When farmers are terrorists and Greta gets charged with conspiracy for tweeting: Law as storytelling

The ongoing farm protests pose an incredible study for sociology of law and the anthropology of the state. While reading the following chronology, note the role of how physical presence is regulated, how events in different spaces affect each other (Twitter) of interpretations of the *purpose* of legislation, and of how government institutions have reacted, … Continue reading When farmers are terrorists and Greta gets charged with conspiracy for tweeting: Law as storytelling

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Voice Messages from Friends: Bhaavya on the Disappearance of Indigenous Knowledge in Cotton Farming

In the series 'Voice Messages from Friends', I type down and edit for clarity (with permission) the voice messages friends have sent me explaining to me topics they are passionate about. Bhaavya is the founder of IROIRO, a zero-waste fashion brand with a circular economy model. IROIRO up-cycles discarded cotton shreds from textile companies. Bhaavya … Continue reading Voice Messages from Friends: Bhaavya on the Disappearance of Indigenous Knowledge in Cotton Farming

Kashmir: A Facade and Lost Legitimacy

The current treatment of Kashmiris, mainly Kashmiri Muslims, is a sign that should alert all of us, that should shake all of us awake. Maybe we are willing to buy the propaganda that people in the valley are happy. But if the people in the valley are indeed happy, then why the restrictions? Why are the telephone lines restricted? What are the reasons for the internet still being banned? I argue that the means employed by the Indian government signal to the residents of Kashmir that it is either too impatient to find a better strategy, or that it is too unwilling to resort to less violent strategies. While there may be two sides to the story, we cannot afford to miss the warning signs. Oppression, typically, does not manifest through an evil-doer admitting to want to oppress someone. Oppression does not become manifest by just listening to the words said, but by interpreting the deeds and the body language. They will indicate the speaker’s true intentions.

And I’m Still Well Off – Thoughts on India’s Elections

For those who don't know: The world's biggest (not greatest) democracy just re-elected its previous Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a second term. In the words of the satire magazine The Onion: "India Continues Surge Towards Status As First World Nation By Reelecting Racist, Right-Wing Authoritarian". Not just that, but Modi's BJP won more votes … Continue reading And I’m Still Well Off – Thoughts on India’s Elections

So what’s India like? 10 things I love about India

This article was originally published in 2017 on my blog "Alena in India". In it, I reflect on what makes India lovable. I realize now that I misinterpreted many cultural gestures. For instance, I do not agree with my claim made about political correctness anymore. Nonetheless, I wanted to share this again. "One of the … Continue reading So what’s India like? 10 things I love about India

What bothers me about Slumdog Millionaire

This article was first published on February 16, 2017 on my blog about my time in New Delhi.  The opening scene shows Jamal Malik. He is hanging from the ceiling, drool dripping from his mouth, and he is chained.The so-called police officer is electroshocking him to unconsciousness - apparently Jamal cheated in the famous show … Continue reading What bothers me about Slumdog Millionaire

India’s 2016 Demonetization: A Miscalculation of Impacts and Incentives

This paper was submitted as an undergraduate essay in December 2017. The article is in no way peer-reviewed, and received an o.k. grade. Regardless, this topic is close to me and valuable to study, and I would therefore like to share my thoughts. Again, it is just an educated guess. When theIndian government on November … Continue reading India’s 2016 Demonetization: A Miscalculation of Impacts and Incentives