Monday, May 4, 2020
Bend It Like Beckham free essay sample
The challenge Gurinder Chadhaââ¬â¢s character, Jess Bhamra faces in ââ¬Ëbend it like Beckhamââ¬â¢ is to choose between her family and her love of football. This challenge is presented through the techniques of props, dialogue, and costumes. The director used props effectively to portray the challenge Jess is to face between the clash of football and Jessââ¬â¢s Indian heritage. This is shown effectively when Jess is practicing her football skills using a cabbage, while her mother is trying to teach her full Indian dinner she gets irritated at her for not being able to cook a full traditional Indian dinner. Instead of paying any attention to how to cook a traditional meal, she uses the cabbage as a soccer ball. This shows us how Jess is struggling to balance her familyââ¬â¢s Indian culture and the world of English Soccer. The challenge that Jess faces in relation to playing football as an Indian girl is developed throughout the film through the technique of dialogue. ââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢ Jess wants to follow her own future not someone elseââ¬â¢s life theyââ¬â¢ve chosen for her. Also in the film Jules Paxton faced conflict as well. Jules always stood up in what she believed in. She believed In playing football professionally, and when Jess liked the same guy she did. Jess and Jules both liked Joe, their football coach. When Jules saw Jess and Joe about to kiss, she cracked it at Jess, the soon got home and Jules and Jess had been staying away from each other when Jess went to Jules, they were arguing in Jules bedroom when Jules mother could hear them arguing and she thought that they were lesbians. Mrs. Paxton saw them kissing until they went to Pinkys wedding and Mrs. Paxton saw them, started yelling and on the car ride back Jules explained how they liked the same guy and were best friends! Joe also was one of the main characters and was Jules and Jessââ¬â¢ football coach. Joe had almost the identical problem as Jess. His father wanted him to coach boys soccer, but he wanted to coach the girls soccer. Throughout this Joe isnââ¬â¢t close with his father anymore, but Joe wants to face his own dream and not his fathers. Joes father didnââ¬â¢t want what Joe wanted. Joe encouraged his layers, and fighted for what he wanted, like when he went to Jessââ¬â¢ house to tell her parents she should be playing, no matter how hard it is at times, he strived for what he wanted in life. Throughout this film, Jess and Jules were facing conflict, and it shows us that anyone can get through it in the end. They fighted there battles and moved on. Jess sneaked out playing football, Jules par ents thought she was lesbian and Joe was the girlââ¬â¢s football coach, but his dad didnââ¬â¢t want what he wanted. You can always overcome something, doesnââ¬â¢t matter how long it takes you.
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
Thoughts On Critically Essaying Topic
Thoughts On Critically Essaying TopicThere are a lot of critical essay topics that would have you itching to write one. What do you want to talk about and why?These are personal feelings and opinions and it is very hard to actually express them in words. All I know is that when I write an essay about these topics, I can't help but feel a little bit lighter and refreshed after I have completed the essay. That is how powerful writing is!Critical essay topics are the ones that really make you think about the way you have been feeling and the way you will probably feel for the rest of your life. In other words, when you finish an essay on these topics, you have to be quite contented with the ideas that you have put down on paper.Critical essay topics will deal with various aspects of life and even with certain topics that can make life difficult. A few examples of these topics are climate change, which is a very interesting topic today as we move toward the latest crisis. We are faced wi th issues such as global warming, the existence of the ozone layer, and global temperature. In other words, it is all about that climate change which we must adapt to or face the most severe consequences of global warming.One particular topic that I had to research was how people have dealt with anxiety disorders and the therapy that they have used to overcome their problems. It is good to have a way to share the 'how to' tips and best practices with others who might be experiencing the same challenges and problems.Critical essay topics that have to do with philosophy also have interesting and thoughtful aspects to them. I have written essays about manythings from art, literature, philosophy, politics, religion, the arts, and even some people's views on science. The general concept is that there is much that humans are capable of doing when they try to understand the world around them.Writing about these topics for the purpose of sharing with other people is a wonderful and upliftin g feeling. Reading, thinking, writing, and receiving feedback from readers who find that essay to be helpful can make you realize just how much there is to learn from everyone who reads.Of course, the issue is that some people are more comfortable expressing themselves in a certain way than others, but it is up to the writer to determine what is best for his or her own personality. It is not something that can be determined by anyone else, except those closest to the person who has an essay to write.
Saturday, March 28, 2020
Articles Of Confederation Essays - United States, James Madison
Articles Of Confederation Essays - United States, James Madison Articles of Confederation The Articles of Confederation was the first constitution of the United States of America. The Articles of Confederation were first drafted by the Continental Congress in Philadelphia Pennsylvania in 1777. This first draft was prepared by a man named John Dickinson in 1776. The Articles were then ratified in 1781. The cause for the changes to be made was due to state jealousies and widespread distrust of the central authority. This jealousy then led to the emasculation of the document. As adopted, the articles provided only for a "firm league of friendship" in which each of the 13 states expressly held "its sovereignty, freedom, and independence." The People of each state were given equal privileges and rights, freedom of movement was guaranteed, and procedures for the trials of accused criminals were outlined. The articles established a national legislature called the Congress, consisting of two to seven delegates from each state; each state had one vote, according to its size or population. No executive or judicial branches were provided for. Congress was charged with responsibility for conducting foreign relations, declaring war or peace, maintaining an army and navy, settling boundary disputes, establishing and maintaining a postal service, and various lesser functions. Some of these responsibilities were shared with the states, and in one way or another Congress was dependent upon the cooperation of the states for carrying out any of them. Four visible weaknesses of the articles, apart from those of organization, made it impossible for Congress to execute its constitutional duties. These were analyzed in numbers 15-22 of The FEDERALIST, the political essays in which Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay argued the case for the U.S. CONSTITUTION of 1787. The first weakness was that Congress could legislate only for states, not for individuals; because of this it could not enforce legislation. Second, Congress had no power to tax. Instead, it was to assess its expenses and divide those among the states on the basis of the value of land. States were then to tax their own citizens to raise the money for these expenses and turn the proceeds over to Congress. They could not be forced to do so, and in practice they rarely met their obligations. Third, Congress lacked the power to control commercewithout its power to conduct foreign relations was not necessary, since most treaties except those of peace were concerned mainly with trade. The fourth weakness ensured the demise of the Confederation by making it too difficult to correct the first three. Amendments could have corrected any of the weaknesses, but amendments required approval by all 13 state legislatures. None of the several amendments that were proposed met that requirement. On the days from September 11, 1786 to September 14, 1786, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Virginia had a meeting of there delegates at the Annapolis Convention. Too few states were represented to carry out the original purpose of the meetingto discuss the regulation of interstate commercebut there was a larger topic at question, specifically, the weakness of the Articles of Confederation. Alexander Hamilton successfully proposed that the states be invited to send delegates to Philadelphia to render the constitution of the Federal Government adequate to the exigencies of the Union." As a result, the Constitutional Convention was held in May 1787. The Constitutional Convention, which wrote the Constitution of the United States, was held in Philadelphia on May 25, 1787. It was called by the Continental Congress and several states in response to the expected bankruptcy of Congress and a sense of panic arising from an armed revoltShays's Rebellionin New England. The convention's assigned job, following proposals made at the Annapolis Convention the previous September, was to create amendments to the Articles of Confederation. The delegates, however, immediately started writing a new constitution. Fifty-five delegates representing 12 states attended at least part of the sessions. Thirty-four of them were lawyers; most of the others were planters or merchants. Although George Washington, who presided, was 55, and John Dickinson was 54, Benjamin Franklin 81, and Roger Shermen 66, most of the delegates were young men in their 20s and 30s. Noticeable absent were the revolutionary leaders of the effort for independence in 1775-76, such as John Adams, Patrick Henry, and Thomas Jefferson.
Saturday, March 7, 2020
Free Essays on Drunk Driving Exigent Solution
Drunk Driving as a Social Issue By: G Ahmed How much longer will we be forced to endure the pain and atrocities due to the carelessness of drunk driving? Drunk driving has been a problem in the United States since the introduction of automobiles; however, it did not become an important social issue until the 1980ââ¬â¢s. At that time the political atmosphere defined crime in terms of personal choice and individual responsibility. Drunk driving was defined as a problem located within individuals. Drunk driving is illegal in every state. It is not only illegal, but unsafe to operate an automobile if you are under the influence of alcohol. When a person drinks, the alcohol is absorbed into the blood stream and various tests have been designed to measure the level of alcohol in a personââ¬â¢s blood. In most states, if a person has a blood alcohol level greater than .10%, that person is presumed to be too intoxicated to safely operate an automobile. Driving under the influence of alcohol is considered the nationââ¬â¢s most frequently committed violent crime, and in the 1980ââ¬â¢s the public supported a wider range of non-criminal countermeasures, as well as stricter legal measures, to govern DUIââ¬â¢s. This movement against drunk driving was well reflected in the legislative arena. Between 1981 and 1987 some 934 new laws dealing with drunk driving were passed by state legislatures. Legal measures focus on deterring drunken drivers by providing stricter laws and punishment. Non-criminal countermeasures are concerned with reform and education and include treatment programs and educating citizens about the dangers of impaired driving. To prevent drunk driving, a combination of stricter laws with harsh punishments and non-criminal countermeasures must be implemented. Legal measures are said to protect citizens through deterrence. Deterrence is defined as discouraging a particular behavior. There are two types of deterrence: individual or specific dete... Free Essays on Drunk Driving Exigent Solution Free Essays on Drunk Driving Exigent Solution Drunk Driving as a Social Issue By: G Ahmed How much longer will we be forced to endure the pain and atrocities due to the carelessness of drunk driving? Drunk driving has been a problem in the United States since the introduction of automobiles; however, it did not become an important social issue until the 1980ââ¬â¢s. At that time the political atmosphere defined crime in terms of personal choice and individual responsibility. Drunk driving was defined as a problem located within individuals. Drunk driving is illegal in every state. It is not only illegal, but unsafe to operate an automobile if you are under the influence of alcohol. When a person drinks, the alcohol is absorbed into the blood stream and various tests have been designed to measure the level of alcohol in a personââ¬â¢s blood. In most states, if a person has a blood alcohol level greater than .10%, that person is presumed to be too intoxicated to safely operate an automobile. Driving under the influence of alcohol is considered the nationââ¬â¢s most frequently committed violent crime, and in the 1980ââ¬â¢s the public supported a wider range of non-criminal countermeasures, as well as stricter legal measures, to govern DUIââ¬â¢s. This movement against drunk driving was well reflected in the legislative arena. Between 1981 and 1987 some 934 new laws dealing with drunk driving were passed by state legislatures. Legal measures focus on deterring drunken drivers by providing stricter laws and punishment. Non-criminal countermeasures are concerned with reform and education and include treatment programs and educating citizens about the dangers of impaired driving. To prevent drunk driving, a combination of stricter laws with harsh punishments and non-criminal countermeasures must be implemented. Legal measures are said to protect citizens through deterrence. Deterrence is defined as discouraging a particular behavior. There are two types of deterrence: individual or specific dete...
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
Reliability, Validity and Trustworthiness in Nursing Essay
Reliability, Validity and Trustworthiness in Nursing - Essay Example 30). In case positive results of the nursesââ¬â¢ researches and studies are reached, then their research strategies are valid and reliable (Zangaro, Soeken 2005, p. 6). Qualitative researches are often positioned as pragmatic researches and there is no doubt that there is a need to follow the rules of these researches. In accordance with Aristotle, there is more practical than theoretical aspects of nursing. One of the greatest ancient philosophers claims: ââ¬Å"practical sciences inquire into the principles and causes of things to achieve knowledge in order to make, as in engineering, or in order to do, as in ethicsâ⬠(Strickland 2006, p. 5). Three main concepts of nursing research Reliability and validity are two integrative elements of trustworthiness of the researches and studies. Trustworthiness of the research depends on the initial research question, data collection, analysis and conclusions reached. The issues of validity and reliability should be taken into account in the process of reading different research projects, either quantitative or qualitative ones. Both in qualitative and quantitative studies, these concepts are of crucial importance. That is why the following research, which is based on the article by Byrne, Cooper and Fairburn ââ¬Å"Weight maintenance and relapse in obesity: a qualitative studyâ⬠, the concept of reliability is discussed in detail. The study deals with the problems of obesity, a challenging issue of weight regain and weight maintenance. A qualitative approach is chosen in this study, because there is a need to define the number of factors, which are influencing on weight maintenance and relapse in obesity. The reliability of quantitative studies depends on the methodology of calculation. In the study conducted by Byrne, Cooper and Fairburn transcripts were analyzed with the help of NUD*IST software (Byrne, Cooper and Fairburn 2003, p. 956). Reliability demonstrates how a certain procedural instrument is used to provide similar results in different circumstances. Validity is the correlation of an intended measure with the real measure. These two concepts should be better considered in terms of nursing research. In a broader definition: ââ¬Å"validity in relation to research is a judgment regarding the degree to which the components of the research reflect the theory, concept, or variable under studyâ⬠(Roberts 2006, p. 42). In order to determine whether results are valid or not, it is necessary to determine worthiness of the reached results in the process of the study. Internal validity refers to evaluation of the resultsââ¬â¢ worthiness. External validity deals with generalization of the studyââ¬â¢s results and its application to the larger population (Morse 1991, p. 15). Further on, the concept of reliability is considered in detail and it is relevant to discuss the main characteristics of this concept. Reliability determines an instrumentââ¬â¢s stability and consistency in a certain context. Reliability of a measured instrument should be considered in terms of a particular study otherwise its application may be irrelevant. Further on reliability will be considered in accordance with three main characteristics: stability, internal consistency and equivalence (Munhall 2001, p. 18). Test-retest
Tuesday, February 4, 2020
Hedge Funds and Their Role in 2008 Financial Crisis Essay
Hedge Funds and Their Role in 2008 Financial Crisis - Essay Example They are not regulated in the same sense as mutual funds. Mostly, high net worth individuals and some pension funds invest in hedge funds. It is not mandatory for them to be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission because they are not supposed to provide information regarding their operation and valuation in public. The paper tries to explore the early history of hedge funds and how prima facie they are different from mutual funds. The paper also focuses on their role and the impact they created during 2008 financial crisis and also what regulatory measures are currently in force to regulate them. Genesis of Hedge Funds Mallaby emphasizes that Alfred Winslow Jones was the first global hedge-fund manager starting his operations in 1949 without any formal qualification and perhaps he set the tone and style of the functioning of hedge funds that are in vogue today. His way of charging the performance fee was different wherein a straight 20 percent cut was made on net gain s while distributing the profits. This deduction was over and above the management fee and even today most hedge-funds continue to have their performance fee policy in the same line. The fund was called so because all along investments were hedged simultaneously ââ¬â short-selling some of the weaker stocks to mitigate the systemic risks. He used leveraging as a tool to hedge investments. It is worth noting that Jonesââ¬â¢s firm made an astounding return of around 5000% during the year 1949 through 1968. Investopedia states that in 1968, around 140 hedge funds were in operations in the US though most of them were out of business due to slump in subsequent years. The hedge funds saw renaissance in the early 1990s but again, many of them including high-profile hedge funds such as Robertson's were in trouble during dotcom crisis of 2000. Hedge Fund Is Not a Mutual Fund Hedge funds are not mutual funds and they differ in several ways. Mutual funds have a large number of retail inv estors while hedge fund is not interested in a retail exposure and limit itself to a few high-net worth investors. After a minimum lock-in period, investors are free to withdraw the funds in mutual funds but hedge funds usually have a longer lock-out period during which investors cannot withdraw their investments. A mutual fund needs to register with Security Exchange Commission while hedge fund does not have such compulsion. Mutual funds do not undertake speculative activities and focus on returns relative to the bench-mark index. For example, if the bench-mark index goes down by 7 percent but the mutual fund investment goes down by only 4 percent then that will imply that mutual fund has performed better. In contrast, hedge funds focus on absolute returns regardless of the movement of market index. That is why hedge funds employ numerous strategies to earn high returns such as long or short positions on derivative instruments, options and futures. Mutual funds do not resort to suc h strategies to enhance their returns as they are governed by a host of regulatory measures (Investopedia). Role of Hedge Funds in 2008 Financial Crisis Chung argues that hedge funds were not behind the financial crisis of 2008; however, there is no guarantee that they will not cause one in future. Regulatory authorities, fund managers and lawyers believe that banks and financial institutions were largely responsible for the recent financial crisis because they invested heavily in subprime mortgages. The study also revealed that short-selling done by hedge funds did not aggravate the crisis. Hedge funds are not required to be brought under the scanner of policy makers; nevertheless, it is suggested that regulators need to keep a watchful eye on their activities. Accordingly, now hedge-funds firms are needed to register
Monday, January 27, 2020
Assertion of Indianness in Amish Tripathiââ¬â¢s Trilogy
Assertion of Indianness in Amish Tripathiââ¬â¢s Trilogy In the present times, with expanding globalisation, the world is getting closer. Prospects for Indian writings in English, in this scenario, have also expanded. English is gaining popularity and the same has become a language of upper and middle class Indians. Indian writings in English are not only popular among these classes of Indians but are also being read across the world. Contemporary Indian writers who write in English try their best to show themselves as much rooted as possible in Indian Culture and assert their Indianness. In this paper, weââ¬â¢ll analyse Amish Tripathiââ¬â¢s Shiva trilogy to explore his assertion of Indianness. Amish Tripathi is known for his mythological fiction writing in the era when other writers mostly highlight contemporary family values, moral values, customs, culture and many other aspects to emphasize Indianness in their writing, Amish Tripathi has chosen mythology to assert the Indianness. In this study, we will also look at Tripathiââ¬â¢s views regarding Indianness and see how far has he succeeded in asserting Indianness in his trilogy. Before we move ahead it is necessary to understand the concept of Indianness. India is a land of co-existing multiple cultures and traditions. U.S. Rukhaiyar and Amar Nath Prasad in Studies in Indian Poetry in English state that ââ¬Å"Indianness is a particular, individualistic ââ¬Ëlife-attitudeââ¬â¢ and ââ¬Ëmode of perceptionââ¬â¢ â⬠(149). They further quote Prof. V.K. Gokak who describes Indianness as ââ¬Å"a composite awareness in the matter of race, milieu, language and religionâ⬠(149). Thus, Indianness can be considered as the summation of diverse cultures of India and ideology and ideals which composes India. Amish Tripathiââ¬â¢s first book of the trilogy, The Immortals of Meluha was published in 2010 followed by The Secret of the Nagas in 2011 and The Oath of Vayuputras in 2013. Tripathi appears to be a devotee of Shiva (S. Pandit). Although, during his youth he was an atheist but he returned to faith, when started writing these books (S. Babbar). He became religious to the extent to regard religion as a trope to define Indianness. Tripathi defines Indianness in Verve as follows: The Indianness of India lies in our religiosity. I wouldnââ¬â¢t restrict it to any particular religion, since we have practically every religion in the world existing within India. It is our attitude towards religion. Simply put, our deep religiosity defines the Indianness of India. Now, if his turning religious is only for getting a wider readership in India where majority of people are religious or if he truly felt it, is something we donââ¬â¢t know. But, certainly his trilogy occurs as a persuading text for our not-much-caring-about-religion youth to attract them to become religious. His first book begins at ââ¬ËMansarovar Lakeââ¬â¢ in Tibet in 1900 BC where Shiva is the chief of a tribe called ââ¬ËGunasââ¬â¢. The story begins when Shiva along with his tribe decides to move to ââ¬ËMeluhaââ¬â¢, an organised (read more cultured and prosperous) kingdom with facilities and comfort, to avoid attacks from a neighbouring tribe called ââ¬ËPakratisââ¬â¢. Shiva meets the immortal Meluhans that follow the path set out by Ram and call themselves ââ¬ËSuryavanshisââ¬â¢. Soon on an occasion, Shiva drinks ââ¬ËSomrasââ¬â¢ that gives Shiva a blue throat. There was a prophecy that Suryavanshis believed in. According to which the blue throated one, the ââ¬ËNeelkanthaââ¬â¢ will gain them victory over their rivals, ââ¬ËChandravanshisââ¬â¢ who have hired evil assassins, the ââ¬ËNagasââ¬â¢ to attack and conquer Meluha. Shiva, there, also meets a beautiful girl named Sati and marries her. Sati is kidnapped by a Naga in front of Shiva. As a result, Shiva soon learns that ââ¬ËChandravanshisââ¬â¢ are not the real evil and marches to the land of Nagas in search of evil in The Secret of the Nagas. That land of Nagas is shown as occupied by deformed beings. During his quest he meets Kali, sister of his wife Sati and Ganesh, the first son of Sati. In The Oath of Vayuputras Shiva gets to know about the ill effects of Somras. It has caused reduction in the water level of Saraswati River and the waste formed during the manufacture of Somras was put in the Tsangpo River, which has caused plague in a place called Branga. Also, the birth deformities of Nagas were caused by it. After learning that Meluha is the heart of producing Somras, Shiv attacks Meluha. He acquires ââ¬ËPashupatiastraââ¬â¢ from Vayuputras, a tribe led by previous Mahadev, Rudra that avowed to support Neelkantha, and destroys Devagiri, the capital of Meluha. Amish Tripathi makes use of the ancient Indian mythology of Shiva, but blends it with fiction. According to A Glossary of Literary Terms by M. H. Abrams and Geoffrey Galt Harpham, mythology ââ¬Å"is a system of hereditary stories of ancient origin which were once believed to be true by a particular cultural group, and which served to explain why the world is as it is and things happen as they do, to provide a rationale for social customs and observances, and to establish the rules by which people conduct their lives.â⬠Mythology may be considered to be history by a few people, but one could argue that it is fiction and therefore there is no single version of mythology. It is generally twisted and turned according to oneââ¬â¢s belief. Indian Mythology, in the same way, provides a way of life for Indians. Tripathi refers to the mythology of Shiva that can be found in the epic called Shivpuran. Encyclopaedia Britannica provides glimpses of Shivaââ¬â¢s stature in Hindu or Indian culture as: Shiva, (Sanskrit: ââ¬Å"Auspicious Oneâ⬠)â⬠¦one of the main deities of Hinduism, whom Shaivas worship as the supreme god (Shaivism). Among his common epithets are Shambhu (ââ¬Å"Benignâ⬠), Shankara (ââ¬Å"Beneficentâ⬠), Mahesha (ââ¬Å"Great Lordâ⬠), and Mahadeva (ââ¬Å"Great Godâ⬠)â⬠¦Shiva is represented in a variety of forms: in a pacific mood with his consort Parvati and son Skanda, as the cosmic dancer (Nataraja), as a naked ascetic, as a mendicant beggar, as a yogi, and as the androgynous union of Shiva and his consort in one body, half-male and half-female (Ardhanarishvara). As Bhairava, he is often depicted as a Dalit (formerly called an untouchable) and accompanied by a dog. He is both the great ascetic and the master of fertility, and he is the master of both poison and medicine, through his ambivalent power over snakes. As Lord of Beasts (Pashupati), he is the benevolent herdsmanââ¬âor, at times, the merciless slaughterer of the â⠬Å"beastsâ⬠that are the human souls in his care. Tripathi takes up traditional Indian mythology, which is regarded as factual history by some especially religious ones and as fiction by others, and creates his own fiction. The story that Tripathi weaves is such that it includes major characters and events related to Shiva in the ancient Indian mythology but modifies the traditional narrative. The actions, the narrative, signs and codes of traditional mythology are changed to the extent that they ââ¬Å"are reduced to names, vague references and symbols, while the poetic abilities of the author are hampered by religious sentimentsâ⬠(Eric M. Gurevitch). Shiva although embodies the same power and same status but the manner in which events associated with him takes place are altered. Ganesh, traditionally believed to be Shivaââ¬â¢s own son is shown here as a child bore by Sati, Shivaââ¬â¢s wife, prior to their marriage. So what we can see is that Tripathi plays with traditional mythology that we know about. Also, Tripathi has shown his characters not as Gods but as humans. Shiva, Sati, Kali, Ganesh, Kartik, they are all there in human believable form unlike their projection in Vedas and Puranas where they had supernatural powers. Shiva is the chief of a Tibetan tribe and others also have human forms. However, these humans that Tripathi depicts are too perfect for being a human. For example, Shiva is always morally correct. His relationship with Sati is never shown as a relationship of passion that a human being might have. Therefore, we can say that the values that a traditional Shiva possess are not violated by Tripathi. He is a God-like person. Thus, we see a fine balance of Tripathiââ¬â¢s own imagination and traditional ancient Indian mythology. Since Mythology, on its own, has no rigid boundaries and could be moulded or transformed up to any stretch of imagination of writer himself, these novels provide an alternate mythology for the Indian reader. However, for a non- Indian reader who is not well acquainted with traditional mythology of India, this trilogy can serve as the only mythology of India. Tripathi in his novels has also tried to amalgamate ancient Indian mythology with recent history and contemporary reality. The relationship between Meluha, the land of Suryavanshiââ¬â¢s and Swadeep, the kingdom of Chandravanshiââ¬â¢s reminds the readers of the relationship between India and Pakistan. Chandravanshis constantly attacked Suryavanshis which is reminiscent of terrorist attacks by Pakistan (Eric .M. Gurevitch). Also, Pakistanis uphold the symbol of moon which again links it to the Chandravanshis, where ââ¬ËChandraââ¬â¢ means moon. Although, Tripathi by showing that Chandravanshis are not the real evil is highlighting that Pakistanis may be misunderstood by Indians. One can also say that the tensions between Meluhans and Nagas replicates the tension between India and China or Indian government and the Northeastern Tribes of India. ââ¬ËNagaââ¬â¢ is an actual tribe in northeast India. The Nagas in the story are neglected, feared and looked at as enemy because of their abnormality. Kali and Ganesha were abandoned by Meluhans because they had an extra pair of hands and an animal head. Kali and Ganesh attacks Meluhans to assert their independence and to mark their identity. It resembles the strife that we constantly see between north-east Indians and rest of Indians because of their Mongoloid looks that are uncommon outside north-east India. Tripathi also brings in International tensions in his fiction. The picture of Meluhans producing toxic Somras that causes deformities in Nagas reminds us of World War II, where USA dropped Atom Bombs upon Japan that causes various deformities in Japanese of radiation affected areas till date. Another aspect that makes his mythological fiction in tune with contemporary world is the introduction of scientific dimension. When Shiva reaches Meluha for the first time he sees that Meluhans use modern equipment like showers etc. They also excel in medicine. And apart from this, they are advanced enough to produce Somras which is told to be a chemical compound, which if taken in undiluted form can be poisonous. Also, the two Asrtras, ââ¬ËBrahmastraââ¬â¢ and ââ¬ËPashupatiastraââ¬â¢ mentioned in the books can be seen as a product of modern science. The Pashupatiastra is a missile (possibly nuclear fission missile) of Pashupati (another name of Lord Shiva in traditional Hindu Mythology), used to destroy specific targeted area, while the Brahmastra is a missile (possibly nuclear fusion missile) of Brahma which does not have a controlled effect. (Sreedharan 778) It is clear that Tripathi indulges in all the above aspects as he is aspiring for larger readership. New generations that are inclined towards science and the older ones that still holds on to mythology, both are attracted towards this amalgam that Tripathi has created. With this, he is reviving interest of young generation, which is overshadowed by scientific reasoning, in mythology by justifying mythology through science and warfare technology. This combination of science and mythology that Tripathi uses, makes his novels and the ideas that he infuses in them as more acceptable to the reader. Despite above, one cannot ignore his conspicuous argument that he is trying to show in his Trilogy about Indianness that weââ¬â¢ll see later in this paper. Furthermore, Tripathi also showcases Indian values, traditions and customs efficiently. Throughout the series, we see that there is commitment in each and every relationship portrayed. The relationship between Shiva and Sati is a strong bond which is not broken even when Shiva gets to know about Ganesha. Sati and Shiva both are equally respectful to each other. Similarly, Shiva is a true friend. He doesnââ¬â¢t let his position as a chief come between him and Bhadra. He always wonders ââ¬Å"Why does he keeps forgetting that he has been my closest friend since childhood? My becoming the chief hasnââ¬â¢t really changed anything.â⬠(The Immortals of Meluha 13) Apart from this Indian salutation of ââ¬ËNamasteââ¬â¢ is constantly used in the books along with the gesture of bowing down and touching somebodyââ¬â¢s feet out of respect. Though Tripathi claims to assert Indianness through his trilogy, one needs to understand his notion of Indianness and his literary practice, which could be disappointing for some readers. Even though he expressed his version of Indianness in Verve referred above where he seems to believe that Indianness is defined by religiosity and all the religions evoke the idea of Indianness, but while writing this Trilogy, he completely ignored all other religions but Hinduism. This fact emphasizes that to become more Indian, Hinduism is the only way. Hinduism might be a way of life for majority of Indians, but Indian culture cannot be defined in terms of Hinduism only. Indian culture is a diverse cultural and is formed by different communities having different faiths. Also, what about those citizens of India that are non- religious. Are they not true Indians? By giving himself to a single faith, despite his claim of multiplicity of religious faith, Tripathi seems to be propagating Hinduism. Exc ept this, he takes all the right steps as he blends in all the other elements to make his trilogy acceptable for most readers spreading across all the age groups and nations. Thus, though it seems that Tripathi has been able to assert his version of Indianness by resorting to mythology, where he relates it to contemporary reality and also by showing traditions and customs practiced in India. But he definitely could not provide true idea of Indianness which embodies the idea of ââ¬Ëunity in diversityââ¬â¢. He appears to believe that if one wants to be more Indian, then one should embrace his or her religiosity. According to this statement, he clearly seems to neglect the group of non- believers in India. However, even if we ignore the fact that he has neglected the group of non-believers in his ideology of Indianness, he by not involving other religious beliefs, has not been able to implement his ideology successfully in his works till date. Despite this approach, Tripathi has succeeded in garnering commercial success but he also apparently has succeeded in propagating Hinduism. Moreover, it is important to see that while writing this Trilogy, he has considered Hindu mythology as Indian mythology, which could possibly be because Hinduism is originated from India, while other religions like Christianity and Islam did not. Religions like Buddhism, Jainism or Sikhism have their roots in some way or the other in Hinduism. However, his considering Hindu mythology as Indian mythology led to ignoring all the other mythologies of India, even that of native tribal communities of India. He has neglected the diversity of Indian culture. And that is why it is difficult to say that Tripathi has been able to assert Indianness successfully and justly. We can still hope that he might include all those categories of so far neglected people in his upcoming works and will be able to present a more justified, true and acceptable picture of Indianness because Tripathiââ¬â¢s novels have a huge readership including young generation across the world. His representation of Indianness in a truer manner will help these readers to get a better and near to truth picture of India. Works Cited Abrams, M.H., Geoffrey Galt Harpham. A Glossary of Literary Terms. 10th ed. Delhi: Cengage Learning India Pvt Ltd, 2012. Print. Babbar, Sonakshi. ââ¬Å"Writing changed me from an atheist to a Shiva bhakt: Amish Tripathiâ⬠. Hindustan Times 10 September 2011. Print. Gurevitch, Eric .M. ââ¬Å"Implausible Deniability ââ¬â Reading Amish Tripathiââ¬â¢s ââ¬ËShivaââ¬â¢ Trilogy: Eric Gurevitchâ⬠. Kafila. 28 April 2014. Web. 20 Oct. 2014. Pandit, Shruti. My books are Shivaââ¬â¢s blessings. The Times of India 12 June 2012. Print. Rukhaiyar, U.S., and Amar Nath Prasad. Studies in Indian Poetry in English. New Delhi: Sarup Sons, 2002. Print. ââ¬Å"Shivaâ⬠. Encyclopaedia Britannica. n.d. Web. 31 Oct. 2014. Sreedharan, M.S. Bharatiya Vigyan Manjusha. New Delhi: Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, 2005. Print. Tripathi, Amish. The Immortals of Meluha. Chennai: Westland Ltd, 2010. Print. . The Secret of the Nagas. Chennai: Westland Ltd, 2011. Print. . The Oath of Vayuputras. Chennai: Westland Ltd, 2013. Print. ââ¬Å"The Indianness of Indiaâ⬠. Verve Volume 20, Issue 8, August 2012. Web. 20 Oct. 2014.
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