Book Review of 'No Country for Women' by Taslima Nasreen'

Taslima Nasreen’s book “No Country for Women” is a tale of barriers women face in quest of freedom, self-control, and liberation. Through her personal experiences from her previous relationships and social commentary, she exposes the ingrained patriarchy embedded in our daily lives. This book shows a mirror to readers inherently patriarchal subconsciousness and social control from the ages through the tools of oppression such as religion, culture, and traditions, for example: triple talak or polygamy in Islam, sati, karwachauth, and bhaidooj in Hinduism.

Nasreen, being a Bengali woman, also sheds light on the so-called progressive states and their culture of feminist societies, which is mainly limited to literature festivals and intellectual circles. which often fail to adopt these values when it comes to daily life and female sexual freedom. Through her experience of being citizens of western society and also being in a relationship with a Frenchman, she uncovers the truth about the meaning of the freedom for women in the western world: it is a free world for a woman, but when it comes to women making their own choices, suddenly, validation of male ego becomes mandatory. As a reader, I believe, why this book is titled as “No Country for Women” because it’s a men’s world, built by patriarchy, and it’s almost impossible for a woman to exist as an individual in the same world.”. Where we are stuck with the question, "Whom to blame, men or patriarchy?

In this book, Taslima also talks about the meaning of sexual freedom from both perspectives. For men, most of the time, it is more about the projection of their masculinity; when it comes to women, it becomes about compassion, love, and care; in the end, it leads to disillusionment, violence, and loneliness. She also states that, for women’s emancipation, education has not been entirely successful; it failed to teach men that women are human, not just the beautiful object. She argues that the ‘politics of commodification of women', whether it is Bollywood or a beauty contest or the market of makeup and cosmetics, is a political weapon used against their progress. She also portrays the role of men and patriarchy in placing women against each other; for example, mothers and grandmothers play a very important role in carrying forward patriarchy through the generations.

In this book, she boldly explores the role of religion and politics in the everyday lives of women. This is just not a book; it feels like we are in the drama of our own lives, and the writer is the spokesperson of our lost ambitions, pain, and dreams. I highly recommend this book to readers who like to understand the deep-rooted problems of society. Patriarchy is not only limited to women; it effects the whole earth.

 

Reviews of 'Tim Marshall's' book "Prisoners of Geography"

In the book “Prisoners of Geography”, author Tim Marshall explores the limitations imposed by geography and how these factors have shaped global power dynamics.  

Tim illustrates the paradox of the "geographical suitcase" where countries are affected by deserts, mountains, rivers, and seas surrounding their territories. He provides a simple yet profound understanding of how nations, based on their geographical location, often have no choice but to adapt their strategies, fight wars, or navigate global politics in ways that align with their physical surroundings.  

For instance, Marshall cites the example of Russia. If Putin would be praying to God, it would be, "Why didn't you put some mountains in Ukraine?" In corollary, he points out that India owes much of its security to the natural protection offered by the Himalayas. 

The book offers a decent and summarized overview of geopolitics, reflecting Marshall's perspective as a journalist rather than an academician, who experience geopolitical events in Kosovo war and more. While it provides a basic understanding of global political landscapes and its impacts, it may not be suitable for readers seeking a deeper, more scholarly analysis. Nonetheless, chapters on Russia, the United States, and China are particularly insightful and worthwhile for anyone interested in International Politics. 

I would suggest this book to any person who is interested in understanding geopolitics, area studies and International Relations. In addition, the book takes approximately 18-24 hours to complete at a heightened pace. 

Apatani Tribe: A Glimpse into the Resilient Culture of Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh

The Apatani, a unique indigenous tribal community residing in the Ziro Valley of Arunachal Pradesh, has a rich history and culture that has been passed down through generations orally. Despite the absence of written records, oral Apatani traditions clearly tell the story of their migration from Northern Subansiri and Siang region. Their origin can be traced back to Mudo Suppung which is modern day Tibeto China following the course of Kurung and Kumey rivers. Today, Apatani primarily lives in Ziro Valley in the Lower Subansiri district. They speak Tani language, which belongs to the Sino-Tibetan language family with influences from Tibeto-Burman languages. 

An Old Apatani Women at Hari village: Ziro Valley : Arunachal Pradesh

 

Despite the winds of change, the Apatani people have managed to preserve their customs and traditions. However, they have also embraced modernity in a way that does not dilute their cultural identity. One of the most prominent examples of this is the tradition of facial tattoos and nose plugs, known as yaping hurlo, originated as a means

मेरा पता

आज, मैं खुद में ही,  खुद का पता ढूंढती हूँ

जैसे कि, वो मुझमें  ही कहीं, खो गया हो,

शायद बरसों पुरानी, किसी किताब में,

बागीचे में, मुरझाए हुए, गुलाब में,

दीवार में  छिपी, सिसकती हुई दरार में,

मेरे अपमान और उनके अभिमान में

कहीं तो, चस्पा हुआ देखा है, मैंने उसे,

शायद गालों पर छपे, हाथ के निशानों में,

दिन के अंधेरे और रात के उजालों में।

उनकी चीखों और चिल्लाहटों में,

उनके अंदर के बुज़दिल किनारों में

अभी भी याद है मुझे,  

वह यही  कहीं, खन्न  से गिरा था,

शायद पलंग की पाटी पर,

दीवार की लाल ईंट पर,

फटाक से,बंद होते हुए दरवाजे पर, 

धड़ाम  से गिरती हुई इमारत पर |

और मानो कि, उसे किसी कड़ी जंजीर से,

 जकड़ के बांधकर, 

किसी बक्से में, कैद कर दिया गया हो,

और दफना  दिया गया हो,

घर के बीचों बीच आँगन में,

खिड़कियां

यदि किसी मोहल्ले में आग लगी हो,

तूफ़ानी हवा उसे उजाड़ने  की ज़िद में हो,

और ठंड उसे दफ़नाने पे तुली हो,

तो वहाँ कोहरा छा जाता है,

दूर-दूर तक, कोई दिखाई नहीं देता। 

मानो कि  पूरा मोहल्ला, 

एक गुमनाम धुएं की धुंध में खोया हो 

होती है तो बस खिड़कियां , 

जो एक-दूसरे को

अपनी बेबसी के किस्से सुनाती हैं।

कि, पहली चिंगारी के उठने पर,

उन्होंने गुहार लगाई थी, और चीखें भी सुनाईं थी,

पर शायद सारा शहर नशे मे धुत था ,

मानो किसी ने सबको भांग पिलाई गई थी ।

और,जब पहली तूफ़ानी हवा आई थी ,

तो खिड़कियाँ चरमराई थीं ,

जैसे किसी कमरे से सिसकने की आवाज़ आई थी,

शायद किसी ने अपनी जान गंवाई थी

और आज , जब ठंड, उसे दफ़नाने को है,

तो खिड़कियाँ टूटकर बिखर गई हैं,,

दीवारें सुन्न हो गई हैं,

और बदबू शहर के हर कोने में फैल गई है|,

एक घने बादल की तरह,

जिसे हटाने के लिए कोई नहीं बचा ,

खिड़कियां तक नहीं|

Reflections of Tibetan Resistance against China in the Streets of Dharmkot, Macledoganj

MacLeod Ganj, a hill station situated in Dharamshala, is the epicenter of the Tibetan government-in-exile and the residence of the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso. It is  known as the Tel Aviv of the hills due to a significant presence of the Israeli diaspora. This place hosts beautiful tourist attractions such as Dal Lake, Bhagsu Waterfall, St. John in the Wilderness Church, the Triund Trek, cafes, Tibetan food, stunning views, and the Tsuglagkhang Complex, also known as Namgyal Monastery (residence of the Dalai Lama). 

During my project assistantship at the Central University of Himachal Pradesh (CUHP), I often visited MacLeod Ganj on weekends. One Sunday, I decided to explore the city in search of  good coffee and a croissant, as suggested by my seniors, Places like Jimmy's Cafe and Kalimpong Restaurant were on top my list. As I walked down the Temple Road, I noticed a paper pasted on the walls, loudly pronouncing the slogan's of :

ONE EARTH, ONE FAMILY, ONE FUTURE

ONE LEADER!

BUT XI JINPING IS NOT WELCOME

TIBET'S INDEPENDENCE, INDIA'S SECURITY

#TibetMatters #TalkTibetNow

  "China's Diplomatic Assurances are not to be trusted"

It feels like that the poster was loudly protesting against the Chinese government, advocating for Tibetan independence and raising security concerns for India. Such posters are common in the streets of this town. They play a significant role in informing people about the current situation of Tibet under Xi Jinping's communist regime. In 2023, Penpa Tshering, head of Tibetan Government in exile said that " Tibet is dying a slow death due to the extinction of Tibetan language, culture, and religion, which are facing an unprecedented threat of eradication. Tibetan people are subjected to cruelty, repression, collective violence, persecution, and pervasive surveillance. 

Passing by that street, and reflecting on the struggles faced by Tibetan community. In the chilly December and the cold air, i was feeling frozen and then, I saw a roadside cafe, named "The Quality cafe". I stepped inside and ordered a coffee along with a Tibetan Cookie. As sun drowned, i headed towards my PG.  Overall, my weekends in MacLeod Ganj were not just about exploring scenic spots and tasting delicious food, but also about understanding the profound stories and struggles of its people.

Gyuto Monastery: A Haven of Tibetan Buddhism in Yole, Dharamshala

Gyuto Monastery, also known as the Dratsang and Gyuto Tantric Monastery, is an iconic symbol of Tibetan Buddhism. Situated in the lap of the Himalayas at Yole, often referred to as mini-Lhasa due to the significant presence of Buddhist monks in exile, the monastery is located around 8 kilometres from McLeod Ganj, the mini-Tibet in India. This sacred site is a testament to the resilience and spiritual richness of Tibetan Buddhism, which is also a prominent institute for the study and practice of the Gelugpa tradition of Tibetan tantric teachings.

An  Buddhist monk Walking towards Gyuto Temple at Monastery complex

As I sat there for some time, my legs were relaxed and my mind attuned to the rhythmic sounds of the surroundings, I was staring at the giant mountains. Suddenly, the police officer asked me, "Madam, do you regularly visit this place?”, I replied “No”. This sparked my curiosity, and I began asking him about the monastery. He began with, "Do you know the history of this place?" I said “No”, He replied;

Oh! Its history traces back to the 14th century in Tibet, where Jetsun Kunga Dhondup, a Tibetan monk, established two temples in 1475: Ramoche and Karmapa Temple. Both monasteries were originally located in Lhasa, Tibet. Karmapa Temple was the main tantric college of the Gelug tradition, attracting thousands of students. The monks of Gyuto are renowned for their tradition of overtone singing, known as "chordal chanting."

After the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1950, the Ramoche Temple became a primary target of the People's Liberation Army. People's liberation army indiscriminately shot Tibetans, whether they had participated in the resistance movement or not. The violent "Battle of Lhasa" saw the poorly prepared Tibetans forced to admission of defeat, allowing Mao to impose communist rule over Tibet. This led the Dalai Lama to flee to India with 60 monks, eventually finding refuge in Dharamshala.

Following his receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize, the Dalai Lama used financial grants to establish the Gyuto Karmapa Monastery, which now houses about 500 monks responsible for religious chanting and performing ceremonies. The monastery is typically based on Tibetan architecture. The walls of the monastery are painted yellow and red, matching the color of the door. After staying for a while, I approached the main temple complex, where a calm and golden statue of the Buddha stands as the focal point of peace and enlightenment. Multiple followers bow down their heads and pray. 

The surroundings are filled with tiny detailed embroidery and Mandala paintings on the roof. There is a high seat reserved for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who occasionally visits the temple. Adorned with his picture in his absence, this seat showcases the importance of his leadership. Monks at Gyuto perform chordal chanting.

I sat there for almost an hour, in the cold winds and cloudy evening, listening to the laughs of the kids returning from their studies. The waves of their attire resonated with my mind. An accidental visit turned out to be the memorable moment of my life in Dharamshala.

Monastery is home to highly trained and knowledgeable monks who pass on the teachings of Buddha to upcoming generations. Hundreds of people visit this temple daily in search of knowledge, peace, culture, and religious beliefs. I was also one of them, visiting this remarkable place with a hungry stomach and tired legs, after returning from a field visit for a research project assigned by the Central University of Himachal Pradesh. My quest for food led me to the monastery's canteen, where a kind Buddhist monk offered me a Tibetan cookie and I ordered a cup of tea. After enjoying the tea and cookies, I walked towards the monastery to give rest to my legs and sat under a beautiful tree. A police officer from Kangra Police was already sitting there. Blend of bird's voice and the laughter of playing students felt like a symphony, with the monastery playing the role of an open theatre.

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