Browsing by Subject "Community"

Now showing 1 - 7 of 7

Open Access
The Exploration of the Hijra Cult’s Hidden Ethnographic Aspects: Fluid Identities of the “Third Sex” in India
(University of North Bengal, 2024-03) Gagneja, Shaveta
Transgender is an umbrella term that refers to individuals who have a gender identity or gender expression that differs from their biological sex assignment. Due to their independence from sexual orientation, they have frequently been referred to as the “third sex” neither male nor female. The hijra’s are individuals of various physical and sexual characteristics, including transsexual, transgender, transvestite, homosexual, and asexual individuals, as well as hermaphrodites or intersexed individuals, and eunuchs. The majority of hijra are gender nonconforming individuals who have a long history in India, where they have played significant roles in Hindu society for over 2000 years. Although it is widely believed that Hijra’s are bestowed with the ability to bless, the issues confronting these communities have not been adequately explored due to the community's hidden nature. An attempt has been made to illuminate the hidden truths about this ethnic community’s way of life, as well as to investigate the community’s unconventional traditions and unique cults. The ethnographic component of the manuscript will be examined in the first section of the manuscript, with a focus on delineating the theoretical frameworks within which hijra identity exists. The section that follows will go over the process of becoming a Hijra, as well as their religious and cultural practises. As a result, this article focuses not only on Hijra subjectivity, but also on Hijra perspectives and the process of being recognised as a third gender.
Open Access
Hydropower Development and its Impact in Kinnaur District
(University of North Bengal, 2015) Zangmo, Amrit
In the recent decade Himachal Pradesh and its development revolved around hydropower development with its intent of turning Himachal into powerhouse of the nation. The present study tries to examine whether the setting up of large number of hydropower projects in entire stretch of Sutlej Basin in hilly area of Kinnaur district which is prone to the phenomena like landslide, flood and drying up of water resources is wise or not. The present paper is based on field work observation and study of official reports and statistics from the different departments, both governmental and non-governmental. Due to heavy blasting work used for making underground tunnel in the project entire hill on the right bank of the Sutlej river at Karcham Wangtoo project area have become vulnerable to landslides. Drying up of natural water resources has been observed at the surrounding affected villages of Karcham-Wangtoo hydropower project. In the age of climate change when area is already fragile and prone to such natural disaster question arises how prudent to start new and existing hydropower projects in the region.
Open Access
Khap Laws, Cultural Violence and the Challenges to Individual Liberty
(University of North Bengal, 2014-03) Sukumar, N.; Roul, Kamalakanta
For the past many years honour killings have grabbed national headlines. The raging debates on what is fist degree have exposed the uncivil nature of the Indian ‘civil’ society. The statement made by the paternal uncle of Shubha (a victim of honour killing in Ashok Vihar, Delhi), Mr. Dharmaveer Nagar “apneaap me khoongalathosaktahai, par samajkeliyeyeh murder zarooritha…. is kaam se in larkon ne saahi me ek achcha udaharan pesh kiya hain (you may consider killing of an individual is wrong, but for society, it was necessary. These youngsters have set a good example)”1 (TOI, 2010) epitomizes the clash between the constitutionally ordained rule of law, citizenship and civil liberties and the chains of tradition and customary law. What is more appalling is that the political class has bent before the violators of the constitution in order to retain their traditional vote banks. This paper attempts to reflect on cultural violence and its implications for gender justice and individual rights in India.
Open Access
Policing the Chicken Neck: The Emergent Challenges in the Siliguri Corridor
(Rashtriya Raksha University, 2022-06) Chakraborty, Ranjita
Unique geostrategic spatiality entails unique challenges to policing wherein the use of only conventional policing strategies and techniques is often inadequate or ineffective. Similar is the case of the Siliguri Corridor in North Bengal which is known as the "Chicken Neck" of India. The region is the only connecting link between the North-eastern states of India and the rest of the country. This corridor is very close to the.four neighbouring states-Bangladesh in the east and Nepal, Bhutan and China in the north of the corridor. The opening up of boundaries and the increased stress on connectivity for economic growth, not just within the country but across the countries, has led to multiple vulnerabilities that pose territorial and human security threats. Issues like trafficking of humans and animals, smuggling, fake currency, drug trafficking and terror activities have created major challenges for the internal security agencies as well as defence forces. This paper explores these issues and suggests some alternative strategies in terms of changing the policing styles, from conventional to community policing, in the Siliguri Corridor, that would act as a complementary strategy and whose main objective would be to prevent crimes, create community partnerships, build a trust-based relationship between the community and the police, and to nurture an informed, sensitive and empowered police force.
Open Access
Protection of Natural Resources and Proactive Role of Grassroots Institutions in Goa
(University of North Bengal, 2017) Salgaonkar, Seema P.
Natural resources play a significant role in our lives; hence their proper governance becomes a pertinent issue. There are various approaches towards its governance. Some advocate complete control by state agency over natural resources, while some other propose on bottoms-up approach with community involvement toward natural resource management. The present study proposes a Model for State-Community Partnership, suggesting devolution of more powers to Panchayats and Gram Sabhas as these are community oriented institutions. This model is tested with a Case Study of Goa. Goa is today facing the crisis of resource exploitation and misuse. Can grassroots institutions check these trends by being alert and proactive? The paper attempts an answer.
Open Access
Protection of Natural Resources and Proactive Role of Grassroots Institutions in Goa
(University of North Bengal, 2014-03) Salgaonkar, Seema P.
Natural resources play a significant role in our lives; hence their proper governance becomes a pertinent issue. There are various approaches towards its governance. Some advocate complete control by state agency over natural resources, while some other propose on bottoms-up approach with community involvement toward natural resource management. The present study proposes a Model for State-Community Partnership, suggesting devolution of more powers to Panchayats and Gram Sabhas as these are community oriented institutions. This model is tested with a Case Study of Goa. Goa is today facing the crisis of resource exploitation and misuse. Can grassroots institutions check these trends by being alert and proactive? The paper attempts an answer.
Open Access
“STATE, NGO’s and Ecotourism: A Study of Select Ecotourism Projects of Sikkim
(University of North Bengal, 2022) Tamang lama, Nisha; Chakraborty, Ranjita
The present study seeks to address the understanding of community-based ecotourism projects in Sikkim associated with how community-based ecotourism has been able to promote sustainable tourism and at the same time understand what has been the nature of interlinkages between the state, NGOs, and the local community in the promotion of sustainable ecotourism in the region under focus. The study also seeks to look into the degree of freedom given to the communities in planning and managing ecotourism in the context of hegemonic state-market relations in the area under focus. The present study focused on the Ecotourism Policy and the nature of the linkage between the government of Sikkim, the local NGOs, and the local community of the Ecotourism destination. We would probe the successes as well as the weaknesses of the projects and in the process address the question of how to promote and sustain community-based ecotourism. A major success has been the emergence of a community-based Non-Government Organization. NGOs have a potentially valuable role in supporting and building the capacity of local communities to participate in ecotourism programs, especially in defining the zoning and designing interpretation materials and facilities. Many NGOs have been participating in the tourism industry based on their different aims, but their major involvement has occurred within the area where tourism is linked with the local Community and environment; "community-based ecotourism''. Field trips were undertaken to study the ET projects in Sikkim. No study has focused on the conditions of the operation as well as the outcome of these projects. The present study seeks to examine Sikkim's Ecotourism Policy establishing the state as an ultimate and unique ecotourism destination offering memorable and high-quality learning experiences to visitors while contributing towards poverty alleviation and promotion of nature conservation. In Sikkim, though ecotourism projects are in operation, studies have focused on community participation and promoting conservation and sustainable development