চতুর্থ বর্ষ I তৃতীয় সংখ্যা
গবেষণাপত্র | SLC Research
MYTHIFICATION OF GENDERED IDEAL ‘MOTHER’: AN OVERVIEW OF PERFORMATIVE MOTHERING IN INDIAN CINEMA
Piyali Halder
As a concept, motherhood has long been structured as a paramount and necessary measure of human life. Following the notion of motherhood, there are some defined characteristics, duties and responsibilities for the ‘mother’. There is always a threat of traditionally formulated rituals for keeping the identity that is ‘mother’. If somebody fails to follow the rules, the person will be punished. The ideology of motherhood is exclusively linked with the notion of the gender structuration process. ‘Mother’ must always be a woman. No man is considered a ‘Mother’ just because he is not biologically fit for giving birth. This normativity is been followed by the mass media. The dialectic of motherhood codifies the ‘mother’ with the traditional value system of society. The traditional mythic concept of motherhood is propagated through the mass media. Even mass media works for strengthening the mythic concept of motherhood as a grand sign. Gradually, it becomes a discourse. As a strong mass media film also follows these rituals. The paper will focus on the concept of motherhood as performance rather than the concept based upon sex – gender binary. Here, I have selected a few Indian Hindi and Bengali language films for discussing the issue. The paper will show how film as an apparatus of the culture industry propagates the hegemonic structure of motherhood by following the notion of the ‘ideal mother’. The paper will observe how the film makes the structure of motherhood unalterable and how it distresses society
CHALLENGES OF INDIAN MEGACITIES AS A MIGRATION DESTINATION
Dr. Gargi Basu
Migration from rural to urban areas, particularly megacities, is inevitable due to the greater economic opportunities available in these urban centers. Indian megacities are no exception to this trend. For instance, Mumbai, one of India's most populous megacities, receives more than 200 migrants daily. Over the years, Indian megacities expanded their territorial boundaries. This study examines the challenges faced by megacities as a result of rural-to-urban migration by focusing on the three largest megacities in the country: Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. While migrants contribute to the development of these urban areas, they also place significant pressure on the urban infrastructure. A primary issue is the acute shortage of affordable housing, which leads to the proliferation of illegal slums, exacerbating pollution levels in megacities. In addition, the increased demand for transportation infrastructure necessitates the expansion of road networks, often at the expense of natural resources. Furthermore, the influx of migrants is associated with an increase in criminal activity within urban areas.
Khona: Indigenous Knowledge and Its Significance to the Society
Moupiya Dutta
The maxims of Khona, or Khonar Bachan, also known as sayings of Khona, are not only popular in West Bengal and Bangladesh but also in countries like Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan. Aside from literary values, bachans have always played an important role in the lives of rural farmers. Though little research has been done on the importance of Khonar bachan and its significance in society, the contribution towards society is undeniable. This paper intends to show the indigenous knowledge of a medieval-period Hindu woman and its contribution to society. The research is based on secondary data analysis. This paper uses an interdisciplinary approach that combines literature, folklore, and social science.
The Evolving Role of Authors and Audiences: Navigating AI-Generated Content
Shreyasi Mitra
This paper examines the evolving roles of authors and readers in an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence and machine-generated content. Through close readings of works by Roald Dahl, Georges Perec, and Italo Calvino, the paper explores how literature has long anticipated the ethical dilemmas posed by technological innovation, including the commodification of creativity and the dissolution of the author’s unique voice. The analysis extends to the reader’s shifting role, highlighting how AI-driven tools are transforming reading from an interpretive collaboration into a process increasingly mediated by algorithmic efficiency. Ultimately, the paper argues for a nuanced understanding of authorship and readership in the digital age, advocating for a complementary relationship between human creativity and artificial intelligence.
Exploring the Nexus of Medical Tourism: Impact on Healthcare Professionals, Facilitators, and Patients – A Case Study of Kolkata
Koushik Chatterjee, Dr. Arunava Praharaj & Dr. Kathakali Bandopadhyay
Gendered Experiences of the Quarter-Life Crisis: A Sociological Inquiry
Neha Sewa
In the world created by God, there are both men and women to coordinate with each other, or we can say that they complement each other. However, unfortunately, the world is perhaps not the same for both categories of humans. From childhood to adulthood, the experiences are gender biased; similarly, even the transition called Quarter-Life Crisis is perhaps different for both men and women. Quarter-Life Crisis is a period of uncertainty about the future, lots of anxiety, and stress faced by people in the age group 18-30, and sometimes till 35. In this study, we will examine how the experiences of the quarter-life crisis differ between men and women. An interview was conducted with 10 males and 10 females, and a comparative study was done to find the causes and coping mechanisms of the phenomenon ‘quarter-life crisis’.
An Analysis of the Present Status of Coal Mining Projects under Eastern Coalfields Limited: A Case Study of Jamuria Block in Bardhaman District and Mejhia Block in Bankura District
Dr. Kathakali Bandopadhyay, Mr. Tarak Hansda, Dr. Arunava Praharaj & Mr. Jagatpati Dey
This paper looks into the current situation of three coal mining projects undertaken by Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) at Jamuria Block in Bardhaman District and at Mejhia Block in Bankura District of West Bengal. The experiments, such as Satgram (shaft mining), Kalidaspur (inclined shaft mining), and Sonepur Bazari (open-cast mining) have been selected as they present different methods of extraction and different socio-environmental consequences of that process. The study adopts the mixed-methods approach which will be based mainly on the primary data which are provided during field trips, interviews, and observation, as well as secondary data in form of production reports, accident studies, and environmental evaluation. The results indicate that there has been a continuous decrease in coal production in underground establishments such as Satgram and Kalidaspur mainly because of safety risks, emissions of gas, and the use of obsolete technologies. On the other hand, the Sonepur Bazari open-cast project which is due to raise productivity by a large margin shows great concern in the aspect of environmental damage and displacement. Another problem faced by workers is also expressed in the study: long working hours, low salaries, low education levels, and even exposing them to occupational health hazards. The issue of gender inequality is vivid, and illicit mining remains a social and economic predicament. In as much as they are important in energy provision to India, these projects face challenges in the form of inefficiency in operations, socio-economic disparity and environmental degradation. The results highlight the necessity of the policy reforms to establish environmental sustainability, more protections to workers, and labor inclusiveness. An intelligent orientation, using modernization, enforcement and community development, is vital in the securing viability and ethical practice of coal mining in these areas.
THE JULY REVOLUTION IN BANGLADESH: A POLITICAL ENQUIRY
Dr. Siuli Mukherjee
Bangladesh nested in South Asian panorama has experienced political convulsion since the time of her birth. She has shifted like a pendulum between the modes of democracy and authoritarianism. Sheikh Hasina, the daughter of the freedom fighter Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had served as Prime Minister of Bangladesh for last fifteen years. However, behind the façade of democracy and liberalism, she was accused of being a Dictator. The July Revolution which happened in July-August, 2024 resulted in a drastic change in Bangladesh. The students’ community who spearheaded the movement was joined by people of all layers and sections. After a month-long struggle, the Hasina Government got toppled. This article intends to focus on the background of the July Revolution which is often hailed as the Second Liberation Movement of Bangladesh. It will throw light on the tug of war between the forces of authoritarianism and the defiance thrown by the common people. An anatomy of the Movement would be done by focusing on it’s nature and implications. The article will draw to an end by zeroing on the road which lies ahead of this South Asian country.