Court (2014) - Chaitanya Tamhane

 

Chaitanya Tamhane, born in 1987, is an Indian film maker and screen writer known for his deeply observational and socially relevant cinema.  His court (2014) is a Marathi-language courtroom drama that dissects the flaws and absurdities of the Indian Judicial system.  'Court' deals with the trial of Narayan Kamble a folk singer and activist, who is arrested on charges of abetment to suicide after one sewer's death in a water logged manhole due to the negligence of safety measures.  One of his performance was allegedly considered as the cause that forced the sewer to commit suicide, though it was an accidental death.  Thus, the 'Court' high lights the tedious bureaucratic nature of the legal process and the quiet oppression faced by marginalized communities.

Up against Bondage - Narendra Jhadhav

Narendra Jhadhav (b.1953) is an eminent Indian economist, writer and educationist known for his contributions to public policy and social justice. His, "Untouchables: My Family's Triumphant journey out of the caste system in Modern India", is a personal and historical account of his family's rise from extreme poverty and oppression. 'Up Against Bondage' is an excerpt, that deals with his father Damu, a mahar man, who was a Yeskar of Ozar village in 1930 performing menial tasks for upper caste officials. Moreover, it sheds light on the brutal realities of untouchability and the eventual defiance of Damu against the upper caste officials.  No doubt, the movement for social equality led by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, gave the courage to Damu like people to challenge the, then inhuman practices.

FRAGRANCE OF PEACE - IROM SHARMILA

Irom Sharmila (b:1972) is a poet, activist and considered as an Iron lady of Manipur. She is best known for her extraordinary 16 year long hunger-strike against Armed Forces Act (AFSPA) prevailed in conflict-affected regions. She actually began her protest in 2000 after the Malom Massacre in Manipur.  Her poetry is deeply personal yet universal resonating with themes of resistance, sacrifice and hope.

The Indian Constitution Defended and Interpreted - B.R. AMBEDKAR

 

Indian Constitution is the Supreme law of India that sets out the structures, procedures, powers and duties of government Institutions and the fundamental rights and duties of citizens. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution was the chairman of the drafting Committee. It was adopted in 1949 and came into force on January 26, 1950.  Here, we are going to deal with Ambedkar's concluding speech to the Constituent assembly of India, delivered on 25th November, 1949.

Scientific Temper - Indian Scientists (Documentary)

 "Scientific Temper by Indian Scientists" is an Insightful documentary that describes the concept of Scientific temper, which is actually the Corner Stone of rational thinking and Scientific inquiry. Scientific temper is an envisioned one in the Indian Constitution under Article 51 (A) H. The Biotech channel published this documentary film in Youtube, where the renowned Indian Scientists defined Scientific Temper. Moreover, through their words they share their perspectives on the importance of cultivating a Scientific mindset for societal growth and innovation.  

A Trip to Infinity - Science Documentary

'A Trip to Infinity' (2022) is a Science documentary that explores the concept of infinity from various perspectives including mathematics, physics and Philosophy. This film was produced by Curious channel that takes the audience through various cosmological theories and discoveries. 'A Trip to Infinity' explains profound phenomena such as the Big Bang, the expansion of the Universe, dark matter, dark energy and Black holes. Apart from these, it raises questions about the nature of the universe, the limits of human understanding and the implications of Infinity.

Meditations on first Philosophy - Preface to the Reader - Rene Descartes

 Rene Descartes (1596-1650) was a French Philosopher, Mathematician, and scientist, widely regarded as the "Father Of modern Philosophy". His ideas have left a profound and lasting influence on western Philosophy, Science and Mathematics. So, the critics were of the opinion that his method of radical doubt was an attack on traditional beliefs, and church. So, in his "Meditations on the first Philosophy” that was written in 1641, he stressed the need of six meditations that  reconcile reason with faith to explore the nature of the self, the existence of God and the distinction between mind and body. In the 'Preface to the Reader' of this book Descartes talks about the existence of God and the soul.

Nano Clay - The Liquid Turning Desert to Farmland - Rachel Lovell

 

Rachel Lovell is a well known journalist known for her work on environmental and agricultural topics. Her, "Nano Clay: The Liquid Turning Desert to Farmland was published in 2020. This article that appeared in 'Fellow Food' presents a hopeful glimpse into the future of sustainable agriculture in arid regions. Desert control, a Norwegian Company and the Great Green wall project in Africa are at the forefront to combat desertification and restore degraded land. Nano clay technology has helped them get transformed the barren deserts into productive farmlands.

'A love poem for lonely Prime numbers' - Harry Baker

 

Harry Baker (1992-) is a British poet and author, who became the youngest ever 'Poetry World Slam' champion in 2021. Usually slam poets perform spoken word poetry before a live audience and a panel  of judges for three minutes. The themes of Harry Baker's poems range from hope, dinosaurs, self-acceptance, and math. His poems are mainly based on feelings and emotions.  'A love poem for lonely Prime numbers' of Harry Baker was translated into more than twenty languages. 'A love poem for lonely Prime numbers' deals with the love of '59' with '60' and his realizing later that only '61' is apt to whom he has to give his heart.  

A Study in Emerald-Neil Gaiman

 

Neil Gaiman (1960-) is a British writer, Who is best known for the comic Book series, "The Sandman" and the novels "Stardust" and "American Gods". Neil Gaiman's 'A Study in Emerald' that won him the Hugo award, is a detective story published in 2003. He has derived its title from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's, 'A study in Scarlet' that introduced Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in 1887. Moreover, 'A Study in Emerald' shares a parallel structure and similar crime. The detective and his friend in this story are also quite clearly setup to be seen as Holmes and Watson. 'A study in Emerald' revolves around  a corpse found at a derelict house in Shoreditch, London and its investigation.

'Pi'-Wislawa Szymborska

 

Maria Wislawa Anna Szymborska (1923-2012) is a well known Polish poet, who won Nobel prize for Literature in 1996. Szymborska's poetry is often noted for its wit, irony, and deceptive simplicity. She has authored more than fifteen books of poetry. The Poem "Pi" is taken from her "Map: Collected and Last poems" (2015), ' Pi' (π) is the Latin name of the sixteenth Greek letter 'Π', that is used as a mathematical symbol. It is approximately Calculated as 3.141. It is considered as the ratio of circumference of a circle to its diameter. "'Pi' day" is also celebrated on 14th day of March from 1988, on the basis of its value 3.141.

On Earth as in The Heavens - Neil deGrasse Tyson

Neil deGrasse Tyson (1958-) is an American astrophysicist, author and science communicator. In 1996, he became the director of Hayden Planetarium. 'On Earth as in The Heavens' is an essay by Neil deGrasse Tyson published in the " Natural History" magazine in 2000. Here he talks about the universality of Physical laws that are applicable both in Earth and everywhere in the universe. He has effectively used the theories of Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein to establish his arguments.

We live in an age of Cancer - Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee meets Adam Rutherford

 

Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee is a renowned Indian-American oncologist, biologist and author. He is best known for his book 'The Emperor of all Maladies: A biography of Cancer' that won Pulitzer prize and Guardian first book award. The government of India Conferred on him the Padma Shri in 2024. In an interview With Adam Rutherford, a well known geneticist and Science Communicator, Siddartha Mukherjee talks about the need to foster a cancer awareness and to promote healthy life Style to reduce the risk of Cancer.