That hijab clad girl - untold discrimination and compromises - unknown revolutions

There is this girl in the built in space attempting to go beyond her family restrictions in the name of tradition slowly failing to convince her parents to continue what she really wants in her own terms. She is one of those hijab clad girls coming to the educational institution to pursue graduation course in some honours department. She is one of those few who constantly wears hijab and it's not a fashion statement nor it's a choice but it's a prescription from the family.

"my brother is pursuing B. Tech from xxxx (private) college, but I am the first among the women to pursue higher studies from our family... You know my parents are conservative and my father doesn't want his daughter to go out!" Said the girl sitting in a department with which she doesn't really have any academic connection.

"It's not that your parents are conservative... Your parents are quite progressive in a sense that you are the first person of your family pursue a graduation course from a college"

The girl remains silent. Nods her head.

"But I have to go to Aliah University to pursue further, and I am looking forward to it"

"What makes you do that?"

"My parents do not want me to pursue a course from a mixed crowd... You know. Crowd where both Hindu and Muslims study together" -she replied.

"Now, I also want to do this, I want to leave this place..."

"Why?"

"You know, they are all like me... Muslims..." The girl completed in a tone suggesting some untold stories.

"Is there anything that happened and hurt you?"

A long pause and then she continued

"Yes, we ate together, I washed my hand and then tapped my friend... She shrugged and showed irritation with my touch!"

"But that happens... Quite often!”

"No! I don't think that happens with everyone... I feel isolated and lonely here... And since I was shocked and cried at home my father asked me for the reasons, only to decide to send me to Aliah... I protested, but he said, if I say no to anything else from now on, he will make me discontinue my studies and my sister's studies too. I seriously do not want that to happen...and I don't want to be lonely here."

Kaleidoscope could talk to her friends on the issues of discrimination. One of them replied

"This is not that we started to discriminate her... There are others like her as well, no one behaves like her. She doesn't share her tiffin with us nor she eats anything when we celebrate our friends birthdays and like that"

"It's not that she is a misfit, but you know me being a Muslim girl by myself, I think she overdoes things, and it's not her fault... She had been reared up like this it's none's fault. Tells another one from another department."

The story remains unresolved, but the resolution remains... Kaleidoscope could only think of numerous like her making compromises for being woman, being minority in sum being 'different'. Kaleidoscope believes these apparently small compromises are the revolutions many hope to see.

Theorising a war: Kashmir-Pakistan and the simulcra of hyperreal

Post Pulwama attack (on 14th February 2019), What appears to dominate the publics of contemporary India is a monolithic notion of nationalism. It is rather simple in its manifestation. It includes a) a projection hatred towards our neighbouring country Pakistan, b) an internalised (programmed) perception of the crisis of the country in terms of not being able to deal with the historical injustice to its people (mostly by the Congress regimes), c) an overt manifestation of a particular lifestyle (read Manu dictated Brahminical Hindu lifestyle). A combination of the three has been strategically used for quite some time now. I cannot remember a single day of debate regarding the issues of national sentiment, vis-à-vis nationalism without the discussion of Kashmir or Pakistan with my colleagues while sharing a glass of whisky in the night for six long years I have spent in the port city. Even with hours of discussion with my colleagues neither they change their position an inch, nor I did the same.

I am not saying that the thing I have just mentioned anywhere near the representative sampling for the country, but with the advent of facebook which helps us to connect to millions of unknown people, I feel the contention of reified perception regarding the nationalism related to Pakistan and Kashmir is quite well founded. I can comfortably say that Pakistan and Kashmir are the two issues which can pump more blood through the veins of any average Indians.

It is true that during the election, at least for the two terms I have seen National Democratic Alliance in office there are upscaling of such issues as India-Pakistan conflict and Kashmir issues, that too at times when election is quite near.

How does it serve the aggressive nationalism in consolidating national sentiments is the thing that I wish to write on.

Kashmir and Pakistan as hyperreal condition:

No matter what is said or projected about the Kashmir, i.e. the average Kashmiri's miserable life because of Militarisation of the valley, the use of pellet guns instead of water cannon, stone pelting students, Kashmiris are alienated. In private conversation, those who consciously alienate Kashmiris will definitely accept fantasizing a Kashmiri, but will nevertheless maintain that they are the one needs to be alienated.
The question is how does this situation come into being? It is not the situation of certainty but that of imagined reality (not in the sense of Imagined Community), and yet not some kind of a liminal space. For a liminal space we are uncertain, but for Kashmir its that of game of signs. This well ground itself in the impossibility of position ourselves within this a space and to cognitively map it as Jameson might like to put it. We hold similar contention towards our neighbouring country Pakistan. We believe that it doesn't have any space for democratic functioning and that it is solely depending on its hatred towards India - in consequence we as a country often find ourselves doing the same, i.e. manufacturing the concept of nationalism in terms of our hatred towards Pakistan.

We seldom look at the factor of hyperreality in action, especially in our congnitive conceptualisation of the two spaces. What makes these spaces hyperreal? As Baudrillard notices with the end of Modernism, especially with the end of production cantered orientation of society as argued by Marx himself the contemporary orientation is that of "media, cybernetic models and steering systems, computers, information processing, entertainment and knowledge industries, and so forth (Kellner 1989). In sum, we have slowly stepped into the age of the explosion of signs (Harris 1996). It is so powerful that the entire society now moves from mode of production to code of production. Kashmir, Pakistan and average India's idea about these two hyperreal space has entered into the game of signs. It is a game of signs because the cognitive idea of Kashmir and Pakistan is no longer representing any physical place including physical people and their positions, but, rather a space represented by signs which does not have any referent. When this happens we can no longer tell what is real. The distinction between signs and its referent disappears.

This is the age of simulations as Baudrillard (1983) welcomes us. Media ceases to be a mirror of reality but become that reality itself, sometimes (with people like Arnab Goswami) more real than reality - the hyperreality. The idea of Kashmir and Pakistan for Indian appears to be a classic case of hyperreality or a simulacra and simulation of the simulacra.

In this world signs gets promoted uncontested through a variety of media (paid?) and IT cell. Therefore, all the public sphere demands is bizarre, scandalous irreverent, promiscuous and playful. As Kellner (1993) says Carnivalasque and spectacle. Therefore, all we need to forget everything including our everyday dissatisfaction is a Carnivalasque be it an attack on soldiers or a counter attack to the "enemy territory."

Spectacle and the new mode of consumption:

Be it a particular political ideology or a new product launch, spectacle through carnivalesque tunes the existing social order upside down and install a new mode of consumption. The dramatic public display of morphed video, representative videos and a claim of hundred of militants being killed sells the larger than life image of particular political leaders (like the he who must not be named in Harry potter)! As Umberto Eco echoes Baudrillard (or perhaps its the opposite! not sure) "unreal has become the reality... The real now imitates the imitation." It began with the conceptualisation of Disney world but then spread rapidly like a plague which can only increase the death toll.

The agents and their structures:

The question is who carries such a postmodern condition? Who manipulates them? and more importantly who are the victim hosts?

Let me give you an anecdote. I remember all my significant others pushing me to pursue 'pure' science course and discouraged the 'rest'. The typical words were  "you wont be able to do anything by studying history, or for that matter 'arts'", "you must take science course to do something in life!" and so on. From the secondary standard we were told not to really like 'arts subject', consequently we belong to a generation who looks down upon subjects like history, sociology, political science and other so called arts subjects. Since, the sign value of the English literature with its colonial past is higher, hence, English literature carries a bit more sign value. Hence, you encounter a generation of 'professionals' with little knowledge and almost no regards for the so called knowledge domains such as history, politics and society. Since, each of the three, unlike their 'skilled' and 'professional' knowledge is quite ubiquitous everywhere, and there is this simulacra of hyperreal space of social media they hold their opinions. Once an opinion is manufactured quite uncritically, based on the available information circulated through kitsch like WhatsApp forward there is a solidification of 'knowledge' and perspective! When such an ahistorical, megalomaniac public sphere is prepared there is little need to use them as hosts to the simulacra to steer benefits out of it.

Hyperreal bites back:

What appears to be a raging masculine moustache of the pilot Abhinandan, which became the new symbol of patriotism and love for those who supposedly take care of the country gives another meaning to the nature of simulacra. His steel like nerve in denying the answer to the questions he was asked by the Pakistani military with calm and composed "I am not supposed to tell you that" has become the new tagline for the same populace which adores the hyperreal.

Social media was flooded with this moustache

Hyperreal, has this fleeting nature. With post-structural turn of the people's perception there is a frequent "death of the author" and hence, no matter how definite move the media makes there is always a chance for the newer signification of the symbols of hyperreality. Imran Khan's prompt peace gesture by returning Wing Commander Abhinandan shows the beginning of a new symbol and absence of credible evidence of destroying the militant groups dismantles the monolithic hyperreality even further to bring more chaos to the populace. It can only further confuse between the real-imagined-hyperreal and simulation in coming decades. The confusion that would only fuel in the rising mistrust and division in the public sphere- until the day comes that removes the boundary principals and bring about newer simulations of peace gestures.



Photo: War, by Lee Pina (accessed from http://www.leepina.com/abstract/war)

A man, a fishing net and a nostalgia- built up city and the canal in newtown

The canal seems to impress kaleidoscope continuously. As he had already showed how the canal transformed from it's Wilder appeal to a more domesticated kitsch, today he could spot a fisherman with his fishing net (khyapla jal in bangla) standing silently and waiting for the fishes to appear in the shallow water.

"We used to get so many different kinds of fishes here... The canal used to have connections to the nearby wetlands and fishing water bodies. The quality of water was also good. There used to be a tall palm tree - the spot where we used to place single valve fishing traps... I came today with an expectation to catch a few not so 'elite' fishes." The man with a net tells slowly.

Didn't you get to work today - Kaleidoscope asked. ''I didn't get a wage work today in the construction site so I thought of giving it a chance".

Kaleidoscope could see 'ambuja cement' written on the t-shirt he was wearing. Yes, it does tell a story of the man with a net and like many others facing an uncertain and unpredictable future. A future with cement dust, long working hours, no social security benefits- loud noise and cheap country liquor. It's perhaps much wiwor than the people who built up pyramids.

As kaleidoscope looks onwards he finds a glassy architecture of the postmodern consumer's extravaganza on his right side (quite significantly so) and similar glassy college building competing with the architecture, perhaps complementing the rootless and fleeting appearances of depthless presents.

Meanwhile as he walks pass the canal side road, he hears the sound of fallen leaves of times. Leaves that conceals stories of an infinite library.

Aggressive Nationalism and a Civil War Like Situation in India

As some, I mean even if it's few, it's a hopeful situation, amongst us are totally disgusted by the recent rise of aggressive nationalism in the country, it's important to explore the nature of language use especially the choice of words. 

Antinational and the trajectory of pro-nationals

There seems to be a recent rise of thin skinned people looking for antinationals to be annihilated. They are proudly making claims of nationalism as a way of life. The nationalism that makes them undermine the constitutional guarantee of free speech and ability to criticise nation and it's policies. Initially, you thought you could ignore them because they are uneducated and insensitive. Then you thought there will be administration to save you from such stupid gangs. Finally you realise that you are quite lonely here and not even the administration is that active to save you from those pack of goons.

They have a peculiar mode of operation that make everyone vulnerable. First they find out people having a slight difference of opinion. It's easy to find them online, because now a day people make it sure that they have an opinion and they make it sure that that opinion is expressed online. There is nothing wrong in it, but since one has the right to share his/her opinion opposite opinions are also available in the market. 

With the Pulwama issue hurting million's of people's sentiments, it's relatively easy to pump the flow of aggressive nationalism and carry away people's consciousness towards and singular and monolithic construct of nationalism. A nationalism that rests on hatred against a country- The Pakistan. A nationalism that quickly alienates one of our own provinces - Kashmir. A nationalism that promotes stereotypes of equating Muslims with Pakistan and henceforth terrorism. 

Who are the pro-nationals?

Pro-nationals are now having several categories. 

First, it's the people who accept the state as a monolithic structure and a machine that works beyond criticism. They also find it disturbing to criticise the state policies when so many Central Reserve Police Force personnel were killed. 

Therefore, if someone has a slightest doubt in mind about the lack of security arrangements s/he bound to be an antinational.

Second, it's the people who subscribe to the hoaxes served hot in their WhatsApp Facebook tables everyday by some ITcell army of a particular political party with particular agenda in mind- such as anti-Muslim propaganda and sustenance of present regime. Their survival depends on the sustenance of the regime hence it is an ecosystem in itself.

Third, it's the people who suddenly find it's important to compete with others to show who is more Nationalist. Hence, all of a sudden some shopkeeprs are displaying the boards that they will not let people of Kashmir to enter. Or a stupid, insanely hoax looking message of some Cornel asking everyone to abandone Kashmir or kashmiri products- opportunists even from the highest constitutional positions even tweeted it.

Fourth, it's the people who are not only unemployed but also unemployable. This particular section subscribe to the fact that the country is female, and only test of patriotism is enchantment of Bharat Mata ki Jay. These section is the most dangerous one and behaves like a pact animal roarming around freely and targetting people online and offline. This section seems to be the most conspicuous one as well.

The mode of operation-

It's rather simple. They identify people making posts online. Like a school going girl said that even when people are killed on the opposite side of the border it's painful, or a school teacher arguing the technicalities of martyrdom. These people are isolated and vulnerable. Hence, initially they search for the profiles online, take screenshots and make the screenshots available to their instruments. 

Once the screenshots get sufficient attention by the specialists who usually add one or two more lines describing how heinious the crime has been made by a Facebook post it is usually released online in common and large groups. These large groups are also filled with fake profiles and because they constantly harp on the issue many others participate with the same sentiment. 

As a last step to the process locally available pact full of unemployed and unemployable goons launch attack on the property and the person.

Taken from sanchari sengupta's Facebook page

The language use-

Let me introduce you to the nature of language who usually find the country to be thier mother.

A lady was asked about the size of her vagina and how many penises she can take inside simultaneously. She has also been asked who is going to save her if she gets a gang rape on a famous alleyway of a famous mosque in Kolkata. Apart from these, slangs like being a characterless lady, or being an unlawful child etc. are quite regular. For men it's the question of his character or whether he will enjoy seeing their female family members getting raped!

Some of them carry national flag and hence if one questions the intent of the national flag s/he is immediately a branded antinational even by those who are apparently educated and occupying respected position in the society and in occupation.

While these goons are unleashed, their videos are circulated widely and a large section of the people appreciate the move in the name of killing "Pakistani" people living inside the country. When questioned they give a strange definition of democracy as the rule of the majority. They find the cultivation of such sentiments are absolutely needed and important because their country is otherwise in grave crisis.

Where does it end?

One cannot see the end immediately. Some people will bag electoral dividends from it and meanwhile the country will step backwards to a relatively much more darker times of prehistoric era when civilisation was rooted in sentiments coming out of killing (sometimes cooking and eating too) of fellow members of the same species in the name of apparent cultural differences 

School projects and photocopy centres - an evening in the knowledge hub called the googling

How school employs people in the name of educating our future generations is quite an amazing thing to work on. Those who are already parenting their school going children know but this is for people like me who are yet to step into the trap.

Schools will ask for some project works to be done by the student. What does the project work entail? Yes the end product is submission of a report filled with a few photographs and descriptions. How will you get those photographs? Of course you will Google them.


An around 50 year old gentleman came and asked for some wildlife photographs. He sat and choose. Took the printout and left the place.

It was more amusing when a charming girl came to the centre demanding some photographs on the history of India. From 1921 to 1947 she demanded she needs everything to be printed. The lady in charge of the computer was aback, so does Kaleidoscope. She smiled and told that 'no no I have the details'. She started selecting the photographs from the computer like this. She insisted to take prints with written details so that while pasting she doesn't confuse between salt satyagraha and Simon go back. The lady in charge and kaleidoscope laughed together. She further said she studies in some international public school, of course a private one with a certain degree of certainty that her madam doesn't know who looks like whom. The lady smiled saying 'she might use the same Google to check your answerscript.

Kaleidoscope enjoyed the whole story for his assignment over hours in the photocopy centre.

Just before you close the window let me tell you kaleidoscope went there to bind his promotion related papers which is about 157 pages of junk that no one will read but will kept somewhere in the dark corner of a public office. Now you know the value of project work, and the reason for which schools are giving emphasis on doing it!

Canal transforms - nostalgia and kitch in New Town, Kolkata

  There used to be an unimportant route of memories to meet river, often unchecked. Yes it did carry water and since until recent times it was a country side, the water was nicer. Just nicer enough to grow water Lily and some edible roots and underwater growths. Kaleidoscope could see villagers reclaiming the canal, collecting water Lily flower seems and roots to consume.

Just yesterday it was, kaleidoscope remembers unkempt spiking trees and bushes along with the reflection of the sky added some tales of past. Not to forget birds especially three different types of Kingfishers added extra attraction to kaleidoscopic imagination.
Meanwhile, blue-white encroached and parallel running lanes were paved. It was a slow but definite entrance of the state to reclaim and redesign the space, taking away from the lap of nature.

While kaleidoscope could see trees trimmed there is this recent addition - lightposts. Soon to follow the charaistic blue-white led drapes. Perhaps another end to the beauty as it is and an onslaught of transformation to something which can be best described as kitsch.

While kaleidoscope walked pass the kanak-champak flowering tree someone whispers from the tree "let there be darkness".

See how the trees added spring to the canal
http://sumanparole.blogspot.com/2019/02/the-spring-has-to-come.html?m=1

See how the canal side looked before the addition

https://sumanparole.blogspot.com/2018/03/the-last-canal-newtown-and-great.html?m=1

The spring has to come

As the canal side road continues to amaze kaleidoscope with one thing or the other. A sudden appearance of tiny little common kingfisher making it's typical water close flight, or momentary call of blak headed Oriole and awesome call of the kite from hundred feets above distracts him, pushes him towards some riverine past. Like the tale of thousands of missing love affairs and painful separation as the river has to leave a place and go towards the sea - the bigger picture, kaleidoscope waits for the monsoon to fill up the gorge.

The remembrance of the untold love affairs halts kaleidoscopic pace as he encounters a rudra palas on the other side of the canal - lonely and yet colourful. There may be fallen flowers, wait that would last forever but no regrets. The spring has to come.