Pupular Cultures (1983). empowerment, especially at the grassroots level? Can these insights help us in achieving a harmonious balance between our political, PRoF. Y. B. DAMLE, Professor Emeritus, Poona University economic, cognitive and environmental practices? Do the experience will spend three weeks of Gandhian movements indicate that the articulation of meaningful at the Institute in April 1997 as a Visiting social alternatives depend on a recognition of and involvement in Professor. Prof. Damle is a distinguished sociologist known for the political dimension of society? his contributions to theoretical sociology. His works include This seminar has been conceived as part of the Institute's ongoing Caste, Religion and Politics in India {1982) and Bureaucracy and project on Gandhl, and it. will take place at the Institute from 25 to Agricultural DeTJelopment {1972). During his stay in Shimla, 27 March 1997. Dr Samir Banerjee, Fellow of the Institute, is the Prof. Damle will deliver a series of three lectures on ALTERNATIVE con.venor of the seminar. PATHS- MODALITIES OF D EVELOPMENT.

THE QUESTION OF SECULARISM LITERARY AND CULTURAL CRITICISM: In recent years, there has been considerable debate on the problem of MODERN INDIAN PERSPECTIVES secularism and indeed on the correct articulation of the problem of secularism. The series of articles which appeared some time ago in In the last few decades, there has been a growing recognition of the Economic and Political Weekly on the issues relating to secularism the importance of interdisciplinary and co-operative intellectual have generated a great d~al of discussion within the intellectual efforts in humanities and social sciences. One area of concern communityofthecountfY. Thelnter-UniversityCentreat~elnstitute that cuts across these disciplines is what may be called' criticism' - proposes to hold a Study yYeek on The Question ofSe cularism under a term which subsumes the specifically literary work of scholars the convenorship of Dr. Rajeev Bhargava of Jawaharlal Nehru and University. Some of the participants will be Prof. Partha Chatterjee, critics working on literature and allied arts, but also extends Prof. Sumit Sarkar, Dr. Tanika Sarkar, Prof. Imtiaz Ahmed, Prof. to thinking on interpretation, textuality, culture, communications Javed Alam, Prof. AlokRoy, Prof. Joya Chatterjee, Mr. Achin Vinayak theory and so on in other areas and disciplines. In India too, and Ms. Urvashi Butalia. The Study Week will be held in May 1997 at criticism in this broad sense has been central to our intellectual the Institute. endeavours since the beginning of the nineteenth centuy. It can be argued that, despite the availability of this rich tradition, DECLARATIO :t- contemporary literary criticism inIndia is yet to make substantive use of it. The aim of the seminar is to redress this to some extent, Title of the Newspaper Summerhill-llAS Review by bringing together an intellectually stimualting group o f Periodicity Bi-annual writers, literary critics and scholars from a variety of disciplines Name of the Publisher N.K. Maini Nationality \Indian and positions, in order to construct a modem Indian tradition in Address Indian Institute of Advanced Study, literary and cultural criticism. The seminar will comprise keynote Rashtrapati Nivas, Shimla and plenary papers that set the agend a of discussion, Name of the Replika Printing Press Press Pvt. Ltd., A229 DSIDC presentations on specific seminal texts and major critics and where printing is conducted Narela Indl. Park, Delhi-110040 Editor's Name UdayaKumar aestheticians, translations of key texts from Indian languages, Nationality Indian and panel discussions. The seminar as well as its proceedings, Address Indian Institute of Advanced Study, it is hoped, will constitute an original contribution to knowledge, Rashtrapati Nivas, Shimla especially since no comparable record of modem Indian critical tradition exists. I, N.K. Maini, son of Hem Raj Maini, declare that I am the printer and publisher of newspaper entitled Summerhill-liAS Review and that the The seminar will take place at the Institute from 23 to 25 particulars given above are true to the best of my knowledge and belief. September 1997. Dr Makarand Paranjape, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi is the convenor of the seminar. Sd/- N.K. Maini

Summerhill NEWS FROM llAS 27

Seminars at the liAS by Fellows and Visiting Scholars Journal of the :{nter-University Centre July to November 1996 for H~ties and Social Sciences

Dr. Sucheta Mahajan India Partitioned: Imperfect Ahimsa STUDIES IN HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES Dr. Nirmalangshu Mukherjee Language and Music: Philosophical and General Editor: Mrinal Miri Linguistic Reflections Shri Chat)..uvedi Badrinath The Mahabharata: The Enquiry into the Vol. ill, No.2 1996 Human Condition Epistemology, Meaning and Metaphysics after Matilal Dr. Vir Bharat Talwar Satyarth Prakash arid the Question of Rationality Editor: Arindam Chakrabarti Dr. Shekhar Pathak 1 Understanding Uttarakhand Movement :. ' Contributions by Prof. D.D. Pant Reality and Physics Michael Dummet, John A. Taber, Chakravarthi Ram-Prasad, ShriJaiSen Narmada Movements Nirmalangshu Mukherji, Prabal Das~pta, Prof. D. D. Pant Ecology and Culture Visvabandhu Tarkatirtha, Jonardon Ganeri, Ariuta Chatterjee, Tridip Suhrud Consumption as Dhartl'tn: Govardhram Prabal Kumar Sen, Stephen H. Phillips, Michael Krausz, Tripathi and the Dissolution of the Self Ramesh Kumar Sharma, Arindam Chakrabarti Dr. Chris Sinha Signifying Subjects: Vygotsky, Piaget and - Cognitive Linguistics FoR SUBSCRIPTION, WRITE ro: Dr. Nasir Tyabji Technology, History and the Dialectic Central News Agency Pvt. Ltd. Prof. R Sundara Rajan Beyond the Crisis of the European 23/90 Connaught Circus, New Delhi -110 001 Sciences: An Overview of the Project Dr.G. Arunima Writing Culture? Indulekha, Padtmlvati or to A. K. Sharma, and the Nayar Self Public Relations Officer, Dr. Dilip Menon Engaging Modernity Reading Saraswati Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla- 171 005 Vijayam (1893) Dr. 0 . C. Handa Lakhamandal: An Archeological Case Study of a Temple Village in Jaunsar­ Bawer Area in Uttar Pradesh From next issue, Summerhill wilt appear in Dr. S. K. Acharya The Transitional Numeral Communities Dr. Kumkum Yadav Imaging Peripherial Communities in November and May every year. First-Person Narratives EDITOR -r: - - - New from Oxford Industrial Concentration and Performance A Study of the Structure, Conduct and Perform ance of Indian Industry Uma 5. Kambhampati This book is one of few studies on the microeconomic performance of Indian industry. It tackles questions relating to the nature of competition in Indian industry - whether the private sector in India is concentrated, and whether firms in concentrated private sector industries compete or collude. It considers the implications of such behaviour for the performance of this sector. 224 pp. Rs 395.00 ISBN 0 19 563947 2 Industrial Organization (Readers in Economics) Edited by Anindya Sen This volume is a theoretical introduction to many of the major issues in industrial organization - theory of the firm, static oligopoly models, price discrimination, pouduct differentiation, entry deterrence and collusion an d innovation. The readings have been selected in view of their applicability to developing countries and thus include contributions on regulatory policy and performance of public sector enterprises in the market ·place - these are particularly relevant in the context of liberalized policy regimes introduced in many countries. · 548 pp. Rs 650.00 ISBN 0 19 563901 4

Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis: A Biography Ashok Rudra Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis (1893-1972) pioneered the use of statistics in India. He was the founder o f the Indian Statistical Institute. the Central Statistical Organization and the National Sample Survey. Besides building the stati stical database of the Indian economy, Professor M ahalanobis was the architect of India's Second Five Year Plan. He also inspired research in quantitative economics. His interests were however much wider and encompassed disciplines like anthropology. demography, psychology and educat ion. He was a close associate of Rabindranath Tagore and served the Visva Bharati as Secretary in its formative years. Using old letters. diaries, and published material alo ng with interviews of his associates, Rudra constructs an all-round. warts-and·all account of Mahalanobls' life. He describes his scientific work, his great talent at building institutions and his connections with the literary world. Besides statisticians. this b ook will appeal to those interested in the evolution of India's planning framework as well as the general reader. 492 pp. Rs 650.00 ISBN 0 19 563679 1

Delhi: 2/11 Ansari Road, Daryaganj, New Delhi 110002 Oxford University Press Mumbai: Oxford House, Apollo Sunder, Mumbai 400001 + Lurknow + B.lllj.t.rlurc + Pum· Calcutta: 5 Lala Lajpat Rai Sarani, Calcutta 700020 + P.rln.r + Hydcr.rhad + Guw.rh:rli Chennai: Oxford House, 219 Anna Salai, Chennal 600006 Summerhill r I 28 I

Walking Naked: Women, Society, Spirituality in South India by Vijaya Ramaswamy

"This book maps the spiritual history of women in the context of societal structures through historical time and space. The study looks at issues of gender inequalities in the context of dominance and power, as well as of the debates over female sexuality and salvation. In the process, spirituality emerges as a powerful form of women's self-expression, finding its voice in the various' cathartic' spiritual movements. Manifestations of female spirituality in particular societies, whether feudal, quasi-feudal or colonial, varied from tacit conformism (to male spiritual/social leadership) to deviance and even defiance. The author goes back in historical time to the 'material spiritualism' of the Sangam Tamils. The region south of the Vindhyas forms the geographicalliminalities of this study which opens up possibilities of a wider study of women, society and spirituality in the country.

ISBN: 81-85952-39-6 xii + 260 pp. Rs. 350

Cultural Reorientation in Modern India Edited by Indu Banga and Jaidev

The volume, the proceedings of a seminar held at the Institute, throws light on the processes of nation-building, formation of cultural identities, communalization and secularization of consciousness, transformations in languages, literatures, arts and the media, the emergence of modem science and scientific temper. The contributors discuss the need for decolonizing Indian culture and for resolving the contradictions in the process of cultural reorientation. The authors argue for a realistic appraisal of the diversity and autonomy of Indian culture and for a recognition of the authenticity of different nationalities with their cultural norms and patterns. Suggestions proposed in the volume include the promotion of creative expression at the grassroots level, the evolution of anew political culture involving people's participation, equal status and participation of women, conscious language planning at macro-and micro-levels, functional heterogeneity in communication, use of indigenous communication media, protecting art from communalization, commercialization, bureaucratization and manipulation, and a conscious reconstruction of values for future in consonance with the concerns and goals of contemporary Indian society. Among others, the contributors include Indu Banga, Meenakshi Mukherjee, Aparna Basu, F. Delvoye 'Nalini', G. Haragopal, B. N. Goswamy, J. S. Grewal and Javeed Alam.

ISBN: 81-85952-37-X viii + 419 pp. Rs. 500.00

Methodology of Socio-Historical Linguistics by D. D. Mahulkar

There are very few books which survey the entire tradition of comparative-historical linguistics from its beginnings in the work of Franz Boas in 1916 to its culmination in the works of K Brugmann and B. Delbruck at the end of the nineteenth century. A new ray of light called 'analogy' came up in the work of W. Scherer (1841-86) to dispel some of the doubts and misconceptions in the methodology of this tradition. It was not until F. de Saussure's Course in General Lingpistics was published (1916) that linguists coulrl realize the full implications of analogy as a methodological principle which could explain the process and the rationale of several aspects of 'language d 1ange'. A new methodology has begun evolving in moe. em historical studies of languages since 1965, and the author's contention is that a fuller understanding of analogical phenomena might assist in reformulating the basic principles and methods of modem socio-historical linguistic research as part of developmental dynamics.

ISBN: 81-85952-29-9 ix + 118 pp. Rs. 140

Rethinking Indian Federalism Edited by Rasheeduddhin Khan In its praxis, federalism builds and sustains the.lJnity of polity, and simultaneously preserves and promotes the plurality of society. It is from this perspective, · and from the ideological premises of federal nation, participatory democracy, secularism and social justice that we should re-examine our federal polity and plural society. The book broadly reflects upon the followjng macro-rubrics of Indian Federalism: quest for a new federal identity, recasting centre-state relations !n order to build a more equipoised and cooperative federal po.lity; and socio-cultural pluralism and their harmonization within federal polity and society. In this exercise, the critical relevance of secularism and composite culture is examined. The volume also addresses the problems of regionalism and territorialization that arise from India's being a m ulti-regional federation. Formulations on macro-themes have been supplemented by micro-studies of specific issues concerning the problems of federal nation-building.

ISBN 81-85952-50-7 X+ 274 pp. Rs. 350