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dailyanarchistposts · 3 months ago

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India witnessed the rise of two large protest movements in last 2 years which saw millions taking to streets against the oppressive laws passed by the government. These were the Anti-CAA protests against the discriminative Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), and the farmers protests against the 3 pro-corporate farm laws. During the Anti-CAA protests, the loudest voices of dissent have been the women, from housewives to grandmothers, lawyers to students, women across India have been at the forefront of this struggle. This female-driven political awakening has been most jubilantly epitomized by the sit-in protest at Shaheen Bagh, drawing a cross-generational, largely female crowd never seen in India before [1]. Then came the farmer protests, where millions of farmers took to streets to fight the anti-farmer legislation that was passed in the Indian parliament and to highlight the issues of agrarian crisis which has been growing in India for the last few decades. In these protests, there is an unprecedented solidarity being displayed in the daily rallies that draw out thousands of people all over Indian cities. There are no visible leaders calling out to people to protest in one mode or another, yet the country has found a way to speak truth to power [2].

The Shaheen Bagh protest was led mostly by Muslim women, in response to the passage of the discriminative and unconstitutional CAA passed by Parliament of India and the police attack on students of Jamia Millia Islamia University. Protesters agitated not only against the citizenship issues of the CAA, National Register of Citizens (NRC) and National Population Register (NPR), but also against economic crisis, rising inequality, police brutality, unemployment, poverty and for women’s safety. The protesters also supported farmer unions, unions opposing the government’s anti-labour policies and protested against attacks on academic institutions. The protest started with 10–15 local women, mostly hijab wearing Muslim housewives, but within days drew crowds of up to a hundred thousand, making it one of the longest sit-in protests of this magnitude in modern India. The Shaheen Bagh protest also inspired similar style protests across the country, such as those in Gaya, Kolkata, Prayagraj, Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru. The protesters at Shaheen Bagh, since 14 December 2019, continued their sit-in protest in New Delhi using non-violent resistance for 101 days until 24 March 2020 when it ended due to COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.

Most of the women who came to Shaheen Bagh protest were first-time protesters, mostly homemakers, who were standing up to the government [3]. This was the first time they came out on a national issue which cut across religious lines. Some came with their newborns and children and some were grandparents. The women were center of protests and men supported them from the sidelines. They were creative and strategic. They governed their worlds quietly from the background and knew when a crisis needed them to cross invisible boundaries and step into the foreground. They emerged into the public space to collectively confront a looming crisis [2]. Armed with thick blankets, warm cups of tea and songs of resistance, these women have braved one of the coldest winters Delhi faced in the last 118 years [4]. These women were drivers of this protest, joining in irrespective of caste and religion, taking turns to sit-in at the site. They broke down the historically prevailing gender binary of patriarchy and took control. They also destroyed the popular imagination claiming Muslim women as powerless and lacking agency.

Shaheen Bagh in many ways typifies the protest movement that erupted across India as it was leaderless. No political party or organization could claim to be leading the protest. Instead, it was fueled primarily by these women who were residents of working-class neighborhoods of Shaheen Bagh. Since it was a leaderless protest, it could not be terminated by a few prominent organizers [5]. When they tried to “called off” the protest citing interference of political parties and security threats, the women of Shaheen Bagh rejected it and decided to continue the protests. The movement had no formal organizers and thrived on a roving group of volunteers and the local women’s tenacity alone. The lack of leaders also confused the police who are clueless on whom to approach to make these women vacate the site.

The protesters were supported and coordinated by a diverse group of more than hundred volunteers, including local residents, students and professionals. These volunteers organized themselves around different tasks such as setting up makeshift stages, shelters and bedding; providing food, water, medicine, and access to toilet facilities; installing CCTV cameras, bringing in electric heaters, outside speakers and collecting donations [6]. Donations includes mattresses, an assortment of tables that form the foundation of the stage and endless cups of steaming tea that provide warmth on cold winter days. Local residents formed informal groups which coordinated security, speakers, songs, and cultural programs that happened on these makeshift stages. People distributed tea, snacks, biryani, sweets and other eatables at the protest site. Some donated wood logs to keep the protesters warm. Collection drives for blankets and other essentials were organized through social media. A health camp was also set up beside the camped protesters which provided medicines for them. Doctors and nurses along with medical students from different medical institutes and hospitals voluntarily joined for the purpose [7]. A group of Sikh farmers from Punjab came and set up a langer (free community kitchen) in the area.

The space was decorated with art and installations [8]. Stairways leading to the closed shops in the vicinity of the protest circle were transformed into a public library and art centre by student volunteers from Jamia along with the young children of Shaheen Bagh. Protest art became the voice of resistance and dissent during the event, and the area was covered in murals, graffiti, posters and banners [9]. A reading area called “Read for Revolution” had been set up with hundreds of crowd-sourced books as well as writing materials [10]. A nearby bus stop was converted into the Fatima Sheikh-Savitribai Phule library, which provided material on the country’s constitution, revolution, racism, fascism, oppression and various social issues [11]. Public reading spaces were created for the cause of dissent and to amplify the idea of education amongst the protesters of Shaheen Bagh. Since a majority of women of Shaheen Bagh have stepped out of their homes for the first time, this was an attempt to bring these women closer so that they read and facilitate the social change they exemplify. Besides young children, senior citizens, working people, domestic workers and many from Shaheen Bagh and nearby areas were occupying the area, choosing books or picking up colors and chart paper, while some also come to donate their old books and stationery.

लड़ो पढ़ाई करने को, पढ़ो समाज बदलने को (Fight To Read, Read To Change)

The children who were present alongside parents also participated in the protest. Most of these children would visit school in the morning before joining their parents at the protest site, which became an art space for many children [12]. They would express their thoughts and join in the protest through storytelling, poetry, puppetry, singing and painting. Student volunteers engaged the local children in reading, painting and singing, and held informal reading lessons.

Speeches, lectures, rap and shayari poetry readings were held every day [13]. Activists, artists and social workers came and gave talks on various issues faced by Muslims, Dalits, Adivasis, the disabled, LGBTQ people, and all those who are oppressed. The stage is democratic and hosts poets and professors, housewives and elders, civil society groups and civic leaders, actors and celebrities and of course students – from Jamia, JNU to the local government schools. A large number of women participate in open-mics to express their thoughts, many speaking in public for the first time. The protestors read the Preamble of the Constitution which reminds them of their rights of Liberty, Equality and Justice. If the Shaheen Bagh stage had a bias, it is towards women and those, from academia and elsewhere, who can educate them not just on CAA-NRC-NPR, but also the freedom struggle, Ambedkar, Gandhi and the ideas that animate the preamble to the constitution [13]. The chants of “inquilab zindabad (long live the revolution!)”and “save the Constitution” filled the site. At night people would watch films and documentaries which were screened on the site, about refugee crisis, anti-fascist struggles and revolution. Musical and cultural events were also conducted in solidarity with anti-CAA protests. This occupy protest provided an example of how to create a community without government support by voluntary association and mutual aid, make decisions in a democratic way where everyone takes part and decentralize power by having no organizers or leaders who control everything. These elements of anarchist organizing is also visible in the farmers’ protest.

Small and marginal farmers with less than two hectares of land account for 86.2% of all farmers in India, but own just 47.3% of the crop area. A total of 2,96,438 farmers have committed suicide in India from 1995–2015 [14]. 28 people dependent on farming die by suicide in India every day [15]. India is already facing a huge agrarian crisis and the 3 new laws have opened up door for corporatization of agriculture by dismantling the Minimum Support Price (MSP) leaving the farmers at the mercy of the big capitalist businesses.

The farmers protest began with farmers unions holding local protests against the farmer bills mostly in Punjab. After two months of protests, farmers from Punjab and Haryana began a movement named Dilli Chalo (Go to Delhi), in which tens of thousands of farmers marched towards the nation’s capital [16]. The Indian government used police to attack the protesters using water cannons, batons, and tear gas to stop them from entering Delhi. On 26 November 2020, the largest general strike in the world with over 250 million people, took place in support of the farmers [17]. A crowd of 200,000 to 300,000 farmers converged at various border points on the way to Delhi. As protest, farmers blocked the highways surrounding Delhi by sitting on the roads [18]. Transport unions representing 14 million truck drivers also came out in support of the farmers. The farmers have told the Supreme court of India that they won’t listen to courts if asked to back off. They organized a tractor rally with over 200,000 tractors on the Republic day and stormed the historic Red Fort [19]. The government barricaded the capital roads with cemented nails and trenches to stop farmers and electricity, Internet, and water supply were cut off from the protest sites.

Scores of langars, i.e. free community kitchens have been set up by farmer’s organizations and NGOs to meet the food needs of the hundreds of thousands of farmers in the farmers-camps that have sprung up on the borders of Delhi [20]. The farmers came fully equipped to prepare mass meals in these community kitchens with supplies coming from their villages daily. Tractors and trucks with sacks of vegetables and flour as well as cans of oil and milk arrive daily from villages and towns where pooling resources for community meals is a way of life. These langars work round the clock and provide free food without distinction of caste, class, or religion. Supporters of the farm protest often bring almonds, apples, sweets, and packaged water. They even supplied a machine that rolls out a thousand “rotis” every hour. Social media is used to collect blankets and other essentials for these protests who are braving the harsh winter. Many protestors camp on the roadside in the cold Delhi winter and spending nights curled up in tractor trailers. Volunteers have set up solar-powered mobile charging points, laundry stalls with washing machines, medical stalls for medicines, arranged doctors and nurses, dental camps and brought foot massage chairs for elderly protesters [21].

A makeshift school has been set up at the camp, called “Sanjhi Sathh” (a common place) to recreate a village tradition of holding discussions on important issues. Children from underprivileged families who are unable to attend school due to financial issues and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic come to this tent. It has library, which displays biographies of Indian freedom fighter Bhagat Singh, revolutionary Che Guevara, and other books of various genres and newspapers in English, Hindi and Punjabi languages. Dozens of posters with slogans written on them cover every inch of the tarpaulin tents [22]. Farmers also installed CCTV cameras to keep a watch on the protest site and keep a record of what is happening and counter any narrative to discredit their protest. Farmers protest also saw participation of women coming out to protest in large numbers. Women farmers and agricultural workers were riding tractors from their villages and rallying to the protest sites, unfazed by the gruesome winter.

Just like Shaheen Bagh protest, this is a decentralized leaderless protest by hundreds of farmer unions. Even though the negotiations with the government are being attended by representatives of 32 farmer unions, they act as spoke persons who present the collective demand of all farmers. Whenever Government introduces a new proposal, the representatives come back to the unions where they sit together, discuss, debate and decide the future course of action together in a democratic way. Farmers are conducting Kisan Mahapanchayats (public meetings) which are attended by hundreds of thousands of people in villages around Delhi, UP, Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana to discuss strategies and ways to put pressure on the government. It was this decentralization that made the protest robust and overcome the condemnation around violence during Republic day Truck Rally. Even though many farm union leaders called for ending the protest, the farmers remained steadfast in their decision to not go back till the laws were repelled.

The sites of the two protests mentioned above can be compared to the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ) that was set up in Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle, Washington by Black Lives Matter (BLM) protesters during the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd by Police [23]. CHAZ was a nascent commune, built through mutual aid where no police was allowed and almost everything was free.

CHAZ, Shaheen Bagh and Farmers’ protests were occupation protests where the protestors set up a community themselves and created an autonomous zone. If one was against racism and police brutality, others were against religious discrimination and agrarian crisis. The protests were mostly self-organized and without an official leadership. The sites were filled with protest art, paintings, film screenings and musical performances [24]. Just like the mutual aid cooperative in CHAZ, free food, water, snacks and other supplies were provided to everyone. Areas were set up for assemblies and to facilitate discourse [25].

CHAZ was a leaderless zone, where the occupants favored consensus decision-making in the form of a general assembly, with daily meetings and discussion [26]. They slept in tents, cars and surrounding buildings, relying on donations from local store owners and activists. They collected donations for the homeless and created community gardens [27]. Medical stations were established to provide basic health care.

Anarchism tries to create institutions of a new society “within the shell of the old,” to expose, subvert, and undermine structures of domination but always, while doing so, proceeding in a democratic fashion, a manner which itself demonstrates those structures are unnecessary [28]. Anarchists observe what people are already doing in their communities, and then tries to tease out the hidden symbolic, moral, or pragmatic logic that underlie their actions and tries to make sense of it in ways that they are not themselves completely aware of. They look at those who are creating viable alternatives, try to figure out what might be the larger implications of what they are already doing, and then offer those ideas back, not as prescriptions, but as contributions [28]. They understand that people are already forming self-organized communities when the state has failed them and we can learn a lot about direct action and mutual aid from these communities.

Direct democratic decision making, decentralization of power, solidarity, mutual aid and voluntary association are the core principles of anarchist organizing. Anarchists employ direct action, disrupting and protesting against unjust hierarchy, and self-managing their lives through the creation of counter-institutions such as communes and non-hierarchical collectives. Decision-making is handled in an anti-authoritarian way, with everyone having equal say in each decision. They participate in all discussions in order to build a rough consensus among members of the group without the need of a leader or a leading group. Anarchists organize themselves to occupy and reclaim public spaces where art, poetry and music are blended to display the anarchist ideals. Squatting is a way to regain public space from the capitalist market or an authoritarian state and also being an example of direct action. We can find elements of these in all these protests and that is the reason for their robustness and success. It bursts the myth that you need a centralized chain of command with small group of leaders on top who decide the strategies and a very large group of followers who blindly obey those decisions for the sustenance and success of large scale organizing. All these protests were leaderless protests where people themselves decided and came to a consensus on the course of action to be followed in a democratic way. When people decide to take decisions themselves and coordinate with each other in small communities by providing aid to each other, it creates the strongest form of democracy and solidarity.

The fact that these protests happened, with so many people collectively organizing and cooperating, for such a long duration, shows us that we can self-organize and create communities without external institutions and it can be civilized and more democratic than the autocratic bureaucracy and authoritarian governments which concentrate all power and oppress people. These protests were driven by mostly by uneducated women, poor farmers and people from other marginalized communities, who showed that they can create communities which are more moral and egalitarian, than those that exist in hierarchical societies with the affluent and highly educated. They showed that people who are oppressed and underprivileged can organize themselves into communities of mutual aid and direct democracy which eliminates a need for coercive hierarchical systems of governance which exist only to exploit them.

What these occupy protests show us is that we can form communities and collectively organize various forms of democratic decision making simultaneously providing everyone their basic needs. There protests show us models of community organizing in large scales comprising hundreds of thousands of people. Even though they are not perfect we can learn the ideas these protests emulate – of solidarity, mutual aid, direct democracy, decentralization of power and try to recreate these in our lives and communities.

References

[1]

H. E. Petersen and S. Azizur Rahman, “‘Modi is afraid’: women take lead in India’s citizenship protests,” The Guardian, 21 January 2020.

[2]

N. Badwar, “Speaking truth to power, in Shaheen Bagh and beyond,” Livemint, 17 January 2020.

[3]

B. Kuchay, “Shaheen Bagh protesters pledge to fight, seek rollback of CAA law,” Al Jazeera, 15 January 2020.

[4]

“Shaheen Bagh: The women occupying Delhi street against citizenship law — ‘I don’t want to die proving I am Indian’,” BBC, 4 January 2020.

[5]

K. Sarfaraz, “Shaheen Bagh protest organiser calls it off, can’t get people to vacate,” The Hindustan Times, 2 January 2020.

[6]

“The volunteers of Shaheen Bagh,” The Telegraph (Culcutta), 24 December 2019.

[7]

“Behind Shaheen Bagh’s Women, An Army of Students, Doctors & Locals,” The Quint, 14 January 2020.

[8]

R. Venkataramakrishnan, “The Art of Resistance: Ringing in the new year with CAA protesters at Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh,” Scroll.in, 6 January 2020.

[9]

A. Bakshi, “Portraits of resilience: the new year in Shaheen Bagh,” 2 January 2020.

[10]

J. Thakur, “Shaheen Bagh Kids and Jamia Students Make Space for Art, Reading and Revolution,” The Citizen, 11 January 2020.

[11]

F. Ameen, “The Library at Shaheen Bagh,” The Telegraph (Culcutta), 20 January 2020.

[12]

A. Purkait, “In Shaheen Bagh, Children Paint Their Protest while Mothers Hold Dharna,” Makers India, 22 January 2020.

[13]

S. Chakrabarti, “Shaheen Bagh Heralds a New Year With Songs of Azaadi,” The Wire, 31 December 2019.

[14]

P. Sainath, “Maharashtra crosses 60,000 farm suicides,” People’s Archive of Rural India (PARI), 21 July 2014.

[15]

R. Sengupta, “Every day, 28 people dependent on farming die by suicide in India,” Down to Earth, 3 September 2020.

[16]

“Dilli Chalo | Farmers’ protest enters fifth day,” The Hindu, 30 November 2020.

[17]

S. Joy, “At least 25 crore workers participated in general strike; some states saw complete shutdown: Trade unions,” Deccan Herald, 26 November 2020.

[18]

“Farmers’ Protest Highlights: Protesting farmers refuse to budge, say ‘demands are non-negotiable,” The Indian Express, 1 December 2020.

[19]

G. Bhatia, “Tractors to Delhi,” Reuters, 29 January 2021.

[20]

“Langar Tradition Plays Out in Farmers Protest, Students Use Social Media To Organise Essentials,” India Today, 2 December 2020.

[21]

J. Sinha, “Protest site draws ‘Sewa’ – medicine stalls, laundry service, temple & library come up,” Indian Express, 11 December 2020.

[22]

B. Kuchay, “A school for the underprivileged at Indian farmers’ protest site,” AlJazeera, 24 January 2021.

[23]

D. Silva and M. Moschella, “Seattle protesters set up ‘autonomous zone’ after police evacuate precinct,” NBC News, 11 June 2020.

[24]

C. Burns, “The Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone Renames, Expands, and Adds Film Programming,” The Stranger, 10 June 2020.

[25]

H. Allam, “‘Remember Who We’re Fighting For’: The Uneasy Existence Of Seattle’s Protest Camp,” NPR, 18 June 2020.

[26]

K. Burns, “Seattle’s newly police-free neighborhood, explained,” Vox, 16 June 2020.

[27]

h. Weinberger, “In Seattle’s CHAZ, a community garden takes root | Crosscut,” Crosscut, 15 June 2020.

[28]

D. Graeber, Fragments of an Anarchist Anthropology, 2004.

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cult-of-the-eye · 1 year ago

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What experience I would give as a statement to Jonathan Sims, Head Archivist of the Magnus Institute, London? Statement fucking begins...

Summer after GCSEs, whole fam picks up and goes to India for 3 weeks

Listen we are hubristic. We literally go from Britain to Turkey to Delhi airport, to a different airport, to Banaras in a taxi, to Siliguri in a sleeper train, to Kalimpong in a car, back to Siliguri in a van, then to Kolkata in a sleeper bus, to Dhakha, Bangladesh by plane, to my grandparents place in Sylhet by car, then back to Dhakha, then back to Delhi, then back to Turkey and then back to Britain.

Tell me we didn't have at least one entity on our side.

None of us got ill. We had a 6 yr old with us. She didn't complain one bit. I'm 100% sure I blacked out for the majority of it. No other explanation than paranormal.

Those sales assistants in shops have to be fucking avatars of the web or something the way they fucking smile and you until you've blinked and you've bought 3 lehengas and she's like very good ma'am

I met my grandma's sister who looks exactly like my grandma, speaks the exact same way, acts the exact same way. It was so uncanny I could've sworn she just was her. Probably very normal explanation (genetics) but we can never be sure.

I made friends with a hand sized spider in a bathroom by singing "Mr spider, please don't kill me" in the tune of Mr sandman to it every day. It disappeared on the last day. (giving spiral)

I got myself an Indian accent. I am not Indian. (Most of my family is from Bangladesh, I was born there) I am not good at accents. I'm not sure how this transpired (could be some elaborate sociolinguistics explanation but I'm gonna go with paranormal)

We went on a massive family day out with cousins to a river near the mountains and we all had a great time until this little menace of a cousin literally got carried away by a current and we were terrified until one of my uncles literally grabbed him by the leg and yanked him out right before he would've gotten completely carried away. I don't think that's pure luck, personally.

My aunts staged an intervention for me about my posture (Not supernatural, Im just salty)

My dad successfully convinced some strangers who sat next to him on the plane that the reason me and my siblings spoke such good English was that we went to an English medium school. When pressed, he came up with the most elaborate story ever. He gave them a random school we went to, told them we were his boss' kids and he was taking us home, bullshitted a company and then when one of them went oh my dad is a higher up in that company, he says oh didn't he retire recently and the guy goes yeah he did! We are completely oblivious of this story, until he leans over and tells us not to call him dad for the rest of the plane journey. If that's not fucking Stranger behaviour then what is.

We get home, exhausted out of our minds and we realise we can't find our fucking front door key. We pile into the back garden and proceed to search through the entirety of our bags, trouser pockets, pockets within bags, we're all on the verge of tears, I'm catatonic, my little sister has picked up a stick and is slowly peeling it, my other sister is the only one actually looking and my dad is staring at the luggage, as if it had grown legs and was doing a little dance right before his eyes. We do find the keys after 20 minutes. We never mention this again. That's fucking paranormal shit right there don't even try to convince me otherwise. Michael the distortion was fucking with us.

Statement ends... (Although that's definitely not even half the shit that happened)

Watch Jonathan "Jarchivist" Sims crumble beneath my experiences. Hes so bamboozled that he forgets to try and discredit me. I bring him a packet of laddoos and some aachar.

#tma #the magnus archives #jonathan sims #jarchivist #rambles #statement begins #statement ends #indian jonathan sims #it wasnt scary per se #but it would be one of those statements you come out of afterwards like what the fuck #what the fuck just happened

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bellojinyin · 1 month ago

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Kolkata Doctor Case: A Wake-up Call on Indian Women's safety at the Workplace and Tumblr Users Community's efforts in improving the Problem

About the “Kolkata Doctor” incident

On 9 August 2024, a 31-year-old female postgraduate trainee doctor at R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, India, was murdered in a college building while retired in a seminar hall after a 36-hour shift in the hospital. An autopsy revealed that the victim had been r*ped and s*xually abused before being k*lled. On the next day, a 33-year-old male civic volunteer working for Kolkata Police was arrested under suspicion of committing the murder. Three days later, the enquiry was moved to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by the Calcutta High Court, claiming that the Kolkata Police's probe lacked credibility. The tragedy has heightened the debate about the safety of women and doctors in India and demands a thorough investigation (Sayantani 2024).

The incident was widely covered in the media, triggering outrage across the country. Within the medical community, student unions and the deceased's colleagues demanded justice and better security measures on campus. Moreover, there are widespread protests and strikes by resident doctors nationwide in response to the crime. Additionally, many celebrities posted on their social media accounts, asking for harsh punishment for the offenders and justice for the victim (HT News Desk 2024).

The incident drew international attention, resulting in protests by the Indian community abroad. Demonstrations were held in 130 cities in 25 countries, including the United States, Australia, Japan,...

Indian Women's Safety at the Workplace: A Social Media Discourse

In the wake of the Kolkata Doctor Case, discussions around women's safety in the workplace have arisen across various social media sites such as Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr. Although India has significant legislative frameworks like the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act, workplace harassment and violence against women remain prevalent. According to research, many Indian women workplace harassment go underreported due to fear of retaliation, disbelief in the justice system, and poor support structures (Ragavan 2021).

Regulations such as the POSH Act, when put into effect, have shown shortcomings, particularly in terms of guaranteeing that businesses follow its guidelines and provide secure, encouraging spaces for women to report such incidents (Bansal 2021). Social media has become a crucial platform for women to not only share their stories but also hold institutions responsible. For example, the #MeToo movement in India resulted in a series of high-profile resignations and a renewed focus on tackling sexual harassment in both formal and informal settings (Ahmad 2023).

Tumblr: a Platform for Social Change

In this context, Tumblr stands out as an essential forum for fostering conversations on women's safety and social justice. While Twitter is commonly used for short, rapid communication, Tumblr's long-form structure allows for more in-depth discussions (Oakley 2017). The network encourages its users to post essays, and discussions, reblog vital information, and even create art or graphics that raise awareness. It serves as a space for grassroots activism, where users from various backgrounds can engage with critical issues free from the often harsh, fast-paced culture of platforms like Twitter or Facebook (Reif, Miller & Taddicken 2022).

Tumblr's community-driven approach allows voices often sidelined in mainstream media to express their perspectives. Feminists, activists, and advocates for women's rights regularly use Tumblr to share their experiences, gather support for petitions, and organize protests or digital campaigns (Hannell 2024). Furthermore, Tumblr's format allows arguments to last longer, as reblogs and ongoing comments from diverse users ensure the topic doesn't fade quickly from public attention (Bourlai 2017).

The Hashtags System

One of Tumblr's primary features is its hashtag system, allowing users community to connect and communicate across various postings and movements (Herron 2018). Several hashtags have emerged in India to raise awareness of women's safety, workplace harassment, and broader campaigning. Some of the key hashtags that have surfaced are:

#MeTooIndia: An extension of the worldwide #MeToo movement, Indian women have been using this hashtag actively to disclose their stories of harassment and abuse in the workplace, at home, and in public places.

#JusticeForWomen: Often used to highlight cases of sexual violence, demand justice for victims, and call for structural reforms and better legislation.

#WomenSafetyIndia: Focusing on the broader topic of safety for women in India, this hashtag covers everything from workplace harassment to public safety issues, rape cases, and the general lack of protection for women in the nation. It is employed to share resources, raise awareness, and promote initiatives for women's protection and empowerment.

By using these hashtags, Tumblr users are not only raising awareness but also educating others about existing legal frameworks, discussing their limitations, and sharing resources that can be vital for women seeking help.

Reference list

Ahmad , S 2023, ‘Unleashing Her Voice: How Social Media Empowers Women’, ResearchGate, Elsevier BV, viewed 30 September 2024, <https://www.researchgate.net/publication/371987845>.

Bansal , A 2021, ‘Emergence of the POSH Act & its features VIZ-A-VIZ Vishaka Guidelines’, Acumenjuris.com, viewed 30 September 2024, <https://www.acumenjuris.com/article-single.php?id=36>.

Bourlai, E 2017, ‘“Comments in Tags, Please!”: Tagging Practices on Tumblr’, ResearchGate, Elsevier BV, viewed 30 September 2024, <https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320464031_>.

Hannell, B 2024, ‘How Tumblr raised a generation of feminists’, The Conversation, viewed <https://theconversation.com/how-tumblr-raised-a-generation-of-feminists-223483>.

Herron, J 2018, ‘Benefits To Hashtags | Hashtag Benefits’, Workspace Digital, viewed <https://workspace.digital/hashtags-and-their-benefits/>.

HT News Desk 2024, ‘Kolkata rape-murder case: Bengal doctors hold torch rally ahead of key SC hearing today’, Hindustan Times, viewed 30 September 2024, <https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kolkata-rape-murder-case-bengal-doctors-hold-torch-rally-ahead-of-key-sc-hearing-today-101727656121084.html>.

Oakley, A 2017, ‘Why You Should Create Long-Form Content: How It Works, Examples, & More’, Express Writers, viewed 30 September 2024, <https://expresswriters.com/an-argument-for-long-form-content/>.

Ragavan, S 2021, ‘Why Does Workplace Harassment Often Go unreported?’, Campaign India, viewed 30 September 2024, <https://www.campaignindia.in/article/why-does-workplace-harassment-often-go-unreported/473009>.

Reif, A, Miller, I & Taddicken, M 2022, ‘“Love the Skin You‘re In”: an Analysis of Women’s Self-Presentation and User Reactions to Selfies Using the Tumblr Hashtag #bodypositive’, Mass Communication and Society, vol. 26, no. 6.

Sayantani 2024, ‘Kolkata Doctor case: CBI Court Warns RG Kar ex-principal Sandip Ghosh Faces “death Penalty” If…’, mint, viewed 30 September 2024, <https://www.livemint.com/news/india/kolkata-doctor-rape-and-murder-case-cbi-court-warns-rg-kar-ex-principal-sandip-ghosh-faces-death-penalty-durga-puja-11727538488065.html>.

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zebrastudio79 · 2 years ago

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Zebra Studio is an esteemed acting institute located in Kolkata, India. It is widely regarded as one of the best acting schools in the city and has gained a reputation for its comprehensive curriculum and experienced faculty. The institute was established with the aim of providing aspiring actors with a platform to hone their skills and develop their talents. The faculty comprises industry professionals who have significant experience in the field of acting and are passionate about sharing their knowledge with students. They provide personalized attention to each student, helping them identify their strengths and weaknesses and work towards improving their craft.

#acting career #acting courses #acting lessons #acting school #acting institute in kolkata #acting course in kolkata #acting classes in kolkata #student #college student #india #kolkata #indian #drama #dramaschool

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humanbonesforsale · 2 years ago

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The Legality of Human Bones and Skeletons for Sale

In the United States, there are several ethical concerns regarding the trade in human remains. This article explores the legality of human bones and skulls for sale and outlines the ethical considerations involved in the trade. You'll also learn about the sources of human remains and the demand for skeletal specimens for medical research and education.

Legality of owning and trading human remains in the United States

Many states have laws governing the commodification of human remains, but these laws are complicated and hard to interpret. An attorney at the Louisiana Department of Justice said the laws are extremely complex and ambiguous. Moreover, there is no centralized resource on the Internet that allows researchers to examine the legality of owning and trading human remains state-by-state. Hence, academics are unable to give concrete examples of state laws.

The legality of owning and trading human remains is an important issue. Though some states have banned this practice, it is still legal in other states. The trade in human remains is an example of a form of unlicensed trade and has many negative aspects. It is highly recommended that individuals avoid such businesses.

While federal law does not prohibit the trade or ownership of human remains, a few states have laws restricting the import and export of human bones and skulls. In New York, Georgia and Tennessee, the sale or import of human remains is illegal. This also applies to Native American remains. Native American remains are protected by the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.

Sources of human remains

The global human remains trade is driven by the growing demand of medical schools and private collectors. However, there are a few key issues that make the trade problematic. First of all, it perpetuates cultural practices and disrespect for the dead. Second, it revives a dark Colonial era practice of bone-collecting. Third, there are reports of grave-robbery. In some cases, people steal human remains to sell them for a profit.

The industry is often corrupt and involves the powerful collecting the powerless. Most of the time, these bones are from Indigenous and Brown people. Other times, they are taken from graves or sacred sites. In addition, the trade often involves scientific racism and filling medical schools. And third, there are ethical issues involved.

Human remains trade is also linked to grave-robbing. This practice is illegal unless someone has a license to disturb graves.

Demand for skeletons in medical education

Skeletons are used by medical students to conduct practical experiments and examinations. There is a high demand for human skeletons from overseas institutions and colleges. A doctor based in Kolkata said that the medical schools in India were unable to meet the growing demand for skeletons. However, some Indian skeletons have been exported to Thailand and Japan.

Skeletons have long been used in medical education. In the Renaissance, Andreas Vesalius, a hotshot Renaissance scientist, published his famous book De humani corporis fabrica before he was thirty. Vesalius was a skeptic of the medical establishment and regarded skeleton-making as a dirty and difficult task.

Skeletons are an essential part of the medical education process. Students spend 18 months studying human anatomy and undergo exams worth 500 marks to test their knowledge. There are dozens of public and private medical colleges in India. A total of 13 public medical colleges offer about 3,162 seats to students pursuing the BDS course. There are also nine private dental colleges with about 1,280 seats.

Ethics of collecting human skulls

A London curiosity shop is trying to crowdfund the purchase of a Peruvian mummy. Although not King Tut, this mummy is likely an adult. It has been described as "crunchy" by one museum visitor. The shop also offers other objects made from human remains, including Ouija board planchettes and wallets.

The ethics of collecting Human Bones for Sale skulls are complicated. While some auction houses have banned the sale of body parts, this practice continues to occur in many prestigious auction houses. Despite the fact that dry human remains can be easily transported and stored, the danger of selling human remains is real. Unfortunately, cases like Parker's skull will occur again. The skull was removed from the body of a criminal.

Although there are no federal laws prohibiting the sale of human remains, there are many laws designed to protect the dead's dignity. One such law is in the Canadian Criminal Code, sections 182: "Dignity of the dead."

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zebrainstitute2022 · 2 years ago

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Zebra Studio is one of the best acting institutes in Kolkata. It is situated in a quiet area of South Kolkata. The institute offers a full-time course to students who are interested to learn acting and make their career in this field. The course includes theory, practicals, and also workshops. The faculty of Zebra Studio provides guidance and support to all the students. The institute has experienced faculty members who have taught many students from all over Kolkata. They have won awards and recognition for their work, so students can expect quality education and good results from this institute.

Visit: https://zebrastudio.org/acting-course/

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accountantready · 9 days ago

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A Step-by-Step Guide to Become a Tax Accountant in India

Understand What a Tax Accountant Does:

A tax accountant will take charge of the taxation load for both private and government institutions. What differentiates a tax accountant from an accountant is the scope, for the general accountant is expected to account for several activities while dealing with finance; he or she handles issues on savings and income in relation to both parties- government and people- at various levels, though at one level at time. Besides the two above points, the accountant is required to comply with all the tax requirements from federal down to state level.

Some of the major differences between tax preparers and tax accountants include preparation of tax returns, planning, and consulting. Basically, a tax accountant acts as a consultant to collaborate with clients in their current tax liabilities and assist in designing long-term financial goals through continuous tax planning. This article explains the process of becoming a tax accountant in India, including qualifications, skills, and available training options, such as Tally, accounting, and Taxation courses in Kolkata.

The Most Vital Functions of a Tax Accountant are:

Effective planning for clients

Preparation of State and Federal Tax Returns.

The client consultancy about his demand to decrease the tax liabilities.

Deadline adherence while maintaining the tax compliance of laws.

Annual plan of Integrated Tax benefits

Effect on taxation through law

How to Become a Tax Accounting Professional in India?

Become a Tax Accounting Professional by a blend of study, experience, and acquiring new skills. Here's your step-by-step career way:

Step 1: Building a Sound Academic Foundation

Undergraduate degree: Bachelor's in Commerce (B.Com), or equivalent: This will ensure some conceptual knowledge in elements of accounting, finance, and taxation.

Professional Certification: Get your professional certification after acquiring your undergraduate degree. Useful ones are as follows:

⦁ CHARACTERED ACCOUNTANT (CA) : Will give a strong holistic view in taxation, auditing, and Financial Accounting. ⦁ Cost and Management Accountant (CMA): Its focus lies on management accounting, cost analysis, and tax planning. ⦁ Certified Public Accountant (CPA): This certification is helpful especially in jobs with an international firm or a niche industry finance sector.

Step 2: Practical Experience

Aside from formal education, hands-on experience is a must. Here's how one goes about it:

Internships: This includes taking up intern positions within accounting firms or companies that have financial departments where tasks of taxation are undertaken or implemented in real life situations.

Entry-Level Jobs: Tax assistant or junior accountant role that will practically allow one to apply the knowledge learned as well as gather the skills necessary.

Networking: Several professional societies that one can join to create a network of contacts, seek mentors, and also seek employment opportunities .

Phase 3: Key Skills

One needs to acquire these core skills to become a successful tax accountant: ⦁ Analytical Skills: The ability to interpret financial data and tax codes to ensure sound financial planning. ⦁ Communication: Simplify complicated tax laws to your clients. ⦁ Attention to detail: One should ensure that accuracy is an important aspect so that tax return preparation will not turn out wrong. ⦁ Ethics and integrity: The call for high ethics for all forms of financial reports and tax practices.

Step 4: Become a Continuing Student

Tax laws change every year. How to be up to date?

⦁ Advanced certifications: Enroll in a certification course on tax specialisation, which may add depth to your work as a professional and eventually open better avenue for advancement also. Accounting Course in kolkata is a Great choice to gain some knowledge on this field. ⦁ Conferences and Seminars: Discuss topics dealing with the tax laws of the day and accounting trends

Step 5: Know Your Accounting Software

Getting better at accounting software can become progressively important. Consider programs like a Tally course in Kolkata, and find digital accounting training helpful. This can assist in ensuring accuracy and productivity for your accounting and taxation-related tasks. Tally is an application used mostly by people in India. It has become an application that cannot be avoided in dealing with accounting or in the preparation of tax returns, thus making it a necessary component in a tax professional's career.

Step 6: Deep Insight into Tax Laws and Compliances

Basic of tax accounting are about the understanding of the tax laws of India. Key areas to be discussed below:

⦁ Income Tax Act: In terms of personal as well as corporate tax compliances. ⦁ Goods and Services Tax (GST): GST compliances, very critical. And that's particularly for individuals if they have undertaken a GST Course in Kolkata niche area. ⦁ Tax Planning Strategies: For what strategy will the consultant is using with a client, in order to minimize or reduce the payment towards tax to a greatest possible degree.

Step 7: Specialized Certification and Specialization]

A bit of experience under one's belt and it would not be a bad idea to get some specialized certifications that impart some extra skills in such areas as the following:

⦁ Tax Planning and Management There are lots of institutes offering strategic tax planning programs. This should really extend your capabilities. ⦁ International Taxation Any one who has worked with clients engaging in cross-border transactions can vouch for me. Knowing international tax is very, very plus.

Step 8: Increase Your Client Base

Building a client base is crucial when you get more expertise. Here's how to grow your network:

Freelance services: You can offer help on tax accounting to small businesses and individuals as a freelancer.

Industry networking: You have to attend industry events and conferences, which will allow you to meet more potential clients and build the network.

Online presence: You can get a professional online profile, where you attract clients with a need for tax accounting.

Conclusion

A career in tax accounting in India calls for an excellent balance of education, practical experience, and keeping abreast of changes in the industry. These steps can serve you in setting up a fulfilling profession by guiding your clients through the maze of tax regulations.

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avisionins · 16 days ago

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What Happens if You Don’t Prepare in a Coaching Institute for the IBPS PO Exam?

Introduction:

The preparation of the IBPS PO exam is one of the tough tasks that demands a strategic approach, high-quality study material, and rigorous practice. While some aspirants have decided to prepare alone, the benefits of guidance from a credible coaching institute are fulfilled by others. For those who are aiming at the best IBPS PO coaching in Kolkata, the approaches of these institutes such as Avision Institute are difference-makers. And now, what if you don't join any of these coaching institutions and prepare for the IBPS PO? Let's look at the risks associated with self-study and some possible pitfalls beneath.

1. Weak Study Plan

Another major issue that the candidates often face while preparing for the IBPS PO exam from home is not getting proper guidelines on what to study and at what time. Firstly, the syllabus for the IBPS PO exam is too vast. It involves the contents of reasoning, quantitative aptitude, English language, and general awareness. Systematic preparation of a syllabus through these coaching institutes makes it simpler to divide them into chunks. Without this framework, sometimes students don't get to cover everything required within the time stipulated. This typically results in cramming up on the last day or night before the examination which may eventually affect retention and hence marks scored.

2. No Easy Understanding of Hard Concepts

Whereas self-study is perfect for learning simple concepts, hard topics require training from an experienced person in the field. Faculty experience of coaches like Avision Institute help in reducing the strict concepts to a more easier attainment for students. For example, Data interpretation or High-level reasoning subjects are intimidating for many aspirants. Unless guided properly by the coach, students would get lost trying to understand this material on their own, time better spent in practice and revision. This is the area where IBPS PO coaching in Kolkata can guide students to achieve proper knowledge of the difficult areas.

3. No Quality Study Material and Test Series

Also, not having a coaching institute in preparation is dis-favouring the lack of access to quality study material and test series. Coaching institutes provide quality study material, updated mock test, and practice papers that have been considered essential for preparation. These resources are most of the time tailored according to the latest exam pattern which acquaints the student about the types of questions expected in the IBPS PO exam. Self-preparation, on the other hand, might rely on random online sources that are not always reliable or relevant to the exam. This might reduce the quality of preparation and cause an imbalance in the success ratio.

4. No Proper Practice and Feedback

Major components of IBPS PO preparation which most self-preparing students lack are regular practice and feedback. In a coaching institute, students constantly take mock tests followed by detailed feedback from instructors, so they can identify the areas where they require practice or improvement. Without this feedback mechanism, the student will keep repeating the same mistakes unconsciously. The student will miss the remedial process resulting in regressed progress and poor performance in the final exam. This is where Kolkata IBPS PO coaching with other similar programs acts as a rescuer so that students can practice in an organized manner with confidence building and bringing perfection.

5. Lack of Interest and Discipline

Amongst the toughest aspects that self-study student’s face is a motivated and disciplined effort in getting ready for the exam. This long gruel march to crack IBPS PO requires that effort, which needed to be put into every given opportunity. Instantly coming to a coaching institute provides students with a competitive atmosphere where they can relate to their peers, discuss their challenges, as well as appreciate those small triumphs. This sense of community breeds motivation in students and keeps them doing the routine of study. Self-study feels isolative and a student may lose motivation subsequently. A lack of regular schedules and support mechanisms may cause avoidance and diversion from studies.

6. Difficulty in keeping in touch with Trends of Exam

The IBPS PO exam pattern and syllabus may change every year. Keeping a record of these changes is very important to prepare effectively. Study material and test series, as provided by IBPS PO coaching in Kolkata such as Avision Institute, are updated with the trends in examinations nowadays. They also keep their students up to date with the correct announcements and updates related to the syllabus and so on. Without guidance and support from the coaching institute, students will have a hard time keeping themselves updated on such changes and might lose due to them. The online sources or websites might not be reliable or on time.

7. Lack of Expert Tips and Strategies: One of the most significant advantages of joining a coaching institute is that they provide expert tips or strategies that could very easily help students face an exam confidently. The instructors of this institute are experienced with hints and shortcuts that offer students insights and provide them with a way to take charge of their time management with tricks for solving complex questions. Such could make a huge difference in improving speed and accuracy during the exam. Students without such guidance may struggle on their own to develop efficient techniques for solving problems, thereby slowing down their progress and committing possible errors during the exam.

Conclusion:

While doing self-study deserves merit, what an individual derives by joining a coaching institute like Avision Institute cannot be avoided. Putting together a planned way of studying with expert guidance, day-to-day practice, and quality study material sure gives a person all the advantages needed to win through the IBPS PO examination. Avision Institute for those who have a vision to get the best coaching for IBPS PO provides a balanced learning experience that is preparatory for students to face competitive exams. Choosing the right institute will smooth out all the preparation processes keep the student motivated and help one to achieve a place as a successful IBPS PO.

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