contemporary research spectrum

CRSJ, Volume 2, Issue 2, March, 2016

ISSN 2454 - 8987

CONTEMPORARY RESEARCH SPECTRUM International, Multi-disciplinary, Bi-annual & Refereed Print Journal

2012

COUNCIL OF EDULIGHT KALYANI, DISTRICT – NADIA, WEST BENGAL, INDIA

ISSN 2454 - 8987


CONTEMPORARY RESEARCH SPECTRUM

2012

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CI UN L OF E

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International, Multi-disciplinary, Bi-annual & Refereed Print Journal

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COUNCIL OF EDULIGHT KALYANI, DISTRICT – NADIA, WEST BENGAL, INDIA

CONTEMPORARY RESEARCH SPECTRUM International, Multi-disciplinary, Bi-annual & Refereed Print Journal Volume 2, Issue 2, March, 2016 [ISSN 2454 – 8987]  EDITOR: Dr. Ajit Mondal - Department of Education, Surendranath College for Women (University of Calcutta), Kolkata, Pin – 700009, West Bengal, India EDITORIAL BOARD  Dr. Ramana Maram - Department of Political Science, Osmania University, Hyderabad, Telangana, India  Professor Kalyan Kumar Sarkar - Department of Political Science, Kanchrapara College, Kanchrapara, West Bengal  Professor Basudeb Halder - Department of Philosophy, Surendranath College for Women, Kolkata, West Bengal  Dr. Asha Bhandari - Faculty of Policy Science, National Law University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India  Dr. Ritu Bakshi - Department of Educational Studies, Central University of Jammu, J&K.  Dr. A. Subramanian - Department of Education, University of Madras, Chennai, India  Dr. Raminder Singh - Department of Education, Punjabi University Regional Centre, Bathinda, Punjab, India  Dr. Mrinal Mukherjee - Department of Education, Bankura University, Bankura, West Bengal, India  Dr. S. K. Panneer Selvam - Department of Education, Bharathidasan University, Tamil Nadu  Vijay Prasad Jayshwal - Kathmandu School of Law & Human Rights Clinic and Justice, Dadhikot, Nepal

BOARD OF ADVISORS               

Prof. Tony Bush - Faculty of Educational Leadership, University of Nottingham, UK Prof. Tarak Kumar Pan - Shiksha Bhavana, Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan, West Bengal Prof. Sudharshana Rana - Department of Education, Himachal Pradesh University, HP Prof. J. C. Soni - Dean, Faculty of Education, Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh. Prof. Sanat Kumar Ghosh - Department of Education, Rabindra Bharati University, WB Prof. Hemlata Talesra - Smt. K. B. Dave College of Education, Gujarat, India Prof. Jayanta Mete - Department of Education, University of Kalyani, West Bengal, India Prof. Nupur Sen- Department of Education, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, UP Prof. Madhumita Bandyopadhyay -School of Non-Formal & Formal, NUEPA, New Delhi. Dr. Jaya Singh - Department of Social Science, NCERT, New Delhi, India Prof. (Mrs.) Haseen Taj – Department of Education, Bangalore University, Bangalore, India Dr. Anjali Mehta - Department of Education M. S. University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat Dr. Gurkirat Kaur - Department of Education, Desh Bhagat University, Patiala, Punjab Dr. Shyam Sundar Bairagya – Department of Education, Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan Dr. S. R. Mohapatra - Centre for Juridical Studies, Dibrugarh University, Assam, India

 Dr. Ruby Ann L. Ayo - Bicol University, College of Social Sciences & Philosophy, Philippines

 Prof. Nityananda Pradhan- Department of Extension Education, NERIE, NCERT, Shillong  Prof. Mahes Nath Parajuli- Department of Educational Leadership & Development Studies, Kathamandu Univiversity, Nepal

From the Desk of Editor ================================================================= The age we live in is the age of speed and information. In tune with the spirit of the modern era, Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal is intended to cater the needs in terms of knowledge production. Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal is an attempt to bring out research work in the areas of English Literature, Education, Social Science, Commerce, Life Science, Physical Science, ICT and Management, Law and to encourage both the students, researchers and the concerned teachers in research. Thus, this journal will be playing its function as a vehicle for disseminating research papers, innovative articles, Case Studies etc. in all subject areas by the academicians, research scholars, resource persons and practitioners with substantial experience and expertise in their own respective fields. This issue contains scholarly conceptual articles and research papers on various aspects of English literature, Education, Physics, Law, Philosophy, History, Geography, Political Science, Management, Business Administration, and Commerce etc. In order to keep the length of the issue within capacity, it has been necessary to be very selective in the incorporation of articles. The ideas expressed in the journal are of the authors. The Editorial Board of Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal holds no responsibility in this regard. The Editor conveys thanks to the members of the Editorial Board, Advisory Board and Peer Reviewers who have extended their cooperation in bringing out the Volume - 2 and issue - 2, March, 2016 of the journal and also is grateful to all contributors. Suggestions and constructive criticism for further improvement of the journal will be thankfully received. We look forward to your reply in the form of suggestions, views and articles for the next issue.

Editor Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal [ISSN 2454 – 8987]

GUIDELINES FOR THE CONTRIBUTORS 

Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal an international, bi-annual, multidisciplinary, Refereed Print Journal, invites articles from Educationist, Academician, Research Scholar, and Student & Journalist.

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Maximum length of the full paper should be of 10 pages in A4 size paper. Extra page (More than 10 pages will bear additional publication charge).

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Articles can be sent through CD / Email (for English articles use MS-Word, Font Times New Roman, Size 12, Line Spacing 1.5, Margin of 1 inch in all sides.

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The article must accompany declaration signed by authors that article has not been published elsewhere and that it is being submitted exclusively to Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal.

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The article should have author’s name, single designation & affiliation and E-mail address.

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Each article should contain the following essential elements – Abstract, Introduction, Related Study, Research Questions / Hypothesis, Objectives, Methodology, Tools used Data Analysis, Findings, Discussions and References alphabetically arranged in APA Format. Graphs, if any, should be sent in editable format.

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Any legal dispute pertaining to the publication in Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal shall be within the jurisdiction of High Court at Kolkata only.

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Editorial Board and Subject Experts of the Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal may edit the Paper if necessary.

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Opinions expressed in the articles are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the policies of the COUNCIL OF EDULIGHT.

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DADELINE FOR SUBMISSION OF THE NEXT ISSUE: 25th August, 2016. SEND TO THE E-MAIL: mondalajit.edn@gmail CONTACT: DR. AJIT MONDAL, SURENDRANATH COLLEGE FOR WOMEN, 24 MAHATMA GANDHI ROAD, KOLKATA – 700009, WEST BENGAL INDIA

CONTEMPORARY RESEARCH SPECTRUM International, Multi-disciplinary, Bi-annual & Refereed Print Journal SL. NO.

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CONTENT

1.

A Comparative Study on Selected Health Related Fitness between Athlete and Nonathlets College Students Bodhisattwa Pradhan, Dr. Pradipta Kumar Giri, Prof. S.Bhowmick & Prof. K. Banerjee

1

2.

Ampri: The Valley of Dead Studying Three Ballads of the Karbis of Kamrup (M) District, Assam Utpal Baishya & Dr. Debalina Debnath

6

3.

Financial Inclusion in India: A Way of Rural Socio-Economic Development Dr. Santanu Das

14

4.

Access to Teaching Learning Materials among the General and Special Education Teachers in the School System: A Study Dr. S. K. Panneer Selvam

19

5.

Chronicle of a Corpse Bearer: A Study of a Socially Segregated Society Goutam Barman

23

6.

The Role of NGOs in Empowering Women in West Bengal Jilkod Mamun

27

7.

The New English of the Netizens: Impact of Social Media on English Language Lilack Biswas

37

8.

A Glimpse on Art and Architecture in Medieval India Mohan Shyam Bhaskar

45

9.

A Comparative Study on Academic Achievement of Secondary School Students in Sonitpur District of Assam Mr. Jadab Dutta, Mr. Nitul Gogoi & Prof. J.C Soni

52

10.

Quality Assurance and Quality Teaching in School Education in the 21ST Century Mr. Rakesh Manna & Dr. Jayanta Mete

70

11.

Charles Baudelaire, the ‘modern’ Frenchman

78 Sayonee Acharya

12.

86

English Language Teaching in India: An Overview Sunandita Sarker

13.

Social and Community Structure of the Kumbhakaras in Bengal Dr. Surajit Rauth

94

SL. NO. 14.

PAGE NO.

CONTENT Defining “The Province” of Secularism in Nepal

107 Vijay Prasad Jayshwal

15.

114

T. S. Eliot: The Idea of a Perfect Critic Chinmoy Dey

16.

Research as a Vital Role Player in the Field of Teacher Education Dr. Gaurav Sachar

119

17.

A Study of the Values of Prospective Secondary School Dr. Nisha Raninga

125

18.

A Study on the Job Satisfaction of Secondary School Teachers Dr. Prodip Das

129

19.

Stress among Teacher Educators from Self-Financing Colleges of Education Dr. Radhakanta Gartia

134

20.

Empowerment of Women – A Gandhian Approach

141 Dr. Sarmila Das

21.

National Curriculum Frame Work (NCF) 2005 by NCERT–A Critical Analysis Dr. Sobhan Banerjee

145

22.

Islamic Prayer Namaz (‘Salat’)—As a Meditation or Yoga: An Analysis Hemanta Adhikari

150

23.

National Institutional Ranking Framework for Higher Education Institutions in India Jayantibhai V. Patel

153

24.

Teaching-Learning through Social Media: An Interactive Educational Tool Jayatri Chakraborty & Susmita Basu

160

25.

Narayan Gnagopadhyer Nirbanchito Chhoto Galpo Samikshan Rumpa Bhadra

168

26.

Opinion of the Teachers and Secondary Students towards the Development of Scholastic, Co-Scholastic and Co-Curricular Activities of CCE in CBSE Schools S. Shanthi & Dr. A. Subramanian

173

27.

Employment Generation through Village Tourism

178 Suman Das

28.

A Study of Attitude of Government and Private Secondary School Teachers towards the Use of Information and Communication Technology Dr. Inderpreet Kaur

187

SL. NO. 29.

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CONTENT

192

Classification and Its Consequence Is Knowledge Jahar Biswas

30.

A Study to Find out the Effects of Swamiji’s Music in Depression Level of Students Jayanta Acharya

197

31.

Muslim Women and Electoral Politics in India: A Case Study Prasenjit Saha

205

32.

Gaps in Teaching Accountancy at the Higher Secondary Level: An Analysis Samir Kumar Naskar Despair and Delight in the Novels of Mulk Raj Anand T. Pushpanathan

215

Ahom Architecture: An Ode to the Architecture of Assam Rikimi Madhukaillya

225

33. 34.

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A Comparative Study on Selected Health Related Fitness between Athlete and Nonathlets College Students Bodhisattwa Pradhan Ph. D. Scholar, Department of Physical Education, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, West Bengal, E-mail: [email protected] & Dr. Pradipta Kumar Giri Assistant Teacher, Kamrabad Uchcha Vidyalaya, Sonarpur, Kolkata, West Bengal E-mail: [email protected] & Prof. S. Bhowmick Professor (Retd.), Department of Physical Education, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, West Bengal, E-mail: [email protected] & Prof. K. Banerjee Professor, Department of Physical Education, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, West Bengal, E-mail: [email protected]

ABSTRACT Health and physical fitness played a vital role in the life of Man for his every day activity .The progress of a nation lies in the hands of the people, who are healthy and physically fit. Every individual should develop physical fitness for a happy and effective daily living. The purpose of the present study was to know the health related physical fitness between athletes and non- athletes and to compare the health related physical fitness status between athletes and non- athletes in Mugbria Gangadhar Mahavidyalaya. The study was conducted on sixty (60) subjects. The subject were selected at randomly, among them thirty (30) are athletes and other thirty (30) are non athletes. The athletes are selected from B. P. Ed section and non athletes from General Degree Course. Selected parameters such as Sit &Reach, Harvard step test., Hand grip strength, Bent knee sit ups are measured. The mean and SD were calculated as descriptive statistics, paired sample t test was computed to find out a comparative study. Result revealed that the height of non – athletes having better height than athletes. The athletes have better flexibility than nonathletes and the muscular endurance of the athletes have better than of non-athletes.

Key Words: Health Related Fitness, Athlete and Non Athletes Introduction Health and physical fitness have played a vital role in the life of men from time immemorial. The progress of the Nation lies in the hands of the people, who are healthy and physically fit. Every individual should develop physical fitness for a happy and effective living. In order to get physical fitness one has to involve in physical activities. Physical activity is essential for the development of wholesome personality of a child this would depend upon the opportunities provided for wholesome development of the mental, physical, social and spiritual aspects. Hence a well organized and properly administered physical education program for college students is very essential. Physical activity throughout the ages has been acclaimed for health and recreation. It provided fun and enjoyment. It also provide youthful exuberance and the elderly care. Physical activity and movements are as old as human existence. It played numerous roles from struggle for existence to struggle for excellence. A

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sport is an activity in our lives where pursuits of different movement achieved through the total investigation of Neuro muscular co-ordination. Now days, Low levels of physical activity are a global health concern for all children. In this modern era, we can see that each and every individual directly or indirectly related to sports. Modern Physical Education commonly known as there is sports where pursuit of discipline freely formed such as biological, social and physical sciences. Over decades, the society in general has realized the need for keeping fit and health through organized physical activity program. Scientific evidence has made with a clear and that unless man engages himself in organized vigorous physical activity program. The real benefits would not come. Many researchers strongly support the regular exercises helps one to keep a strong and healthy and to prevent cardio vascular diseases. Physically fit person, heart beats at a lower rate and pumps more blood per beat at rest. As a result of regular exercises and individual’s capacity to use oxygen is increased systematically energy production depends on internal chemical or metabolic change. Health, Fitness and performance are poorly correlated phenomena. Health is generally defined as the freedom from disease, fitness strictly relates to a man’s ability to meet the demands of his environment and excellence in performance. Every individual must know the importance of physical fitness. In other words, one must have a fundamental knowledge of anatomy and physiology. This fundamental knowledge enables person to understand physical fitness. Physical fitness is the capacity of a person to function steadily and smoothly when a situation arises. Physical fitness makes you feel mentally sharper, physically comfortable and more with your body and better able to cope with the demands that every day life makes upon you. The benefits of physical fitness are numerous. The person who is physically fit has greater amount of strength, energy and stamina an improved sense of well being better protection from injury because strong well developed muscles safeguard bones, internal organs and joints and keep moving parts limbers and improved cardio respiratory function. It is necessary for every individual to be physically fit to perform their daily work with ease and to take part in various activities effectively. Every one should be fit enough through participation in physical activities to develop the different physical fitness components. Physical fitness is a general concept, defined in many ways by differing scientists. Here two major categories are considered: general fitness (a state of health and well-being), and specific fitness (a task-oriented definition based on the ability to perform specific aspects of sports or occupations). Physical fitness is generally achieved through correct nutrition, exercise, hygiene and rest. Health-related physical fitness is defined as the fitness related to some aspect of health. This type of physical fitness is primarily influenced by an individual’s exercise habits; thus, it is a dynamic state and may change. Physical characteristics that constitute health-related physical fitness include strength and endurance of skeletal muscles, joint flexibility, body composition, and cardio respiratory endurance. All these attributes change in response to appropriate physical conditioning programs, and all are related to health. Materials and Method For the purpose of the present study thirty (N1=30) athlete and thirty (N2=30) non athletes were randomly selected from Mugberia Gangadhar Mahavidyalaya. Among them athletes are Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal

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from B. P. Ed section and non athletes from General Degree Course respectively. The subject’s age was ranged from 20-25 years. The subject was asked to perform different aspect of test accordingly such as flexibility; cardiovascular endurance, hand grip strength test and sit up test were taken accordingly. After collecting the data Mean and SD was calculated as descriptive statistics and paired sample t test was computed to find out a comparative study on selected health related physical fitness between athletes and non athletes. Results and Discussion Table I represents the mean height of the athletes and non athletes. Analyzing the data it appears that the average height of the athletes was found higher than that of the non athletes. Table I - Height (cm) of the Athlete and Non-athlete Group Athlete Non-athlete

Mean 166.19 167.19

S.D 6.32 4.65

Table II - Weight (kg) of the Athlete and Non-athlete Group Athlete Non-athlete

Mean 58.51 59.91

S.D 7.4 6.99

Table II shows the mean body weight between athletes and non-athletes. From the above table it appears that the mean body weight of the non athletes is slightly higher than of the athletes. This difference may be the non athletes are abstaining from the regular physical activity. Table III – Mean, SD and ‘t’ values of Flexibility (inches) between Athlete and Non-athlete

Group Mean Athlete 18.22 Non16.69 athlete *Significant at 0.05 level

S.D 2.23 2.25

‘t’ 2.590*

20 15 Athletes

10

Non-Athletes

5 0 Mean

SD

Fig. 1 Mean and SD of Flexibility Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal

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Table III shows the mean performance in flexibility of athletes and non-athletes. Analyzing the data it appears that the mean performance in flexibility of the athletes found more in comparison to non-athletes and the difference was found to be ‘t’ = 2.59 which was statistically significant at 0.05 level of confidence. Table IV – Mean, SD and ‘t’ values of PEI between Athletes & Non athletes Group PEI Athlete Non athlete *Significant at 0.05 level

Mean 89.67 84.57

S.D 8.82 6.87

‘t’ 2.563*

Fig. 2 Mean and SD of Physical Efficiency Index It was observed from the Table IV that the physical efficiency index reflecting cardiovascular endurance of the athletes found better than non- athletes. Analyzing the data it appears that the significant difference between the groups was found to be ‘t’ = 2.563 which was statistically significant at 0.05 level of confidence. This difference exists due to regular participation of routine physical activity as a part of course curriculum. Table V - Mean, SD and ‘t’ of Hand grip strength (kg) between Athlete and Non-athlete Group Athlete Non-athlete

Mean 19.51 18.94

S.D 3.47 3.82

‘t’ .633

20 15 Athletes

10

Non-Athletes

5 0

Mean

SD

Fig.3 Mean and SD of Hand Grip Strength


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From the Table V it appears that the hand grip strength of the athletes is better than of non-athletes. The difference between groups was found to be ‘t’ = 0.633 which was insignificant. It may be due to the participation of the subjects in laborious physical activity in agriculture sector for their lively hood as more or less all the students are from rural backgrounds. Conclusion Within the limitations of the study and on the basis of result it may be concluded that, the non athletes are taller than the athletes. The athletes having lighter body weight in comparison to non athletes. It has been shown that the athletes have the better flexibility than non athletes. The study also reveals that the athletes have better cardiovascular endurance than non athletes; the athletes have better hand grip strength than non athletes. References Books        

Ajmer Singh et.alo. (2006). Essential of Physical Education, Daruyaganj, New Delhi, P.275. Barrow HM and McGee RM. (1982). Practical Approach to Measurement in Physical Education, (3rd ed), Delhi, Surjeet Publications, P. 75 Bucher C.A, and .Wast D.A, Foundations of Physical Education and Sports Saint Louis, Mosby College Publishing, P.188. Bandura A. (1997)- Self-efficacv: The exercise of control. New York: W. H. Freeman. Desiree B. Maltais (2014) D.K.Kansal, A practical approach to test measurement and evaluation publication Sidhu LS and Grewal R (1984) Effect of hard training on cardio-vascular system of Indian women hockey players. J. Sports Med. Phy. Fitness. 24(1), 34-40. Uppal, AK, (2004). Physical Fitness and Wellness, Friends Publications, New Delhi. P. 3.

Internet  Sodhganga.com


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Ampri: The valley of Dead Studying three Ballads of the Karbis of Kamrup (M) District, Assam Utpal Baishya Assistant Professor, Department of Folklore, Dimoria College, Khetri, Kamrup (M), Assam. E-mail: [email protected]. & Dr. Debalina Debnath Assistant professor, Department of Folklore, University of Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal.Email:[email protected] ABSTRACT The Karbis are one of the most prominent plain tribe of Kamrup (M) district Assam. They have very rich oral tradition and colourful culture. Ampri is a small tributary of the Mighty river Brahmaputra, bordering present Assam and Meghalaya. In both the sides of this Ampri tributary Karbi people are living since generations, hence various oral traditions like legends, ballads, songs, and tales are centering on this Ampri tributary. Three ballads namely the ‘Mormai Bangthe’, ‘Kongkat Bangthe’ and ‘Thelunongplang’ tells about the unique technique of Gorila warfare, bloodshed of Ampri valley and extreme radical beliefs and brutal action of king (Bangthe) ‘Maralu Barkang’. On the other hand, these ballads give us some hint about the Socio-economic, socio-political conditions of the Karbi people in this area. Primary data have been collected from different areas of Dimoria.

Key Words: Karbi, Ampri, Ballads, Bangthai Mormai, Kongkat, Thelunongplang, Dimoria

Introduction: The Karbi is one of the most prominent ethnic groups of Assam. The basic concentration of this population is in lower-middle part of Assam including Karbi-Anglong. Like the most other ethnic population of Assam, Karbis are rich in their oral literature. Regarding the origin and migration of Karbis of Assam, history is quite silent. One has to depend on their myth, legend and other sources of folk literature to access their history. Racially the Karbis belong to the Mongoloid group and linguistically they belong to the Tibeto-Burman group. With a population of around 4 lacs 60 thousands as per 2001 Census, the Karbis constitutes the third largest tribal community in Assam after the Bodos and the Mishings. History is quite silent regarding the origin of the Karbis in Assam. One has to depend on myth, legend and other oral sources to guess their original abode. Like the Stack and Lyall says “the tradition of the race point to the eastern portion of the Khasi and Jayantiya hills, bordering on the Kapili River as their original abode. (The Mikir). Various Myths, legend are current regarding the originality of the Karbi. According to these sources South-east Asia is their original homeland and scholar also supported this view. It is assumed that from the foothill region of Himalaya the (Mikir) or the Karbis migrated to different region of Assam and settled down. From the point of habitation, the Karbis are divided into three groups, namely Chinthong, Ronghang and Amri. Those who live in the plains district are called Dumrali and Tholua by the Assamese. (Tribes of Assam-I, 1987, pp55). These Dumrali Karbis are living in Kamrup district since long past. Although historical records are very scanty regarding the settlement of Karbis in plain, few writings advocate the presence of Dumrali Karbis since time immemorial. Waddle in his book ‘The tribes of the Brahmaputra Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal

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valley’ (1901) opined that due to brutality of the Kachari king many Karbi people fled to the bank of Kapili and Dhansiri river. S.C Lyall in his book ‘The Karbis’ (Reprint 1997) opined that this fourth section Dumrali settled in present Kamrup (M) and Morigaon districts. However, there are plenty of oral sources in support of the Karbis migration to plain region. According to one legend, due to repeated violence and torture, a group of Karbi people under the leadership of Kleng Mekar pe, Tumung fuchang pe and Behal Be po fled way towards west and by crossing the Kiling and Kapili river entered into Kamrup District. It is also said that near present Khetri, on the foot hill region of Englong Me- kar- Pe (Dhoumara pahar/ hill) they settled for the first time in Kamrup district. A karbi song says------Englong Me- kar- Pe longjan Asan Aakuri Aafan Pirthe Akiye puchi Dumura Adak Kishang II Meaning: In the area of Englong Me- kar- Pe, to create a new world for Karbi people they settled in Dumra. These Dumrali Karbi who settled in Kamrup district are the descendent of other three groups namely Chinthong, Ronghang and Amri. But due to geographical isolation and assimilation with the other people, one can now easily observe the differences between Dumrali and other three groups. Now this Dumrali Karbis have their own language, literature, customs, rites and rituals, food habits, dress and ornaments and so on with local flavour. The Karbi people living in Kamrup(M) district or the Dumrali Karbis are very rich in their oral sources. They have innumerable number of folksongs, ballads, tales and legends. Retkinung Alun or Aar-Kura Git (songs associated with Jhum cultivation) is the life line of Dumrali Karbi. Everything of a Karbi society is reflected in Retkinong Alun. Someone says ‘Aar kurat ji nai, karbi samajat sai nai.” Meaning: The subject not included in Aar-kura songs, has not been found in Karbi society. Materials and Methods: In this present paper an attempt has been made to study three ballads of Karbi, that are current in Dimoria area of Kamrup(M) district of Assam. All these three ballads namely ‘Mormai Bangthe’, ‘Kongkat Bangthe’ and ‘Thelunongplang’ are legendary and associated with the Ampri tributary of present Assam –Meghalaya border. Although these three ballads donot have any direct connection to each other, all of these three tell about the conspiracy and brutality of Mormai Bangthe ( Mormai king) for the sake of power and politics. These three ballads were sung to me by Mr. Luit Rahang, one active tradition bearer, aged about 82 years from Dakhinbam village. For this present study, materials has been collected through extensive fieldwork in different parts of present Dimoria area like Dakhin Bam, Nihang Diksak, Teteliguri, chukuripara etc. I have used various methods of data collection like Direct observation methods, interview methods (Both directive and non-directive) and Audio-visual methods.


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Moreover in data analysis I have used the comparative methods and historical-geographical methods. Result and Discussion: The center of discussion for the present paper is the Ampri valley. Ampri is a tributary of Mighty River Brahmaputra and a branch of River Digaru, flows on the foothill region of Englong Me- kar- Pe (Dhoumara pahar/ hill). On both the sides of Ampri tributary, Karbi people are living since generations. In one part of Ri-bhoi district of present Meghalaya, situated on the southern part of Ampri valley, and in various places like Sonapur, Khetri, Panbari, Chandrapur, Beltola, in the northern part, descendent of Dumrali Karbis are still living. After settling down in this area, they established their kingdom as Dimorua Longri (Country of Dumura Recho/ King). Entire area of the kingdom are divided into nine (9) councils and each council was headed by a Bangthe (village head). Rajendra Tumung in his article “ Dimoriar karbi janagusthi aru Astitar Sankat” writes that, These nine councils are 1. Khamar 2. Kiling 3. Kachamala (cenimur) 4. Mormai 5. Bacharang 6. Kalangpur 7. Tikira 8. Tentela 9. Burchi. According to oral sources among those nine Bangthe, Mormai Bangthe was very ambitious and wants to be the only king of Ampri valley. His name was Maralu Borkong and the Mormai kingdom was situated on the southern part of Ampri valley. He was such a cruel king that to ignite fear among the general people of other council, brutally murdered lots of innocent people. One of such act of terror and conspiracy is reflected in one ballad. The ballad goes like this-----Aio lake nale barcharang aarang Raung damaung heng ghe oung Barbachane ka-hal chali hai II Langhe wade oi hai wade bau langhe Wade oi hai aa Wade lang hai aru hai hai II Aio lake hanjarpi ahi chapen Hanjarpi ahi chapen Aio lake na-natuwa lang dam nang II Aio lake monikpur langklam langklam Therepane barkongr pake Deuljatra chan che do chali hai Langhe wade oi hai wade bau langhe Wade oi hai aa Wade lang hai aru hai hai II Da-dumura lungle para Gahanchakura wang wan da Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal

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Na-natuwa lang dam nang na Aio lake hanjarpi ahi pen Hanjar cho ahi pene Na-natuwa lang dam jar bang II Langhe wade oi hai wade bau langhe Wade oi hai aa Wade lang hai aru hai hai. II Aio lake monikpur langklam langklam Therepane barkongr pake Ulang-gor chan che jar bang II Langhe wade oi hai wade bau langhe Wade oi hai aa Wade lang hai aru hai hai II Aio lake monikpur langklam langklam Lupulpul kacharang II Aio lake monikpur langklam langklam Deuljatra chan che da ma Ulang gor khaji do he II Langhe wade oi hai wade bau langhe Wade oi hai aa Wade lang hai aru hai hai. II Aio lake hakmarjong ahi tene Hakmarjong ape tene Deuljatra lang dam nam chali hoi II Langhe wade oi hai wade bau langhe Wade oi hai aa Wade lang hai aru hai hai. II Contextual Meaning: Maralu Borkong the king of Mormai kingdom once announces that he is going to organize a dance function in his capital Manikpur on the occasion of DeulJatra. The famous dancers from the nearby kingdom like Khoiram, Dimoria, are invited. Everyone would be allowed to enjoy this function freely, especially the plain dwellers of Dimoria kingdom. Further he announces that everyone will be offered with lupulpul kacharang (cigarette prepared with tree leave containing high quality nicotine). Although he made an attractive advertisement for his propose dance function, he had some hidden agenda and planned a good trap to kill the plain dwellers.


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On the day of function lots of people from plain came to Manikpur. They were warmly welcomed, offered lupulpul kacharang and headed towards the function area which was on a high territory. People were very happy by discussing about the dance and enjoying the lupulpul kacharang. No one ever thought of anything else. On the other hand, Maralu Borkong prepared a ‘Ulangor’(kind of bamboo squeezer) on the way to the dance function. It was prepared by the Bana- bah (jungle bamboo) in such a way that when they use, it hurts human in their chest and waist. It looks like the barricade. He made two ‘Ulangor’, one for male and the other was for female. When hundreds of people entered into the ‘Ulangor’, shoulders of Maralu Borkongn use it and killed hundreds of people. People were running here and there. Everywhere on the air of Manikpur were people’s crying. But cruel Maralu Borkongn enjoyed this brutality. After few days when people did not return to their original home, few people came to Manikpur in disguise to check what had happen to them. When they came to know about the brutality of Maralu Borkongn they sung the above ballad. Ballad –II Kongkat Banghte Aio-lake Kongkat Bangthe aruwe apo Lang chulu pang aee aee Lang chulu pang ei ei la II Aio lake malvug fuok akimenpen Chang cirik paruwe lo ma Kongkat bangthe aruwe apo II Aio lake langhe baoi wade lang hari hoi Lang hai hai II Aio lake amchiri lang bang chi ma Lang chul pang ei ei lo I Aio lake darangkun along le chi Nang pe nari nang ki thee Nangchu nanglu nang ki thi loo II Langhe baoi wade Lang hari hoi lang hai hai II Aio lake tikira recho pachi Upe uthe ki damchi Shenudangke paku du loo II Langhe baoi wade Lang hari hoi lang hai hai I Kangkat bangthe aru apo Lang chulu pang e- e tene Lang chulu pang a-a la I Langhe baoi wade Lang hari hoi lang hai hai II Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal

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Contextual Meaning: This ballad speaks about the sudden attack of Mormai King on his neighbour counterpart Kankat Kingdom. It tells about the pitiless act of Maralu Borkongn, agony of general people and showcase how the kongkat kingdom shifted from northern part of Ampri valley to Darangkun. Karbis of Dimoria perform various rites and rituals for their community wellbeing. Karbi Dehal Kachirdom is one of such important community function where they worship Lord Shiv annually in the month of February (Fagun). Birkilut is another ritual performs by Dumrali karbi. Birkilut (Ganga bath) is a purification function observes by Dumrali Karbi before any major event. It is also observe in personal level. This year kongkat bangthai wishes to organize the Dehal Kachirdom on a grand way, for which they were observing the Birkilut at Ampri tributary. Whole villagers, whether young boys and girls, senior citizen were present there with their king. Suddenly they show that huge fire rising from their villages. They just tried to move to their villages, and show that the shoulders of Mormai Kingdom are coming to attack them. They killed hundreds of people. Deliberately destroyed the property of Kongkat Kingdom. Few of them with their king fled way with their traditional drum (Dhul, Kali), which they treated as the object of god. They reached in a place called Darangkun, near Present Khetri. They found a big tree cave near a water cascade where they escaped themselves. They were so afraid of that they stayed there for a long time even without having cloth to wear, food to eat. Spring season arrived. Tikira Recho (King of Tikira) once discovered these naked people, trying hard to feed themselves with tree leave, earth potato, when he was hunting in this region. Then he came to know that these people are coming from Amri valley, who were thrown way by the Mormai king. From that day this place is also known as Langta gug ( place of naked people). Tikira Recho then rescued Kongkat Bangthai and offered him a new place to establish his kingdom. Ballad –III Thelunangphlang Aio lake thelunangphlang thawang thawang Nang kamai cham frudang Aio lake nang nu che nok beng thelu Nakcheng wang pung frang frang II Oi nang arfi warel thelu Pati mit okren ben Pati mit okren ben patike okten ben II thelunangphlang thawang thawang kamai cham frudang wa he nang arfi warel thelu Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal

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Nakcheng wang pung frang frang II Oi nang arfi warel thelu Pati mit ok tan ben Pati mit ok ten ben Patike okren ben II Contextual Meaning: As it has been mentioned earlier Mormai King Maralu Borkongn was a very ambitious king. To fulfill his ambition he became very cruel. After conquering kongkat Kingdom, he made a long standing plane of cheating to acquire his neighbour khasi Kingdom Nongphlang. King Nongphlang was very powerful in his army. Therefore Maralu Borkongn avoids direct fighting and planed to acquire Khasi kingdom through cheating. Once he went to Nongphlang with a proposal of marriage of his son to Nongphlang’s daughter. He said, I have played a lot with the blood of neighbouring people. Therefore no more blood shedding. We should bond up with a family tie. As Khasi is a matrilineal society my son will stay at your kingdom for three years, and after three years we will come and organize the Harhak (Karbi Marriage) and bring back my son and his family to my kingdom. Nangphlang also agreed as he had his young daughter eligible for marriage. After completion of three years king Borkong fixed the date of his son Harhak (Marriage). In the meantime Borkong had his granddaughter and to look after her he appointed a Bokali (nurse). On that fixed date Borkong went to Nongphlang Kingdom with his trained soldiers. More than the marriage of his son, he had something different in his mind. On the other hand from the Nongphlang end everyone was busy in their respective work for marriage. But the Bokali sensed it very clearly that something going to be wrong. She sung a lullaby in Karbi , which Nongphlang did not understand. “Beware Mr. Thelunongphlang, do not be so excited. You may not be successful in this marriage as king Borkong and his soldiers are well prepared and they silently kept their Nok (sword) on the bamboo wall of your house. The Borkong’s son also accompanied his father in conspiracy. He said to his father in law that from today I will go from your state; therefore give me a chance to serve you. Then he combed his father in laws long hair and silently tied it in a post. Nangphlang had a god gifted sword with magical power, which he kept safely on the ceiling of his house so that no one can touch it. Borkong’s son wrapped that sword seven times very tightly with cane. When Nongphlang’s daughter started serving Hor (traditional liquor) to her guest then suddenly her father in law beheaded her. When her father came to know, he tried to stand up quickly and his hairs were plucked as it was tied up in knots. Yet in this pathetic condition he pulled his sword. He unfolds the four wrap at once. He attempted the second time, but till then Mormai Soldier entered in his room and killed him. Conclusion: Three ballads that are discussed above although don’t have any direct relation with each other, all three are associated with Ampri valley and Mormai Bangthe (King) Maralu Borkongn. These three ballads show extreme radical believe and brutal action. Through depth analysis and interpretation of these three ballads one can easily access the political structure, socio-economic condition of the Karbis in Kamrup (M) district Assam. But at the same time Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal

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it is matter of deep concern that the age old active tradition bearer are dying day by day and the new generation are not very much interested in their valued tradition. Due to impact of modernization and globalization the world become very small and life of the people are very fast. Even in the remote corner, people are running after technological advancement by ignoring their root. Therefore, it is high to time to preserve those precious verbal documents by collecting in its original state, and then only it will be possible to interpret those sources. Informants:  Boro, Suveswar, 81, Kulajari  Kalita, J.C, 67, Maloibari  Rahang, Luit 82, Dakhinbam  Tumung, Rajendra, 53, Maheswar  Teron, Suren, 65, Nihang Dikchak References:  Bordoloi, B.N (1987): Tribes of Assam part-I, Guwahati Tribal Research institute. Government of Assam  Bordoloi, Manas Jyoti (2013): Settlement of the Karbis in the plains: its historical context. Journal “paribartan”, Dimoria Tribal Sangha  Kathar, Dayaram (2014) : Dumrali Karbi Loka Sanskriti,Waram Publication, Guwahati.  Kalita, J.C (2004): Karbi Loka Sahitya, Dimoria College Publication  Lyall, S.C (Reprint 1997): The Karbis, Spectrum Publication, Guwahati.  Tumang, Rajendra (2013) : Ulangor, Rajendra Publication


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Financial Inclusion in India: A Way of Rural Socio-Economic Development. Dr. Santanu Das Assistant Professor, Department of Commerce., Srikrishna College, Bagula, Nadia, West Bengal-741502, E-mail:[email protected] ABSTRACT Financial Inclusion is the process of ensuring the access of financial services to the weaker sections and low income groups at an affordable cost. It is the universal access to a wide range of financial services at a reasonable cost. It refers both the place and pattern of growth, which are very much interlinked. It focuses on productive employment rather than on direct income redistribution. It should be broad-based across sectors and it should also be inclusive of large part of the country’s labors force. According to this concept inclusiveness refers to equality of opportunity in terms of access to markets, resources and unbiased regulatory environment for business and individuals Financial Inclusion is a way to achieve “Inclusive Growth” in national economy. Inclusive Growth generally refers to equality of opportunity in terms of access to markets, resources and unbiased regularatory environment for business and individuals. It can be characterized as a broad-based growth that includes non-discriminatory participation. It also focuses on people who belong to below poverty line. This article analyze and discuss with various important factors significant for achieving ‘Inclusive Growth’ like Agriculture, Poverty reduction and employment generation, Social sector development, Regional disparities and Environmental development etc. through the way of “Financial Inclusion”. The paper concludes that it is more challenging for any developing country like India to achieve inclusive growth than getting 7 to 10 percent growth in GDP.

Key Words: Inclusive Growth, Broad Based Growth, Developing Countries, Agriculture, Poverty Reduction, Employment Generation, Social Sector development, Regional disparities, Environmental development. “Poverty is the worst form of violence” - Mahatma Gandhi “If the misery of the poor be caused not by the laws of nature, but by Our institution, great is our sin” - Charles Darwin 01 Introduction: Financial Inclusion is the process of ensuring the access of financial services to the weaker sections and low income groups at an affordable cost. It is the universal access to a wide range of financial services at a reasonable cost. Financial Inclusion is way to achieve “Inclusive Growth” in the national economy. The term inclusive growth may be defined as a system that allows people to contribute and benefit from economic growth. It refers both the place and pattern of growth, which are very much interlinked. It focuses on productive employment rather than on direct income redistribution. It should be broad-based across sectors and it should also be inclusive of large part of the country’s labors force. According to this concept inclusive ness refers to equality of opportunity in terms of access to markets, resources and unbiased regulatory environment for business and individuals.


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Therefore, Inclusive Growth is a concept which advances equitable opportunities for economic Participants during the process of economic growth with benefits incurred by every section of Society. Making growth more inclusive and addressing widespread poverty is a key challenge for India in this century. Inclusive growth is a political, social and economic necessity in our Country now a day. So there is a need to have a broad based and inclusive growth to benefit all sections of society and progress economic growth. It is more challenging for any developing country to achieve inclusive growth than getting 7 to 10percent growth in GDP. There are strong social, economic and political reasons for achieving broader and inclusive growth: 

Socially, lack of inclusive growth leads to unrest among many people.



The economic argument is that the measures which raise equality also promote economic growth



The political argument is that no government in a democracy can afford to ignore large sections of workers and non-working population.

Thus, socially, politically, and economically it can argue that having a stable and democratic society country needs to have inclusive growth. Objectives: 1. To explore the need and significance of financial Inclusion through Inclusive Growth for economic and social development of society. 2. To analyze the current status of Financial Inclusion and the affectivity of Inclusive growth in India. Background: As the majority of rural people are still not included in Inclusive Growth, the concept of Financial Inclusion becomes a challenge for the Indian economy. Since 2005 many concerted measures are initiated by RBI and the govt. of India in favor of Financial Inclusion but the impact of these did not yield satisfactory results. Govt. of India (2008) examined Financial Inclusion a delivery mechanism providing financial services at an affordable cost to the vast sections of the disadvantage and low income groups. Kamath (2008) attempted to understand the impact of Micro Finance Institution (MFI) on daily household cash floes by analyzing cash inflow and cash outflow patterns of borrowers of MFI and comparing with non MFI household. Development Research Project (2013) attempted to understand the finance need of poor in long term and short term by exploring how surplus fund is used to meet short term, long term and emergency requirements to develop strategies for financial inclusion and designing. CRISIL (2013) measured the extant of financial inclusion in India in the form of an index. It makes use of the non monetary aggregates for calculating financial inclusion. CRISIL gave ground level information regarding the progress of financial inclusion in the country’s rural and also urban areas. RBI (2014) focused on the provision of financial services to the small business and low income house hold. RBI (2014b) presented a report to study various challenges and evaluate alternatives in the domain of technology that can help large scale expansion of mobile banking across the country. Despite concerted efforts by the Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal

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government, RBI and NABARD, issues related to financial inclusion need to be looked at more carefully in order to address the several significant issues especially at micro level. 02. Significant Factors for Financial Inclusion: These are the important factors for Financial Inclusion in India: 

Agriculture.



Poverty Reduction & Employment Generation.



Social Sector Development.



Regional Disparities.



Environmental Development

Agriculture: The most important element of inclusive growth in India is agriculture. It is the largest economic sector of most of the developing countries like India and plays a significant role in the overall socio economic development of the nation .According to World Bank ‘India country overview 2008’-Slow agricultural growth is a concerned for policy makers as some two thirds of Indian people depend on rural employment for living. Current agricultural practices are neither economically nor are environmentally neither sustainable nor Indian yields for many agricultural commodities low. Poorly maintained irrigation system and almost universal lack of good extension service are among the factors responsible. Farmers’ access to markets is hampered by poor roads, market infrastructure and excessive regulation. Due to the above mentioned facts deterioration in growth from 3.5% during 1981-1997 to 2% during 1997-2005. But according to commission for agricultural cost and prices, government of India, for balanced inclusive growth India has to achieve 4% growth in agriculture by increasing productivity, diversification of agricultural products, focusing on small and marginal farmers and environmental concerns. Poverty Reduction Employment Generation: Below poverty line is an economic benchmark used by government of India to identify individuals and households who need government assistance and aid. It is determined using various parameters, which vary, from state to state and within states. The planning commission fixed an upper limit of 3.26 lakhs rural BPL families. in 10th 5 years plan BPL for urban areas was based on degree of deprivation in respect of seven parameters:- Roof, Floor, Water, Sanitation, Educational level, Type of employment and Status of children in house. The concept of inclusive growth is used for poverty reduction by spreading the benefits of economic development to all section of people throughout the country. World bank estimates 42% below $1.25 poverty line. Asian development bank 65% with $ 1.35 poverty line. India’s 80% poor are from rural areas and it is concentrated among agricultural labours, casual workers, and schedule cast and schedule tribe. Therefore planned and controlled economic growth is required for solving the unemployment problem. Recently the UPA government is come up with rural employment guarantee programme which aims to provide minimum days of employment to people living in the village. Emphasis has to be Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal

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given on creation of opportunities for self-employment. So without solving this basic problem the objective of inclusive growth can never be achieved in India. Social Sector Development: India ranks 127 out of 170 countries in human development index. The social sector development is a major activity which is undertaken by government. Development and utilization of human resources and the improvement in the overall quality of living of the people are the prime objective of every nation. If people are healthy educated and adequately skilled, they can participate fully and contribute more to economic development process. The government of India performs and discharges a number of duties and functions for human development. The expenditure of India government has grown at a significant 20% per annum in post reforms period (public finance statistics by Government of India).1Therefore, unless and until social sector development has not been done the objective of inclusive growth in India not achieved. Regional Disparities: In India, a regional imbalance has been found as a most crucial problem before policy makers and planners. World Bank (2006) in its report entitled “India inclusive growth and service delivery: Building of Indian success” has observed sharp differentiation access state since early 90’s reflects acceleration in growth in some states but deceleration in others. The World Bank (2008) again in its release “the growth report strategies sustain growth and inclusive development” has mentioned that disparity in income distribution in India has risen during 1993-2005. The 13 finance commission, government of India (2010-2015) should assign due weightage to this factor in its scheme of devolution of taxes/ grants for states such that interstate economic disparities may be rectified effectively. Environmental Development: The last but not the least element of Indian inclusive growth is environmental development. Environmental aspect plays a vital role for overall socio economic development of any country. For the last two decades, climate change is a major environmental problem foe economic growth in India. Unplanned industrial developments increase the pollution level, which have a negative impact of all the elements of inclusive growth. 03. Indicators of Financial Inclusion: The Government of India and the Reserve Bank of India have been making concerted efforts to promote financial inclusion as one of the important national objectives of the country. Some of the major efforts made in the last five decades include – nationalization of bank, building up of robust branch network of scheduled commercial banks, co-operatives and regional rural banks, formation of self-help groups, zero balance BSBD accounts etc. The fundamental objective of all these initiatives is to reach the large sections of hitherto financial excluded Indian population. Government of India Population Census 2011: As per Census 2011, only 58.7% of households are availing banking services in the country. However, as compared with previous census 2001, availing of banking services increased significantly largely on account of increase in banking service in rural areas. Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal

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CRISIL Financial Inclusion Index (Inclusix):  In June 2013, CRISIL first time published a comprehensive financial inclusion index. For constructing the index CRISIL identified three critical parameters of basic banking services namely branch penetration, deposit penetration and credit penetration.  The CRISIL Inclusix Indicate that there is an overall improvement in the financial inclusion in India.  CRISIL- Inclusix (on a scale of 100) increased from 35.4 in March 2009 to 37.6 in March 2010 and to 40.1 in March 2011.  Sadhan Kumar ( RBI Working Paper Series:8/2011) worked out an Index of Financial Inclusion(IFI) based on three variables namely penetration(number of adults having bank account), availability of banking services(number of bank branches per 1000 population) and usage(measured as outstanding credit and deposit). The result indicate that Kerala, Maharastra and Karnataka has achieved high financial inclusion (IFI>0.5), while Tamil Nadu, Panjab, A.P, H.P, Sikkim and Hariyana identified as a group of medium financial inclusion(0.30.05) at 0.05 level of significance. It showed that the mean of ICT score of Government and Private schools was same.


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Table 2: The t-value for the significance of difference between the mean of ICT scores of Government and Private school Government (n=300) ICT

Mean 115.2

SD 8.8

Private (n=300) Mean 115.0

SD 9.1

t value 0.26

It was revealed that Mean and SD value of ICT scores of Government are 115.2 and 8.8 & 115.0 and 9.1 for Private school. The t value for mean difference was 0.26 which shows no significance between Government and Private school. It was evident from the table that Mean and SD value of ICT with scores of Government are 115.2 and 8.8 & 115.0 and 9.1 for Private school. The t value for mean difference was 0.26 which shows no significance between Government and Private school. Table 3: F -value for the significance of difference among streams for the ICT scores of Government & Private school

ICT

Stream

N

Mean

SD

Std. Error

Language

208

115.7

10.2

0.7

Science/Math

210

114.6

8.5

0.6

Social science

182

115.1

7.9

0.6

Total

600

115.1

8.9

0.4

F Value p value

0.74

0.50

It is evident from Table 3 that the mean and SD values for ICT scores of languages teacher were 115.7 and 10.2, 114.6 & 8.5 for Science/Math teacher and 115.1 and 7.9 for Social Science teacher of Government and Private schools. F value among stream was observed 0.74 which found to be non significant at 0.05 level of significance. The result indicated that ICT scores were same in all streams of the both schools. Figure - 1: Interactional graph between school and stream for ICT score of senior secondary school teacher


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Findings of the study 1. There is no significant difference between Government and Private secondary school teachers with respect to information and communication technology The results indicate that attitude towards information and communication technology of teachers of both schools are same. 2. As clearly revealed from mean and SD value of attitude towards information and communication technology which is 115.2 and 8.8 for government secondary school teachers and 115.0 and 9.1 for private secondary school teachers. The t-value for mean difference was 0.26 which shows no significant difference between attitude of teachers towards information and communication technology in government and private schools. 3. There is no significant difference between the secondary school teachers of different academic streams i.e. languages, science/mathematics and social sciences with regard to their attitude towards information and communication technology. Both have almost same opinion for technology usage in the teaching learning process. 4. The study indicates that there is no significant interaction between the school type and the academic streams of secondary school teachers with regard to their attitude towards information and communication technology. Conclusion The introduction of information and communication technology in classrooms has offered new insights into the roles of teachers in promoting learning. It can stimulate teachers to think about the processes of learning, whether through a fresh study of their own subject or a fresh perspective on student’s learning. It often dissolves the barrier between what students do and what teachers do. When teachers learn to use a new technology in their classrooms, they model the learning process for students; at the same time, they gain new insights on teaching by watching their students learn. Teachers should be encouraged to use information and communication technology more into their classroom situations for qualitative learning. References  Abas, Z.W. (1995) Attitudes towards using Computers among Malaysian Teacher Education Students. In J. D. Tinsley, and T. J. van Weert (Eds.), World Conference on Computers in Education VI: WCCE_ 95 liberating the learner, 153–162. London: Chapman & Hall.  Nancy, E. M. (2011) Uses and Attitudes toward Educational Technology among New Teachers in Urban Schools: A Correlational Study. Ph.D. Thesis, University Of Phoenix.  National Curriculum Framework. (2005). NCERT, New Delhi.  Van Ark, B., Inklaar, R., and McGuckin, R.H. (2003) ICT Productivity in Europe and the United States Where do the Differences Come From? CESifo Economic Studies. 49, 295-318.  www.indianexpress.com/news/govt-school-teachers-more--satisfied--private-ones--better-claims-pu-study,Retrieved 30/11/2011.  www.unescobkk.org/en/education/ict/ICT-in-education-projects/policy/policy-projectsdescription/ on 09/06/09. Main Site [www.unescobkk.org/education/ict].  Yashpal National Curriculum framework Committee (1992) Ministry of Human Resource Development. New Delhi: NCERT.  Youngman, M. And Harrison, C. (1998) Multimedia Portables For Teachers Pilot Project Report. Coventry: British Educational Communications and Technology Agency.  Available at: http://www.crito.uci.edu/tic/findings.html Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal

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Classification and Its Consequence Is Knowledge Jahar Biswas Ex-LIS Student, West Bengal, E-mail – [email protected] ABSTRACT Classification is an important determinate of knowledge. Classification is a proper arrangements of documents or books. Book is the container of knowledge. Classification means book classification. Book classification means knowledge classification is a method if it is possible in proper ways, all the documents will be utilized in proper ways i.e. sufficiently. Every book will be used; every reader will get the book in a proper time. Time will save. Then there will be a growth of the Library. Library will provide maximum service to the reader. All types of books children rare books fiction, Literature etc binding journals, periodicals, phonorecords according their size and subject all documents have to have to be shelved. Classification of subjects divides a collection into Micro groups of the basis of likeness and unlikeness, so reader or learner can pick up his on her book easily. Subject will have to be out for classifying books and other Library documents. Classification requires a helpful order. The aims of classification are to proper arrange of books on the shelves. Alphabetical Arrangements in the arrangements for serious study and for retrieval but where necessary by author or by title is also used for classification.

Introduction “Classification is a theory of the structure of knowledge and the principles of classification must, therefore, be based on an adequate understanding of the nature of knowledge, classification is not some part of ‘an external reality’ wanting to be discovered; it is an intellectual upon mental entities or concepts”. There are many things in this vast universe. Some-ones are known and some-ones are unknown. Each and every thing has some own identities. The ideas of a thing are known as knowledge. Especially familiarity of things is knowledge. Man has won this universe. Man is commanding every sphere of the universe. Every particles of nature is essential to lead a good life. In Ancient Periods In an ancient period there was no perfect classification of things, ideas, But though they also lead a life which was not systematic. During the period life was very hard and endurance. The aim of life in that period was to live. In lack of classification the life was full of dangers, uncertainty, nasty, poor and solitary. To overcome from this situation man struggles centuries by centuries. They comprehend the words sense, relationship, groups. In that very primitive era now and then they defeated. Their aims were not fulfill. Man being a social human being was the top intellectuals. Man has mind and wisdom but other animals also but these were as in the inferior sense. So man is called social animal, superior, civilized and also command of idea has captured the dominant position on this earth for a long struggle among the primitive animals. Man can think, express conserve and preserve with the help of intellectually wisdom and mind. Man can speak, write and also picture. Man continuously tries to know things its merits and demerits. They thought and want to know more about it. Life is full of activities as economical and non-economical. They engaged with the activity which was more favourable to lead a good life. Man works and Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal

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takes rest. They comprehend every work is repetitive. Life is also repetitive i.e. circulates on by one these works have to do within a short period. But have to mind that have to progress and develop the pattern of work within a certain period maintaining the sustainable development. They thought the spiral of development of new things or subject which were out of their boundary, gradually it is seen the division of works society is divided into several groups, to earn their lively hood i.e., hunting, fishing, cattle and gradually comes agriculture, mining, farming, Industry and goods and services. Things i.e., subjects are grown continuously with the increase in opportunities. In the field of education both academic and non academic subjects are increasing continuously. There are many subjects. It has different dimensions, witnessing and exponential rate among the classes of knowledge. Subject has arrays of classes, collateral arrays, and chain of classes. Economics Macro Economics Growth and Development (Econ) International Trade (Econ) Economical History (Econ) Population (Econ) Indian History (Econ) European History (Econ) Micro Economics (Econ) Statistical Economics (Econ) Mathematical Economics Econometrics Public Finance (Econ) Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal

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Circles the universe of knowledge repetitive circulation of works subject matter is increasing as micro subject. Economics is a vast sense in the arena of economics. It has many parts primarily in the secondary levels economics contains hundred marks. It has several chapters gradually when it university levels probably every chapter will be considered as one paper contains 100 marks. It has main two trends classical thinkers and Keynes thinker. It has macro based analysis and other hand micro based analysis. Economics deals with history in the Indian contexts Indian history of economics. There are several thinkers of population several thinker of population based on economics and on the other thinkers of agriculture, econometrics etc. Economics deals with trade, International trade. Economics contains accounting, National income accounting. It has liberal sides and also closed sides in the sense of import and export. It is familiar as social science and also semi-science. Economics acts with the help of higher mathematics as statistics and matrix and victors. So it indeed classification is essential to gain special knowledge. Economics relates with nature man, society and self humanities. In this field man and nature are related, Man and self humanities are another factors to do any work. Besides, man and society are also essential to perform an action or to gain any knowledge. Above all classification of knowledge began the day when the early man started to tell the name of a thing. There are infinite entities in the Universe which are still up-to unknown to us. Man’s motto is to know the unknown to see the unseen and to win the unbeaten. Consequently those which are unknown will become known in near future. Consequently, a model of classification has to take us. It should have infinite hospitality to provide freshly known entities in array and chains. Specially books, periodicals maps, sound, recording etc. are the main factors of knowledge these are have to classify to study, preserve, conserve and to develop and civilize man and society is essential. To classify any information, documents, theory it is essential to maintain chronological systematic arrangements. Classification means things i.e., subject or bookish classification with arrival of knowledge classification must come. So there is a proverb if there is no knowledge, there is no classification without document classification is not possible. When knowledge form and take shape of a information as documents i.e., book from then it creates certain additional characteristics in the universe of knowledge from all the involvements of idea the whole embodiments produced in a shape of book. Now the word classification is essential to fulfill the laws of library science. Classification is use comparatively in the broad field. It is not a practical approach. Its order of nature is rested. Document can be preserved. Document is a record of work on paper or other materials. Document should be fit for physical handling. Knowledge i.e., book or documents can be handwritten printed, typed means of communications (sound recording, photo graphic production). Classification should be historical which is oriented to every human society. Documents will be base on likeness. It should have a physical body of the documents. Sense, relationship, practice based on they, Ancient phase i.e., Vedic classification is based on Dharma (Religion), Artha (Economy) Karma (Work) Moksha (Salvation), Greek civilization is known as utility based classification. It has some factors i.e.,


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(i) Theoretical Philosophy (ii) Practical Philosophy (iii)Fine Art Theoretical Philosophy is one of elements of Greek civilization. Greek civilization deals with logic, Metaphysics, Mathematics and Physics, practical philosophy is another component of philosophical theory. It is classified into three subjects Ethics, political science and economics. Fine Art is the important factor by which it comes to know as productive art. Both applied science and useful art is used to advance and develop the Greek civilization through the classification. Baconian Classification Francis Bacon evolved the classification in 1561 – 1626. So it is known as Baconian classification has three classes vi 2 – Class – 1 – Class – 2 Class – 3 Class – I Historical aspect which is related with history and Geography. Class – II – Poetry i.e., Arts and literature is the second class of the Baconian classification id based on nature and spiritual power. Class – III – Philosophy is the factor of reason. (a) Science of God (b) Science of Nature Comte’s Classification: Great Philosopher August Comte introduced the classification and it is known as the classification.

Natural Science Man & Nature Humanities Man & Self

Social Science Man & Society

Utility of Classification: We have 5 senses organs wants to act simultaneously, only our head cannot control merely. But according to classification method if we operate, all the difficulties will disappear. Classification makes our thinking active and fresh. The utility of classification is like as maps. In our society, there are various types of classes we can recognize them with the help of classification. Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal

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Classification in Our Daily Life There are various types of classification in our daily life. If we go the market, we can see meats shop stall of fish, stall of raw vegetables. We can see classification method is also followed there. Each stall is for similar goods. Nature and Artificial Classification Classification is process of separation and assembling. Classification depends on important points of similarity and classification according to some unimportant or less, important or less, important points of semblance. It is grouping of method according to natures plan and order grouping of things according to the purpose of individual concerned. Idea Vs Word Idea and word are not same thing. It is different from each t another. All the ideas are expressed through the word but idea and word are not same, Horse has different work like Ghora, Ashawa, Seval and fart but same meaning. Meaning of word and definition meaning of word and definition are closely related in the field. Classification psychologist deals with mind. Therefore psychologist requires the activities of classification and philosopher determine scope and nature of all these activities and all the words meaning. Rules of Classification Classification is based on in the light of logic. When any problem originates in life, It is solved with mind. The name of the mental process is thinking to solve the problem. Logic commands to recognize the thinking in a definite method. Logic Base Dchain Division Classification and division of thinking followed the same thinking method. Division divides race and its sub race. Division contains classes and further sub classes. Classification make grouping in classes. Classification is inductive and division is deductive. References  CK Sharma, Amit K Sharma Library Classification.


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A Study to Find out the Effects of Swamiji’s Music in Depression Level of Students Jayanta Acharya Ph. D. Research Scholar, Department of Education Seacom Skills University, Birbhum E-mail:[email protected] ABSTRACT Every civilized society has an effect of music which may have different forms. This music is a part of a healthy life. Many learned men as well as parents also believe that music really plays a very important role for the grooming of a person. The music helps for mental development of a child. Music also helps for the development of memory and ability of a child. Music is not only helpful for children but also equally helpful or entertaining every age group. Some very popular songs leave an impact on one mind for a long time. Even it reduces the stress and depression that we listen regularly. Each and every one of us may not have the same taste of music. Especially the teenagers prefer a different type than the other age group. They specially prefer song of faster beat like rock music or heavy instrumental songs. Most of time we can find these teenagers do not understand the words of the song, but under the influence of groups they sometimes develop an inclination to such music. By listening to such music they develop a different type of feelings. Specially this faster beat songs or film songs or modern band songs has a hidden indication of sexuality. Not even that, the language of this songs are equally sexuality .The exposure of the actor and actress are very indecent. This creates a deep impact in their mind and they show their interest in such things. They develop a very wrong notion for the opposite sex. Especially the boys of this age taken girls as commodities whom they regard as cheap and most of them also gets addicted to drugs, alcohol, smoking and many such intoxicating things. These songs develop a very wrong impression in the mind of these teenagers. Presently the sexual harassment of women and other antisocial activities somehow has a link with these modern songs. Even the psychologist also proved that music influence human life to a great extent.

Key Words: Music, Depression Introduction Swami Vivekananda during those days took up music as an instrument to motivate or inspire and to reduce anxiety of the young generation. Swamiji took recourse to this song to awaken the awareness of the young people in dependent India. He said the nation became womanly, hearing the womanly music since childhood. even the poets cannot draw such a nation in imagination 'Domru Singa' will have to be played, people have to speak the words like 'Mohabir, Mohabir, Haro, Haro,Bom ,Bom' to awaken the nation .the music that softens the feelings of men, should be stopped for some days. People should get addicted to 'DHRUPOD MUSIC' instead of ‘KHEYAL’ and 'TOPPA' .The nation should be invigorated through the rhythm of Vedic hymn. Magnanimity should be brought in every aspect. If we follow such ideas, then the people and nation will prosper. It has been proved scientifically that from childhood if one learns music then not only his memory but also his conscience as well as all hidden talents develops. More or less any of these qualities a child can have which is proved by the scientists. At an early age Swamiji started learning music. so, perhaps our motherland got such a multitalented personality, a godlike figure - swami Vivekananda .The scientists has proved that the practice of music develops certain important neuron circuits and synaptic connections which helps to develop conscience, memory and decision making process in human beings. So to be a musician, only Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal

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practicing or rehearsing music regularly will not do, infect to be intelligent, honest and a wonderful human being we need to learn music. Adolescence and Rock Music Rock music (Tervo, 1985, 1991) is often a common target of interest for adolescents. Music only becomes rock music when it is mixed with the fantasies which the adolescent invests in it. This must take into account the sounds, rhythms, melodies, instruments, voice, lyrics and the combined effect of countless variations of tone. Music can affect adolescents emotionally at a level deeper than is possible with words alone. Rock music enables adolescents to express, to be in contact with and to share among themselves feelings of anger, love, rage, grief, longing, psychological disintegration, etc., as well as to experience closeness and isolation. It can safely lull the adolescent into regressive attitude and – with its musical clarity, simplicity and high volume – give shelter to the distressed and confused adolescent. Rock music may introduce possibilities for the exploration of sexual fantasies and feelings. The beat and firm pulse associated with rock music is at once both safe and exciting. One might describe the musical experience as a state of mind in which fantasy and one’s own body join together. Although the style and lyrics may change, adolescents use rock music to connect with a wide range of emotions including love, longing, anger, sadness, grief, psychological disintegration, shame and sexuality. In the life of human beings the role of music and words are unlimited. But not all the words are plea to hear. The people of Vedic age discovered what kind of words are pleasant to hear and enjoyable. By imitating the songs of birds they first discovered the musical notes. The main source of the seven notes of music has developed by hearing by hearing for instance, from the call of peacock we get 'SA', 'RA' form the cry of oxen,’GA’ from the cry of a kid, ‘MA’ form a certain type of bird called as Chakra bag,’ PA’ from the call of nightingale, ‘DHA’ from the call of a donkey or horse, NEE from the call of an elephant. According to swami Vivekananda India has given the world seven musical notation 'SA RE GA MA PA DHA NEE' and tone of three’ gram’(by which we can make musical notation)In 1898, Swamiji was in Calcutta, India, taking part in the consecration of Ramakrishana Math monastery set up in the house of Nilambar Babu, a disciple of Ramakrishna. Vivekananda wrote the poem during his stay there. This arati is sung in all Ramakrishna maths and Ramakrishna missions in their daily prayers. Researchers have done research on this song of Swamiji’s song. The song that changes thinking of both young and old. Music provides opportunities to us: a) Make positive changes in attitude, mood and emotional states. b) It helps student gain a sense of empathy for others. c) It helps to development the of speech and reading skills d) It trains student to focus their attention for sustained periods. e) Resolve conflicts leading to stronger family and peer relationships.


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f) Improved the awareness of self and environment. g) Develop adjust and relaxation skills. h) Support positive feelings and thoughts. Objectives: 1) To know the difference between students & aged persons in respect of changing behaviour. 2) To know whether any relation exists between depression and the scores of changing behaviour. . Null Hypotheses: H1. There exists no difference between boys & girls in respect of changing behaviour. H2. There exists no co-relation between depression and the scores of changing behaviour. Methodology Sampling: In case of selection of sample one technique of sampling was used, known as Purposive Sampling-to select District, Blocks and co-operating institution. After selecting Howrah District, Belur girls & Belur boys schools at Jagacha Block was selected. School classes XI & XII were selected purposively. Considering the time limit and other facilities 300 boys & 300 girls were selected. Total 300* 2=600 sample. Variables of the Study: The following variables were considered in the study: 1. Changing behaviour & 2. Depression. Changing behaviour is independent variables and Depression is the dependent variable. Tools: Tool-Questionnaire (close ended). & Beak Depression Inventory Questionnaire refers to device for securing answers to a series of questions by using a form, which the respondent fills in himself. Goods, Hatt(1952) Sri Ramakrishna Arati (Khanda Bhava Bandhana) Khandana-bhava-bandhana, jaga-vandana, vandi tomay, Niranjana nara-rupa-dhara (repeat) nirguna gunamay, Mochana-agha-dushana, jaga-bhushana, chid-ghana kay, Jnan-anjana vimala-nayana (repeat) vikshane moha-jai. Bhasvara bhava sagara, chira-unmada, prema-pathar, Bhaktarjana yugala-charana (repeat) tarana bhava-par. Jrimbhita yuga ishvara, jagad-ishvara, yoga-sahay, Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal

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Niro-dhana samahita-mana, (repeat) nirakhi tava-kripay. Bhan-jana dukha-ganjana, karuna-ghana. karma-kathor, Pranarpana jagata-tarana, (repeat) krintana-kali-dor. Vanchana-kama-kanchana, ati-nindita, indriya-rag, Tyagishvara he nara-vara, (repeat) deho pade anurag. Nirbhaya gata-samshaya, dridha-nishchaya, manasa-van, Nishkarana-bhakata-sharana, (repeat) tyaji-jati-kula-man. ( Sampada tava shripada, bhava-goshpada vari-yathay, Premarpana sama-darashana, (repeat) jaga-jana-dukha-jay.)2 [(Namo namo prabhu vakya manatita)2 mano vachanai-kadhar; Prabhu mano vachanai-kadhar, (Jyotira-jyoti ujvala hridi kandara)2 tumi tamo-bhanjana-har; Prabhu tumi tamo-bhanjana-har.]2 (Dhe dhe dhe langa ranga bhanga baje anga sanga mridanga)2 (Gayiche chanda bhakata-brinda arati tomar )2 Jaya jaya arati tomar, hara-hara arati tomar, Shiva-shiva arati tomar. Khandana-bhava-bandhana, jaga-vandana vandi tomay. Jai Sri Guru Maharaj ji ki jai! Data Analysis Researcher for 3 months continued this counselling of on about 600 people. Among them 300 are boys and rest are girls. The age group of the students are nearly from 16 to 18 .the most of the students, reading higher secondary school are adolescent. The crucial period of student life is adolescent period. In this time so much physical and mental changes occur in student life and sometimes they become puzzled. Educationists call the period, the stage of storm and stresses or strain and strife. These students are generally the holder of higher secondary. They are generally the regular listeners of this song. For a better result the scientist has prepared a questionnaire and gave it to the listener of this song to provide a better counselling to them. And they were asked to tick the correct answer of the following questions which they did properly. It has been noticed that 60% of students, are also listening to such a song. It has been noticed again that 81% of boys and 92% of girls regularly listen to such music. But 37% of boys and 48% of girls who listen to the song understand the meaning of the song. Whereas others may or may not understand the meaning of the song. At least, 35% of boys and 48% of Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal

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girls responded that they cannot spend a day without listening to such a pleasant music. Even 71% of the boys and 87% of the girls are of the view that this song calms their mind and body. As tiredness go away depression & anxiety starts. Depression is a generalised emotional state. Depression is an emotional disturbance that may encompass many different feelings and symptoms. It is defined as a vague, unpleasant and sometimes debilitating emotion that is experienced in anticipation of misfortune. In social performance situations the sufferer fears exposure to scrutiny humiliation or embarrassment and anticipates the failure to perform up to standard. In the performance situation one is intensely anxious may have a panic attack and sometimes avoid, the feared situation or endure it with intense distress. The combination of avoidance, anticipation or anxiety in the situation prevents one form functioning normally in the occupational area. If the pattern of depression becomes long lasting or pervasive enough, it can generalize to other situations and with time its sufferer may develop avoidant personality disorder. Other than this if one realizes and understands the meaning of the song then it gives relief and calms the mind. 73% of boys told that listening the song regularly draws away the tension and depression of daily life. 89% of girls are of the view that this song removes their depression. They also experienced that this song gives relief from their family life. The song has hidden meaning which convey us our duty to our society and mankind. It even gives us the message how we can gain the blessings of the Almighty. We can also understand the significance of our life. In this song the famous saying of Swamiji,’ who loves man serves god’ is reflected. We have to drive the entire world to perfection. We should help everybody considering them as our dear ones.76% of boys and 86% of girls are of the view that this song enhances their social awareness. These listeners have done a lot of social work such as helping the needy, and helping the students who are academically good.82% of boys and 96% of girls reported that this song increases their will power. 68% of boys and 94% of girls have admitted that this song is instrumental in changing their behaviour. They have developed a good relationship with the people around them. They exchange good wishes. At present, the relevance of this song is much. Because with the change of age, we have changed our leading of life. Today, the ideal of simple living and high thinking into high living and no thinking. At present, people are only competing to curb each other. Patience, love, affection are lost. Earlier people had a good relationship not only with their family but also with the people around them. The elderly people of the family had the right to love and rule. Now a days, we do not see joint family. Children are brought up in a nuclear family where both fathers and mothers are in the service. Naturally, they are not able spend much more time with their children. Even in this situation, this song has a great significance. Students have informed that this song gives them peace and happiness. They become more patient. They feel a strong relation among their friends and relatives. Aged persons also have admitted that this song gives them peace of mind. The race of this song remains for a long time. This song gives people inspiration after home from their work. They feel the urge to stand by the people who are in trouble. 82% boys and 98% girls have admitted that this song has developed their spirituality and power of realization. Several educationists and psychologists think that one of the main objectives of education is to create spiritual awareness. That is why Swamaji has admitted the importance of meditation for women’s education. It will increase mental power. He believed that one could achieve unlimited power of memory through meditation. Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal

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In this age of science and globalization, many people do not follow this ideal though Radhakrishnan, Rabindranath tagore, Rishi Arobind, Swami Vivekananda etc. have admitted its spiritual importance. Indian Education Commission has given the importance to spiritual development and to standard living. Several idealists, philosophers and educationists think that one’s spiritual awareness can be awakened if he/she takes his/her morality to a new and advanced level. They think that the aim of education is to awaken spiritual awareness. Spiritual education helps people to transform their hatred into love, violence into nonviolence. In short, spiritual education gives a way live happily and peacefully. 82% boys and 96% girls have admitted that this song develops their will power. They are able to concentrate more on other works. Will power is such a positive and creative power that helps us to determine and to avoid the undesirable activities. It is that special ability of mind which helps us to get know about what is right and what is wrong. 97% boys and 99% girls have admitted that this song teaches us how to become a perfect man. It changes our view of life. This song leads us to lead a selfless life. It inspires men to be lovers only for the sake of love. This song helps people to advance in life. It helps us to learn what is the main object of our life. In this age of globalization , when people are tired of running after money, this song helps them to have faith in God and to believe people around them. This song has every element that teaches us to have control over our desire for all earthly materials. It also teaches us to develop our qualities for being a perfect man. 83% boys and 97% girls have admitted that this song develops their patience and tolerance. Gradually, this song which has a length of 20 minutes is difficult to hear and sing. But they used to it gradually. In course of time this patience has also influence in other things of life and they succeed in all spheres of life. Patience is the most necessary thing in a student’s life. If one learns anything with patience, it remains with him for a long time. It improves the students’ learning ability. Patience is confined not only in life of a student but also in other spheres of life like working life , family life and even in bringing up children. Otherwise, if we develop our power of tolerance, we will be able to cope with the circumstances. Incidents like, killing violence, quarrelling will decrease. Shree shree Sarada ma Said , “ one must be patient like the earth . What inequities are being perpetuated on her! yet she quietly endures them all”. After listening to this song in the evening, 67% of students have admitted that this song improves their attention to studies. To enhance their attention to studies, this song has a great role. 24% of students have admitted that this song improves their attention and interest at times. 9% of students have admitted that this song has motivated them. Actually, they admit that they cannot understand the meaning of all words of this song. 88% of students have admitted that this song increases their interest and attention to studies. And 12% of students have admitted that this song gives them the interest in literature.


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Analysis of Data and Major Findings: Showing t Value Changing behaviour

N

M

Ϭ

SED

boys

300

45.67

7.69

0.769

girls

300

50.72

8.13

0.813

df

t

Level of Significance

598

1.96

No Significance

There is no difference between students and aged people in score of changing behaviour. So calculate value is less than table value that is why null hypotheses is not rejected. Showing Co-relation N

M

Ϭ

SED

Changing behaviour

300

46.74

8.135

0.332

Depression

300

4.253

3.315

0.135

df

r

Level of Significance

398

--0.456319

Negative corelation

There is Negative co-relation between score of Changing behaviour and depression. Limitations of the Study: Although the investigator tried to proceed this study to the best of his efforts sincerely but there are certain limitations as the study was conducted within restricted scope and facilities. The Limitations are: 1) In the study 600 students (boys & girls) were taken as sample from both group. For more valid results the number of sample should be increased but it was not possible due to paucity of time. 2) The changing behaviour of different subjects could be assessed to get more specific results; it was not possible due to time constraint. Finding and Conclusion 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

The song makes calms their mind and body. The song draws away the tension and depression & anxiety. The song enhances their social awareness. They have a good relationship with the people around them. They have developed their spirituality and power of realization and also developed will power. 6. The song leads them to lead a selfless life and also develop their patience and tolerance. 7. The song improves their attention to study and daily work.


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References  Burns, J. L., Labbé, E. Arke, B., Capeless, K., Cooksey, B., Steadman, A., & Gonzales, C. (2002). The effects of different types of music on perceived and physiological measures of stress. Journal of Music Therapy, 39(2), 101-116.  Cevasco, A. M., Kennedy, R., & Generally, N. R. (2005). Comparison of Movement-to-Music, Rhythm Activities, and Competitive Games on Depression, Stress, Anxiety, and Anger of Females in Substance Abuse Rehabilitation. Journal of Music Therapy, 42(1), 64-80.  Hammer, S. E (1996). The effects of guided imagery through music on state and trait anxiety. Journal of Music Therapy, 33(1), 47-70.  Hernández-Ruiz, E. (2005). Effect of Music Therapy on the Anxiety Levels and Sleep Patterns of Abused Women in Shelters. Journal of Music Therapy, 42(2), 140-158.  Hsu, W., & Lai, H. (2004). Effects of Music on Major Depression in Psychiatric Inpatients. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 18(5), 193-199.  Jones, N., & Field, T. (1999). Massage and music therapies attenuate frontal EEG asymmetry in depressed adolescents. Adolescence, 34(135), 529-534.  Kerr, T., Walsh, J., & Marshall, A. (2001). Emotional change processes in music-assisted reframing. Journal of Music Therapy, 38(3), 193-211  Gopal .R Cognitive Behavioral Strategic Approach in Overcoming Depression & Anxiety APH Publishing Corporation ISBN978-81-313-0798-4(Page-190)  Karhne , H,W and laux R.M(1992) Achievement Stress and Test anxiety,Washington; Hemiphere  Khandana Bhava–Bandhana Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


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Muslim Women and Electoral Politics in India: A Case Study Prasenjit Saha Assistant Professor, Départment of Political Science, Panchmura Mahavidyalaya, Panchmura, District - Bankura, West Bengal, E-mail : [email protected] Introduction The health of democracy always depends on the active participation of the citizen in politics. A successful democracy should be inclusive in character at the same time. Though India claims to be a largest democracy in the world, there remains certain conspicuous limitation in its inclusive nature. In spite of being a constitutionally secular country the participation of Muslim women in politics is not much inclusive since independence. Muslim account for about 15% of India’s total 1.2 billion people, which mean that although a minority the number some 175 million , making them the world’s third largest population. But Muslim has been under representative since Independence. According to some electoral surveys in India there are 46 of 543Lok Sabha constituencies, which have more than 30 percent Muslim and its suggest that the community can make a decisive impact on the outcomes of about 110 seats. But in reality regarding the share of seats in Lok Shaba it never goes to above 10 percent. Their participation remains very low compare to other community. Particularly the women have shown apathy to the electoral politics. This paper will try to find out the actual scenario of Muslim women’s participation in India’s electoral politics. Here by the word ‘participation’, I try to mean participation in terms of voting, participation in election related activity of extra electoral participation in protest and demonstration, and finally participation as an electoral candidate that mean holding a position as a legislature. The causes of their apathy and problem related to political socialization will also be addressed. Representation on National level as well as local level body will be analysed. Finally I will try to suggest some measure which can help to break this colonial hang over and change their mind towards politics. Present status of women in Indian Representative Democracy (All India Basis): Data from the Election Commission of India on the general election to the 16th Lok Sabha in 2014 and the Assembly elections present a dismal picture. Out of the 543 members of the 16th Lok Sabha, only 66 are women—a paltry 12.16 per cent, considering the fact that women make up half of the country's population. Also distressing is the fact that only 668 women contested for the 543 seats, of whom 206 contested as independent candidates (all of whom lost). The statistics are telling. Major and minor political parties are still very parsimonious in nominating women as their candidates in parliamentary elections. Shockingly, there were no women members of Parliament (MPs) from two major States, Haryana and Jharkhand, smaller States such as Goa and Himachal Pradesh, and several north-eastern States, apart from a few Union Territories. West Bengal topped the list in terms of percentage of women among MPs, having sent 13 women to the Lok Sabha, 30 per cent of the total number of MPs from the State. Other States that ranked relatively high included Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh, with women accounting for at least 15 per cent of each of the State's MPs. West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh also had the highest number of women MPs. Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal

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The situation is dire in the State Assemblies too. Out of a total of 4,120 elected members of legislative assemblies (MLAs) across 28 States, the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Puducherry Union Territory (which constitute the electoral college that elects the President), only 359 are women, accounting for a mere 8.71 per cent. Only nine States had the percentage of women MLAs in double digits. Surprisingly, Haryana had the highest percentage of women MLAs, closely followed by Rajasthan, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, States that have traditionally scored low on various development indices, especially those relating to women's development. The Uttar Pradesh Assembly had the highest number of women MLAs, at 35, closely followed by West Bengal and Bihar with 34 each. A look at the ratio of male to female contestants in State Assembly elections shows how the odds are stacked against women even at the candidate level. Most States had at least 10 male candidates for every female candidate, with the ratio rising above 15 in several key States. Statement of the Problem: Before to analyse the present scenario of Muslim representation let us see the root of the history behind this fact. The concern about the under-representation of Muslim in Indian politics is not a new issue. In 1906, delegates of Muslim visited Viceroy Lord Minto and asked him for political safeguard of Muslims. They suggested the communal representation in legislative council across the country. To protect the communal sentiment Lord Minto created an space for communal representation of Muslim in the Indian Council Act 1909.As a result, political representation of Muslim and other group became a part of the Government of India Acts of 1909, 1919, 1935. But after seeing the communal violence in time of Independence, the makers of constitution seriously abolished the reservation system of religion community.1 Now let us see the percentage of Muslim M.P in Lok Shaba (19512009). Table-1 60

10%

50

8% 40

7%

7% 30

5% 4%

6%

6%

4%

19

20

1957

1962

29

28

5%

6%

42 34

10

6%

49

20

2%

6%

6%

25

28

27

25

31

34

30

2

11 0 1952

1967

1971

1977

1980

1984

1989

1991

1996

1998

1999

2004

2009

This graph is sufficient to establish the fact that how much low their representation in India’s democratic chamber. Now when we consider the women participation the matter is very sensitive and really unfortunate. In 2009, 9% of parliamentarians were women and among them Muslim women were very few. In the First general (1952) election there was no Muslim Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal

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women candidate. In Second general election (1957) there were two female Muslim parliamentarians from the congress party and only one in the third Lok Sabha (1962). Their level of parliamentary representation remain nil in the fourth, fifth, tenth and twelfth Lok Sabha which did not hold representation form Muslim women. However, two Muslim women were elected to the sixth Lok Sabha (1977), apart from three more in the by-election held in 1978 and 1981.3 Now the following chart will able to give us a clear picture of Muslim women electoral performance from 1980-2004: Table 2

Nominated By Year of Election

National parties

State/regional parties

Independents

Total

Won

Lost

Won

Lost

Won

1980

-

3

-

-

-

6

-

9

1984

1

-

1

1

-

5

2

6

1989

1

2

-

-

-

9

1

11

1991

-

7

-

2

-

6

-

15

1996

1

3

-

3

-

30

1

36

1998

-

2

-

4

-

8

-

14

1999

1

1

-

13

-

11

1

25

2004

-

5

2

8

-

5

2

18

Total

4

23

3

31

-

80

7

134

(Source : Statistical Reports of the Election Commission, Government of India)

Lost Won

Lost

4

Table 3


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The trend of apathy has been changed from 7th (1980) general election. Before to this election there were no independent candidates. Although it was not happened drastically, but there were some indications of breaking the continuity. Muslim women had contested the general election independently (table-2). This trend continued thereafter. But to win the election was very difficult task for those women. All six women who contested as independent or as nominees of registered regional political parties had loosed their security deposits. At the 1989 election to the 9th Lok Sabha, only Subhashini Ali (CPM) was elected from Uttar Pradesh. As the 9th Lok Sabha could not run its full term, mid-term elections were held for the Tenth Lok Sabha in 1991. This year also the Muslim women did not lose their interest. As many as 15 Muslim women contested the elections in 1991, all were failed to win the seats. One thing I have to mention here those few Muslim women who were elected in the elections they had a strong family political background. In 1996 for the 11th Lok Shaba near about 37 Muslim women contested the elections, among them 30 were independent. This time also result remained the same. In the 13th and 14th Lok Shaba total 3 Muslim women candidate were elected. In all the elections most of the Muslim women candidates lost so miserably as to forfeit their deposits.6 Point to be noted that the low success rate of these candidates could mean that political parties fielded Muslims in constituencies where they were not expecting to win the election, or that there was a bias against Muslim candidates among the voters.7 On the other hand if we give a close look to the political and personal background of Muslim women elected to Lok Shaba we could find that most of them belonged to either royal families or political dynasties. After the enactment of 73rd and 74th Amendment Act, the Muslim women had got the opportunity to contest as a candidate or involve as party workers in their won village. The Panchayaty Raj system has created a space for the women in general, particularly those who are actually the first generation in politics. Reservation of women in local body really changes the dimension of participation of women. In Kerala and West Bengal a number of Muslim women are elected in local body. But it is not satisfactory in respect of their population. This problem of under representation is our sole question. When decentralize governance create a new opportunity for establishing a successful participatory democracy in india and also give a wide space to promote the development of every community of India, why they are lagging behind from their other counterpart? What is the actual reality of their participation in rural governance? What are the causes of their under representation? What are they thinking about politics in India? Our department has taken the opportunity to answer these questions by done a case study on Muslim majority area of West Bengal. Objective of the study: The main objectives of my study are as follows: 1) To find out the existing reality of Muslim women. 2) To find out the status of participation of local people in governance. 3) To highlight the appropriateness and effectiveness of existing organization structure for removing or solving the problem regarding their participation. 4) To find out their awareness on the representative process of democracy. 5) To present a conclusion out of the analysis, this can be helpful to give a new dimension for ensuring the sustainable and inclusive democracy, by overcoming the existing shortfalls. Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal

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Universe of the Study: Considering the topic of explanation it is necessary to select the universe for answering the research question. The sample selection process begins with determining appropriate subject for the study (see methodology section). Researcher has selected two Gram Samsad, which are Chak Jambeia and Lalbandh, under the Panchmura Gram panchayate of Taldangra Panchayate Samity of Bankura District for investigation. These two are regarded as most Muslim populated area (near about 62% muslim) under this Block. According to our view these two Gram Samsad are appropriate for testing research questions because they can be easily accessible. For having very nearer to our academic institution this locality is much familiar to me which is very help to survey. Methodology: This study is basically empirical in nature. As I mention before the universe of the investigation, here it must be relevant to discuss the sampling method of the data collection. In this case study none of random and purposive sampling can be applicable exclusively. For making investigation more convenient here researcher followed the mixed sampling method to select the sample. The data have come from both primary and secondary sources. The data collection not only confined in villagers, to justify the information, to gather relevant data about plans and programmes, interaction have been conducted with bureaucrats, the leading panchayate office bearers. In this study, the primary data will be collected from the Village Muslim women, who are the sole respondents. 25 respondents from each Gram Samsad (25×2=50) have been selected by using the method of interval sampling or systematic sampling. The method to collect the data from the respondents is questionnaire method, based on interview. Interview allows the researcher to delve deeply in to the subject. It can encourage the respondents to provide the reason for their opinions. Both open and closed ended questionnaire will be given to the respondents. Point to be noted that, different types of questionnaire have been prepared for addressing the different types of respondents. The secondary data source of our investigation are the Government reports, statistics, orders, published and authorize official data, journal, books, newspaper and various reliable and relevant documents. In course of survey we have gone through meticulously through the above mention resources for gathering the supplementary information and cross checking. Locale of the study: Bankura is fourth largest district situated on the western periphery of the state of West Bengal and included in the Bhardhaman Division. It formed the western boundary of the state bordering Bihar (Now Jharkhand) till 1956 when Purulia was included in West Bengal and formed the western most boundary of the state. There are 3 sub-divisions (Bankura, Khatra and Bishnupur) and 22 community development blocks in the district. The district has 22 Panchayat Samities with 190 Gram Panchayats and 1896 Gram samsad consisting of 3830 villages. It has an area of 6882.00 Sq. Km and it has population of 3596292(Male-1840504, Female- 1755788).The density of population is 523 per Sq.km and literacy is 60.44. The district has 3830 Mouzas and 559295 rural households. Panchmra. (G.P): The Panchmura Gram Panchayat under Bankura district the locale of the study. The Panchmura gram panchayat is located southern part of Bankura district. It belongs to the Taldangra development block under Khatra subdivison. Panchmura Gram Panchayat shares its border with Nakaijuri Gram Panchayat of Onda Block in the north, Mandal gram Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal

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panchayat of Simlapal Block in the South, saltora gram panchayatin the east and Fulmati gram panchayat in the West Total area of the G.P is about 386552 Hactare. Characteristics of Population 2011 Total population of G.P

17839

Total Female population

8699

total male population

9140

Total number of household

4620

Total number of SC household

1690

Total number of ST household

380

Total number of Minority household

312

Total number of BPL household

1758

Male literacy Rate (%)

41

Female literacy Rate (%)

30

Number of Backward village

1

There are 19 Mouza and 50 Gram under Panchmura Gram Panchayat. It has 13 Gram Samsads and elected members to the G.P are 13. It is very clean from the table socioeconomic status of the people is not much good at all. A large number of households (1758) are belongs to BPL. About 1690 households and 380 house hold are respectively belong to the SC and ST community. Panchmura is predominantly rural in nature and agriculture is the backbone of its economy. This place is famous for its unique traditional craft of pottery work. Data collection and interpretation: The Panchayate consist of 13 members. Now there are 5 women members in the panchayte body out of 13. Unfortunately there are no Muslim women in the list. I have observed that last three consecutive elections but no Muslim women are elected as member of Panchayte., which is very disappointment.. They cast their vote very enthusiastically. They joined rally in time of election and also engaged themselves in campaigning for their electoral candidates for some informal pressure. Their notion about politics is not very sharp. Most of them are not very aware about State and National politics. To test the reality I have taken interview of 25 Muslim women (from each Gram Samsad) who are selected by systematic random sampling. Six questions (close ended) have been set for taking the interview. 1. Are you satisfied with the performance of the MP and MLA who represents your constituency? 2. Did you vote in last Assembly, Lok shaba and Panchyate election? 3. Can you tell the party symbol of the contesting parties? 4. Do you face there any problem to join in a political party form your family? Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal

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5. Have you participated any deputation in your locality on political issues? 6. Do you know the party programme of any political party? The respondents give some interesting answer which can be put in that way (all figure in %) Question No.

Positive Answer

Negative Answer

Remain silence

Do not Know

1.

15

30

20

35

2.

55

17

28

00

3.

52

13

11

24

4.

63

13

22

02

5.

30

55

7

8

6.

37

40

33

-

The above responses of Muslim women make it clear the fact that Muslim women are not aware of their voting rights, they are not also exercising it properly them. It is important to note that 55% respondents asserted their independence in the exercise of their franchise. It is encouraging to find that 30% women participated in deputation. Over all ignorance on having knowledge about the party programme and role of MP and MLA of local development is clear sign of political apathy. Their electoral participation has not increased over the years in local level. Even they do not want to be a election candidate on theirown constituencies. If fact, there is no correlation between their population and voting percentage with their numbers in the legislatures of Government or other public/officers.8 Causes of under Representation: Political participation of Muslim women is affected by to type of factors- general and the special. The former is related to every women irrespective of different religion.cast etc.But the later factores are those which exclusively concern with the Muslim women.9 There are some social and economical problem which hamperd their political participation. Eminent Political scientist Prof. Zoya Hasan, in her article ‘Religion and Politics in a Secular State’10 , puts it very delicately that , “ There are nearly sixty million Muslim women India in India, one of the largest female Muslim populations in the world, but they have made few tangible gains during five decades of economic and social development. They are conspicuous by their absence in the world of politics, in the professions, bureaucracy, and universities and public and private sectors. They do not figure in debates on political empowerment, rural poverty, education, or health; their economic vulnerability does not arouse much concern.” Here I try to mention some factors which are exclusively related to the Muslim women community, affecting their political participation. 1. Sense of Insecurity: Although Muslim is the largest minority group in the country, yet compared to other minorities, they are an insecure minority, gripped by a fear psychosis – a product of Indian partition days. Moin Shakir argues that, “Muslim got out of partition as a sense of insecurity, frustration and uncertainty.”11 This has given rise to a minority psyche leading to their alienation and withdrawal from the national mainstream. Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal

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Fears and suspicious, whether real or imaginary, have adversely affected the community.12 2. Conservative and Patriarchal Values: Unlike in the Hindu and Christian communities, here religion does not hampered to the advancement of women, the conservative and patriarchal character of the Muslim community, as well as its strong desire to maintain its religious identity, imposes restrictions on it women venturing into public space. Despite living in a secular state, socially marginalized and uneducated Muslim women in particular are significantly affected by the opinions of the Muslim clergy, for instance by fatwas restricting, if not totally curtailing, women’s foray into the public space-be it with regards to education, employment or political participation. 3. Lack of Proper Formal Education: Education is another basic factor which impacts on their political participation and agency options. At 19 percent, the literacy rate of Muslim women is less than half of women form other communities and of the national female literacy rate of 39 percent. Thus for an effective participation of Muslim women in politics, education is a crucial prerequisite, also in order for omen politicians to be able to understand the rules, regulations and intricacies of parliamentary proceedings underlying political decision-making and policy-making.13 So Sacher Committee is right in its observation that the Muslim community has to pay greater attention to education, particularly of women. 4. Absence of Muslim Leader: In the absence of any Muslim leader of nationwide following or any national political party of the Muslim, the leadership of the community rests in the hands of Mullahs who oppose any reforms in the masses. They have accepted change in the Shariat pertaining to criminal code but do not accept any change in Personal Law which adversely affects the women.14 5. Economic Empowerment: It is well known fact that funds are necessary in order to make embark upon a political career. The majority of Muslim women are financially dependent upon their husbands or fathers. Women without money do not have the freedom to make their own decisions and do, what they want. A women who wants to become involved in politics but has no funds must have the support of her family. This can be difficult to obtain because of the cultural way of thinking and poor family backround.15 What They Want: To make a successful and participatory democracy some measures have to be taken by the Govt. Here I suggest some effective proposals which will be the useful alternative. I think Muslim mind also think about these proposals. We have to treat them according to their need or want not through the calculation of politics. In order to break vote banks, one discussion raging among Muslim scholars is that India should repeal its first-past-the-post (FPTP) voting system and opt for proportional representation (PR) instead. In FPTP, the election is won by the candidate receiving the highest votes. If a candidate has polled 30,000 votes in a small constituency, he could still lose to a candidate who has polled 30,001. The criticism of this system is that it forces voters to predict who is most likely to win, even if they would prefer another candidate, because a vote for any other candidate will be ‘wasted’. Several analysts consider this a relatively Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal

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flawed system when there are more than two parties at play. In the PR system, on the other hand, the number of seats won by a party is proportional to the number of votes received. So for example, if 30 per cent of votes support a particular party then toughly 30 per cent of seats will be won by that party. Muslim scholars in India, such as Arshi Khan, feel that this would break the current system where their community is represented poorly in city councils, state Assemblies and in Parliament. Assam has a 30.9 per cent Muslim population but only 2 of its 14 MPs are Muslim. Uttar Pradesh has an 18.5 per cent Muslim population but only 7 of 80 are Muslim MPs. And Karnataka, which has 12.23 per cent Muslims, doesn’t have a single Muslim MP. The PR system is used in several European and South American nations, Including Brazil, Argentina, Germany, the Netherlands and Russia. 16 Women Reservation Bill, will be the another alternative for them. Though it is yet not passed. In the absence of a provision for religion-based reservations in the Constitution, the Women’s Reservation Bill cannot separate sub-quotas for Muslim and Christian women. However, some sections of Muslim women have opposed any sub-quota provisions, holding that the Bill in its present form will automatically benefit women belonging to minorities and Other Backward Classes. Taking a pragmatic stand, these Muslim women have requested Muslim parliamentarians not to stall the Bill. In fact, Muslim women have rightly termed the demand for a sub-quota for Muslim women and others made by some political parties as nothing but an attempt for delay or for own political gains. 17 Muslims want growth not the politics of division and vote bank. It connects us to a range of Muslim voices that are eager to break out of the mould. “I don’t care what happens to Babri Masjid. All I need is that when I go to a government office, I must get my work done quickly and without paying a bribe,” says a 55 year-old teacher from Assam. “The politicians create a bogey of victimhood. If you behave like a victim, you will be treated like one,” says a woman post graduate student from Hyderabad. The Muslim community wants the same amenities and the same opportunities as the rest of the country but has been held back due to vested interests. It now seems that they can no longer be taken for granted by vote-hungry politicians and religious hardliners. There are signs that Muslim are gradually freeing themselves from their clutches and joining the mainstream. When that happens totally, India would have truly arrived. Conclusion Time has come to understand the mind of Muslim women. Inside the layers of the politics of division lie muffled voices that need to be heard, and repressed sentiments that are begging to be acknowledged. Only then will the social indicators start telling a different story. Only then will the fences of ‘us’ and ‘them’ be uprooted for growth for ‘all’. Only then will the idea of a modern, vibrant, secular India genuinely hold true. So we do hope that true inclusive democracy India is not far away. References 1. Francesca Refsum Jenesenius; ‘Was the Delimitation Commission unfair to Muslim?’ Article published in Studies in Indian Polities, Vol- 1, 2 (2013), Sage, New Delhi, page 215. 2. Indian Today, Volume XXXIX Number 11, March, 11-17, 2014 Page 22-23. 3. Vasundharan Mohan Rallapalli; Political Panticipation of Muslim women in India,’article published in Ardrea Fleshehenbeug and Clandin Denichs (Ed), ‘Women and Politics in Asia: A Springboard for Democracy?’ LIT, Verlag 2011, (ISEAS, singapur), page 51-52. Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal

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CRSJ, Volume 2, Issue 2, March, 2016 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17.

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Ibid, page-55 webspace.webring.com/people/gh/…/1/Muslim women 2008. Pdf. page 21-22. Ibid, page 17. Frncescn Refsum Jensenius; op.cit. page 216. Shashi Shukla and Sashi Shukla, ‘Political Panticapation of Muslim Women,’ article published in ‘The Journal of Political Science. Vol. 57 No. 1/4 (1996). Indian Political Science Association, page 6. Ibid, page 6. Zoya Hasan, ‘Religion and Politics in a secular State: Law community and Genden’, in Zoya Hasan (Ed). “Politics and the State in India”. Sage, New Delhi 110044, 2000, page 271. Moin Shakir, Muslim in Frce Indian, Kalamkar Prakashan, New Delhi, 1972. page 1. Shashi Shn a and sashi shnkla, op.cit. page 7. Vasundhan Mosun Rallapalli, op.cit. page 62. Shashi Shukla and Sashi Shukla ; op.cit. page 9. Islam and Muslim Society: A Social Science Journal, Vol. 6, No. 2 (2013) www.muslimsocieties.org. India today, op.cit. page 25. Vasundhan Mosun Rallapalli, op.cit. page 46.


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Gaps in Teaching Accountancy at the Higher Secondary Level: An Analysis Samir Kumar Naskar Research Scholar, Department of Education, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, Dist. – Nadia, West Bengal, E-mail: [email protected] Introduction It is a common experience of the teachers that, due to many constraints in our educational system the transaction of curriculum through instructional procedure may not always fulfill the aim of Accountancy. It is evident from their results of commerce students at the H.S. level, that most of the students are unable to achieve their expected level of learning. Moreover, due to improper teaching learning procedure the learning gaps of the learners gradually increase in a cumulative manner from one stage to another. Therefore, it is an urgent need in school education to take the proper step to remove the weakness of teaching procedure so that it can help the students to develop proper concept in Accountancy as a subject of commerce. To pin point the gaps in learning and to minimize those gaps always requires a careful planning of classroom teaching. In our classroom situation we have a large number of students differ in their intelligence, achievements, attitudes, interests, socio-economic status and many other components. Under such varied conditions it cannot be possible to achieve the expected goal in learning. But effective teaching learning situations may improve the achievements of students significantly. A serious issue on our classroom teaching is that we do not give proper attention for the development necessary concepts on the contents among the students. Students are instructed mainly for acquiring information according to the will of the teachers. This situation increases the learning gaps among the students. Another issue is that the contents under the subject of Accountancy are not always systematically arranged on the basis of the learning elements in the text books which create significant content gaps. Therefore, it is assume that content gaps, teaching strategy gaps and gaps in knowledge on the proper concepts enhance the future learning gaps. As a result most of the students either achieve very poor marks in the examination or ready to withdraw themselves from learning the subject. In this study the main objectives are to identify the learning gaps, gaps in teaching strategy and content gaps in commerce. On the basis of the identified gaps an effective strategy would be evolved for minimizing the gaps in teaching Accountancy. Rationale In recent years there are many ups and down in World economy and the economic conditions of the developed and developing countries. To regularize the economic resources idea on the business management and Accountancy is very essential. Keeping with a view to the diversification of educated people both Mudaliar and Kothari Commissions recommended multi-purpose curriculum at the secondary and higher secondary levels. As a result commerce has been introduced from higher secondary stages. Considering the felt need in commerce education at the current world economic scenario the researcher wishes to carry out the study for evolving an effective learning set up for successful transaction of commerce curriculum.


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It is expected that the students will be interested and motivated in commerce subjects if the teaching learning process is effective. Moreover to satisfy the interest of the students different modes of teaching strategies should be adopted. But all the approaches which are used by the commerce teachers for teaching commerce are not so effective. Keeping with a view to the objectives it is an urgent need to evolve an effective strategy for teaching commerce. This study will also be conducted to fulfill this need. Conceptual Analysis: This experiment sought to improve the classroom instruction for maximization of learning in accountancy. In such experiment the involvement of a number of real classroom situation, is must. For 1st phase of experiment that is identification of gaps in learning accountancy at the Higher Secondary level, 30 experienced subject teacher were selected and for 2nd phase of experiment, that is to estimate the strategy effectiveness at 60x60 criteria two Higher Secondary school were selected. Accountancy teaching is possible through several instructional processes. In this experiment by analyzing the components of strategies the programmed text Model and Group Interactive Model were selected to verify their effectiveness and the 60x60 criteria of accountancy teaching. The word “interaction” expresses the second principle for interpreting and experience in its educational function and force. It is the mutual or reciprocal influence between individuals or groups, usually with special reference to social and emotional behavior. It assigns equal rights to both factors in experience objective and internal conditions. Any normal experience is interplay of these two conditions. In the present experiment emphasis was given on the interaction between teaching strategy and content organizations. Teaching unit is a teacher’s plan for instructing a specific group of students in a specific unit of work. Of late the educationists in our country have given considerable though, to the development of improved type of instructional materials to strengthen the qualitative improvement of school education. The units under the experiment were arranged according to strategies. Each sub-unit was so designed that it might be completed in one class teaching forty minutes. Learning materials, specially prepared for the learned on the selected units was provided as alternative of text book, which were made available to them for the time being. All the students were reinforced by the special arrangement of teaming materials and the students under any group would be able to learn the units up to the level of mastery. This term strategy was used by Bruner in “Education and Psychology. It was a technique used in learning or thinking for problem solving simultaneous scanning. It is a generalized plan for a lesson which includes structure, desired learning behaviour in terms of goals of instructions. Strategy is a target oriented predetermined set of operations in a planned environment. Strategy is a set of instructional situations controlled and created by the teacher for effective learning and growth of pupils. It is combination of methods materials and media for desired out come. In dictionary of Education, achievement is defined as the performance in school or college in a standard series of educational tests. The term is used more generally to describe performances in the subject of curriculum. Generally achievement of students is, defined in Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal

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terms of behavioural objectives. “Achievement is the accomplishment of which educational object or goals have been attained. Educational achievement acquired knowledge during a particular course in specific subject area. According to Adkins (1958) achievement consists of three areas, (i) increasing in variety of stimulus dimensions to which the learner will-be sensitive and responsive, (ii) increase the number of new responses to be made m novel stimulus situations and (iii) increase the number of new responses that will be mad, familiar or already discriminated stimulus components. According to International Dictionary of Education – “Retention is remaining impression of experiences or learning”. Wood worth described, “Retention as one of the four memory processes, the other being memorizing, recall or recognition". Retention seems too dependent upon chemical or psychological changes in the brain. It refers to the amount of material remaining over a period has been defined as the amount of learning experience or knowledge correctly remembered after two weeks period of time. Learning gap is indicated as the deviation between expected and achieved performance in learning contents. Through the process of learning learners acquire some knowledge and skills. Those skills can be measured through the test of performance on the learning unit. In terms of behevioural objectives of teaching maximization of learning is considered as the expected outcome of teaching- learning process. It is presumed that every care is taken to achieve the goal through class-room instruction But it has been found from experiences that in many teaching-learning situations all the learners are unable to achieve the expected goal of performance. The deviation of achievement from, expected goal is considered as learning gaps. Many factors are responsible (or producing learning gaps of students on learning concepts. When the students have deficiency in prerequisite learning, then in further learning situation they fail to learn properly the related new concepts. Curriculum is framed with the Specific target to develop the behavioural pattern among the students within the scheduled time frame in each Class through among instructional strategies. The achievement tests scores reflect the outcome of behavioural pattern of students. Thus poor achievement indicated as learning gaps. In this study the level of expected outcomes ns suggested by the experts was 60x60 criteria on achievement test scores. When the performance of students falls below the expected criteria then it is considered as the deviation of achievement on the learning unit. Hence, the difference between the criteria of achievement 60X60 and the scores of student in achievement are considered as learners own learning gaps. According to International Dictionary of Education) 'teaching is a process to impart knowIL,d,c4e or skills to another ; to give instruction to another ; to educate or to train anothe... ) or to facilitate learning.' Conventional teaching is a process which generally follows by -tile teacher for class room instruction delivering. Conventional approach of teaching is the method using by the teachers under normal classroom situation in a school. According to G.S. Shah — “It may differ from teacher to teacher but it generally implies the process of lecturing, discussing, note giving etc." In conventional method of teaching the i 'miler dominates the class and develops a lesson following the Herbration's steps. In the teacher delivers his lesson through oral interaction or through, question-answer. According to Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal

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criteria of teaching models it is a high structured teaching approach, because the teachers control classroom environment. In conventional approach emphasis is given on the process of rote memorization for learning concepts under subjects. It is widely used group instructional approach with a very minimum infrastructure. According to International Dictionary of Education- curriculum is an organized course of study undertaken by a student in or under the protection of a School, College, University or other Institution of learning. Curriculum is some total of experiences of an educational institution. It is the set of studies organized for a particular group of study by a school or college. It is also defined as the structural set of learning experiences aimed at achieving such outcome. Curriculum is the collective programme of activities explicitly organized by the teachers in a school; It is a means by which students may attain through learning a set of objectives as desired by the teachers. It is bend and balanced matters of syllabus, by which the learners can climb up to the goal of education. in this study the W. B. Council of Higher Secondary Education defines curriculum as the course contents under the syllabus of Commerce approach. In the present study curriculum of accountancy has been specified for class XI-XI; which is an integral part of Commerce course approved by the West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education According to the Dictionary of Education — "strategy is the technique used ill. Learning or “strategy is an instructional plan of curricular transaction with minimum learning gaps within the schedule time. Strategy is a plan of teaching for executing effective teaching activities. Strategy is the combination of different sets of activities such as analysis of contents, preparation of learning materials, planning and presentation of learning materials and evaluation of outcomes. Strategy is a plan on design to achieve a particular -reaching goal. It is an art of planning and conducting teaching-learning activities. In this study three different strategies were selected for effective curricular transaction. Transaction is a process of agreement or action of conducting teaching process for achieving the goal. Curricular transaction is generally means to carry out the teachinglearning programme for successful completion of the curriculum specified for a Class. Effective curricular transaction means formation of a bridge among the curriculum of different classes by which the pupil learn satisfactorily in all aspects of behavioral objectives including a well preparation for next learning elements. Accountancy is an integral part of commerce in the West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education. It has fixed content materials for each class and units. In this study recognition of content from the curriculum of accountancy, organization of content materials, interpolation for pre-requisite learning, treatment through specially designed instructional materials according to recognized content, simultaneous remediation through evaluationthese total approach and activity is necessary for effective curricular transaction. References  AGRAWAL, J.C.: Teaching Commerce (2nd Ed.: Vikas Publication; 2009.  EDWARD, W.S. & et. al.:The Educations’ Encyclopedia ; PrenticeHall,Inc. Englesweed Cliffe, N. J. : 1961. Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal

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 GAGE, N. L.: Educational Psychology; Rand, Me. College Pub. Company; Chicago: 1979.  LEWIS, D. G.: Experimental Design in Education; London, University of London Press Ltd: 1968.  MONDAL, D. K.: Method of Teaching Accountancy and Book keeping (2 nd Ed.); Rita Publication-2009.  PAGE, TERRY & THOMAS: International Dictionary of Education, ELBS, London: 1979.  SINGH, Y. K.: Teaching of Commerce; APH Publication: 2007.  SUKHIA, P.S. & et. al.: Elements of Educational Research (2nd edn.) ; Allied Pub. Pvt. Ltd. Bombay ; 1966.  THURSTONE, R. L. & HAGEN, E.:Measurement and Evaluation in Psychology and Education (3rd edn.) ; Wiley Eastern Pvt. Ltd. ; New Delhi ; 1970.  VAN DALEN, DCABOLD, R.: Understanding Educational Research (4th edn.) Mc. Grow Hill Book Co. New York : 1962.  VARMA, V.: An Introduction to Educational and Psychological Research ; Azad Pub. House Bombay: 1965.  WHITNEY, F. L.: The elements of Research; Englewoods Cliffs; New Jersey; Prentice Hall, Inc: 1950.


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Despair and Delight in the Novels of Mulk Raj Anand T. Pushpanathan Assistant Professor, Department of English, SCSVMV University, Kanchipuram, E-mail: [email protected] Mulk Raj Anand is a novelist with subtle nuances. His early life in the cantonment was spent in company with his friends ranging from all categories. He watched with his own eyes the poverty and the struggle of people around him. This became the theme of his early novels. But with growing years and his ennobling experiences, Anand’s pen spilled a cornucopia of subjects. His preliminary works establish a communication with his cronies to foster friendship and be get love. Anand is not a novelist of fixed category. He has been called an ‘advocate of the lowly’ (Prasad 87), people also recognize him as ‘voice of suffering humanity’ (Burke 170). Despair and delight is a continuing theme of his fiction. One finds it difficult to define despair and delight. The two terms can be illustrated with sunshine and shower, sun and slum, happiness and sorrow et al. Life moves on the two wheels of despair and delight, which give a slice to our existence. Anand’s protagonists seem to struggle between the two terms to establish a meaning despite the objections of society and obstructions of external factors. Anand’s novels have attracted world wide attention of critics because of multitude appeals. Each novel of Anand offers several layers of despair and delight. One can hear ‘echoes of all kinds’ (Anand 633) in his fiction. The numberless motivations in Anand’s fiction give Anand an edge over his contemporary novelists. P.K. Rajan spends fulsome praises on Anand. The spiritual metaphysical and lyrical quality of Anand’s novels moves him. Each novel is a blend of despair and delight. Many critics have tried to explain Anand’s despair and delight in socio-political terms. They have failed to appreciate the sparks and have tried to circumscribe his fiction. K.R.S. Iyengar recognizes Anand’s talent and calls him a novelist who invokes multitude of responses. C.D. Narasimhaiah discovers in Anand’s fiction ‘human centrality’. D. Riemenschneider explores the problems of labour and fulfillment in the dimensions of despair and delight in Anand’s novels. He highlights their effect on the emotional and spiritual make-up of the hero in each novel. Since most of the heroes of Anand labour, it is viewed not only as a social activity but also as an instrument of self-realisation. Most of the characters of Anand are forced to sell their labour in order to survive. Their social and economic position is unalterable in a society crippled by caste-system. Therefore, alienation is for Reimenschender, not only the result of capitalistic forces but also feudal forces which are non-economic. This combination of economic and non-economic forces brings about a basic change in the hero in each novel of Anand. Reimenschender does not tell the whole truth if he emphasizes the dialectical relationship between man and society. No novel of Anand is imprisoned in Marxian ideas. Therefore, the focus on the pattern of despair and delight purely in ideological terms will mean circumscribing the scope of Anand’s fiction. Coolie (1936), in a very significant way conveys the various forms of alienation. It is the individual’s goodwill which is a potential solution to man’s alienation. The pattern of despair and delight acquires a spiritual tinge when Rameshwar Gupta asserts that his work rises above ideology and feeling and passion and touches the Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal

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transcendent. He adds a new dimension to the fiction of Anand when he remarks that Anand could not deny the irrational or the super-rational in man. He, like Hemingway, also looked to the cosmos for alliance with its energy. Various critical responses to the fiction of Anand have stimulated us to look at the pattern of despair and delight from different angles. Tagore is a romantic contemplative with a lack of vigour but Anand’s heroism is the infinite resilience of the human soul. Anand goes beyond the inherited romanticism and faces the contemporary world with all its miseries and struggles. He believes that man can emerge from the breakdown, the disruption and the decay. It is not without significance that harmony is the hallmark of Anand’s vision in his fiction. Anand seems close to existentialists who consider life as a continuous struggle. The struggle to come out of the adverse situations in life reflects man’s realization of his being. H.M. Williams rightly observes that Anand does not dwell on the image of a life-negating, passive and contemplative India. Anand, according to him, recreates the agreed political tension and social unrest of the thirties in his novels. This does not mean that the pattern in his novel blindly subscribes to the Marxist pattern. The nature of pattern in his fiction is hinted at in his following remark about Coolie: “It is more than a social documentary, more than a tract for times”. (Williams, 30) He does not make too much of “lurid painting” in Anand’s Two Leaves and a Bud (1937). S.C. Harrex emphasizes the sociopolitical messianic form of his fiction. The authorial self of Anand is rightly described as a dual personality combining the social observer and the romantic prophet. The objective social realist–form of his fiction also accommodates the subjective life of dream. The traditional self of an Indian gives Anand despair and the modern ego brings for him liberating delight. It is not without significance that Anand describes the whole process as the poetic realism which is a “synthesis of bifurcated subjective formalism and social realism”. (Harrex, 156) The hero in Anand’s novel is hunted down, trapped and arrested in his growth by the overpowering influences of an outer reality. What is more significant than this spectacle of despair is the fact that the outer reality is also ruined. Anand affectionately renders the qualities of resilience, courage and heroism. A.V. Krishna Rao is not fair to Anand when he says that Anand unveils rather than reveals human character in action. He under-rates his genius when he defines his individual as functional phenomena operating on the outer surface of life. Anand’s fiction is not suspended out of time and space. This should not encourage us to conclude that he rejects the essentially non-human and super-human attitude. If Anand’s doctrine of deeper socialism is preceded by an exposure to a number of viewpoints, this is not without the despair and delight of soul-searching. The honest intellectual process that leads Anand to his own formulation ignores neither despair nor delight. Man has been defined as a constellation of selves. Anand constructs order out of the chaos, strife, confusion and suffering stirs up his hope and heroism. A great novel teaches us to protest rather than to assent to the old order. It is an affront to simple expectation. Since a great novel is a network of significances, the pattern of despair and delight is to be explored in its various manifestations. The two-fold continuum – external and internal will embrace both what is environmental and what is archetypal. There are moments in each novel when Anand will jettison causality and annihilate historicity. His hero is not fully enmeshed in the temporarily of events. He will also sustain and preserve his primordial self. What is forcefully emphasized in his autobiographical novels is the ontological definition of the protagonist. Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal

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There is no substance in the remark that Anand reduces our vocabulary and simplifies and impoverishes our view of the inner life. Despair, delight and discovery converge and interact meaningfully in his fiction. Anand is able to accommodate his wide range of concerns in his fiction. His human concern for the under-dog is much more than his pre-occupation with economic determinism. It is well known that Iqbal made a tremendous impact on the mind of Anand. It is not out of place to refer to some of his views to give the pattern of despair and delight a philosophical perspective. Iqbal was critical of Plato because he had democrated between the phenomenal and the transcendental. The individual for Iqbal is a self-contained exclusive centre and he travels from chaos to cosmos. Iqbal emphasizes the rise of man from a primitive state of instinctive appetite to the vigorous possession of his free self. Man’s ego is always aspirational. Nature, according to Iqbal, does not bifurcate itself into the physical and the mental. Matter is spirit in space-time reference. If the phenomenal world is a myth for Plato, he falls down into a vague and obscured idealism. Iqbal has a taste for the phenomenal world and for man’s action. Life is a quest for him and the self of man is in perpetual uproar. For Iqbal, intuition and intellect need each other for their mutual regeneration. He always looks for the luminous point, the life-spark and the reliance of the self. It is love which fortifies the self of man. The resolution of conflicts into a healthy pattern is for Iqbal a process of configurationism. He does not share Nietzsche’s theory of eternal return which perpetuates a deadly fatalism. The resurrection of the human spirit is according to Iqbal, the consummation of the life process within the ego. Nature is for him not a static fact situated in a void but a structure of events showing a continuous creative flow. A pure immateriality situated in an absolute peace is for Iqbal unworkable. The movement of the world is for him the actualization of open possibilities. Man lives in a growing universe which develops and reforms human ego. What is remarkable about human life is the fact that the inner life of man is a perpetual flow, a constant mobility. The views of Tagore and Radhakrishnan on Man and his destiny find their echoes in the novels of Anand. Man, according to Tagore, is in possession of a spirit which has its enormous capital. Man has in him not only the noise of the earth but also the silence of the sea and the music of the year. These are in the character of Anand’s protagonist two selves – “the self which displays itself and the self which transcends itself” (Tagore, 86). The sacrificing self reaches into the infinite. The potentiality of perfection in man outweighs actual contradictions. Man can transform himself into a vigorous spiritual shoot. The blurring of man’s consciousness is his real bondage. Man in Anand’s fiction is a complex, multi-dimensional being. He is compelled by the laws of nature and driven by its impulses and yet he is more than nature. He is also the spirit who stands outside of nature. For the delight of man, according to Radhakrishnan, nothing is to be rejected and everything is to be raised. The empirical man is not sufficient because he dances to the tunes of stimuli and is in constant war with the environment. The empirical man has to achieve self-transcendence by exploring new horizons. Man can contend with the disruptive forces and can conquer them. If there is discord in life, it is only a stage and not the terminus. Life is a pattern of despair and delight and it is not without its dynamic thrust. Man has to make and remake himself for an authentic living. The nightmare of living in a hostile universe brings fear and disquiet for man; but the solitary contemplative sinks again and again into the quiet of self-communion. Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal

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Anand had no craving for the subtler delight of self-hypnosis. If revolution is a violent upsurge, it is without delight. What can bring delight for man is his desire for togetherness. Life is for Anand vital, vivid and intense and the tendentious, categorical imperatives of the dying world were meaningless to him. The journey from despair to delight is complete if we advance from our infancy to a more graceful and worthy self hood. The delight of Anand manifests itself in the creation of several idealistic characters who optimistically colour the climax in every novel. Anand clings in every novel to that aspect of himself which asserts itself against the despair of Camus and Sartre. Anand was keenly aware of the upward thrust of the ego of his protagonist. Independence for Anand is not only freedom from the alien rule but also the freedom from outworn, ethical fetters that bruised Indian spirit. Anand’s pattern of despair and delight combines the most significant features of history, psychology and philosophy. Anand as a novelist was engaged in a search for grasping the absence of human living. He is rightly described as the most conscious point of his age. The downtrodden people were for him the resilient core of civilization. Anand wrote about contemporary battles and agitation and gradually moved to a spiritual centre. Untouchable (1935) is a novel of protest against poverty, exploitation and discrimination. The feudal system symbolized by the lecherous Brahmin priest and the huge, colossal temple gives the hero despair. It is the denunciation of the decadence which delights Bhaka. Gandhi and the poet symbolize an assault on the old order and orthodoxy. The poet rails at the hangovers of the past. Anand glorifies the pastoral order in Coolie (1936), but he is not the uncritical worshipper. The machine is presented in the novel as something marvelous and menacing. The fact that industrialization debases and brutalizes can not obscure the human impulses which bring delight to human society. The callous industrial climate can not erase human emotions like brotherhood and friendship. What we have in the novel is the optimistic close rather than the cynical rounding off. In Two Leaves and a Bud (1937), we meet the protagonist who is old and beaten and not without recalcitrance and resilience. We notice in him a wild urge for living and loving which is thwarted in the callous colonial climate. Anand was the firely voice of the people. He realized the frustrations and their suppressed yearning for freedom. It is for us a conventional response. It is evident that Anand was sensitive to the stresses of his times and he tried to find a human solution to the problem of human suffering caused by a variety of factors. Anand’s fiction, on final analysis, is more than the expression of his self or the reflection of a social process. The total meaning in his fiction is the result of a process of accretion. Doubt and despair, dream and delight converge and interact meaningfully in his fiction. What P.K. Rajan says about the pattern of cultural orientation in the fiction of Anand is closer to the pattern of despair and delight to be explored and grasped in its various contexts – doctrinal, libidinal, cultural and philosophical. Dr. K.N. Sinha admires Anand for his vision of the vast human concourse and for his serene contemplation of characters and situations. There is a greater stress on delight than on despair on final analysis on his fiction. This is forcefully stated by Dr. K.N. Sinha in his following lines: His knowledge of life deepened with the passage of years, leading him to a mellow and serene and blessed contemplation of the human condition”. (Sinha, 134) Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal

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Works cited           

Anand, Mulk Raj, and Atma Ram. Mulk Raj Anand: A Reader: Selections from His Fictional and Non-fictional Writings. New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi, 2005. Print. Burke, Rupalee. “Mulk Raj Anand’s Coolie: A Story of Human Relationships.” Critical Response to V.S. Naipaul and Mulk Raj Anand. Ed. Amar Nath Prasad. New Delhi: Sarup and Sons, 2003. Print. HARREX, S.C. “Western Ideology and Eastern Forms of Fiction: The Case of Mulk Raj Anand.” Asian and Western Writers in Dialogue: New Cultural Identities. Ed. Amirthanayagam, Guy. London: Macmillan, 1982: 142-58. Iyengar, K.R. Srinivasa. Indian Writing in English. New Delhi: Sterling, 1962. Print. Narasimhaiah, C.D. The Swan and the Eagele: Essays on Indian English Literature, New Delhi: Vision Books. 1999. Prasad, Amar Nath. Critical Response to V.S. Naipaul and Mulk Raj Anand. New Delhi: Sarup and Sons, 2003. Print. Prof. H. M. Williams: Studies in Modern Indian Novel in English. Writers Workshop, Calcutta. 1973. Vol. I, p. 31. Rajan, P. K., Studies in Mulk Raj Anand. New Delhi: Abhinav Publications, 1986. Rao, A. V. Krishna. The Indo Anglian Novel and the Changing Tradition. Mysore: Rao and Raghvan, 1972. Print. Sinha K.N. Mulk Raj Anand. 1972. New York: Twayne Publishers Tagore, Rabindranath. Sadhana: The Realisation of Life. S.l.: Book Tree,US, 2012. Print.


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Ahom Architecture: An Ode to the Architecture of Assam Rikimi Madhukaillya Assistant Professor, Pearl Academy, A-21/13, Naraina Industrial Area, Phase II, Near Shadipur Metro Station, New Delhi, Delhi 110028 ABSTRACT The article gives a glimpse to the rich cultural and architectural history of Assam, which is one of the primary states of North-East India. For hundreds of years, nobody cared about the rich cultural and architectural heritage of the state as it was going through violent armed struggles. It traces the history and culture of Assam from historical point of view and underlines beauty of its Architectures and their specifications.

Key Words: Assam, Violence, History of Art of Assam, Ahom Kingdom, Medieval Architecture Ahoms traced their origin to the Tai race. Rangpur, the ancient cultural-political capital of Assam known as Sivasagar today, is 400 kms away from Guwahati, the current capital of the Assam. Sivasagar used to be the most important site for art and architecture during the Ahom rule. It is said that the term ‘Ahom’ was derived from the word Asama, meaning unequal in reference to the valor and fighting skills they possessed. The present name of this region, Assam (locally Axom) is a derivative of the word Ahom. Swargadeo Gadadhar Singha was the first king of Ahom who accepted Brahmanical religion officially and started building temples locally called Dol. The architectures of this period could be divided into three categories, i.e. the temple architectures, palatial-residential architectures and pyramidal burial mounds. This paper is going to focus on the first of the types with brief introduction to the other two as well. This region had possessed its special skill of making multi-storied houses with traditional and perishable materials like bamboo, wood and cane, similar to the tradition of architectures of south-east Asian countries, since its beginning. So, historians believe that most of the live-in architectures have weathered and perished away with time. This type of architecture is called Kareng. Two amongst these three significant Karengs are interconnected with a secret underground route, which had been also connected to the nearby river Dikhou. The distance between the two karengs are about 8kms and the length of the tunnel to the river is about 5kms. The larger kareng near the Sivasagar town is also called Talatal ghar which has a maze like structure with identical doorways to confuse the intruder or invader. There are various versions of stories of curious visitors entering the tunnel and never found their way out. Archeological Survey of India has blocked the entry of the tunnel a couple of years back to avoid accidents. The other Kareng at Gargaon has four storied tapering elevation. The structure resembles Panch Mahal of Bishnupur-Bankura of Bengal. Each floor has multiple staircases mostly leading to blind doors and only some leading to the next floor to confuse outsiders. This was perhaps a strategy to confuse the invaders while the royal family could secretly sneak into the river through tunnel and run away. According to the textsi, Gargaon Kareng ghar has two storied (much larger than other ones) underground portion.


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The third of its kind is called Rang Ghar meaning a house of entertainment. The king along with his ministers and extended royal family used to visit and enjoy various traditional and ceremonial games and performances such as Monh juj(Bull fight), Kukura juj(Cock fight), Koni Juj(Egg fight) etc. on the field on front called Bakori particularly during the Bihus.ii It is unimaginable today to think of a pavilion or an architecture entirely dedicated to entertainment with huge openings on each walls and no division of space in a floor. The ceiling has been decorated with fish scale like pattern, while the exterior has two makaras on both the sides of the roof reminding Tibbetan, Thai pagoda architectures. The roof is a prototype of Do-chala type of Bengal and Assam.

Maidam, the burial mounds, could be compared to the pyramids of Egypt and the stupas of Buddhists. The relics or bodies of the royal family members and important noble men used to be buried under these structures of terracotta bricks and stone forming a pyramidal structure. The status and hierarchy of the dead person determines the height and size of the Maidam. The maidams of Gadadhar Singha or Supatpha(1618-1696) and Rudra Singha or Sukrumpha are amongst the largest which is about 15mts from the tomb proper. Saraideo remains the most important sites for the maidams.


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Dr. Pradip Acharya, the former director of Archeological Survey of Assam wrote, “the pyramidal mounds’ tapering towards the top suggests conformity with belief that the dead could walk up to the heaven. In fact, similar royal tombs with similar structures exist in China, some of which are thousands of years old. It is believed that royal people were buried under these maidams with plenty of gold and wealth for the life after death. Resultantly the maidams had become prey for the invaders including Moghul, the Burmese and then followed by the British and some locals who had dug open most of these maidams. Let us take, Jaimoti’s Maidam or Fakua Dol dedicated to the mother of Rudra Singha, who had sacrificed her life for the sake of welfare of her husband and the land. Her death was quite torturous that even her body couldn’t be found. Rudra Singha after becoming the king had patronized this maidam and replica made out of gold which is supposed to be buried under this maidam. Every year during the holi festival, a local ritual takes place to commemorate her martyr. Dol, the religious architecture, is one of the most important examples of the excellence of Ahom Architecture. Ahom kings had also commissioned temple tanks with every dol. Some of the significant tanks are like Jaisagar (almost 1square km area), Gaurisagar, Rudrasagar, Sivasagar, Borpukhuri, Athaisagar etc. The stylistics of the Dol type of architecture resembles North Indian temple architectures at large and also has great similarity with the architectures of Pala and Chandela dynasty. Sikhara or the Mastaka part resembles the Bengal Teracotta temples of Bishnupur. Dols generally have four anga shikharas attached to the gandi part. Every shikhara has 2 to 5 upside down kalashas one on top of other. The top most part is made out of solid gold which holds the ayudha of the temple. Mostly these intricate kalashas have been replaced with concrete ones, because the older gold ones were stolen by British and other invaders. The local Archeological Survey of Assam caretaker informed that the golden sikhara of one thmajor temple Sivadol had fallen from its position about a decade back, which was measured as 1.5mts tall. The overall Dol is 37metres tall and 61.75 meters in breadth. It was built in 1655 AD by Queen Ambika Kunwori during the reign of Shiva Singha. The base of these dols is close to the ground level unlike the high raised platforms of other north Indian temples.

The ground plan of the Dol can be divided into two parts known as Baat sora and Garbha griha. Baat sora generally has a dochala or charchala type of roof. The outer walls of the garbhagrihas are either plain only with sculptural niches or projections. The sculptures in the niches and other minor ornamentation is made out separately on terracotta or stone; at some rare cases also directly made out of plaster of the walls. This plaster is the important Contemporary Research Spectrum Journal

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characteristics of Ahom architecture which is made out of edibles, like Borali fish, duck eggs, molasses, raisin, sticky rice and burnt snail shell lime to stop decaying process of these foods before drying. In contrast to the exterior, the interior is simple and without any decorative elements. Simplicity is the identity of Ahom architecture. Baat sora has low doorways on each side to lit up the area with natural light, whereas Garbha griha is dark, gloomy and a damp space. None of these garbhagrihas have circumambulation but none the less these are not narrow and suffocating areas like the other north Indian temples. Rather, it gives the devotee a serene feeling with the high ceiling. No iron rods have been used to make or support these structures, only the Archeological survey has attached iron beams while restoring them, which is doubtful as instead of helping the structure, iron beams are becoming burden for most of the Dols. The early architects and craftsmen had used a very common technique where they used to fill the negative space with clay and then make the superstructure and scope out the clay part after the superstructure was dried. The humble architecture style of Assam opens up a huge area of un-researched dimension to the greater survey of history of art in India. Questions emerge as the negligence of the mainstream has been avoiding theses areas for hundreds of years. My paper is a small initiative towards that direction. Bibliography  Barua, Ghanakanta. Ahoma Praimara. 2nd ed. Unknown, 1936. Print.  Barua, Harakanta. Assam Buranji, Or, A History Of Assam, From The Commencement Of The Ahom Rule To The British Occupation Of Assam In 1826 A.D.. [Gauhati]: Dept. of Historical and Antiquarian Studies, Assam, 1930. Print.  Baruah, S.L. Last Days Of Ahom Monarchy: A History Of Assam From 1769-1826. New Delhi: Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers, 1993. Print.  Bhuyan, Suryya Kumar. Assam Buranji, Or, A Chronicle Of Assam From The Earliest Ahom Kings To Swargadeo Gadadhar Singha. Shillong, Assam: Government of Assam in the Dept. of Historical and Antiquarian studies, 1960. Print.  Dowson, John. A Classical Dictionary Of Hindu Mythology And Religion, Geography, History And Literature. London: Trubner, 1879. Print.  Gait, Edward Albert. A History Of Assam. Calcutta: Thacker, Spink & Co., 1906. Print.  Gogoi, Padmeswar. The Tai And The Tai Kingdoms. [Gauhati]: Dept. of Publication, Gauhati University, 1968. Print.  Harakanta Baruwa Sadaramin, and Suryya Kumar Bhuyan. Assam Buranji. Assam: N.p., 1930. Print.  Wijeyewardene, Gehan, and E. C Chapman. Patterns And Illusions. Canberra: Richard Davis Fund and Dept. of Anthropology, Research School of Pacific Studies, Australian National University, 1992. Print. i

Buranji, the form of written history patronized by the Ahoms. The main festival of the region celebrating season. Bohag Bihu being Rongali celebrates new year, spring and youthfulness whereas Magh Bihu being Bhogali celebrates gathering of crop, leisure and fullness of food grains. ii


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