A Fable for Tomorrow - Rachel Carson

 

Rachel Carson (1907-1964) was an American marine biologist, who played a key role in laying the foundations of the modern environmental movement. She published 'The Silent Spring (1962) that described the ill effects of chemical pesticides like DDT (Dichloro Diphenyl Trichloroethane) that was available in America for widespread agricultural use in 1945. 'A fable for Tomorrow' is the opening chapter of 'The Silent Spring' where she blends fiction and reality and describes a fictional town teeming with life. She also narrates how the town decayed for its indiscriminate pesticide use.

'What She said' and other Poems - Sangam Era Poems

Tamil language is considered as one of the oldest living languages still in active use. Sangam literature, a classical Tamil Poetry is dated from around 300 BCE to 300 CE. They belong to 'Akam (interior) poetry that deals with the theme of love. These poems are divided into 'Tinais' (Sections). 'Tinais' represent different landscapes and its nature and mood. They are Kurinji (hilly region), Palai (dry lands) Mullai (pastoral land) Marutham (agricultural land) Neithal (Coastal area). The natural world has a symbolic connection with the inner life of the individuals, living there. So, the Sangam poets use nature as a medium to express love, longing, separation and social dynamics in their poem.

The Queen Of Trees - Mark Deeble and Victoria Stone

 

Mark Deeble and Victoria Stone are an Australian couple known for making documentary films that celebrate biodiversity and the interconnectivity of the natural world. Their films have won more than 100 international awards including 'Green Oscars'. Their documentary, 'The Queen of Trees' was released and aired as part of the nature series on Public Broadcasting Services (PBS). It is about one of the nature's oddest Couples. One is a tiny fig wasp that can barely be seen and the other is the queen of Africa's trees, Sycamore fig.  

Deep Ecology: Basic principles - Arne Naess and George Sessions

 

Arne Naess (1912-2009) was a Norwegian philosopher and prolific writer who coined the term 'Deep Ecology'.  Rachel Carson's 'Silent Spring' and Gandhian non violence influenced him a lot to shape and strengthen his ecological vision.  Shallow Ecology is actually anthropocentric.  But Deep ecology presents itself as an alternative to 'Sallow ecology', a world view that focuses on environmental issues and prioritizes finding solutions to pollution and exploitation.  Deep ecology brought a paradigm shift from anthropocentric perspective of looking at life to a biocentric perspective that values all living organisms and natural systems equally.

The Dog Of Titwal - Sadat Hasan Manto

 

Sadat Hasan Manto (1912-1955) is a well known short story writer, film and radio script writer and journalist.  He has won much critical acclaim for his stories about the partition of India.  'The Dog of Titwal' is a political tale that tells the story of a stray dog caught between Indian and Pakistani soldiers.  It actually symbolizes the fate of thousands of refugees caught between communal violence and fanaticism.

Immigrant Song

 

Sun Yung Shin (B 1974) is a Korean American poet, educator, writer and cultural worker, born in Seoul and raised in Chicago.  Her poetry collection 'A Skirt Full of Black' has won her Asian American Literary award for poetry.  Her poem 'Immigrant song' is not a poem with emotional challenges of immigration.  It is actually a political reflection of varied themes of migration, identity, the biology and history.  However, its fragmented structure is effectively cope with a sense of disorientation experienced by the immigrants.

2023 Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech - Narges Mohammedi

 

Nargis Mohammedi (B,1972) an Engineer by profession is an Iranian journalist and Human Rights Activist.  She was awarded Nobel Peace Prize in 2023 for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her fight to promote human rights and freedom for all. Mohammedi has been arrested 13 times, convicted five time and sentenced to a total of 31 years in prison. Her Nobel prize acceptance speech that was written by her and smuggled from the prison was read out by her teenage children Kiana and Ali Rahman in Oslo. It is a call to action for promoting human rights and democracy in Iran.

We refugees - Benjamin Zephaniah

Benjamin Zephaniah (1958-2023) is a well known British poet, actor and musician.  As he was born to Jamaican parents, he was strongly influenced by the music and poetry of Jamaica.  Moreover, Benjamin took poems from the academic world and made it accessible to the general public.  His poem 'We Refugees' poignantly explores the theme of displacement, identity crisis and sufferings experienced by refugees worldwide.  It is said more than 122 million individuals have been forcibly displaced worldwide as refugees due to the result of persecution, conflict, violence and war.  The poem also stresses the need to treat the migration and refugees issues with compassion and benevolence.

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.