Future of Role of Heavy Loads and Logistics

Future of Role of Heavy Loads and Logistics: 

The business patterns are likely to change in the near future in the sector of heavy load and logistics industry. The heavy load and logistics industry is in a challenging position to take up the world's most important business industry. As per the current scenario, the future of the logistics and heavy load industry is highly dependent on the growth of technology. 

Interdependence of heavy load and logistics industry: 

The functioning of the heavy load and logistics industry is highly dependent upon each other. Since the major operation of logistics deals with the delivery task, the heavy load industry comes into a task in facilitating smooth delivery to the customers. Both industries work closely to make the delivery process effective by reaching the masses at the right time. 

Factors leading to change in the logistics industry: 

The industry relies heavily on the needs and expectations of customers, and the pace of growth depends on the push factor of technology. The future of logistics is quite unpredictable, but one thing is for sure going to happen, i.e., transformation. Technological advancement in the industry given below will lead to the ultimate success of the logistics and heavy load industry. 

Drones and Trucks: 

Driverless vehicles and drones are no more a dream, with the invention of Tesla of autonomous cars, driverless trucks are not too far to get invented. But, what good will driverless trucks do? After the news released by Amazon related to doorstep delivery of products by drones has created a lot of hustle. With the introduction of Amazon Prime Air, the company has set a challenging limit for other brands and relaxed the task of customers. 

The availability of electric trucks is likely to facilitate logistics in the growth of both departments. Once, the freight trucks get loaded with the driverless facility, then it makes the delivery more convenient leading to customer satisfaction.

Usage of Social Media: 

Social media has the power to boost sales and create a reliable supply chain. Ultimately, benefiting businesses and customers. As per the information from different sources, more than half of the American population feel that customer service via social media is effective. Social media has become a powerful tool in optimizing logistics and heavy load industries. 

More advancement in the field of social media will open doors for marketing leading to demand heavy load and logistics in supplying the orders. Moreover, social media turns out to be helpful in building a reliable chain leading to increasing demand for heavy load and logistics industry. 

GPS Accuracy: 

Unlike the older times, when people needed to carry big maps with them and rely on local people for directions, now the scenario has changed. Various navigation apps help us to reach our destination on time. The innovation of navigation allows people to avoid wasting time and reach their destination fastest. 

All the delivery trucks are connected with GPS. These provisions will allow delivery trucks to navigate the area of delivery and provide the products and services at the earliest. Making the advancement by developing reliable sources to reach out to will be beneficial. Due to these navigation apps, the vision of drones and driverless will be possible. By updating the destination on drones and trucks, the entire process of delivery will become hassle-free.

Blockchain: 

The innovation in the blockchain technological aspect can get triggered in the coming years. In comparison with other supplier management tools, blockchain will have extensive reach. The tension of tracking the order will vanish. These companies will keep an eye on the delivery of products, starting from placing a shipment order till the delivery. The officials working at the operational companies help in boosting the sales and easy delivery. 

The internet and technological advancement lends a helping hand to customers in tracking their orders. Logistic companies are equipped with shipping and tracking systems for the entire day.

The Internet of Things (IoT):

The Internet has a severe impact on the lives of people as loads of data can be transferred in one click with the use of the internet. IoT gives the taste of advanced technology to its users by providing great opportunities. Even, the delayed supply chains which were previously been affected due to lack of coordination can now get sought out. The technological advancement will lead to a reduction in the costs and avoid any delays in either delivery of services or products. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI): 

Artificial Intelligence is integral to the logistics and heavy load industry to strengthen the delivery process. Artificial intelligence has a huge impact on the logistics and heavy load industry. It can contribute to strengthening and reducing the time and cost of delivery. With the help of AI , companies can reduce errors and overcome the hassle that comes in between their work.

The technological advancement in the field of artificial intelligence can smoothen the communication process and data transmission. 

Facts and figures dealing with heavy load and logistics industry: 

If we talk about the current scenario, the picture will become more clear to us. 

There are more than 53,000 merchant ships that carry forward the shipment of products around the world. 

On average, there are 500,000 truck companies that are actively contributing to the field of logistics. 

There are over 51.2 million tons of orders transported through air freight, contributing to a larger amount of delivery. 

The current figures for the logistics and heavy load industry can show growth in the coming years. 

Conclusion: 

The heavy loads and logistics work hand-in-hand, with the growth in the heavy load industry there is a hidden growth in the logistics industry too. But how is this possible? It is easy, the logistics industry deals with the provision of allowing products to flow smoothly between businesses and individuals. If the heavy load industry tends to be on the growing pattern, then we can expect easy and fast delivery of products. But, there is a hidden factor that leads to boosting the growth of these industries, i.e, technology. 

"Under the pretext of Emergency, fundamental rights have been suspended." Elucidate. (A fine balance)

Ques. "Under the pretext of Emergency, fundamental rights have been 

suspended." Elucidate. 

A Fine Balance has been an artistically drawn-out novel by Rohinton Mistry. The novel is a mixture of joy and woe, heaven and hell in which the novelist has tried to cover the most volatile and violent spectrum of contemporary history, which shook the social-political stagnation of the country. Since the novel is set during the Emergency period in the mid-1970s, which is marked by huge political unrest and human rights violations, including detention, torture, and forced sterilization. According to T. Vijay Kumar: “A Fine Balance is a depressing novel set in a depressing period of Indian history."

In the novel, Rohinton Mistry tried to weave all his experiences and memories he made in his 

birthplace. A Fine Balance pictures together with a tale of the 1970s struggle in India and the midst of a state of Emergency. The Emergency period depicts the turbulent times when most of the parliamentary opposition, alongside thousands of students, trade unionists, and social workers were put behind the bars to enable Indira Gandhi to retain power. This state of Emergency intrudes into the lives of many humans. Thus, Mistry highlights his concept and cruelty of the Emergency period by telling a tale of Dina Dalal along with Om Prakash, Ishvar,

and Maneck Kohlal. 

Dina Dalal is being depicted as an old woman, who is trying to earn her living by employing two tailors Omprakash and Ishvar besides that she gave a room on rent to Maneck Kohlal. So, apart from Dina's life of three other characters namely- Ishwar, Omprakash, and Maneck have been showcased. All these characters suffer from a sense of rootlessness. Since all of them belong to different parts of the country for say, Dina Dalal is set up in Bombay, Ishwar Darji and Omprakash are from rural India, and Maneck from the high altitudes of the Himalayas. All the characters at Dina's place. 

Throughout the novel, we can see the harsh conditions in which each character is surviving and the political disturbance has added more to their problems and blighted their lives. In the end, we have seen the two poor tailors struggling only for a livelihood and are utterly-crushed-Ishvar and Om converted as beggars on the streets for small charities, till death comes mercifully to release them from this burden called life. Not only the economy was disturbed due to political 

tension but many people sacrificed their lives too as shown through the example of Maneck 

Kohlah was crushed under the train. Alongside, Omprakash, Ishvar, and Maneck, Dina's life was also affected at the end she loses her struggle and is forced to leave her apartment and live at her brother’s place, forfeiting her independence. 

Along with the depiction of Emergency, Mistry makes some revealing political insights also 

through the take of Omprakash and Ishvar. However, in the novel, it is been showcased that certain fundamental rights have been ceased from people. For example, if we see the Indian government they had passed laws where they have prohibited untouchability but in all practical purposes, the untouchability is carried on in different parts of India as Narayan says in the novel- “Government passes new laws says no more untouchability, yet everything is the same. The 

upper caste bastards, still treat are worse than animals … “Those kinds of things take time to change.”

“More than twenty years have passed since Independence. How much longer? I want to be able to drink from the village well, worship in the temple, walk where I like.”

During the 1970s untouchability was a prominent problem specifically in rural areas. The book has tried to captures the emotions of Dalits or untouchables whose freedom was taken away and they were denied basic human rights. Even Dalits were denied to enter the temple of learning. Ishvar and Narayan learned about untouchability through instances that happened with them in school. The teacher used to shout: “You Chamaar rascals! Very brave you are getting, daring to enter the school! He twisted their ears till they yelped with pain and started to cry... Is this what your parents teach you? To defile the tools of learning and knowledge?" Thus ultimately depriving them of the right to education. The transition in rural life, the change in aspirations of the lower castes, the attempts by the upper castes to preserve the old order is aptly delineated which is mentioned through a major instance in the violence perpetrated by Thakar Dharamsi and his henchmen against Narayan's family during the week of parliamentary elections.

The evictions of the poor from the cities, the forced labor camps, the sterilizations are the 

manifestations of the Internal Emergency. On one hand, people talk about equality but on the other hand, all the untouchables live a life of ignominy where they have no rights, where their women are raped, their huts are burnt down, and they are brutally beaten up and they have nowhere to go, nobody to complain to, no one to whom they can approach for justice. As to when Dukhi decides to make his son tailor, he has to suffer the anger of Thakur: “What the ages had put together, Dukhi had dared to break asunder; he had turned cobblers into tailors, distorting society’s timeless balance. Crossing the line of caste had to be punished with the utmost severity,” said the Thakur.”

During the election, Narayan tries to assert his democratic right and cast his vote. For his 

defiance, Narayan and the other two "Chamars" are forcibly gagged, flogged, and tortured and they were hanged in the village square. The conditions in the rural area were worst and the most affected class of people were those who belong to the lower caste and those who are economically backward. During Emergency, “the right to trial was effectively suspended; public meetings were banned; newspapers were subject to strict controls; and even the writings on freedom of Indira’s father, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Mahatma Gandhi were censored”.

Rohinton Mistry very aptly portrays the callousness of the government authorities who are keener on achieving the targets of sterilization rather than thinking about the welfare of the poor. The overall situation in the country was grim since the 'Emergency' was announced. Mistry's concept of India in the Emergency seems to be larger than life-size.

Through the novel 'A Fine Balance', Rohinton Mistry tries to depict the dark period of Emergency which was a blot in the history of India. A Fine Balance is a microcosm of life in 

general and political disturbances, which Mistry observed while being in India. He wanted to draw an image of all the instances which he experienced in India be it - the cheap tricks of political parties and its effects are on the local public. However, this political disturbance took a major violent blow when the violence against the body started the most drastic form in the enforced sterilizations initiated by Indira’s son and heir apparent, Sanjay. Ultimately, by the end of the novel, we saw the dirty political game of the so-called 'bigwig' politician who made the locals of the country feel unsafe and unprotected.

Benjamin Franklin & Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Question. Benjamin Franklin & Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Answer: “He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened."

The style, purpose in writing, values presented, and personality portrayed in the autobiographies of two great enlightenment thinkers, Benjamin Franklin and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, disclose the similarities and differences of enlightenment ideals surfacing in Europe and America. Reflecting on the words of Lao Tzu there seems little need to directly address broad ideals on subjects such as government, the rights of man, independence, religion, virtue, science, and progress as knowing one’s self is the most basic and pure realization of enlightenment. In this respect, it is each philosopher’s basic principals, the details and nature of their thoughts and actions, which dictate their stance on larger issues.

Both Franklin and Rousseau have written autobiographies that, through years of circulation, have achieved status as important, influential works. After writing the first section of autobiographic advice to his son, Franklin received a letter from Able James, a friend, encouraging him to continue in his writing. James writes that Franklin’s continuation in writing “would be useful and entertaining not only to a few but to millions”.[2] Rousseau’s autobiography is described in the text of The West in the World as “one of the most striking autobiographical works ever written”.[3]

While different underlying rational may have motivated the commencement of both autobiographies, in effect, they contain several similarities. The motivating force which initiated Franklin’s writing was rooted in his desire to imbue upon his son the lessons and stories of his life.[4] Only after several years and the urging of others does Franklin write with the public in mind.[5] Rousseau, on the other hand, began writing his autobiography Confessions, “to set before my fellow-mortals a man in all the truth of nature”.[6] In effect, both autobiographies address all of mankind as they elucidate subjects and emotions that touch everyone. Even the portions Franklin writes for his son and the letters to friends and family present issues that people around the world can identify to.[7] In actuality it is Franklin who champions the lower classes, reflecting a divergence in the American and European Enlightenments. Franklin speaks for “general conversation” and “common tradesmen and farmers” exemplifying this divergence.[8]

Before examining the content of Rousseau and Franklin’s autobiographies, similarities and differences between them must be examined with regard to subject matter and overall style. With regard to subject matter both autobiographies present some form of philosophical enlightenment material, as opposed to a simple chronology of events. Franklin delineated his philosophy concerning thirteen virtues he had found to be most pertinent in “arriving at moral perfection”. Rousseau incorporated enlightenment philosophy through the use of what he labels “impressions”, meaning the investigation of events to discover the emotional results. Both Franklin and Rousseau were extremely moralistic individuals, indicating the importance of morals in Enlightenment ideals in both Europe and America.[9]`[10] Franklin, for example, practiced his thirteen virtues and even kept a list of his personal adherence to them.[11] Rousseau describes his education with the statement, “If ever education was perfectly chaste, it certainly that I received; my three aunts were of exemplary prudence”.[12] In his second book Rousseau writes:

I repeat, and shall perhaps repeat again, an assertion I have already advanced, and of those truth I every day receive fresh conviction, which is, that if ever child received a reasonable and virtuous education, it was myself. Born in a family of unexceptionable morals, every lesson I received was replete with maxims of prudence and virtue.[13]

Throughout their autobiographies Rousseau and Franklin often indicated the state of their adherence to sound moral principals. Franklin wrote, “It may be well to let you know the then state of my mind with regard to my principles and morals, that you may see how far those influenced the future events of my life”.[14] Similarly, Rousseau described his moral state writing, “I had no companions to vitiate my morals: I became idle, careless, and obstinate, but my principles were not impaired.”[15]

Franklin and Rousseau each took different approaches in analyzing countless subjects ranging from women to politics. Franklin tended to view a certain situation with the given moral basis that he himself possessed, not allowing himself to step outside certain boundaries. Franklin writes, “So convenient a thing is it to be a reasonable creature, since it enables one to find or make a reason for everything one has a mind to do”.[16] Franklin views the world in a very direct precise manner, as one who studied hard science would view his work. This view is supported by the fact that Franklin was very influenced by science, just as science was influenced by Franklin. Franklin, in conjunction with the American Revolution, represents these straight forward ideals. The nature of this particular time period in American history mandated the necessity of applicable moral decision making, clarity, and action in Enlightenment ideals.[17]

On the other hand, to attempt to generalize Rousseau’s moral convictions is a lesson in contradiction. Rousseau writes of himself, “Thus began to form and demonstrate itself a heart at once haughty and tender, a character effeminate, yet invincible; which, fluctuating between weakness and courage, luxury and virtue, has ever set me in contradiction to myself; causing abstinence and enjoyment, pleasure and prudence, equally to shun me”.[18] Rousseau did not posses the straight forward scientific mind Franklin wielded. In fact, Rousseau believed, “arts and sciences corrupted rather than improved human conduct”.[19] Inferred from Rousseau and Franklin’s respective autobiographies is the supposition that moral thinking or straightforward reasoning based on morals played a large role in the American Enlightenment while contradictory ideals used to examine “the truth of nature” formed the essence of the European Enlightenment.

Both Rousseau and Franklin’s values reflect a strong influence of organized religion on their lives despite the fact that both rejected the structured environment of religion. In his teens Rousseau ran away from his apprenticeship to a coppersmith “to escape the ridged discipline”.[20] Rousseau then lived for a short time with a Roman Catholic priest but was transferred to another household and found himself in a Protestant institution. Rousseau’s position on organized religion can be discerned from the following excerpt from Confessions: “whether I was an honest man or a knave was very immaterial, provided I went to mass. This ridiculous mode of thinking is not peculiar to Catholics, it is the voice of every dogmatical persuasion where merit consists in belief, and not in virtue”.[21] Franklin, like Rousseau, rejected organized religion and particularly mysticism. At age fifteen Franklin read a book that attempted to reject the ideology behind Deism. Franklin, however, found the arguments for Deism more compelling than those against. At this juncture in Franklin’s life he decided to abandon his Protestant upbringing, however, this abandonment was only in the organizational and mystical portions of religion. Franklin continued to maintain many of the Christian virtues as vital parts of his life.[22] Lack of religious structure was a factor in both the American and European Enlightenment. The American Enlightenment, however, emphasized Christian ideals and God more than the European as demonstrated by classic American documents such as The Declaration of Independence.

Stylistically, Rousseau emphasized emotional aspects of people and events, taking liberty to personalize the actions of the people as opposed to Franklin’s general lack of emotion. Speaking of Miss Lambercier, who was like a mother to Rousseau, there is mention of her look of “disapprobation and uneasiness”. Franklin’s style most often consists of a story that has a lesson to be learned as events unfold. Franklin, as compared to Rousseau, does not divulge into his inner emotions. Speaking about his marriage to Miss Reed, Franklin wrote, “We ventured, however, over all these difficulties, and I took her to wife, Sept. 1, 1730. None of the inconveniences happened that we had apprehended; she proved a good and faithful helpmate…”[23] Rousseau, on the other hand describes his association with the opposite sex with the words, “and when I became a man, that childish taste, instead of vanishing, only associated with the other that I never could remove from my sensual desires”.[24] Clearly Rousseau draws from emotions within to give the reader a clear idea of the situation and his feelings. In the end Franklin imparts his messages by putting the reader in his own shoes while Rousseau gives the reader access to his mind and inner emotions. This emotional aspect is another distinguishing factor present in the European Enlightenment which ultimately led to the growth of Romanticism in Europe.

Though Benjamin Franklin and Jean-Jacques Rousseau can be compared and contrasted on a number of levels with regards to a number of subjects, understanding the similarities and differences of both philosophers and their respective Enlightenments requires the examination of their inner personalities and motives. Both Franklin and Rousseau, if examined by Lao Tzu, would truly be deemed enlightened to the fullest extent. Benjamin Franklin, concurring with Lao Tzu, writes in Poor Richard’s Almanac, “Observe all men; thy self most.”[25] There remains little doubt that Franklin and Rousseau know themselves in a way that transcends time.

Examine the role played by Shug in Celie's assertion of self. (The Color Purple)

Ques. Examine the role played by Shug in Celie's assertion of self. 

Ans. Alice Walker's The Color Purple is concerned with the aspect of racism, sexism, and gender discrimination and their negative psychological effect on women's minds. The female characters in the novel do not have a stable identity, but their identity is fluid and dependent on their language and other characters' speech and emotions. 

The sisterhood among all the female characters helped each of them to find themselves and have a stable identity. Even, the protagonist of the narrative does not have an identity herself and through writing letters, she is seemed to find herself. Her life has been fragmented into pieces, and given away to others. But, the sisterhood with Shug and Sofia allows Celie to move from a fragmented state of self to a state of self-possession.

The bond between Celie and Shug begins as soon as Celie had a glimpse of Shug's picture. Celie kind of, felt attracted to Shug, and later, when she met Shug her relation with her started to grow. At the beginning itself, Celie made one thing clear that, "I don't even look at men. That's the truth, I look at women, tho, cause I'm not scared of them."

When Shug and Celie met for the first time, Celie was nothing like the way she was at the end of the novel. Though, Shug's first few words after looking at Celie were "you sure are ugly". But, as time last they started to share a bond. The readers can anticipate that Shug was the most important part of Celie's life. She gives Celie a sense of identity and also makes her feel sexually, physically, and emotionally more comfortable. Shug's love has uplifted Celie's self-esteem. Shug has taught many things to Celie in a blink of an eye. 

To Celie, the connection with Shug was important because Shug made her feel important. From their relationship and shared experiences, Shug has turned Celie's life around and have her a new beginning. Because of Shug, Celie has finally realised and became an independent woman that can stand for herself and her beliefs. Even, at times we have seen Shug acting as a mother figure, ultimately helping her to grow into an independent well-thinking individual. 

Shug teaches Celie about the importance of life and how to make each moment count. She teaches Celie the definition of love. "Love is big. Love can hold anger, love can even hold hatred. I mean, you know, it's all - it's all love. It's about the intention of what you want it to do. It's about what you're trying to give. And often when you're trying to give something, you know, it has a lot of pain in it. But the pain too is a part of the love."

Initially, it was expected that both of them will have only sexual relations but the way Celie used to see Shug and describe her as "She admired this beautiful woman dressed in furs and wore high hills that made her stand tall. Shug teaches Celie about the importance of life and how to enjoy it. Most of all she teaches Celie how to love." Soon their relation took a turn into sisterhood and they used to laugh, play, sing, and talk about everything. Celie states, "Us sleep like sisters, me and Shug."

Shug has turned Celie's life upside down, from teaching her about love, to help her to gain individually and in the end helping her to stitch pants to earn living. After Celie and Shug god sexually intimate, Celie started to feel more of a way than just live for Shug that is when she thought of making a revelation regarding her rape by her Pa. 

Celie confides in Shug and through their conversation readers got to know the whole episode of Celie's rape by her father. She revealed, "But one time when mama not at home, he comes. Told me he wants to trim his hair. He being the scissors and comb and brush and a stool. While I trim his hair he looks at me funny. He little nervous too, but I don't know why, till he grabs hold of me and crams me up tween his legs." 

When Shug recovered, is about to move on with her life and will be leaving Celie. It makes Celie upset and she finally revealed that in Shug's absence Mr. Albert beat her Celie insisted she stay for a bit longer because she knew that without her, her life would be dull and there will be no joy. 

The relationship between Shug and Celie is very significant because it helps Celie who was the weak, submissive girl at the beginning of the novel to grow into an independent free-thinking woman by the end of the book. The relationship between Shug and Celie had made Celie feel important. Not only this, the relationship booster Celie's confidence and empowered her to be that independent woman. In the end, when Celie and Shug leave for Memphis, then also being a friend Shug mentioned her and teach, how to see pants. Thus, helping her to grow financially too. 

The Color Purple is the story of Celie's healing, but it is not the writing of letters that she is healed: it is with the love and acceptance from Shug, which enables her to take her words outside the letters and to speak them out loud, for someone else to hear. It is through the help of Shug that Celie looked forward to seeking respect and create her identity. Celie was completely opposite person at the end of the book, now she is financially independent, famous, and loved by a woman she loved the most. "I am so happy. I got love, I got work, I got money, friends and time."

Like a true friend, Shug supported Celie in every situation and helped her to grow independent and taught her to live her life to the fullest. 

Discuss the epistolary form in 'The Color Purple'.

Ques. Discuss the epistolary form in 'The Color Purple'.

The Color Purple by Alice Walker is considered a classic womanist text. It stars the black woman 'Celie', living in the frame of male civilization, racist and sexist being subject to all possible forms of oppression. The literary historian Trudier Harris in Black American Literature Forum commented that the novel has, "become the classic problem by a black woman" as "the pendulum determining focus on black writers had swung in their favor and Alice Walker had been waiting in the wings of the feminist movement."

The Color Purple bears the formal remark of the 'epistolary novel' sometimes it is called a 'diary novel' too. Basically, epistolary novel means written in the form of letters. The Color Purple is a narrative that parts the way with the "traditional" novel in several formal aspects, and these aspects stress the contrasts established by the setting and the character. The female protagonist of the story describes herself. Celie has the dominating voice in the novel, she controls the words of the people present in her letters not only this but through her Nettie's letters are also depicted. Though, Celie does not consider her letters as anything else than just, a written document saying the things she wishes to tell the recipients she cannot speak to in person.

Unlike many 'traditional' epistolary narrative heroines, Celie's story is set up in a different setting and so her story is unusual. Also through the epistolary form, Walker links a formal and western tradition to an oral and distinctly African American folk expression. It is through these letters that readers were allowed to look into the series of oppression that white people carried on black people. Celie's and Nettie's struggles with their place in a society dominated by white people are brought together towards the end of the novel. The center of the tale is injust suffered by blacks. Thus, the bitter truth is acknowledged in these letters.

Celie uses the letters to allow her to speak and also to get structure to her identity and her sense by writing. As the novel started, the readers can hear her voice only through her letters to God with the command over it- "not never tell nobody but God". These letters give Celie chance to grow and express her thoughts which points out her spiritual development and pave her path to independence. Apart from this, through her letters Celie allows other characters to speak as well as within the letters for instance Nettie's letter, through words the audience got to know about her proceedings in life. Nettie is considered to be the second narrator, as though the letter she used to write was about her experience under different circumstances. It is through, Nettie that readers got to know about her life and oppression in Africa and how Olinka was ruled by European Rubber Planters. 

Through the use of epistolary narrative, Celie takes a step forward towards herself assertion. Since Celie gained self-acceptance, she started to speak for herself, for instance, she declared the decision her going to Memphis. As we have seen that initially, Celie did not use to sign her letters but later she started stressing her identity through her family relationships, her business, her love, and her new place in the world. Later, she begins to sign letters as 'Amen', even it is seen that once Celie allows Shug to say 'Amen' in the letter. It was with help of Shug that the letters of Nettie were arranged in chronological order. 

The basic narrative of the story is linked with the main theme of gaining an identity and of rebirth and survival. Throughout the narrative we have seen two parties writing letters, that is, Celie and Nettie addressed to each other but these letters were not exchanged as they were never received. The letters which are in the first person were directly addressing God and sometimes Celie. Though the storyline was fragmented just like her life because the letters of Nettie didn't reach Celie at the time, since both parties was separated by force. Thus, the basic function of letters is lost throughout the narrative. 

Finally, the story ends with the family reunion as depicted in the last letter we see, Nettie has returned back to Celie, and so Celie can no longer address her; she turns back to God instead, and give her thanks for having let Nettie come back to her. Since Nettie is with Celie, so Celie dedicated her last letter to "Dear God, dear star, dear trees, dear sky, dear peoples. Dear everything. Dear God". Obviously, by the end, Celie overcame her inability to speak and Nettie's absence. Other letters do not play a significant role in the novel as Celie has got everything including her identity and her sister.

The Color Purple parts way with the letter novel not only in the content but in tradition too, and also on the most fundamental function of it as well: it is in her solitude that Celie finds her happy ending. The novel gives Celie, a voice both in the story world and in the American literary tradition. Though, the letter fails to communicate as it does not reach the one to whom it is addressed. 

"Under the pretext of Emergency, fundamental rights have been suspended." Explain in context of the novel 'A Fine Balance' by Rohinton Mistry

Ques. "Under the pretext of Emergency, fundamental rights have been suspended." Elucidate.

A Fine Balance has been an artistically drawn-out novel by Rohinton Mistry. The novel is a

mixture of joy and woe, heaven and hell in which the novelist has tried to cover the most

volatile and violent spectrum of contemporary history, which shook the social-political

stagnation of the country. Since the novel is set during the Emergency period in the mid-1970s, which is marked by huge political unrest and human rights violations, including detention, torture, and forced sterilization. According to T. Vijay Kumar: “A Fine Balance is a depressing novel set in a depressing period of Indian history."

In the novel, Rohinton Mistry tried to weave all his experience and memories he made in his

birthplace. A Fine Balance pictures together with a tale of the 1970s struggle in India and the midst of a state of Emergency. The Emergency period depicts the turbulent times when most of the parliamentary opposition, alongside thousands of students, trade unionists, and social workers who were put behind the bars to enable Indira Gandhi to retain power. This state of Emergency intrudes into the lives of many humans. Thus, Mistry highlights his concept and cruelty of the Emergency period by telling a tale of Dina Dalal along with Om Prakash, Ishvar, and Maneck Kohlal. 

Dina Dalal is being depicted as an old woman, who is trying to earn her living by employing two tailors Omprakash and Ishvar besides that she gave a room on rent to Maneck Kohlal. So, apart from Dina's life of three other characters namely- Ishwar, Omprakash, and Maneck have been showcased. All these characters suffer from a sense of rootlessness. Since all of them belong to different parts of the country for say, Dina Dalal is set up in Bombay, Ishwar Darji and Omprakash are from rural India, and Maneck from the high altitudes of the Himalayas. All the characters at Dina's place.

Throughout the novel, we can see the harsh conditions in which each character is surviving and the political disturbance has added more to their problems and blighted their lives. In the end, we have seen the two poor tailors struggling only for a livelihood and are utterly-crushed-Ishvar and Om converted as beggars on the streets for small charities, till death comes mercifully to release them from this burden called life. Not only the economy was disturbed due to political tension but many people sacrificed their lives too as shown through the example of Maneck. Kohlah was crushed under the train. Alongside, Omprakash, Ishvar, and Maneck, Dina's life was also affected at the end she loses her struggle and is forced to leave her apartment and live at her brother’s place, forfeiting her independence.

Along with the depiction of Emergency, Mistry makes some revealing political insights also

through the take of Omprakash and Ishvar. However, in the novel, it is been showcased thatvcertain fundamental rights have been ceased from people. For example, if we see the Indian government they had passed laws where they have prohibited untouchability but in all practical purposes, the untouchability is carried on in different parts of India as Narayan says in the novel–

“Government passes new laws says no more untouchability, yet everything is the same. The

upper caste bastards, still treat are worse than animals …

“Those kinds of things take time to change.”

“More than twenty years have passed since Independence. How much longer? I want to be able to drink from the village well, worship in the temple, walk where I like.”

During the 1970s untouchability was a prominent problem specifically in rural areas. The book has tried to captures the emotions of Dalits or untouchables whose freedom was taken away and they were denied basic human rights. Even Dalits were denied to enter the temple of learning. Ishvar and Narayan learned about untouchability through instances that happened with them in school. The teacher used to shout: “You Chamaar rascals! Very brave you are getting, daring to enter the school! He twisted their ears till they yelped with pain and started to cry... Is this what your parents teach you? To defile the tools of learning and knowledge?"

Thus ultimately depriving them of the right to education. The transition in rural life, the change in aspirations of the lower castes, the attempts by the upper castes to preserve the old order is aptly delineated which is mentioned through a major instance in the violence perpetrated by Thakar Dharamsi and his henchmen against Narayan's family during the week of parliamentary elections.

The evictions of the poor from the cities, the forced labor camps, the sterilizations are the

manifestations of the Internal Emergency. On one hand, people talk about equality but on the other hand, all the untouchables live a life of ignominy where they have no rights, where their women are raped, their huts are burnt down, and they are brutally beaten up and they have nowhere to go, nobody to complain to, no one to whom they can approach for justice. As to when Dukhi decides to make his son tailor, he has to suffer the anger of Thakur: “What the ages had put together, Dukhi had dared to break asunder; he had turned cobblers into tailors, distorting society’s timeless balance. Crossing the line of caste had to be punished with the utmost severity,” said the Thakur.”

During the election, Narayan tries to assert his democratic right and cast his vote. For his

defiance, Narayan and the other two "Chamars" are forcibly gagged, flogged, and tortured and they were hanged in the village square. The conditions in the rural area were worst and the most affected class of people were those who belong to the lower caste and those who are economically backward. During Emergency, “the right to trial was effectively suspended; public meetings were banned; newspapers were subject to strict controls; and even the writings on freedom of Indira’s father, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Mahatma Gandhi were censored."

Rohinton Mistry very aptly portrays the callousness of the government authorities who are keener on achieving the targets of sterilization rather than thinking about the welfare of the poor. The overall situation in the country was grim since the 'Emergency' was announced.

Mistry's concept of India in the Emergency seems to be larger than life-size. Through the novel 'A Fine Balance', Rohinton Mistry tries to depict the dark period of Emergency which was a blot in the history of India. A Fine Balance is a microcosm of life in general and political disturbances, which Mistry observed while being in India. He wanted to draw an image of all the instances which he experienced in India be it - the cheap tricks of

political parties and its effects are on the local public. However, this political disturbance took a major violent blow when the violence against the body started the most drastic form in the enforced sterilizations initiated by Indira’s son and heir apparent, Sanjay. Ultimately, by the end

of the novel, we saw the dirty political game of the so-called 'bigwig' politician who made the locals of the country feel unsafe and unprotected.

Discuss Marie Clements’ narrative technique in “The Unnatural and Accidental Women

Ques. Discuss Marie Clements’ narrative technique in “The Unnatural and Accidental Women”. 

Ans. Marie Clements’ play ‘The Unnatural and Accidental Women’ is a Canadian play that is a product of the twenty-first century that explores various overlapping themes including feminism, sexism, racism, and violence at various levels. This play is based on a real-life incident, which the author wants the world to know. The incident talks about the mysterious disappearance of multiple indigenous women. In her story, Clement confronts the assured depiction of missing and murdered Aboriginal women by emphasizing the issue of racist stereotypes. The play is painted through the eyes of different women who have suffered and witnessed violence at the hand of a killer. 

Clement began writing the play after reading an article that refers to the women’s murder that was published in various newspapers and magazines. With the unique theatrical style of blending Aboriginal storytelling, ritual, and western theatrical conventions, she wrote the play. She began writing the play with accuracy like that of a documentary, as it is based on true events with all factual details included in it. 

The play begins with a picturization and sound of falling trees as stated “a collage of trees whispering in the wind… the sound of a tree opening up to a split.” With the use of sound and imagery Clement connects the deconstruction of trees with that of women. The author binds the scene of the city with that of a forest giving the idea of women who are not associated with earth. Thus, the falling of trees can be a symbol of the exploitation women’s bodies have suffered. 

In ‘The Unnatural and Accidental Women’ Clement used surreal effects with the combination of poetic dialogue to shift the main focus of the audience from the severe and brutal murder of women. Though on the contrary, she has added news clippings and segments of the coroner's official report to give insight into the situation and the way the whole incident has been disregarded, irrespective of the proper evidence. The official report of the coroner says, “Coroner’s inquiry reported she was found nude on her bed and recent bruises on her scalp, nose, lips, and chin.” 

The two-act play, ‘The Unnatural and Accidental Women’ tries to reimagine true historical events. As act one begins, we can see an awful image of Aunt Shadie lying on a bed in a disgustful manner with several bruises on her body. Later in the scene, Rebecca, the victims’ daughter, is seen discovering her mother. Rebecca intertwisted her part of the story, to find her mother by revealing the logger history of Vancouver, Canada. The logging story in Canada perfectly symbolizes the social discourse that women and nature suffer through. The introduction to the dominant narrative is brought into significance after displaying the dominance of man on women and nature. Thus, act one is concluded as being a part of a detective story.   

The narrative is somewhat non-linear as it moves back and forth in time which is showcased with the help of the past life of the victims. As the story progresses, Clement has surreally represented the past story of these women. As showcased, the early life of women they were shown isolated and alone before the murder. The women share their horrifying memory which overlaps when they speak as women and trapped souls. Along with the life of victims, the life of various other characters is represented. The systematic fusion of patriarchy and racism has forced the women to remain silent and passive.

To show the distinction, the author has placed Indigenous and non-Indigenous women to place contrast between them. The surrealistic setting allows the connection between these women. The lives of women are comfortless, dark, and colorless.

As stated, "Scenes involving the women should have the feel of a black and white picture that is animated by the bleeding-in of color as the scene and their imaginations unfold. Colors of personality and spirit, life and isolation paint their reality and activate the particular landscape within each woman’s own particular hotel room and world." Marie Clement skillfully employs multiple perspectives as the interference or depiction of the story from multiple narrators makes the murder less heinous. 

Say for the writing of Rebecca is presented which is indicative of dramatis personae employed by Clement. Rebecca’s memories and her dreams have allowed her to pen down the thoughts to make them widely available to the audience. Through the figure of Rebecca, the relationship between mother and daughter is brought up. Being a great storyteller, Clement has highlighted the playful and eventful episodes with Aboriginal theatrical style. 

As the narrative moves towards the second act, we can see the victims helping Rebecca to find the killer. In the second act, all the murdered women gather around a victim’s daughter ‘Rebecca’ to guide her on her journey in different ways. All the women showcased as enlivened and ardent. The leading path and the signs created by these women helped Rebecca to successfully end her journey as well as her story. 

Clement interjects the play with several themes, especially the maternalistic themes which conflict with the ongoing derogation of Indigenous women by colonial culture. This remarkable play offers a perfect balance between surrealism and realism by highlighting the past and internal lives of the characters, especially women. 

‘The Unnatural and Accidental Women’ is a multiple narrative play that encourages the audience, especially those who are well aware of history to find their own perception of truth. Clement presents the various social, racist, and sexist societies of Canada, where the murder of ten Indigenous women was committed. Though, before their murder, the women appear to be isolated and alone which made them look defenseless in front of the barber. However, when Rebecca struggles to find the killer of her mother, they refuse to stay silent but guide her till the actual killer is found. Perhaps, the play appears to be the true blend of solidarity, and alliance. Clement pictures the critical image which signifies hope for many cultures and without the typical cultural and patriarchal influence.