Thinking Activity: Gun Island by Amitav Ghosh

 

Hello Friends!

I’m a student of Maharaja Krishna Kumar Sinhji Bhavnagar University. So, blogging is part of the study to enhance knowledge so here in this, I’m going to write about Amitav Ghosh’s Novel Gun Island. It is or thinking activity task assigned by Dilip Barad sir.

                 Introduction

Amitav Ghosh is an Indian writer and the winner of the 54th Jnanpith award, India’s highest literary honor, best known for his work in English fiction. for further click here  

Born: 11 July 1956 (age 65 years), Kolkata

Spouse: Deborah Baker (m. 1990)

Genre: Historical fiction

Education: The Doon School, University of Oxford, MORE

Nominations: Booker Prize, International Booker Prize, MORE

Parents: Shailendra Chandra Ghosh, Ansali Ghosh

   Gun Island 

"Gun Island is Ghosh’s ninth novel and is set in the same Sundarbans that he describes in his 2006 novel, The Hungry Tide—an untamed and complex ecosystem of canals and low-lying wetlands in Ghosh’s birthplace of West Bengal that is home to a rapidly disappearing wildlife. Its population of the cyclone and flood-ravaged people are always on the lookout for a storm on the horizon, always one disaster away from ruin. In Gun Island, we return to the Sundarbans, where there is a sense of lost hope and helplessness, of being unable to salvage a land devastated by ecological damage." ( Arushi Sinha & Shilvi J Shah) 

(1)How does Amitav Ghosh use the myth of Gun Merchant 'Bonduki Sadagar' and Manasa Devi to initiate discussion on the issue of Climate Change and Migration/Refugee crisis / Human Trafficking?

Gun island is a kind of complex story through depicts the reality of life. The character of Deen is one of the protagonist characters, which depicts some kind of major theme like climate change, Human Migration, etc. Also, the mythical story of Gun Merchant and Mansa Devi.  if we can ponder upon this so we can get the idea that climate change is the big issue of this current era as we know that now we are on winter season but due to some effect of climate change we are facing the problems of Monsoon so it is coming from the human’s making pollution in the earth. Which affects the environment.

(2)How does Amitav Ghosh make use of the 'etymology' of common words to sustain mystery and suspense in the narrative? There are many Italian words in the novel?

        Amitav Ghosh in his work ‘ The Gun Island’ Very significantly used this ‘etymology’ of common words to sustain mystery and Suspense in the narrative. From the beginning, the whole novel is about the myth of Mansa Devi and Banduki Saagar but it was Cinta who unfolded the mystery of this. With the help of the character of Cinta Amitav Ghose did beautiful use of etymology. It’s Cinta who reveals the whole meaning of Gun Island. In the book, we came to know the name of some places like The Land of  Palm Sugar Candy, Land of Kerchief Island of Chains, and Finally The Gun Island. 

(3)What are your views on the use of myth and history in the novel Gun Island to draw the attention of the reader towards contemporary issues like climate change and migration?

Climate change and migration are the major issues of the novel so the writer has uses purposefully towards to reader to draw attention to the whole incident while we are discussing the characters of Mansa Devi and Gunmerchant, so we feel that it might be the true story of past that give attention readers because we have so many mythical stories like Ramayan and Mahabharata, etc.

(4) Is there any connection between 'The Great Derangement' and 'Gun Island'?

Yes, we can agree with this because it depicts some questions in our mind so we can raise our question from the novel how does literature shape our knowledge from this text? How the theme of migration and climate change has a connection with contemporary time?

Thanks😊

                                                                                                                                

Learning Outcome : Research Methodology Workshop

                    Introduction 

On 7th Jan 2022, we attend the three-session workshop by Dr. Dilip Barad, Vaidehi man and the chief guest was Dr.JP Majmudar. So in that session the talk on Research methodology.

Definition 

Research methodology is the specific procedures or techniques used to identify, select, process, and analyze information about a topic. In a research paper, the methodology section allows the reader to critically evaluate a study's overall validity and reliability.

 

 

What are the 5 methods of collecting data?

Here are the top six data collection methods:

• Interviews.

• Questionnaires and surveys.

• Observations.

• Documents and records.

• Focus groups.

• Oral histories.

Types of Research in Research Methodology

The systematic and logical search for useful information or result is Research of a particular topic. To find a solution to the problem by performing systematic analysis, researchers initiate any research on the subject of their interest. They use different methods of Research which come under research methodology.

Following are the types of Research in research methodology: 

Basic Research

Applied Research

Problem-Oriented Research

Problem-Solving Research

Qualitative Research

Quantitative Research

Non-commercial Research is basic Research whose motive is to collect data to enhance knowledge. It doesn’t focus on creating or inventing anything during the process. This type of research is like an investigation carried on basic principles, and it is also termed theoretical Research. Examination of principles of basic science or natural events may not allow for an immediate purpose or application.

Basic Research is quite essential in character and not suitable to find solutions to any practical problems which require quick results. The primary research method provides in-depth and systematic insight into a subject to make scientific and logical explanations easier. With the approach of primary research methods, a researcher draws new boundaries of knowledge. The outcome of basic Research forms a primary platform for applied research methods. The results of basic Research prove useful for a researcher who uses techniques of applied Research.

For instance: Basic research methods apply to experiments to find simple facts.

Other Types of research methods in Research Methodology are action research, explanatory Research, exploratory Research, and comparative research. 

The action research helps in finding facts that can improve the quality of things. Explanatory Research helps in finding explanations for events. In exploratory research, a researcher tries to find more information on a topic. While, in comparative Research, the Researcher works on drawing similarities and dissimilarities between methods, techniques, etc.

 

Learning outcome:

Session 1

In this workshop, Dr.JP Majmudar talked about the imp of Research. He talks that how can we do good research as well as he pined out some of the topics that why we should have to do research and also he talked about corona’s pandemic and the method of learning from the current era. So the session was very fruitful for us because we have learned so many things which are more significant for us.

  Session 2 

Dr. Dilip Barad had talked about plagiarism that we have to avoid that thing because in that website we did plagiarism so it is not acceptable there so the first leaning is that try to avoid plagiarism from the task. However, talk on plagiarism is only 10 percent is acceptable so his major concern was that avoid plagiarism kind of activity.

Session 3

One of the important aspects or we can say the major pioneer is citation which is conducted by Vaidehi mam in that task she talked about how can we do text or intext citation because it is necessary for doing some kind of citation or you can add the reference so people can see that kind of research or you can say that it is your proof that you can do research with the proof. 

Also, the student of the English department did some kind of practical citation that learned some things because the work of citation is not an easy task.

Thanks 😊

 

The Ministry of Utmost Happiness - A Novel by Arundhati Roy

               Introduction👊

The Ministry of Utmost Happiness is the second novel by Indian writer Arundhati Roy, published in 2017, twenty years after her debut, The God of Small Things. Wikipedia

Originally published: 6 June 2017

Author: Arundhati Roy

Pages: 449

Genre: Fiction

Set in: India

Cover artist: Mayank Austen Soofi

 

 The Ministry of Utmost Happiness - A Novel by Arundhati Roy

General Observations about the Novel - 'The Ministry of Utmost Happiness'

The Ministry of Utmost Happiness is a curious beast: baggy, bewilderingly overpopulated with characters, frequently achronological, written in an often careless and haphazard style and yet capable of breathtakingly composed and powerful interludes. The idea that the personal is political and vice versa informs its every sentence, but it also interrogates that assumption, examining its contours and consequences (Alex Clark, The Guardian).Dilip Barad's Blog Click here

1) Political issues in the novel

It is a complex novel because it has five-part that connect with each other when I was in class at that time what I found that I would like to discuss this ..so the novel begins with the Khwabgah and The concern is Jantar Mantar so before reading or leaning that novel that was thought on my mind that what is it. Then further I got the concept of political issues in this novel so let me do throw some light on it, it is related with Kashmir as well as we can find some kind of terrorist attack which is reality happened in the Kashmiri, There is some person who is doing terrorist work.

 

2) Gender concerns in the novel

It has some kind of gender issue in the novel because the major characters have two sights it means that the quality of boy as well as a girl so the kind of similar things in that character so we can say that it is he or she.

Neoliberalism and Globalization

Gender identities, caste and class hierarchies, the ills of neoliberalism and globalisation are some of the major thematic concerns in Roy’s novel. When Anjum’s (Aftab) mother, Jahanara Begum, discovers a ‘girl-part’ in her child, she is shocked beyond belief. After three girl children, Aftab was supposed to be the ‘coveted’ boy who would carry forward the family name. Instead, the reality of begetting a Muslim “hijra” was not what Jahanara Begum was prepared for. She tries to cover up the child’s identity until it is no longer a plausible idea.for further Click here

 3) Environmental concerns in the novel / Ecofeminist study

Throughout Kashmir, women are extremely insecure, and the consequence is their bravery to take to the streets to continue their lives. Khadija, a woman from Kashmir tells Tilottama about her stamina and self-confidence. The shalwar kameez, hijab and the pheran offer them a sense of security commended by Tilottama. The nation, which is devastated by strife over years, implicates diverse magnitudes of suppression as of women, “Women are not allowed. Women are not allowed. Women are not allowed” [5], Roy mentioned this phrase in italics. Tilottama doesn’t interrogate Khadija regarding the limitations and disparities which are frequent in the life of the Kashmiri women; nonetheless the question comes up in her mind repeatedly. Another outstanding example where Roy showcases the intricate nature of relations between body and space which is the consequence of Tilottama’s decision and the process regarding MTP or medical termination of pregnancy. It is a kind of act which is belittled by everyone, incorporating the doctor, especially when the woman is not accompanied by her ‘guardian’ at the hospital. There is “hostility and disgust” [5]. The doctors refuse and thereby tell her that the procedure is quite unsafe. The entire experience is a frightening one, and her body are subjected to severe pain emotionally and physically.

                                                        Thanks😊

Learning Outcome: Research & Dissertation Writing Workshop

                 Introduction

The department of English had organized ṭhe workshop on Research & Dissertation Workshop coon 4 Jan 2022.  Dr. Dilip Barad and Clement gave Guidance about that how to write a good Dissertation as well as what kind of Research you should have to do.

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Learning Outcome:

After attending that workshop I knew that how to write a Dissertation on my topic so that season was very useful for us because we got the knowledge that how to start or work on our topic. which is significant for us whenever we are in a stuck situation at that ‘time this kind of workshop helped me a lot. So what we have learned after attending this workshop.

*To the analysis of the Topic.

*Define the many references that you have found.

*To enhance thinking capacity

*To do research on any topic try to get some guidance related to your topic.

*To read some research that you can get an idea about your topic.

However, Some kind of argument is most useful for your topic.

The Purpose of the workshop is to give the path to writing good or valuable research means that research is one of the kinds of processes that students have to work with a sharp mind. So, in this discussion, we have to find what is my learning outcome after attending the session so I can say that this was an interesting session that work on a particular topic so I’m happy to attend that session because now I’m clear about my topic so research is never an easy task but now I learned that if you are taking or attending any session you can easily complete your work because it is one of the first time that we are at the stage to do something which is given some kind of benefit to me. Now I got the way of making a dissertation on my topic so This is one of the Leaning outcomes that I learned from the session.

                                                            Thanks😊

Translation Workshop: Learning Outcome

                    Introduction 

 Dr. Dilip Barad, the head of the department of English MKBU had organized a one-day workshop on the "Translation" study on 3rd January 2022. Dr. Vishal Bhadani was invited to us introduce for language translation. Vishal Bhadani has good skills in translating so that he is one of the best contemporary translators.

Vishal Bhadani 

     Worked as a faculty in English with the premier institutes and universities of the state such as The MSU, SPU, IITE, and Marwadi University. Wrote and translated textbooks for Cambridge University Press, Gujarat State School Textbook Board, National Institute of Open Schooling, etc. Prepared training Manuals for the Finishing School Programme, Govt. of Gujarat, and Learning Materials for BAOU, Ahmedabad. Designed the world’s first online course on Gandhiji with the title “ Gandhian Methods to Sustainable Living and Happiness” on Udemy Platform. At present, 750 students from 82 countries are studying the course. Trained thousands of teachers and professors across the state on the Science of Learning and delivered a series of lectures for parents. Translated novels of Dhruv Bhatt such as “Timirpanthi’ and ‘Akoopar' In English. The Sociology Textbook of 11th Standard for the National Institute of Open Schooling into Gujarati. Working as a Textbook Board. Delivered experts talks at several platforms such as Symbiosis UniversityPune, Grand Education Fair, Ahmedabad, HRDC- Gujarat University, Children UNiversity-Gandhinagar, Baba Saheb Ambedkar Open University, Ahmedabad, IITE, Gandhinagar, Vanita Vishram Women’s College-Surat, English Department, SPU, and Bhavnagar University, Sahitya Academy Gandhinagar, IIT Rajkot, KCG Ahmedabad, Sarvajanik Education Education Society, Surat, Gandhinagar Institute of Technology, to name a few. Passionate for the neurological basis of learning and designing learning ecosystems.

1) has your understanding of translation improved?

Yes, I can say that this was a fruitful session for us because we have learned so many things to improve our translation generally I was having the idea that translation means you can translate with the same as grammar structure means that we should have to follow the instruction but we have to work with the minds set like There are some examples given below.

મેં મારી બેન ને પરણાવી

What Google says first we can see: I married my sister: Incorrect 

Mine: I have married my sister: Incorrect 

Correct: I make my sister married so the concern is to say that you have to think about the correct means which is more appropriate rather than go with the grammar & Google kind of translation.

2) can write about translation in terms of metaphors?

 There are seven kinds of metaphors given by sir . so all were very interesting like 

માં તે માં બાકી બધા વગડાના વા

Mine: Mother is Everything

Dr.Vishal Bhadani: Mother is mother બાકી બધું Other!

So, The concern is that you have to work with the conscious mind if you are very conscious about it so you can easily so this kind of metaphor to apply in the translation.

3) what according to you in the most difficult aspect of practical translation?

The most difficult translation is to translate translation with word wise means that you can not make your own words so the difficulty is we can take any word like the development so we can not say that it is related with Education or any kind of business or Buldig which is developed.

4) learning outcome from the workshop

I have learned how to do a proper translation that sometimes we have the mindset that we have to do proper translation so we must have to follow the rules of grammar and what the dictionary says but it is not the correct path to do the translation. So, we can make our own sentences to understand the people for translation.

                                                       Thanks😊