Editorial
Ranjana Ray
Sarmistha De Basu
The Editors

After going through the mandatory procedure of plagiarism test, peer review, any revision might have suggested by the reviewer and editing, a total of sixteen papers could be taken for this volume 11, no. 1 for the June 2025 issue of the Journal of Kolkata Society for Asian Studies. In addition to these, there is a paper which is outcome of a invited lecture, entitled as, Sāmagāna and Indian Music: A Discourse (প্রসংগঃ বৈদিক সামগান ও ভারতীয় সংগীত), written in Bengali, delivered in memory of late Professor Karunasindhu Das by Professor Didhiti Biswas. The article is on Vedic hymns and Indian music. A report, Contemporary US Foreign Policy and Global Conflicts: Case Studies of Ukraine and Palestine, by Shreya Ghosh, also is published in this volume. This is the last in the list of the content. There are a total of eighteen papers published in this volume.

The paper in Bengali entitled as, Exploring Importance of Oral History in Interdisciplinary Research (আন্তঃবিষয়ক গবেষণায় মৌখিক ইতিহাসের গুরুত্ব অনুসন্ধান) by Swapan Kumar Pain of the department of History of Raigunge University, West Bengal, has dscussed the importance of multidisciplinary approach in the oral history for understanding culture. The paper has emphasised on methods related to orality in culture history.

Rest of the papers are in English. The paper, Emotional Geographies of Archaeological Spaces: Examining an Alternative Hypothesis on the Capital of Ancient Bengal, written jointly by Biswajit Roy, Sanjoy Kumar Sadhukhan and Professor Premangshu Chakrabarty of Viswa Bharati, Shantiniketan, discussed the importance of historical geography for understanding archaeological importance of a space. The authors have taken the example of the fort of Devalgarh at Devagram, as opposed to the city of Nabadwip, for finding out the capital of ancient Bengal at the backdrop of invasion of the capital of Lakshman Sena by Bakhtyar Khilji. A multidisciplinary approach is taken for establishing their hypothesis.

The article, Myth, Memory, and Identity: A Study of folklore and Nationalism in Southeast Asian States, authored by Denis Vaz from Rosery College of Commerce, Salcete, Goa, dwelt on the fact that folklore and collective memory shape national identity. In the article the author has focused on southeast Asia with case studies taken from countries like; Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar and Laos. The author has concluded that study of folklore in the context of nationalism has its importance in understanding national identity and its integrity. The paper, Existential Crisis of Ethnomedicine among Santals of West Bengal, India, written under joint authorship of Soumita Chatterjee, Chaitali Karmakar and Professor Sutapa Choudhury of the department of Anthropology, Calcutta University is a result of research among the Santals residing in the Puinam village of Hoogly district, West Bengal. The authors have collected information on plants used by the Santals for cure of various ailments of the people in the village. Bibari Boroand Jhanin Mushaary of the department of Political Science, Bodoland University wrote the paper, BodofaUpendraNath Brahma and his Contribution to Empowerment of Women in the Bodo Society. Bodofa means father of the Bodo people. The paper discusses Upendranath Brahma’s endeavour, not only for the recognition of Bodoland in Indian Union but also his contribution in bringing about equal status of Bodo women with the men of the Bodo society. Professor Samita Manna’s paper, From Mirpur to Bethkundu\Suklalpur: Reflections of Cultural Transformation of Portuguese Settlers over a Period of Six Decades is on a group of Portuguese people who were settled in the Mirpur village of Medinipur by the queen of Mahishadal about three hundred years ago. The author has made a socio-economic survey of the present day situation of the Portuguese settlers and had found that there were a lot of changes among the people and the area due to marriage of Portuguese men with indigenous women. Prolegomena to the Identity of Mal Paharia of Jharkhand by Professor Sucheta Sen Chaudhuri, jointly with M. Ramakrishnan, Priyavrat Nag, Sohini Chatterjee, Sunita Purty and Sunita Soren of the Department of Anthropology and Tribal Studies, Central University of Jharkhand, is a critical discourse on the affinity of the Mal Paharia people, belonging to PVTG, with others living in the said state. Kumarbhag is considered as closest to the Mal Paharia as the result of the research.

Gulzar Hussain, Research scholar, Presidency University, Kolkata has written the paper entitled as Contested Sacred Spaces: Sufism, Reformist Movements, and Religious Authority in the Twentieth Century Kashmir. The author has pointed out how Sufi tradition played an important role in the spiritual development of Kashmir in the twentieth century.

Facilitating the Self-Made: Utilization of Social Media for Fostering Women Entrepreneurship is a paper written jointly by Sayak Pal, Nitesh Tripathy of the department of Mass communication of St. Xavier’s University, and by Swati Agarwal, Sharmila Kayal of the department of Journalism and communication of Adamas University. The work is outcome of a research based on primary data from face book, a digital media, about women entrepreneurs who use social media for promotion of their products, which are mainly art and craft based.

Maheshwari Kharga, Department of Political Science, Sikkim Government College, authored the paper, Regionalisation and Ethnification of Electoral Politics in Post-Merger Sikkim. The author has analyzed the electoral poll and has come to the conclusion that Nepalese with their closeness with national political arena had more success compared to the regional parties in Sikkim.

Rupturing Enclaves and Changing Contours of Politics: A Study on Tea Plantations of the Dooars and Assam is written by Tunir Ghosal and Alak Bhattacharya, Department of Political Science, Tripura University, focused on the tea plantation and its present day problem in the perspective of two regions mentioned the title. With the end of colonial period in India enclave situation in tea industry has changed and the paper suggests that state should look into the situation with a view to understanding economic pressure labour problems etc. There are five papers on pedagogy in this volume. Starting with Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Screen Time among XI-Grade Students in Reference to Their Gender and Locality, written jointly by Sudipta Karmakar and Professor Deb Prasad Sikdar, Department of Education, Kalyani University. The work is done on students from Nadia district. The research finding suggests that students have to take the advantage of digital platform but should be aware of the hazards associated with it. Another work on school students is conducted by Chiranjit Mandal, Manikanta Paria and Professor Muktipada Sinha of Education department, Jadavpur University. The paper is titled as Assessing Self-Awareness Skill among School-Going Children in Kolkata District, West Bengal. Work is done with primary data collected from both male and female students. Importance of self-awareness skill is studied from the point of view of gender, family type, medium of instruction and mother's occupation.

The article, Understanding Gender & Sexuality through Hidden Curriculum in Schools is by Nishaa Ghosh (Independent Researcher) and Archana Prasad of the Department of Sociology, Kamala Nehru College, Delhi University. The paper concluded that school in post-colonial period is meant for producing good citizens for the society and the projects are gendered and ideological. Re-standardization of Emotional Intelligence Scale for Secondary school students through Pilot study is a paper by Sahanaz Khatun and Jakir Hussain Laskar of the Department of Education, Aliah University, Kolkata. The research is conducted among the secondary school children of Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri district of North Bengal. This was for assessing viability of Emotional Intelligence Inventory developed by Dr. S.K. Mangal and Mrs. Shubhra Mangal and they came to the conclusion that the inventory was very much suitable for research work. As mentioned in the beginning, Shreya Ghosh has submitted a report titled as Contemporary US Foreign Policy and Global Conflicts: Case Studies of Ukraine and Palestine. This is outcome of a project done as an intern under the supervision of Professor Anindya Jyoti Majumdar of Jadavpur University and President, Kolkata Society for Asian Studies. The Editors take this opportunity to thank the authors for their contribution to enrich this volume. We are grateful to the reviewers for taking valuable time for reviewing the article and wherever necessary suggest revision. We thank the press for printing this volume of the Journal of Kolkata Society for Asian Studies.

Sāmagāna and Indian Music: A Discourse*

Didhiti Biswas

Abstract

Vedic Sāmagāna is the document of the earliest evidence of Indian music. This gāna was essentially associated with the Vedic rituals and was used to be sung in a specific way as prescribed in the Vedic religious texts. The rigid religious prescription imposed on the presentation of these gānasand the gradual Brahmanic discriminatory attitude towards the singers and listeners initiated the introduction of another form of music i.e. Gāndharva. This new form could be practised by all irrespective of the cast and creed and its features have been elaborately documented in Bharata’s Nāṭyaśāstra. Later Mataṅga’s Bṛhaddeśi recorded two varieties of musical systems mārgaand deśi. Deśi gradually gained popularity among people and at the time of Sārṅgadeva, deṣi became the main stream music. This music while coming in contact with Persian music introduced by Amir Khusrou was moulded in a new form of music in North India. The music in South India remained more or less same as it had less impact of Islamic culture on it. This gave rise to two systems of Indian music North Indian and Karnataki. Both of them evolved from the desi music and do not owe to Sāmagāna for their origin. The Vedic sāmagāna remained confined in the religious sector without any modification. Some characteristics of this gānhowever, bear the influence of the traditional old popular music of common people in it. The sources however, are no more traceable due to the absence of systematic records though their legacy can be perceived indirectly. So sāmagāna remains as the earliest evidence of documented Indian music.

Keywords

Sāmagāna, Samaveda, stobha, mantra, Bharata, Matanga, Śārṅgadeva

Exploring Importance of Oral History in Interdisciplinary Research

Swapan Kumar Pain

Abstract

The most popular trend in historical study and research is the ‘Interdisciplinary Approach’. Scholars believe that the interdisciplinary approach has achieved success in post-independent India with the development of historiography, oral tradition and history. Oral history is a multidimensional method of preserving and interpreting the lived experiences, memories and narratives of individuals and communities. The main objective of the present article is to explore the oral method in history writing, the development of this method in India and its practical advantages and disadvantages, and above all, a thorough analysis of how 'Oral History' is effective in writing scientific history. The conflict between archive-based history and oral history is not unknown to us. To mitigate this conflict an attempt has also been made in the present paper with the help of available data. Another objective of this article is to explore how oral history established interdisciplinary trend. It is evident that the use of oral history has established in India with the introduction of digital revolution which resulted well-preserved documentation system. In fact, oral history and culture is not an exceptional way of writing, but it is an integral part of the mainstream history - keeping this in mind, this article discusses the method of reconstructing history.

Keywords

Narrative, Tradition, Research, Subaltern, Archive, Memoir, Preservation, Culture, Sociology

Emotional Geographies of Archaeological Spaces: Examining an Alternative Hypothesis on the Capital of Ancient Bengal

Biswajit Roy, Sanjoy Kumar Sadhukhan, and Premangshu Chakrabarty

Abstract

Geography of the past, i.e., Historical Geography, has not been given proper emphasis on solving locational disputes until satellite image processing has provided the keys for reconstructing past landscapes. Some of the eminent historians have raised controversy about the recognition of Nabadwip as the ancient capital of Bengal. Under the paradigm of spatial organization in geography, it is against the laws of location from the standpoint of the non-availability of epigraphic and archaeological evidences as well as the accessibility and connectivity aspects of the past. Adopting the methodology of triangulation of all available conventional historical geographic data sources with the application of geo-informatics, this paper puts forward an alternative hypothesis on the location of ‘The city of Nadiyah.’ The route by Muhammad Bakhtyar Khilji, who invaded the city at the beginning of the 13th century A.D., has been mapped for the perusal of archaeologists and historians along with the river route of Lakshman Sena, who left the city, in connection with presenting the alternative location. The retreat of the Hindu King is a subject of the emotional geography of the past for which Debalgarh, the fort settlement of Nadia might be a place of Dark Tourism with its archaeological remains.

Keywords

Landscape, Spatial, Geo informatics, Archaeological, Dark Tourism

Myth, Memory, and Identity: A Study of folklore and Nationalism in Southeast Asian States

Denis Vaz

Abstract

This research explores how folklore shapes national identity and influences nationalist movements in Southeast Asian states, addressing the critical interplay between myth and collective memory in constructing state narratives. By analyzing how folklore serves as a vehicle for promoting national unity and cultural pride, this study seeks to elucidate the mechanisms through which folklore informs contemporary nationalist discourse. The primary contention proposed is that the intertwined relationship between myth and collective memory is instrumental in framing national identity, allowing for both the reinforcement of historical narratives and the mobilization of populations around shared cultural symbols. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative data. Ethnographic interviews with community stakeholders and folklore practitioners serve as foundational qualitative resources, alongside an examination of relevant folklore texts and historical documents. The quantitative aspect is informed by surveys gauging public perceptions of nationalism and identity across various Southeast Asian states, providing a broader context for the qualitative findings. Limitations encountered included accessibility to specific historical texts and variance in local interpretations of folklore, which posed challenges in establishing a consistent framework for analysis. The findings suggest that folklore plays a pivotal role in reflecting and actively shaping national consciousness in Southeast Asia. It was observed that state can leverage narratives rooted in myth to foster a sense of belonging and collective identity, especially during socio-political upheaval. Ultimately, this study underscores the significance of folklore as a dynamic component in constructing national identities, revealing broader implications for understanding the interplay between culture and politics in a region characterized by diverse ethnic landscapes and historical complexities.

Keywords

Collective Memory, Culture, folklore, Identity, Myth, Nationalism, Southeast Asia

Existential Crisis of Ethnomedicine among Santals of West Bengal, India

Soumita Chatterjee, Chaitali Karmakar, & Sutapa Choudhury

Abstract

Ethnomedicine, rooted in traditional healing practices, explores the bio-active properties of plants and animals, particularly among ethnic communities with limited exposure to Western medicine. This study investigates practice of ethnomedicine among the Santal people, an indigenous group in South Asia, with a focus on healing patterns and intergenerational transmission of knowledge orally. The study aims at exploring present healing practices among the Santals, emphasizing use of ethnomedicine, understanding any obstacle that prevails in transmitting indigenous knowledge across generations. Data was collected through Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and in-depth face to face interviews. Interview was carried out among the Santal individuals who were above 15 years of age and were residing in Puinam village in West Bengal. Social and demographic details were gathered through semi-structured schedules. Qualitative data were analyzed by means of interpretation and through narrative analysis. Santals living in the Puinan village predominantly rely on 37 types of plant-based and 6 types of animal-based medicines, where 48.9% of medicines are applied to people of all age groups. The villagers mentioned that oral tradition is the primary mode transmission of knowledge. They also use modern medication. Modernization, loss of biodiversity, and easy accessibility to modern healthcare pose challenges to the indigenous medical practices. Despite shifting preferences towards allopathic treatments, ethnomedicine persists among the Santals. This reflects the enduring significance of traditional healing knowledge. The study reveals an existential problem of ethnomedicine in future. This requires further research on both plant and animal based medicine and on the barriers to knowledge transmission within the Santal community.

Keywords

Ethnomedicine, santal, plant, transmission, indigenous knowledge

Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma and his Contribution to Empowerment of Women in the Bodo Society

Bibari Boro & Jhanin Mushaary

Abstract

Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma (Bodofa) was a Socialist leader of India. He saw men and women as equals and complementary to each other. During that time women were deprived in all spheres of their lives, namely, socio-economy, education, politics, literature, etc. They suffered for a long time in the realm of polygamy, forced marriage, superstitious beliefs, etc. Bodofa wanted to reform such aspects. He realized that without the role of women, a society or a nation could not fully develop. A society or a nation should develop equal roles for both males and females. In the history of Bodo, the All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU), under the leadership of Bodofa, started the Bodo movement in the years of 1980s with a demand for forming a separate statehood for Bodoland within the Indian Union. He thought that the participation of women in the Bodoland movement was necessary. For all the above mentioned reasons under his initiative and of some other ABSU leaders, the All-Assam Tribal Women Welfare Federation (AATWWF) was formed on 14 July 1986, with a view of equality between men and women while addressing the problems concerning women and empowerment. His inspiration for women was not only to have an active role in participating in the Bodoland movement but also to have, an active role in various spheres such as socio-economic, cultural, and for educational upliftment for women in Bodo Society. The Bodo women did not lag behind but were even ready to sacrifice their lives for their society. They came across various problems while participating in the Bodoland Movement. From then onward through equal participation in the Bodoland movement, today Bodo women are empowered in all spheres of life. In this paper, emphasis is given on Bodofa Upendra Brahma's contributions to women's empowerment in Bodo society and on their mobilizations on the issue of Bodo nationalism and of their participation during the time of the Bodoland Movement.

Keywords

Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma, Bodo Women, AATWWF, Bodoland Movement, Empowerment of women

From Mirpur to Bethkundu\Suklalpur: Reflections of Cultural Transformation of Portuguese Settlers over a Period of Six Decades

Samita Manna

Abstract

Mirpur, a Christian village, situated in Mahishadal Police Station, near Geonkhali, Purba Midnapore District of West Bengal is not too far from Kolkata (the state capital). At the end of the eighteenth century, this village was donated to a few Portuguese people by the Queen of Mahishadal due to their bravery and devotional work with the Mahishadal Rajbari in making it free from the hands of the Bargis. As a result,ultimately, they worked as protectors and drove away the Bargis (Maratha plunderers) from that area. Gradually, with time, they established their rights as citizens of the locality. Side by side, social researchers from different branches have been interested in knowing their socio- political, economic, and cultural adjustment to the existing local population. This study is purely based on field views to observe their changing lifestyles after sixty years, as this village was studied sixty years ago. It focuses on three major issues: infrastructural changes, changing relations in their everyday lives, and newly developed attitudes and socio-political identity over this period.

Keywords

Christian village, Cultural Adjustment, Field Views, Changing Lifestyles, Socio-Political Identities

Prolegomena to the Identity of Mal Paharia of Jharkhand

SuchetaSen Chaudhuri, M. Ramakrishnan, Priyavrat Nag, Sohini Chatterjee, Sunita Purty, & Sunita Soren

Abstract

The present research paper aims at delineating the identity maintenance of the Mal Paharia, a PVTG of Jharkhand. The people of Rajmahal Hills and Jungleterry, are living in the hill forest ecology and sharing the same ecology with Kumarbhag, and Saoria Paharia. In the plains their neighbours are the Santal, people of Hindi and Bengali speaking caste based communities, traders from different regions, and religions of India. Historically, the ‘Maler’ was referred to as a community of that region, who spoke Northern Dravidian language ‘Malto’ (Vidyarthi 1963). The Mal Paharia, Saoria Paharia, and Kumarbhag Paharia, who are earliest settlers of the region apparently, maintain three separate nomenclatures to introduce themselves that might have originated from the ‘Maler’ ancestors. The present paper has made a modest attempt to know common institutionalized customs in practice among them. They share the same ecological niche and came under influence of the neighbouring communities because the place known as Rajmahal hills is considered as the gateway of Bengal from the side of northern India. The hill passes were important to traders from the ancient past. At this background the present paper aims at discussing Identity Maintenance of the Mal Paharia and their relations with the other Paharia. The word ‘Paharia’, is in earlier records written as ‘Pahariya’, ‘Pahariaa’ also. However, the field data are referred to in the present paper; and in a few discussions for comparative analysis secondary data sources are utilized.

Keywords

Mal Paharia; Pahria; Maler; Malto; Kumarbhag; Ultimogeniture; Identity Maintenance; Social Ecology; Gungleterry; Rajmahal hills

Contested Sacred Spaces: Sufism, Reformist Movements, and Religious Authority in the Twentieth Century Kashmir

Gulzar Hussain

Abstract

The Sufi traditions in Kashmir have significantly influenced the religious, cultural, and socio-political fabric of the region, intertwining with local practices and shaping communal identities. Originating from various Sufi orders, these traditions emphasize mystical communion with the Divine, fostering spiritual insight, tolerance, and pluralism. Over centuries, Sufi saints established influential khanqahs and dargahs, contributing to the spiritual and social cohesion of Kashmiri society. However, the rise of Islamic ‘reformist’ movements in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries, such as the Ahl-e-Hadith and the Jama‘at-e-Islami, sparked debates over the ‘authenticity’ of Sufi practices, challenging their dominance and redefining religious discourse. These movements criticized certain Sufi rituals as deviations from ‘true’ Islam, leading to conflicts over religious authority and influencing the socio-political landscape. Despite these challenges, Sufi leaders have defended their traditions, emphasizing love, tolerance, and unity. Various religious organizations and their strategic use of Islamic principles, underscore ongoing efforts to maintain doctrinal purity and social transformation within Kashmir. This paper aims to explore the rich and complex history of Sufi traditions in Kashmir in the twentieth century, examining their profound impact on the social, religious, and cultural fabric of the region. This article also offers a comprehensive analysis of the interplay between Sufism and the socio-political landscape of Kashmir. Furthermore, it highlights the complex interplay between Sufism and various reformist critiques coming mainly from the Ahl-e-hadith and the Jama‘at-e-Islami, which challenged the authenticity of Sufi practices and sought to assert more orthodox interpretations of Islam, and how Sufi organizations, like the Anjuman-i-Tablighul Islam, have responded to these challenges.

Keywords

Sacred Site, Sufism, Ideological Contestation, Community Identity, Spirituality, True Islam, Orthodoxy, Shari‘ah

Facilitating the Self-Made: Utilization of Social Media for Fostering Women Entrepreneurship

Sayak Pal, Nitesh Tripathi, Swati Agarwal & Sharmila Kayal

Abstract

As Digital Media takes center stage in every domain of life, it is essential to understand its implications to utilize it better. Unlike Electronic and Print Media, Digital Media is truly democratic as it allows people to exchange ideas, goods, and services without hassles. For this reason, social media is widely used by the masses for expressing their creativity and art. There is a commercial aspect to this as well. The scope of conducting and promoting one’s creativity and monetizing it to create a small business can’t be found on any other media platforms as these platforms indulge in a top-down and not bottom-up approach. In this regard, the researcher attempts to study the potential of Facebook, the largest social media platform, in promoting the small-scale business of Women Entrepreneurs. For this purpose, secondary data from the validated sources have been considered along with the in-depth interviews to elicit responses on various aspects such as business details, revenue generation, promotional endeavors, challenges, and motivation. The analysis indicates the increasing rate of women-centric entrepreneurship activities that can open up ways for further developments, while women entrepreneurs are yet to explore the full benefits and potentialities of Facebook to promote and expand their businesses.

Keywords

Women Entrepreneurs, Facebook, Business, Digital Media, Marketplace, Promotion

Regionalisation and Ethnification of Electoral Politics in Post-Merger Sikkim

Maheshwari Kharga

Abstract

This paper engages with the peculiar features of Sikkim’s electoral politics which is characterized by the electoral dominance of regional political parties and consecutive electoral victory of Nepalis political leaders since 1979 assembly election. The first section provides analytical framework on the rise and success of regional parties in Sikkim’s electoral politics. It seeks to probe the underlying causes and contextual factors that have facilitated the success of regional parties and at the same time, failure of national parties in Sikkim. To this end, it will analyse the electoral performance, electoral tactics and social support of successful regional political parties of Sikkim. The second section looks into the efforts of different Nepalis Chief Ministers of Sikkim in term of facilitating ethnification of Sikkim’s electoral politics for their electoral gains.

Keywords

Caste, Election, Ethnification, Political Parties, Regionalisation, Sikkim

Rupturing Enclaves and Changing Contours of Politics: A Study on Tea Plantations of the Dooars and Assam

Tunir Ghosal & Alak Bhattacharya

Abstract

Tea plantations are often seen as ‘enclave economies’ due to their colonially entrenched oppressive structures. The paper deals with the mid-19th century ‘in-migration’ of pauperised communities from the Chotanagpur region, various parts of Jharkhand, and Odisha to Assam and the Dooars region of West Bengal as indentured labourers and how their current out-migration is causing ruptures in the long existing ‘enclaves’ pertaining to stagnation of wages, closure of big estates, rise of Small Tea Growers (STGs) and potential legal changes such as the abolition of Plantation Labour Act of 1951. It also highlights the emergence of a new form of activism, emphasising the need for systemic change to address historical exploitation and promote fair labour practices.

Keywords

In-migration, out-migration, rupturing enclaves, Plantations Labour Act, fair labour practices

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Screen Time among XI-Grade Students in Reference to Their Gender and Locality

Sudipta Karmakar and Deb Prasad Sikdar

Abstract

People are concerned about spending too much time on screens, thus prevention and awareness raising are important. This study used questionnaires to examine the screen time habits of 764 eleventh-grade students in West Bengal's Nadia region. Females and rural students outnumbered males in the 1–5 hour range, whereas males and rural students led the 6–10 hour group. There were differences between pupils in rural and urban areas, although awareness of screen time was consistent across genders. Students, both male and female, had different opinions on how much time they spent on screens. Gender had an impact on screen time habits, but patterns were similar in rural and urban areas. The study concludes that the advantages of technology can be realized without sacrificing health, highlighting the necessity of a balanced approach to knowledge, attitude, and practice for a long-lasting relationship with the digital world.

Keywords

Screen Time, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice

Assessing Self-Awareness Skill among School-Going Children in Kolkata District, West Bengal

Chiranjit Mandal, Manikanta Paria & Muktipada Sinha

Abstract

This study explores self-awareness among secondary school students in Kolkata, West Bengal, focusing on the influence of gender, family type, medium of instruction, and mother's occupation. The study employed a cross-sectional survey design, gathering data from 449 students using a self-developed Self-Awareness Skill Measurement Scale (SASMS). Results indicated significant differences in self-awareness based on gender, with male students showing higher self-awareness than females. Students from joint families exhibited greater self-awareness compared to those from nuclear families. Additionally, Bengali medium students demonstrated higher self-awareness than their English medium counterparts. Although students with mothers in government service showed slightly higher self-awareness, the difference was not statistically significant across different maternal occupations. These findings underscore the importance of cultural and familial contexts in shaping self-awareness, suggesting the need for tailored educational strategies to enhance students' emotional and cognitive development.

Keywords

Cultural Context, Emotional Development, Educational Strategies, Cognitive Development

Understanding Gender & Sexuality through Hidden Curriculum in Schools

Nishaa Ghosh & Archana Prasad

Abstract

Sexuality is a culturally diverse conceptual category which could refer to a wide range of things like sexual orientation and desires, which could be same-sex, bisexual, and heterosexual, genderroles, construction of femininity and masculinity, gender relations, and consequent sex roles (Vance, 1991). Sexuality is also ideological because socialization into appropriate sexual behaviour is a social process which leads to the construction of gender identity. The school is one of the primary institutions for reproducing conventional gender and sexual norms. This paper argues that a form of sex education is always part and parcel of school systems by focusing on hidden curricula. The paper conducts a relational analysis of the school and the wider society and argues that there is conformity, tension, and resistance in schools and how the school is not a neutral body outside of society but functions within the larger political and social landscape. Thus, this study will examine the State, the significant gatekeepers (family, teachers and guardians), and adolescents. The paper, therefore, also focuses on adolescents who negotiate the hegemonic patterns and inculcation intended to produce good citizens (good girls and good boys).

Keywords

Sexuality, Gender roles, Construction of femininity and masculinity, Gender relations, Adolescents

Restandardization of Emotional Intelligence Scale for Secondary school students through Pilot study

Sahanaz Khatun & Jakir Hussain Laskar

Abstract

This study seeks to revise and adapt the Emotional Intelligence Inventory developed by Dr. S.K. Mangal and Mrs. Shubhra Mangal for secondary school students residing in the Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling districts of West Bengal. The inventory comprises 100 items, categorized into four dimensions of emotional intelligence: intrapersonal awareness, interpersonal awareness, intrapersonal management, and interpersonal management. Among the 100 statements 48 is positive and 52 are negative statement. The Inventory is being re-standardized for Secondary School students of North Bengal region of West Bengal. The test was carried out with a sample of 100 pupils, 50 each from government and private schools. Reliability was established through Cronbach Alpha for correlation between forms and was found to be r=.908. Spearman Brown Coefficient for reliability was found to be .953 and Guttman Split half coefficient was found to be .908. Validity correlation was significant at 0.01 level (2 tailed test) and the validity of the re-standardization was established.

Keywords

Emotional Intelligence, EI models, Pilot Study, Restandardization

Report: Contemporary US Foreign Policy and Global Conflicts: Case Studies of Ukraine and Palestine.

Shreya Ghosh

Abstract

The foreign policy of the United States of America has been a topic of interest for analysts and researchers alike due to its significant impact on global politics and international relations. The United States of America is one of the most powerful influential countries in the world with a foreign policy that has significant global implications. The country's foreign policy is shaped by a range of factors, including historical events, domestic politics, and economic interests. Historically, the U.S. has been involved in numerous global conflicts including both World War I and II, the cold war and the War on Terror. These events have had a significant impact on the country’s foreign policy and continue to shape its approach to international relations. The main trend regarding the history of U.S. foreign policy since the American Revolution is the shift from non-interventionism before and after World War I, to its growth as a world power and global hegemon during World War II and throughout the cold war in the 20th century. (George W Bush, 2002). Promoting freedom and democracy and protecting human rights around the world are central to U.S. foreign policy. However, the guiding principles of U.S. foreign policy remain constant that is promotion of security, democracy, prosperity and development in the United States and around the world. (US department of State, 2020)

Promoting democracy in the Middle East has been cited by U.S. as a key post-Cold War foreign policy objective. As a result, the U.S. has intervened in numerous countries and conflicts, particularly since 9/11 and the subsequent declaration of the War on Terror. However, this has not been without controversy and its actions often aid imperialism rather than the country it claims its intervention is benefitting. U.S. is promoting democracy on one hand but at the same time pursuing national objectives to increase hegemony. (Ruairidh Wood, 2019) We have observed U.S. involvement in the Middle East from the Soviet-Afghan War, through the invasion of Iraq and the Arab Spring, up to the present day, U.S. has continuously created instability in the region, in terms of both state and human security. By constructing various actors as threats to themselves, the West or the world, the U.S. has been able to justify its aggressive pursuit of foreign policy objectives in the Middle East. Utilizing the theories of realism, this research discusses how the U.S. has attempted to achieve hegemony in the region, and indeed especially in the global conflicts, before contrasting this with humanitarian efforts it has been a part of. The United States has long grappled with the dichotomy between its strategic interests in maintaining global influence and hegemony and its stated commitment to promoting democracy worldwide. This tension arises because these goals can, at times, be in conflict, leading to complex and sometimes contradictory foreign policy decisions. National security and survival are the primary national interest of each state and, in pursuit of national security states strive to increase national power.

Political realism in international relations reached its zenith in the hands of Hans J. Morgenthau in his seminal work Politics among Nations: The Struggle for Power and Peace (1948). The main signpost of political realism is the concept of interest defined in terms of power which infuses rational order into the subject matter of politics and thus makes the theoretical understanding of politics possible (PeuGhosh, 24-27). The realist tradition suffered a setback due to the emergence of neo liberal thought especially by the challenge posed by pluralism. The pluralist’s challenge to realism was soon met by a new brand of realists and the forerunner among them was Kenneth Waltz, who in his famous works, Man, the State and War (1959) and Theory of International Politics (1979) came up with his idea of world politics which is popularly known as neo-realism. Neo-realistic approach is a global level analysis unlike the classical realism which focused on individual interests. The end goal of the state according to neo-realists is to achieve security not power maximization like the classical realists believed. According to neo-realists, power is a means to achieve security maximization. Waltz argues that key differences between international and domestic politics lie not in the regularity of war and conflict but in the structure of international system. In the absence of higher authority in the international system there is no way to secure oneself other than self-help which will ultimately lead to security dilemma because security buildup of one would lead to insecurity of others. The resultant anarchy for the neo-realist is, therefore due to the presence of a system characterized by the absence of a higher power over the sovereign states. It is this structure of international system which decisively shapes up the behavior of the states in international relations and their struggle for power (PeuGhosh, 28-29)

U.S. has a history of intervening in global conflicts to protect its interests, promote democracy, and maintain stability. This has included military interventions, such as in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, the interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq, and in various other smaller conflicts. Post-9/11, U.S. foreign policy has heavily focused on counterterrorism efforts, leading to military actions in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other regions. This includes targeting terrorist organizations like al-Qaeda and ISIS, and supporting global counterterrorism initiatives. (Global policy forum, 2005) Overall, U.S. foreign policy regarding global conflicts is characterized by a mix of military, diplomatic, and economic strategies aimed at protecting national interests, promoting global stability, and responding to emerging threats. U.S. foreign policy regarding global conflicts has been shaped by various historical contexts, ideological shifts, and strategic objectives. The U.S. has a history of military interventions to protect national interests, prevent the spread of ideologies opposed to its own (e.g., communism, terrorism), and maintain global stability (US department of State, 2020). It supports and leverages international institutions (e.g., UN, World Bank, IMF) to address global conflicts, promote peace, and foster international cooperation. Sometimes, USA directly intervened alone on humanitarian grounds and sometimes in alliance with NATO or with UN mandate like in Korean War. (Edieth Y Wu, 2013) Therefore, humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts are part of U.S. policy to address the consequences of global conflicts. Out of these, two major conflicts have drawn substantial attention in recent years are the Ukraine Russia conflict and Israel - Hamas conflict.

A war between Russia and Ukraine began in February 2014 with the covert invasion of the Ukrainian autonomous republic of Crimea by disguised Russian troops. The conflict expanded in April 2014 when Russians and local proxy forces seized territory in Ukraine’s Donbas region; over the next seven years, more than 14,000 people would be killed in fighting in eastern Ukraine. On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Although Russian forces made significant gains in the first days of combat, Ukrainian defenders rebuffed attempts to seize Kyiv and other major cities and were soon launching counterattacks at Russian positions. (Michael Ray, 2022) The invasion aimed to topple the Ukrainian government and assert control over significant parts of the country. The war has caused significant casualties, widespread destruction, and a massive humanitarian crisis, with millions of Ukrainians displaced. Despite initial rapid advances, Ukrainian resistance has been fierce, supported by Western military aid and sanctions against Russia. The conflict has since become a protracted war of attrition, with both sides locked in intense battles across various fronts. (Jeffrey Mankoff, 2022) By the end of 2024, the war continues with no clear end in sight, affecting global politics, energy supplies, and international relation.

Israel and Hamas have been at war in Gaza for over 100 days since gunmen from the Palestinian militant group ran amok in southern Israel, prompting a fierce Israeli military campaign in which almost 24,000 Palestinians have been killed.(The Hindu, 2024). Hamas launched its deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, prompting the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to engage in aerial campaigns and ground operations within the Gaza Strip. On June 8, 2024 the IDF undertook an operation in central Gaza to rescue four hostages while Gazan authorities reported that 274 Palestinians were killed, and hundreds of others were injured. Other efforts to free the more than one hundred remaining Israeli and foreign hostages taken by Hamas on October 7 have been largely unsuccessful, and their location and health status are unknown. Almost two million Gazans—more than 85 percent of the population—have fled their homes since October 2023. Casualty estimates from the Hamas-run Gazan Health Ministry place death toll in Gaza at around 40,000, though such numbers are challenging to verify due to limited international access to the Strip. On July 13, Israel conducted a major strike on south Gaza, targeting two top Hamas commanders that killed at least seventy-one people. Meanwhile, neither Hamas nor Israel has agreed to the term laid out by U.S. President Joe Biden for a ceasefire and hostage release. The conflict has sparked increased regional tensions across the Middle East. Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon have engaged in cross-border skirmishes with the IDF, Yemen’s Houthi rebels have shot missiles at Israel and commercial ships in the Red Sea and other Iran-backed groups have launched dozens of attacks on U.S. military positions in Iraq and Syria. (Centre for preventive action, 2024) A significant escalation occurred when Hamas launched a large-scale surprise attack on Israel, leading to a major military response from Israel. This escalation resulted in heavy casualties on both sides, with Gaza facing extensive destruction and a severe humanitarian crisis. The conflict remains unresolved, with occasional ceasefires but no lasting peace agreement. The situation is exacerbated by political divisions within the Palestinian territories, regional rivalries, and international interventions, making it one of the most intractable conflicts in modern history.

Taking into consideration the two major conflicts of the day, the research questions are framed as follows:

1. How do U.S. overtures towards Ukraine-Russia and Israel-Hamas conflict reflect broader US policies and strategic interests?

2. What are the key challenges faced by U.S. policy makers in addressing both Ukraine-Russia and Israel-Hamas conflicts simultaneously?