Gender

The Partition of Bengal in 1905 sowed the seeds of anti-colonial nationalism in India. The ensuing anti-Partition movement went on to become the precursor of the Indian National Movement. The movement, as a result, established the codes on which the creation of the 'imagined political community' was attempted. Nevertheless, this process of 'making of the nation' by the antiPartition nationalist movement faced resistance from sections of the Bengali society. Bangla literature also responded to the conflict visible in the political world as it depicted multilayered response to the Partition, the anti-Partition movement and the model of Indian nationalism posited by the varied sections. This paper attempts to trace and thereby understand the varied responses to the anti-Partition movement through the depiction of women in the Bangla historical plays written during the Partition era(1905-1911).

Literature being a microcosm of society is a very powerful and empowering tool. It reflects the socio-political conditions and the existing relations of power in the society. However, it also has power to change the dynamics and destabilize the existing status quo. Literature in this context then, is not only a great tool to educate the masses but also a propagandist tool. Literature through its mesmerising use of language can either make or break a society and this is where literary theory comes in. This paper seeks to examine the role of literary theory in probing, critiquing, unmasking and subverting the constitutive relations between power and forms of discourses. Using feminist theory, the paper seeks to strip patriarchy of its hypocrisy and highlight the marginalised position of women in society so as to critique the so-called 'normative' patriarchal society by examining Sadat Hasan Manto's short story 'Open it' and Eunice De Souza's poem 'Marriages are made'. The role of education in uplifting women from the shackles of patriarchy plays an important role in subverting the power structures. In light of this, the paper will examine the importance of including texts written by women in literary curriculum and most importantly, how language can be used by women to defy the power structures to resist patriarchy and liberate themselves.

African American narratives are rooted in identity, and identity is rooted in history. While reading and analysing the autobiography of an African American sportswoman from mid-twentieth century as an African American narrative, this paper will critically analyse the autobiography of Althea Gibson, the pioneer African American athlete and her rise from the impoverished childhood in Harlem and breaking the colour barrier in her sport and her travails as an “outsider” in the lily-white sport of tennis in mid-twentieth century. It will be read through theoretical frameworks of (black) feminism reading, and critical race theory, and specifically in terms of the intersectionality of race, class and gender in the context of racial segregation in mid-twentieth century America.Althea Gibson's autobiography is used as an example for black sport autobiography as literature that can be used to examine modern sport in relation to its broader social-political contexts, and in voicing a certain kind of counter-hegemonic ways of knowing and telling- of challenging assumptions.

The war of ideas in the late eighteenth century was an important watershed moment in British history. It signified the pouring over of radical ideas inspired by the French Revolution. This tumultuous period in history affected the discourses on politics, gender, literature and culture. Debates on gender, human rights and reflections on the political scenario shaped further discussions on law and women’s rights. This paper will explore the clash of ideals through select works of Jane West, Thomas Paine, Edmund Burke, Rousseau, Mary Wollstonecraft and Hannah More. An attempt has also been made to trace the different modes of thought about radicalism circulating during this time.

This paper explores the evolving role of finance in economic development, emphasizing financial inclusion in India. Using World Bank Global Findex data from 2011-2021. The study analyses trends in financial access and the usage of financial inclusion indicators such as the percentage of formal financial accounts, account usage, credit and debit card holdings, inactive accounts, reasons for account inactivity, and reasons for not having a financial account with a formal financial institution. The primary focus of the paper is on descriptive analyses and major policy initiatives in India for financial inclusion