A Tuition in Nutrition — Urvi Khaitan

Nutrition, Bulletin no. 26 (February 1947). [The informational references are based on various bulletins of Food and Nutrition published by the Department (later Ministry) of Food, Government of India between 1945 and 1949.] Famine was no short-lived spectacle in modern South Asian history. Hunger is writ large across the twentieth century, its text of devastation … Continue reading A Tuition in Nutrition — Urvi Khaitan →

The Critical Force of Student Absenteeism—Yanis Iqbal

Representative Image The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) administration’s decision to enforce the mandatory 75% attendance rule for students has sparked an outcry. On November 21, 2024, students protested in large numbers against the decision, also calling for the conduct of the students’ union elections (which have not been held since 2019). However, the administration's response … Continue reading The Critical Force of Student Absenteeism—Yanis Iqbal →

‘It does not matter who you are. Everyone here is the same’: Fieldnotes from the Jaydev Kenduli Baul Mela—Debayan Das

January 2022 As the first light of dawn caressed the tranquil waters of the Ajay River, the world seemed to hold its breath in anticipation. A soft, golden glow spread across the horizon, gently nudging awake the sleepy village of Jaydev Kenduli (hereafter, Jaydev) nestled on its banks. The sky, a canvas of soft pastels, … Continue reading ‘It does not matter who you are. Everyone here is the same’: Fieldnotes from the Jaydev Kenduli Baul Mela—Debayan Das →

MANIK BANDYOPADHYAY’S ‘A SPECIMEN’—TRANSLATED BY PRITHA BANERJEE

Manik Bandopadhyay (1908-1956) This short story by Manik Bandyopadhyay is set during the time of the 1943 famine in Bengal. It was a time of abject poverty, destitution, and breakdown of the moral economy of the society. The lack of rice and other staples compelled a father to sell off his daughter to an unknown … Continue reading MANIK BANDYOPADHYAY’S ‘A SPECIMEN’—TRANSLATED BY PRITHA BANERJEE →

Looking at Hindutva Through The Visual Medium of Memes—Supratik Sinha

Hindutva as an ideological force has gained prominence and visibility after 2014 with the election of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to the Centre. Christophe Jaffrelot, in his book Hindu Nationalism: A Reader, comments that Hindu Nationalism emerged from the “superimposition of a religion, a culture, a language, and a sacred territory-the perfect recipe for … Continue reading Looking at Hindutva Through The Visual Medium of Memes—Supratik Sinha →

Of Gains and Divides: Stock Markets and Persisting Paradoxes—Ritabrata Chakraborty

Picture Courtesy: Mint If one has even casually followed the news stream over the last few years, a running theme concerning the economy has been consistent. It is the stock markets having a strong run (‘bullish’ in finance parlance), with abundant capital flowing in, while economies worldwide have been battling runaway inflation and tepid growth … Continue reading Of Gains and Divides: Stock Markets and Persisting Paradoxes—Ritabrata Chakraborty →

Syed Mustafa Siraj’s ‘Bharat Varsha’—Translated by Saukarya Samad

Syed Mustafa Siraj (1930-2012) One of the last sentinels from the golden era of Bengali literature, Syed Mustafa Siraj wrote effortlessly for both children and adults. His sheer versatility enabled him to craft riveting novels like ‘Neel Ghorer Nati’ and conjure the evergreen ornithologist-cum-investigator Colonel Niladri Sarkar. Renowned for his nuanced social commentary and vivid … Continue reading Syed Mustafa Siraj’s ‘Bharat Varsha’—Translated by Saukarya Samad →

The Politics of Demolition and the Displaced People of the Tughlaqabad Village—Monjima Kar

Ruins of the Tughlaqabad Fort. The Tughlaqabad Fort, built around the 14th century, stands in ruins now, seven centuries later. What remains are the various settlements outside the fort enclosure. These settlements are equally old, built around the fort and inhabited by the working-class people ever since. While Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq might have found it difficult to … Continue reading The Politics of Demolition and the Displaced People of the Tughlaqabad Village—Monjima Kar →

Agyeya’s ‘The Writer And His Society’—Transcreated by Tushar Srivastava

Sachchidanand Hiranand Vatsyayan, ‘Agyeya’, at his home in Delhi [Image Courtesy: Vatsal Nidhi] Following is an attempt to ‘transcreate’[1] Agyeya’s essay titled ‘Lekhak Aur Uska Samaj’ which is excellently archived in the collections of ‘Vatsal Nidhi Prakashan Mala: Samvitti’ published by ‘Sasta Sahitya Mandal’ — to which I remain very thankful. All meanings of thought, conveyed … Continue reading Agyeya’s ‘The Writer And His Society’—Transcreated by Tushar Srivastava →

Corruption Conundrum: The Political Anatomy of a Pecuniary Problem—Ritabrata Chakraborty

Cartoon by R.K. Laxman (Image Source: Public Domain) Often, encountering stunning images makes a deeper impact on us than reading stark facts in text. After years of stalled recruitments, legal deadlocks and sustained protests by a section of the deprived candidates for the School Service Commission examination, the pictures of a massive stockpile of cash, … Continue reading Corruption Conundrum: The Political Anatomy of a Pecuniary Problem—Ritabrata Chakraborty →