Social Trends, Vol. 02, No. 01

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://ir.nbu.ac.in/handle/123456789/3491

EDITORIAL NOTE

I am happy that we are bringing out the second volume of Social Trends, The Journal of the Department of Sociology of North Bengal University. While the first volume, which was published in March 2014, contained articles exclusively on gender related issues the present volume includes papers dealing with various issues of social importance and contemporary relevance. The present volume is perfectly in line with our declared objective, which was spelt in the first volume out as thus: ‘We see Social Trends as a good platform for the young scholars where they can try their hands in scholarly writing and gain experience and confidence, which would help them in growing as mature scholars in future’. We have articles written mostly by the young scholars who represent social science disciplines like sociology, political science, economics and history. Alongside the articles by young scholars we have included two articles by two senior faculty of our Department and one senior anthropologist. We have one article by a friend from Chittagong University which has added an international flavor to the journal. Some encouraging signs are noteworthy. First, we have received a very good response from the contributors; second, we have received a book from a Delhi - based publisher for review; and third, we are on schedule in bringing out this volume. I acknowledge with deep sense of gratitude the cooperation that I have received from the contributors and my colleagues, the associate editors, in bringing out this volume.

I, on behalf of the editorial team, would thank the members of the Advisory Committee of the journal for their encouragement and suggestions on matters relating to publication of the present volume of the journal.

Sanjay K. Roy

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Now showing 1 - 15 of 15

Open Access
Reflections on the demand for ST status by some ethnic groups in Darjeeling hills
(University of North Bengal, 2015) Mukhopadhyay, Rajatsubhra
In the process of social formation a gradual assimilation/ integration of the so called autochthons and non Aryans into the Hindu society continued until recently. But in the recent past one can notice a reverse trend where the ethno-political forces are keen in preserving their identities at the cultural level and get them recognized by the state for certain privileges or rights. The demand for recognition as Tribes (STs) by some ethnic communities in the Darjeeling hills is a case in point. The present paper offers some insights into this growing clamour of the hill people for ST status and the politics behind it.
Open Access
Chumki Piplai: Migration and Human Variation: A Study on Tribal Tea-Labourers. New Delhi: Mittal Publication, 2014, 209 pp., INR 750 (hb). ISBN 81-8324-460-2
(University of North Bengal, 2015-03) Khawas, Babika
Open Access
Globalisation and identity: case of the lepchas in Sikkim
(University of North Bengal, 2015-03) Kumari, Vandana
The process of social change in India under the influence of external forces like Westernization, modernization and the globalization has produced vast sociological literatures covering the philosophical understanding of Indian society encountering with the political economy of modernization and globalization. The process has provoked a wide-range debate among the academic community on the issues of national character, the idea of nationalism and romanticisation of fragmented identities. The journey of democracy, development and the celebration of plural identities in postcolonial India has paradoxical in character in which both the resistance and co-operation between the local and national is the reality. This paper is an attempt to conceptualize the nature of identity formation, the value of cultural symbol and the local subsistence as found in case of Lepcha Movement in the state of Sikkim, particularly when
Open Access
Cultural dimension of ethnic identity: study on the Oraon tribe of North Bengal
(University of North Bengal, 2015-03) Tirkey, John Breakmas
The term ‘ethnicity’ has its origin in the distant past but it has acquired new significance and dimension in recent times, which, in broad sense, encompasses a form of social organization, sense of kinship, group solidarity, language, tradition and culture, identified objectively and subjectively. The present paper attempts to study the cultural dimension of ethnic identity of the Oraon tribe of North Bengal, which is one of the largest and the earliest inhabitants among the tribal communities in the region. The Oraons have a very rich stock of cultural heritage and tradition- real and mythical, which forms the basis of their ethnic identity, which has acquired a new significance in recent times in the new world order.
Open Access
Gandhian method to peace
(University of North Bengal, 2015-03) Roy, Saikat
At a time when peace is threatened by violence at the individual, group, social, national and global levels it is time that we explore the essences of Gandian philosophy of peace and practice them in our lives for the sake of a better philosophy and life and work for a world order that would be free from violence.
Open Access
Ground reality of welfare measures: voices from below
(University of North Bengal, 2015-03) Basistha, Nandini
In spite of age-old Brahmin or upper-caste domination on the ecosocio- political life of Uttar Pradesh, we saw huge success of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in 2007 Vidhan Sabha election. It becomes the only National Party of India, which captures power for Bahujan, with Bahujan and by Bahujan. Ideologically, BSP wants ‘Social Transformation and Economic Emancipation’ of the Bahujan Samaj, which is comprised of the Scheduled Castes (SCs), the Scheduled Tribes (STs), the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Religious Minorities such as Sikhs, Muslims, Christians, Parsis and Buddhists. In a Press Release in 2009, the Party announced that the State Government of Uttar Pradesh is giving priority to the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and declared many schemes to achieve its objectives. This raised hopes among the so-called ‘backward’ and downtrodden classes of this province. But, how far these welfare programmes were effective was still to be proved. To unravel the ground reality, we had done an empirical survey on the awareness and impact of the welfare schemes of Uttar Pradesh on Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. In this paper is an outcome of the survey.
Open Access
Fractured ethnic space of rabha tribe of North Bengal
(University of North Bengal, 2015-03) Pal, Surajit Kumar
In recent time North Bengal is turning out to be the seedbed of social unrest as different ethnic groups are out to establish their own ethnopolitical space. The Rabha, a small indigenous tribal group, who inhabit the forest and non-forest villages, were a single united group in terms of their socio-cultural system in the pre-independence period, but in post-independence period they seem to be a fragmented lot. They are fragmented along political and religious lines; the entry of Christianity, in particular, has brought about boundaries within the ethnic community.
Open Access
Foregrounding differences and diversity: dalit youth of India
(University of North Bengal, 2015-03) Ray, Antara; Ganguly, Ramanuj
This paper attempts to focus on the changing dalit youth culture in India tracing the socio-historical factors which facilitated the development of the contemporary youth identity among dalits. It focuses on the diverse kinds of motivations and ideologies which are now mostly continued by the youth of the contemporary society. The paper also tries to draw attention towards the fact that youth of India are taking prominent collective action guided and provoked by the changing social institutions (which are more politically active and mobile now) that are creating contradictions and new form of discriminations/exclusivist trends in the Indian society. The paper narrates how youth of contemporary India is getting involved in the new age caste-discriminations based on politics by using their cultural baggage. The rationale provided to the youth, either Dalit or non- Dalit is reasoned on the basis of cultural tools in order to gain a leading role in Indian political system. This paper examines this dichotomy, contradictions and the logic of Dalit politics and the involvement of youth.
Open Access
Tracing the roots of missionary education in Darjeeling hills
(University of North Bengal, 2015-03) Sharma, Niyati Rekha
This is a brief historical narrative on the Christian missionary education in India, particularly in Darjeeling hills. The article examines whether missionary education was an agent of enlightenment, emancipation or as an instrument of colonial conquest. The history of colonial/missionary education has been examined in the light of Gramscian concept of ‘cultural hegemony’ and Althusser’s concept of ‘ideological state apparatus’, highlighting the strategies of the colonial governance. Darjeeling, a colonial enclave, more like a private domain to the ruling race then, turned out to be a hunting ground for the missionary, who, among other activities, played a lead role in spreading Western education which continued to shape post-colonial education not only in Darjeeling but in the rest of India.
Open Access
Ancient Kirata and Kirata today: case of the Lepchas of West Bengal
(University of North Bengal, 2015-03) Roy, D. C.
Based on textual interpretation and an analysis of the geo-spatial, socio-cultural conditions the paper examines the relative position of Lepchas in Eastern Nepal and in Eastern Himalaya (Sikkim and Darjeeling) while dealing with the question whether the Lepchas could be included in the Kirata group of people.
Open Access
Deserted women in patriarchal sikkim and Darjeeling hills
(University of North Bengal, 2015-03) Roy, Sanjay K.; Khawas, Babika
In patriarchal social orders in Sikkim and Darjeeling Hills, which also have kept into practice many elements of feudal social order, the women are subjected to various forms of discrimination and violence; one manifestation of such a social situation is desertion of women in their 40s and 50s. This is a form of cruelty done on women across classes and communities in rural as well as urban areas, despite the fact that they have served their husbands and in-laws with all sincerity and played their role as mothers. The victim women do not get much support either from the society or from the state or the institutions (including the law against domestic violence) and live with a lot of hardship. In Sikkim the Family Court, State Women’s’ Commission, and NGOs come forward with some support but in Darjeeling Hills there is no presence of any institution that could come forward in defense of the deserted women.
Open Access
Life of street children in howrah station
(University of North Bengal, 2015-03) Mukherjee, Subrata
This paper is based on case study of some children staying in both new and old complexes of Howrah Station. It examines how family pressure forces them to leave their house and what kind of ordeal they go through while staying in the station compound. The paper also discusses the problems they face in rescue homes once they are sent there and points to the limitations in the law and public attitude towards the street children. The prime finding is that once the station children get into the delinquent culture it becomes very difficult to get out of it.
Open Access
Spirituality, healing and science
(University of North Bengal, 2015-03) Sarkar (Das), Mallarika
A growing body of literature suggests a positive connection between spirituality and physical health. Despite the strong research evidence that spirituality and health are positively correlated, spirituality has been regarded within mainstream medicine as largely irrelevant to the work of clinical team. In keeping with the growing scientific interest in spirituality and complementary treatments, this article attempts to explore the interface of science, spirituality and healing. The present article addresses the importance of the inclusion of the spiritual history in order to bring about faster healing of the individuals.
Open Access
Comment on the gurkha’s daughter
(University of North Bengal, 2015-03) Chhetri, Kumar
Although the British colonizers, anthropologist and administrators have produced a bulk of ethnographic accounts, travelogues, military accounts, and research papers there is no sufficient English literary work which centers on the life of the Nepalis. The earlier available works were either based on the life of Nepalis in Darjeeling or on the Himalayan kingdom (Nepal), whereas the present work The Gurkha’s Daughter by Prajwal Parajuly is unique in the sense that it engulfs the life of the Nepalis both in Nepal and its Diasporas around the world in eight short stories. Despite being fiction the stories carry the social reality of everyday life experiences of the Nepali people and its Diasporas.
Open Access
Political Islam in Bangladesh: from Faraidi movement to Hefajat-i-Islam
(University of North Bengal, 2015-03) Moidul, Islam
The sudden emergence of the militant fundamentalist Islamic group of Hefajat-i-Islam indicates the medieval Islamic activism which is still playing a pivotal role in ossification of the democratic and pluralist socio-political character of Bangladesh. Bengali nationalism which once built strong ties among ‘Bangalees’ is now turning moribund due to the naked interference by the state in civic and public sphere. This paper deals with the course of transformation of popular Islam into political Islam by using discourse analysis. The many- sided character of Political Islam has generated political turbulence that throws open a serious challenges to present state democracy in Bangladesh. The root of the problem is that most of the power practitioners in Bangladesh are autocratic power mongers ready to stoop low playing with religious sentiments of the people while banking on corrupt bureaucracy pushing the ordinary people in the receiving end. The present incarnation of political-fundamentalist Islam, which thrives on militancy, betrays the fundamental tenets of popular Islam.