Project Detail- Indian Diaspora

 

Project Questionnaire - Indian Diaspora

 

Dear Friends,

I am Sujaritha,  working on a Project on Diaspora. To know more about Indian diaspora, I have prepared a questionnaire which would be very helpful if you could respond. Please share the link with your family members and friends staying abroad. Thanks for your support.

For the Second generation of the Indian diaspora: https://forms.gle/7WPtjE98WgnACAzdA

For the First Generation of the Indian Diaspora: https://forms.gle/5rj8MubxPfLds9Vr5

 

 

 

Freedom and Democracy

Erich Fromm

The essay “Freedom and Democracy” is taken from Erich Fromm’s famous work The Fear of Freedom. This essay is about the thought process of the modern world. He begins the essay by stating that the individuals feel powerless and alone, anxious and insecure due to the modern industrial systems. The developments instead of making humans to feel powerful, leave them with many psychological problems. In this essay he looks at five major aspects and its impact towards the degradation of human psyche. They are 1) freedom of expression, 2) originality discouraged, 3) Confusing Issues, 4) loss of self, 5) sacrifice.

1) Freedom of Expression:

The modern humans think proudly that they have their individuality and thus they are uncontrollable by any external authority. Hence they believe that they have complete freedom to express their thoughts and feelings which again guarantee about their individuality. Contradictorily in reality societies in general discourage emotions. Emotions are viewed as being unbalanced and humans are suggested to live without emotions. However avoiding emotions completely is impossible which may pave way for the cheap sentimental movies and songs. The writer insists upon the importance of emotion by describing about a tabooed emotion i.e. the sense of tragedy. Suppression of the sense of tragedy affects the root of personality. The writer is of the view that awareness of death and tragic aspects of life are the basic characteristic of human. He gives example of the practice of coping with the problem of death from various cultures. Both the Greeks and the Christianity religion look at death as a shadow that promises life after death. Only the Jews accepted death realistically. The society instead of allowing humans to be aware of death, suppresses it subconsciously. The denial of sad expressions about death leaves human to live with the fear of death. With this example, Fromm tries to project that the present society lacks freedom of expression.

2. Originality Discouraged:

This sub-heading is the continuation of the previous one. Like emotions, original thinking is also misrepresented in the society. Children are filled with curiosity to know the world both physically and intellectually. But their curiosity/interest is not taken seriously and forces them to have modern education. Fromm believes that education discourages original thinking and on the other hand it insists on filling mind with readymade thoughts. Thus modern education maimed independent thinking of the children.

          Fromm explains some of the educational methods that discourage original thinking. 1) The importance given to knowledge of facts. Here knowledge of a person is assessed based on more number of information/facts one knows. Thus information alone becomes knowledge which in reality is an obstacle to thinking. Hence one should maintain balance between information and thinking. 2) Considering all truth as connected: truth in reality is based on the interest and need of individuals. Some even may try to conceal truth. Without interest no one will be finding truth and altogether every human will have a need to find truth.

3. Confusing Issues:

 Another big problem with the present society is to confuse the issues. Even a smaller problem is made as a complicated one which cannot be understood by a common person. It is projected in a way that only a specialist can understand. Continuous flow of information stop humans from giving specific importance to one fact. Thus ability to think critically is paralysed with the constructed ideas of the world. Radio, TV and Newspapers play a crucial role in the construction of such notions. News about some serious issue is interrupted by advertisements for a fancy or luxurious item. This disturbs one’s genuine emotion towards the issue. It leads to change in the attitude of humans and they look at everything with indifference. In the name of freedom humans break the structure of life and he/she looks at it as a piece and not as a whole.

Humans lack originality not only in feeling or thinking but also in the act of willing. Whatever humans have as their desire is not originally theirs but the societies. From education to luxury house and car, they live with the thought of others. When they realise that they do not need those assumed ambitions, they reject such thought which made them tired or depressed. Later, again they start to work towards aims which they assume as theirs. This proves that even human ambitions are not original.

4. Loss of Self:

The next concept loss of self leaves one to doubt his/her own identity. The negative freedom what the modern human celebrate leaves him/her to be an isolated and weak self. Due to the feeling of isolation and to avoid loneliness, they try to keep themselves engaged with continuous work. Spontaneous realisation of the self is the only way through which humans can get out such lonely feel. Love is the basic component of such spontaneous realisation. Here love does not mean possession of others or dissolution of the self in another but it is a union of individual with others. Love leads to be in oneness and at the same time it maintains individuality. Another component of spontaneous realisation is work. Fromm looks at work as a creation where humans and nature become one in the act of creation. He rejects the other views of work such as relationship to nature, activity to escape from aloneness. Thus work and love maintains the individuality of the self and unites the self with humans and nature. It enables human to understand the act of living and positive freedom. Positive freedom implies that individual self is the higher power and each human is the center of his/her life.

5. Sacrifice:

Many misunderstand freedom as non-submission to any power that excludes sacrifice. Even sacrifice is misunderstood by many today. Fromm talks about two types of sacrifice. 1). It is seen as a tragic fact of life where physical self conflicts with mental self. But through sacrifice the physical self will integrate with the spiritual self. 2). It is preached in the modern worlds by Fascist. Here sacrifice is not a tragic fact whereas an aim and it is contradictory to the real sacrifice. In the name of sacrifice suicide is committed. Instead of developing the self, it reduces the self to nothing. The real purpose of sacrifice is to bring integrity whereas the second type proves lack of morality.

Certain words in languages are used to hide the true meaning of a word. Fromm brings out difference between Democracy and Fascism. Democracy works for the welfare of the individuals by developing economic, political and cultural condition. Whereas Fascism forces individuals to subordinate for unnecessary purposes and through this weakens the development of individuality. When humans subordinate economic machine by mastering society, they can escape from aloneness and the feeling of powerlessness. Today’s human have better economic condition but they do not find meaning in life. It leaves them as automaton. Fromm recommends to be a human again by developing faith in life and truth and realisation of self.

 

"The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant- Summary

The Necklace

Guy de Maupassant

Guy De Maupassant is a famous French writer. “The Necklace” is known for its twist, which was a hallmark of de Maupassant's style. The theme of the story is the contrast of reality and appearance.

Mathilde, the protagonist of the story, is a charming woman. She always feels upset about born in a poor family and desires to be rich. Due to her economical condition, she marries a poor clerk in the Ministry of Education. He is able to provide her only with a modest lifestyle. Mathilde feels the burden of her poverty. She regrets about her life condition and imagines a more wealthy life. While her husband expresses his pleasure at the simple food she has prepared for him, she dreams of an elaborate feast served on fancy china in the company of wealthy friends. She does not possess any fancy jewels or clothing and she longs for that. She has one wealthy friend, Madame Forestier, but refuses to visit her because of her poor condition.

One night, her husband returns home bringing an invitation to a party hosted by the Ministry of Education. He hopes that Mathilde will be happy to attend that function, but she feels angry and begins to cry. She tells him that she has nothing to wear and he has to give the invitation to others. Her husband is upset by her reaction and decides to buy a new dress for her. Later she starts to behave oddly. She confesses that the reason for her behavior is lack of jewels.  He pleads her to visit Madame Forestier and borrow something from her. Madame Forestier agrees to lend Mathilde her jewels, and Mathilde selects a diamond necklace. She feels happy at Madame Forestier’s generosity.

At the party, Mathilde looks very beautiful, and everyone notices her. She feels happy about others attention on her. Finally she looks for Monsieur Loisel, who has been sleeping for hours in a deserted room and leave from the party.  He covers her bare shoulders in a wrap and asks her to wait inside, while he fetches a cab. But she is ashamed of her cheap wrap and follows her husband outside.

When they finally return home, Mathilde is saddened that the night has ended. As she removes her wrap, she discovers that her necklace is missing.  Monsieur Loisel goes outside and searches but could not find it. He instructs her to write to Madame Forestier and say that the clasp of the necklace is broken and she will get it mended. They decide to replace it. They visit many jewelers, searching for a similar necklace, and finally find one. It costs 40,000 francs, although the jeweler says he will give it to them for 36,000. The Loisels spend a week to collect money from all kinds of sources. After three days, she purchases the necklace and returns it to her.

The Loisels begin to live a poor life. They dismiss their servant and move into a smaller apartment. Monsieur Loisel works three jobs, and Mathilde does the heavy housework. After ten years they cleared their debts. Mathilde’s beauty is now gone: she looks just likes the other women of poor households. They are both tired from these years of hardship.

One Sunday, while she is out for a walk, Mathilde sees Madame Forestier. She approaches her and offers greetings. Madame Forestier does not recognize her first and says that she looks different. Mathilde says that the change was on her account and explains to her about the loss of the necklace, replacing it, and working for ten years to repay the debts. At the end of her story, Madame Forestier replies that the necklace was made of fake diamonds not more than 500 francs. The story ends with a twist.

"The Lion’s Share" by Arnold Bennett- Summary

The Lion’s Share

Arnold Bennett

Arnold Bennett’s “The Lion’s Share” is a humorous short story. Most of his stories are located in Five Towns. This story also takes place in Five Towns. Arnold Bennett begins the story by stating that this particular incident was very famous among the people of Five Towns. Everyone including the narrator consider that incident as a comedy. But when he wanted to write it as a story, he felt it as a tragedy. Bennett says that he leaves it to the judgement of the readers to decide whether it as a comedy or tragedy.

Mrs. Carpole, a widow lived with her stepson Horace and her son Sidney at Bleak ridge. Horace was nineteen years old who was seen as a model boy due to his commitment in business and interest in learning new things. He took care for his step brother as like an uncle. Might be due to his perfect nature, he did not have any friends. Sidney was contradictory to his brother. He was eight years old; with very attractive personality he received everyone’s love. But he was affected with slight deafness and weak physic with frequent fever. At that time, after getting cured from a disease, Sidney started to walk slowly. Horace thought that he should be brought downstairs for fresh air. He decided to carry him down in spite of disapproval from Sidney and Mrs. Carpole. Horace was determined with his mission and carried him down. Unfortunately Horace fell down with Sidney. Sidney was affected by it and Horace spent his savings to treat Sidney.

Later Horace arranged school education for Sidney. Unfortunately the same evening Sidney was affected severely with attacks. Hence his schooling was stopped and the neighbours started blaming Horace for dropping him in the staircase.  Horace tried spending huge amount to a great brain specialist at Manchester. Even then there was no development. As Sidney started having the attacks regularly, Horace sent him every year for six weeks to some sea side resorts. Horace spent huge amount for it and people said that he should feel happy to have money to spend on his brother. The agony of Sidney’s tragic condition and his deafness slowly killed his mother. Later Horace inherited property of his maternal grandfather and Sidney did not have any. People advised that he should share his fortune with his half brother. Accepting their views he bought a house and started living with his brother. Moreover he started a business. Sidney started working in Horace office but due to his ill health not regular to work. Even then Horace paid him three pounds a week as salary.

            Horace met a girl named Ella whom he thought as a nice girl, who was a guest to Mrs. Penkethman’s house. That time Sidney went to foreign country for refreshment. Horace invited Ella and Mrs. Penkethman to his house for an evening.  Surprisingly Sidney returned from his trip when they entered. Sidney was so handsome and Ella was attracted towards him. They both spent time together and later they fell in love with each other. Horace spent a lot of money for their marriage. He arranged a house and furnished things for the married couple to live happily. He spent huge amount for their happiness which resulted in loss in business. Ella and Sidney went to Llandudno for some period. Meanwhile Horace settled all his debts, and went to meet Sidney and Ella. Even there he hid his bankrupt condition instead said that he was going to Germany.

            A few months later when Sidney and Ella returned Bursley, the house of Horace was about to be auctioned. They decided to buy as it is their family property. They bought it and lived in the house. They named their child Horace. After several years Horace returned to Bursley to meet his brother’s family and was expecting to narrate his adventure in Germany. But they invited him casually as if he left the previous day. When they were going down for tea, little Horace asked his uncle to carry him down. The matured Horace answered immediately that he cannot; otherwise he has to loss all his money.

            The title “The Lion’s share” means big/huge share. In the story though Horace inherited huge money and in business made money, he did not enjoy his money, Whereas Sidney enjoyed the money. Hence Sidney got the lion’s share in the story.

"The Open Window" by H.H. Munro- Summary

The Open Window

H.H. Munro

Saki is the pen name of H.H. Munro. He is a famous short story writer from England. His stories are known for its satire, wit and humour. The short story “The open Window” by Saki is famous for its twist in the climax and humour. The story is about Frampton Nuttel’s, the protagonist of the story, visit to the house of one of his neighbours, Mrs. Sappleton.

Nuttel suffers from a nervous condition. He has come to a village on the doctor’s recommendation to spend some time alone. Earlier his sister has lived in the area. His sister, by considering that he may not talk to his neighbours, has given him letters of introduction to his new neighbours. With her letter Nuttel starts to visit his neighbours. Nuttel visits the Sappleton family first, where he meets a fifteen-year-old girl named Vera, the niece of Mrs. Sappleton. Vera gives company to Nuttel while he waits. By knowing that Nuttel has not met the Sappletons, Vera tells Nuttel some information about the family. Vera says that three years ago to the date, Mrs. Sappleton's husband and two younger brothers went for hunting. On an October those three went through a large French window. They never returned. Vera gives descriptions about the clothes they were wearing, the dog that accompanied them, and the song that Mrs. Sappleton's younger brother sang on their way. Vera says that her grief-stricken aunt keeps the window open and watches out the window expecting their return.

Meanwhile Mrs. Sappleton enters apologising for her delay to meet him. She asks whether he mind to open the window in the afternoon. She adds that she opens it as she expects her husband and brothers to return at any moment. Nuttel listens, thinking that Mrs. Sappleton has gone crazy. He feels sorry to meet her at such a tragic condition and tells about his nervous disorder to her. Suddenly, Mrs. Sappleton brightens as she tells Nuttel that her husband and brothers are arriving. Veera looks at that direction in a horrified way. The frightened Nuttel runs away from that place.  Mrs. Sappleton thinks his nervous breakdown as a reason for Nuttel's strange behaviour. But Vera replies that he is afraid of dogs.

The last line of the story: "Romance at short notice was her [Vera's] specialty." reveals the theme of the story, and unveils the character of Vera.  Veera perfectly victimized Nuttel by narrating about her aunt's family through her imagination. Bored Vera took her chance to deceive Nuttel and later the same trick she used to her aunt about Nuttel. The climax shows that Veera played intelligently to wile her time.

"The Message of Visva Bharati"- Summary

The Message of Visva Bharati

Indira Gandhi

Indira Gandhi, the former prime minister of India delivered this speech at an annual convocation at Visva-Bharati. She begins her speech by stating her happiness to be there. She remembers that place as where her mind and spirit unfolded. The prime minister of the country is called as Acharya of that University; hence she wears the scarf of Acharya. She recollects her presence to that university along with her mother around 30 years ago.

Visva-Bharati was founder on 22 Dec. 1921 by Rabindranath Tagore. He was fondly called as Gurudev, who did not want to follow the British system of education and who desired to preserve culture through education. His aim in starting this university was to give freedom and interest to the students. It is a place where students and teachers live together as a community to learn. Here Degree is not awarded based on the finishing of a course by merely writing exams where as it is based on the development of knowledge. Indira Gandhi says that Tagore molded the mind of modern India. He was called as Sentinel of India, means the Guardian of culture by Mahatma Gandhi. He was also known as sage, great poet and teacher.

Visva –Bharati is unique in its nature. It is based on the old concept of ‘ashram’ (hermitage) where teachers and students have good relationship. It is close to nature. The university integrates humanities and science with art and music. For Tagore Visva Bharati was not just a university. He saw it as a meeting place for great individuals from all over the world. He encouraged the education system which cherished the values of Indian culture and life. He was also concerned about the creative role of education. He thought that educated society only can present civilized and democratic life without violence. It enables people to handle public life carefully that results in private happiness.

Indira Gandhi gives the role of universities as torchbearers of the societal progress. So all the universities should self-study how far they have created a new direction of thought and action to the younger generation in order to prepare them for new age. Development in education leads to national progress. The quality of education should not be measured through the statistical report of pass percentage but it should reflect on the quality of life, value culture and technological and intellectual competence. In many universities teachers and students are not together. University should be a place where higher values and idealism exists.

The purpose of education is to provide good workers and managers to a nation. It also should provide good thinkers. Education is not merely to get a job whereas it should pave for educational endeavour. Education is a continuous process that happens from birth to death. When one stops learning, he/she stops living. One’s whole life process and experience is education.

Indira Gandhi concludes her speech by quoting Gurudev. He said that he has faith upon the students of the nation. They will wipe off the colonial shame of this country through their devotion and achievement. Never think about doing things in an easy way or in short cut. You will do things in disciplined way. Visva- Bharati does not live with its past reputation but it moves in forward as it has constant touch with the changing world.