Book Review : Countering A Divisive Narrative

-Sakshi Gandhi-

Despite sporadic disputes over caste, religion and languages, India is still the hub of diverse religions and cultures where people enjoy a feeling of unity. The Northeastern region of India is not an aberration to this widely celebrated aspect of Indian culture. But it was marred by the divisive and distorted interpretations of history done by the vested interest groups like Colonial historians. Pointing out some of the important points in this direction with a special focus on Northeast region of India, Prof BB Kumar, the author of the book has given bucket full of information. The author brilliantly challenges and redefines the fabricated theories of race, animism and isolation which were purposefully instilled in the minds of the people of the region under Colonial powers.
The book starts with the concept of colonisation by the British that leads to the division of caste –tribe concept. Going further to caste-tribe division, BB Kumar has also described the commonality in caste-tribe in-terms of the social, cultural and religious continuum. While reading this book umpteen number of questions might arise in readers’ mind. As we all know, with growing population we are observing the presence of more and more castes. And as part of Indian society, we don’t even know the names of different castes and rituals that are being practised. Putting lights on the present scenario of India, one can acknowledge some of the evil practices like untouchability that widespread in our society after the Turk-invasion are still going on in some parts of India. Despite staying in one region, the communities have different rituals, even if the ‘Gotra’ is same there would be something or the other that makes one community slightly different from other.
Reading further more on Northeast region,  we’ll  get to know more about the myth of Isolation  and conflicts between people and regions that were fabricated  by British, which has left a negative impact on scholars as well as people of Northeast region. Such steps by the British have alienated the mind of Northeast people. The book, while describing all the factors about Isolation and conflicts, has also given a few examples and links that don’t represent the Northeast region as an isolated place. In fact, the readers will get to know more about historical, political and geographical links of the region that is not much presented in the books of history.
 As mentioned above the pre-historic period of Northeast region wasn’t cut off and isolated from other parts of India, it was just in the mind of people dominated by British. It is true that the Northeast region and other regions have immense cultural, social and linguistic diversity. But there were strong threads of unity, which the Leftists and Colonial scholars ignored, alienating the region with no hopes. Then comes – The Hindu past and the Myth of Conversion, where the author discusses how the various communities, especially the tribes of Northeast region, were denied their Hindu past by Christian missionaries and Colonial scholars.
Ethnic mix and polyglot in Northeast region have been specified with examples, disapproving the isolation and conflict theory. The book featuring religion, cultural and spiritual continuum and also the concept of god-head, where the readers will get to know about the creator of men and animals who are neither feared nor worshipped.
Furthermore rituals and norms like disposal of the dead is described briefly, and it has also mentioned some lines from Atharva Veda-“I invoke those who have been burnt, I invoke the soul of those who’ve been burned, who have been buried, and those who have been put in the air(Platform Burial)”
The writer presented some of the facts about common elements in social customs/practices. Customs like clan-endogamy and many such rituals are avoided by most Indian communities, except a few. Prof. BB Kumar has also talked about the untold facts which we aren’t aware of but we should be. Facts that people outside do not know that during the freedom struggle Northeast people has played a major role. We all know Rani Laxmi Bai, but how many of us know about Rani Gaidinliu of Nagaland, who fought for Independence? Facts like these which have not been disclosed should be brought out with a positive outlook towards bringing unity with Northeast region and making them feel as One.   

Social and Cultural Continuum in India with special Focus on the Northeast;
BB Kumar; Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture;
p 72; Rs 75

Oceans and the future of the Human Race;  
Sudipta Kumar De;
GenNEXT Publication;
Pp 503; Rs 540

This book  has been written in a lucid and very readable style, and provides a wealth of knowledge and insightful analysis, which is a rare amalgam of multidisciplinary perspectives and unique lines of intellectual inquiry. The only aim of the author is to direct the world attention to the oceans.

Childhood Realities Working and abused Children;
Vinod Chandra;
Kalpaz Publications;
Pp-283; Rs 925

The book is an attempt to outline the grave areas of the child abuse and child labour in India. The book was planned in the year 2012-2013 and diversity of disciplines came together to present an interdisciplinary perspectives on children’s childhood in India.

New Arrivals

Knowledge Management in Organizations and in People’s Lives;
Dr Viswanathan Gopalan;
GenNEXT Publication;
Pp- 154; Rs 540

This is one unique book which describes in detail some of the core concepts related to Knowledge Management in organisations as well as the use of those values in personal lives of individuals. The knowledge shared is re-usable for better quality of living which is the primary goal of this book.

Islam Discorages Polygamy and Divorce- A Reality, Not a Myth;
Khwaja Abdul Muntaqim;
Kalpaz Publications;
Pp- 150; Rs 490

The title of the book “Islam Discourages Polygamy and Divorce- A Reaity, Not a Myth” is self-explanatory. It is generally believed that Muslims are a polygamous community and Islam grants unfettered liberty for practising polygamy.