For An Informed Ambedkar Age
Shruti Botre Anthropological accounts of tribal communities have largely provided working definitions of the term’ tribe,’ which have often been specific to their site of study. Given that tribes differ considerably in terms of their population size, mode of livelihood and level of integration within the capitalist economy, there is huge differentiation, for example, in …
Pradnya Jadhav This reflection is shaped by my conversations with long-time movement workers, activists, and community members. It has been written not as an account of someone learning from a living Ambedkarite lineage, that is not an abstract idea from people who have carried forward the labour, dignity, and moral courage that define what social justice is. …
Neha Thombre When the Union government announced that the National School of Drama (NSD) would stage a play on the life of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his 150th birth anniversary across major Indian cities, it seemed at first glance more like a political agenda than a national tribute. Of course, Patel was one of the …
Milind Babasaheb Thokal In 2017, after completing my Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC), I faced the daunting task of securing admission to prestigious and reputed institutes in Pune. What struck me most during the process was the constant mention of the word “merit”—a term I had heard repeatedly but couldn’t fully grasp in context. I had …
Dr B Karthik Navayan The Indian judiciary, often hailed as the guardian of constitutional equality under Articles 14 -equality before law and 15 -prohibition of discrimination on grounds of caste, continues to grapple with allegations of subtle caste biases in its operations. Brahmins, who form just 3-5% of India’s population, dominate the bench, holding approximately …
Nabanita (Noya) “Is he not the same artist who sang Ya Ali?” I thought to myself, staring at the television set in nervous trepidation. It was just another day: performing our daily chores, doing homework, and listening to songs my father played on his DVD player. The daily dose of Rafi, Lata, Manna Dey, Mukesh, …
Cheena Khundrakpam The relationship between Northeast India and the Indian mainland is not merely geographical or political — it is profoundly psychological. Despite being an integral part of the Indian Union since Independence, the Northeast continues to occupy a marginal position in the national psyche. The region, rich in ethnic diversity and cultural complexity, is …
Anshul Kumar “Here are black men standing, looking at us, and I hope that you—like me—will feel the shock of being seen. For three thousand years, the white man has enjoyed the privilege of seeing without being seen”~ Jean Paul Sartre, Black Orpheus “The first Dalit autobiography to be published, Baluta caused a sensation when it appeared, …
Preksha Nina Simone’s question, “How can you be an artist and not reflect the times?” remains powerfully resonant. The 2015 documentary, What Happened, Miss Simone, directed by Liz Garbus, captures the many facets of the singer and activist’s life (born Eunice Waymon). Using rare archival footage, interviews, and recordings, the 1-hour and 42-minute film traces the …