Surreal to finally hold and hug this. It is a joyful, poignant, and heartwarming anthology. Available on Amazon. Buy off. There are some truly brilliant people featured in it. What an honour to be alongside them!
@arpitayodapress
@whyloiter
@nithilak
@SnehaAnnavarapu
Seeing the picture of Com. Yechury being circulated where he is reading out the demand for resignation as VC of JNU to Indira Gandhi, reminds me of my MA convocation at TISS.
It was 2011 and Jairam Ramesh was our Chief Guest. As the environment minister he had stood firmly on 1/n
It is four years in jail for Umar Khalid today. My friend Mahesh Raut has spent more than 6 years in prison (despite a bail order in Sep 2023).
This is no way to build a democracy. And is certainly no way to build a social sciences education institute. n/n
This however is a story of how the space we took for granted for dissent is close to non-existent now. Students at TISS are forced today to sign a honor code which disallows them from taking part in “anti-national” and “political” actions. I also cannot imagine any Union 8/n
He offered that TISS could form a team of students who would do a more engaged study on the project.
Two things stand out when I remember this. A Union minister offered space for dissent and dialogue. No, it wasn’t satisfactory but it happened. Secondly, the director of TISS 6/n
minister today who would allow for such a dialogue without creating significant backlash against the protesting students.
It sounds like a broken record to say that spaces for dissent are shrinking. What is happening is unfortunately even worse than that. 9/n
made space for his students despite not agreeing with the actions.
This is in no way a praise of the then UPA government. That is a different story. 7/n
the establishment of the Jaitapur nuclear plant in an environmentally sensitive area.
Many graduating students of the batch were upset with him being our Chief Guest. We protested. Many of my braver friends boycotted the convocation and organized a protest right outside 2/n
shook my hand and asked if I am from AP while we posed for the mandatory picture.
After the convocation, our director Dr. Parasuraman organized a dialogue with him. Many students occupied the convention center and asked him tough questions. He deflected many. He answered some 5/n
Those of us who won awards, went on stage and handed him a pamphlet which stated our concerns. My dear friend was the first in line to do so. He was taken aback a little but took it in his stride. I went to receive my award and I handed him the pamphlet. He took it 4/n
our convention centre.
Many students who did attend wore black and wore badges in opposition to the nuclear plant. The convocation certificates were handed over by other persons but the awards were handed over by Mr. Ramesh. 3/n
Kashmiri scholars will provide larger nuance about the situation. I want to just talk about the "apology" here and how it plays into the same power dynamic.
1. The first words of the apology attack the anonymity of the account.
@Settler_Scholar
has clearly mentioned the 1/n
Not surprising but still disheartening to see silences in academia so that people can protect their own, so that cliques keep getting formed, so that oppressive power structures keep getting reproduced. And as always, those who are already precarious are the ones forced to speak
@AllIndiaBakchod
Umm. She freaking spoke to one of you who chose to ignore her and continued collaborating with him. This carefully worded statement is fooling whom exactly?
8. Using the language of care, kindness and love and then willfully manipulating is hurtful and harmful. This is not just about this book but about the academy more broadly. We ought to do better. And if we can't, we could just burn it all down. n/n
@SnehaAnnavarapu
Some of us have timelines which are very different from the normative ones. So your milestones and roadsigns are going to look different. Let them. Yes I am 38 and can't drive. It is ok. Really.
@SnehaAnnavarapu
Also, loneliness is something *everyone* deals with no matter their life situation - single, coupled, poly, living with friends, living with family, living alone. We are all ironically connected in our loneliness. Heh.
I may or may not stop.
3. Your accountability in ethnographic work is *first* to your interlocutors. Not to other scholars or journalists. Especially because the author recognizes that ethnography is an unevenly powered process. Being accountable to interlocutors is the first step in undoing that. 4/n
Long shot but does anyone know of an archive which hosts material about the Telangana Armed Struggle (~1946-1951)? I mean physical libraries/museums and such.
RT please? I will send you dreamy library pictures if I find an archive.
Happy birthday
@SnehaAnnavarapu
!
On some days I can't believe that I have you in my innermost circles of people. That you hold me as close to your heart as you do. Thank you for being the soundtrack of my life.
Main tera, tu meri, duniya jale to jale.
is being anon is the problem, let's look at the content? Is there anything vile or untrue about it? Is it factually incorrect? Is it making dirty personal attacks? This false equivalence of trying to make it seem similar to RW IT cell is gaslighting at best. 3/n
4. Asking to be clear about your origin is not about asking you to name, shame, drag through mud etc. This is willful misinterpretation. Drawing on this emotional tug to hide behind the obscuring is manipulative. 5/n
even then there is a need to talk about your own history.
7. You really want to study Kashmir? You could perhaps study how your "diplomat" father's colleagues played a role in the trauma surrounding the valley. 8/n
6. Folks are defending with a tepid "we cannot choose our parents" argument. As
@maaynaque
points out, we cannot choose our colonizers either. You want to work on Kashmir? Make your identities absolutely clear. ALL your identities. If the interlocutors agree, 7/n
I can barely ever read to write what
@sukanyashantha
writes. She puts her body and mind on the line to tell us the most gut wrenching stories. She is easily one of the most important journalistic voices we have. Read this piece and rage.
In March last year, the armed forces killed 22 yr old Badru Madavi in Bastar when he was out collecting mahua flowers. A year on, the villagers have preserved his almost- decomposed- body, determined to prove he was not a “Jan Militia Commander”.
reason for the anonymity. We see in recent press about how the former RAW chief is invested in finding out who the anonymous folks are. Anonymity is a tool which has been used by various folks to speak truth to power. It cannot be your first point of attack.
2. Even then...2/n
.
@SnehaAnnavarapu
and I have reached peak auntyhood. Today, we sent voice notes to each other discussing what the best antacids are.
(Yes, I know there is an auntacid joke here)
5. Your positionality goes beyond being from a colonizer state. You have directly or indirectly benefited from the work of RAW (whether you were in Kashmir at the age of 10 or 20 is irrelevant). This cannot be written off. 6/n
@SnehaAnnavarapu
@nithilak
made me reflect on how friendships are also situated within structures and it was devastating. Spousal hire but no best friend hire. Moving cities with a partner but not necessarily with/for a bestie. Too much structural support for marriage. Too little for yaari.
This is how we reward those who spend their lives in educating and inspiring. By asking them why they don't do regular jobs and earn money. Deeply deeply shameful.
#NoMoreFakeCharges
It is just heartbreaking to watch Dr. Satyanarayana like this. All his academic work, manuscript of several books he was working on have been taken away. To hell with this state.
Academics who enter a PhD program with existing mental health issues: how do you manage? Any tips and suggestions will be much appreciated.
#AcademicTwitter
#AcademicChatter
I will keep saying this.
@sukanyashantha
is one of the most important voices we have today. She gives us stomach churning stories which nobody else does
So excited to see
@thewire_in
's ‘Barred–The Prisons Project’ to be listed among the "best projects" that
@pulitzercenter
supported in 2021. The annual report lists some brilliant stories and projects from across the globe.
Do take a look :)
I just want to say it again. Raya Sarkar at a significant cost to her mental and physical well being brought out the LoSHA last year. Very prominent people shat on it and called it a witch hunt. Why? Raya's caste and Raya's age. It really is just that.
I sometimes feel like I have to state ridiculously obvious things because folks want to be blissfully unaware. And casteist.
Separate dining halls? This is about caste.
These IIT morons will go to the US and not dream of demanding such crap.
Food is ALWAYS connected to caste
SCOOP:
IIT
#Hyderabad
has quietly introduced a separate 'Pure Veg' section recently in 1 or its canteens.
A survey was even sent out to asses the total number of veg only takers.
Click on photo for link to read the exclusive
@thenewsminute
story:
The Call for Papers for our Second City Anthropology Conference 2022 is now open! Our theme this year is "Ethics, Method, and Transformative Justice: Understanding How and Why We Conduct Research."
CFP & submission link here:
Deadline: March 25, 2022
I maybe rather late in trying to figure this out. But...erm...how does one take notes? Especially when reading books? And especially notes which will make sense when you read them a year later?
Academics, please teach me your ways.
#AcademicTwitter
Things are way way worse than they ever were. No meds, no beds, no vents, no oxygen, no tests. And finally, no places for the dead bodies to go. But sure, go ahead with your melas and rallies.
When someone you deeply admire, does such a generous reading of your work, you tend to take a day to recover!
Thank you
@natashabadhwar
!
PS This essay was written some years ago and I indulged in casual fatphobia in it. I have learnt to do better since
"It is difficult to find a therapist who understands that depression is political. That I am depressed because the world is patriarchal, casteist, racist and cruel."
Brilliant, insightful personal essay by
@sravanthid
All those who have not signed the petitions, not raised the questions, quietly put the "likes" and not said anything. We see you. I hope your tenure is worth it.
The bus captain of a bus I take many times a week has often seen my tear-streaked face while getting off the bus. Riding on this bus feels safe, feels like home, & I let myself *feel* when I’m on it. Today, I smiled widely & he smiled widely. Such comfort in stranger intimacy. 🫶🏽
Super duper excited to have an essay in what promises to be an incredible anthology! And even more excited to have mine and Sneha's essays next to each other in the anthology. Dream hain bhai dream.
Coming soooooon. And I *cannot* keep calm! Grateful to be in the company of deeply inspiring humans ❤️
The best bit is that my platonic pyaar,
@sravanthid
and I get to be a part of the same anthology. Life goals fulfilled and now I can die in peace!
Utterly devastated to learn about Dr. Saibaba's passing. To go through 10 yrs of torture by the state for simply speaking the truth. False case, solitary imprisonment, denial of healthcare, not allowing him to attend his mother's funeral and more. This is an institutional murder
Had a super fun conversation with
@SnehaAnnavarapu
on our most favorite Fursat Feminism podcast hosted by the coolest-warmest duo of
@arusridhar
and Deepa.
We dissected the joys and frustrations of being women living on the internet. Sunlo!
The academy has fully normalized anxiety...except that it has done so in the worst way possible.
Anxiety is treated as something as normal as body odor. Which means you are just expected to pop that pill or do that thing & stop talking about anxiety and just write that thing
I wrote a little essay for my favorite digital publication
@AgentsofIshq
❤️
It is fully, shamelessly dedicated to
@sravanthid
, my platonic pyaar.
The birthday boy
@iamsrk
has some things to say about the academic life. I swear!
Mastikigradshaala mein, birthday ke din, some srk style humor mangta hai!
A thread (1/)
A wise friend once told me that when you mix friend groups, you are also mixing yourself and that is why it is so dizzying. As authentic as we may be, we do show different sides to different folks no? I think that is alright only
We were very scared of jinxing it. We squealed for a bit about whether this was real or not. And then we immediately fell into conversation and forgot fully that it was the first real time. This friendship is a well worn (yet sexy) grey night shirt
Earlier this year, I wrote about a platonic pyaar of mine — a pyaar that I’d never met in person & now one of my closest friends:
Today, I finally met her!!! After almost two years of close friendship, I met
@sravanthid
— and it was magical ❤️❤️❤️
Mahesh was a classmate of mine during my MA. He is someone I respect and continue to learn from. He is the kind of person we need more than ever today. And it is ridiculous that he has to waste his energy fighting fake cases instead.
#DefendDissent
Social sciences in general and anthropology in particular have forever capitalized on the trauma, stories, and theories of others. This much is not new. What is shocking and distressing though is the levels of harm possibly caused by the author. RAW is not a local police thana
(1/n) This thread raises important ethical and political concerns about the ethnographic research and writing of US based anthropologist Saiba Varma
@SaibaVarma
in Kashmir
On one of my low days
@SnehaAnnavarapu
told me "I wish you could see yourself the way we see you."
I keep going back to that so often and holding on to it like some superpower
How to explain to the people in academia that a summer or winter or fall or spring break does not translate to "extra undivided time to focus on work and produce more"
So much they read but this much they can't understand means
I had stopped being a SRK fangirl in my 20s. But then now, so many people I love and cherish and respect love SRK so much that I can't help get back on board. This is the kind of peer pressure I'm very into getting behind.
@SnehaAnnavarapu
@pnarayan05
@Sujatha1909
@abbas_sophia
The best thing about het dating in the 2020s: women no longer need to be the MPDG or the CoolGirl
The bad thing about het dating in the 2020s: women have to be the perfect combination of the MPDG *and* the CoolGirl
The abject loss of dignity of someone who has spent his life fighting for the dignity of people is heartbreaking. Medical attention is his basic right. This is horrifying treatment.
#FreeVaravaraRao
The absolutely brilliant
@SnehaAnnavarapu
and Alex Diamond want to find ways to talk about ethnography which normally falls in the wayside. It promises to be brilliant, sharp and fun. They are also looking for contributions from junior scholars. If you want to contribute, DO IT!
Attn ethnographers: my friend Alex Diamond and I have launched a website that features ethnographic writing:
Please check it out (
@EthnoMargin
) and spread the word! We are soliciting submissions esp from junior scholars 💜✨
The TA urge to say "It is on the syllabus"/"As per my last email"/"As I have mentioned multiple times in the discussion section"
P.S. I really do love my students despite this
There is so much to be angry and heartbroken about. So much.
It feels like a video game where you can create your own unique anger-pain profile.
Pick: fascism, environmental damage, cultural damage, communalism, digitalized casteism, ol' fashioned misogyny ++++
I’m going to add to the ongoing collective venting here: this stage of the chronic pandemic burnout is so real. Exhausted to the bone, and I simply cannot write. My brain is fried, my heart is tired, and my body is so slow.
Thanks for coming to my vent talk. Bleurghhhhh.
On the manipulative power of white fragility, frailties of farcical intersectionality, and about affective apologies. Also about US and the war machine it is. Such a lovely piece by
@ifra_asad
In the recent TISS convocation, a student simply held up a printout stating that a PhD student's expulsion should be revoked. The police went on stage and whisked him away to the station. No case filed AFAIK. But his degree certificate has been withheld I am told.
Seeing the picture of Com. Yechury being circulated where he is reading out the demand for resignation as VC of JNU to Indira Gandhi, reminds me of my MA convocation at TISS.
It was 2011 and Jairam Ramesh was our Chief Guest. As the environment minister he had stood firmly on 1/n
I'll go first (yes I watch a lot of tiktok)
@feministraptor
taught me that everyone has different working styles and it is okay if I don't sit on my desk for fifteen hours a day. It allowed me to find and follow my own rhythm
The exhaustion is not particularly different in the US. I am SO TIRED of telling my students "I know it has been a tough year." Ok. So? Now what? Where do we go from here? Are all the extensions and cutting down of work and holding of spaces actually enough?
The second wave, or whatever, is viscerally more exhausting. Everyone kept trooping on, getting by, figuring out for a year. And everyone hoped that we were at the end of the non-smelly tunnel. The very thought of dealing with this for longer (how much longer?) owing to (1/2)
Also to be super sus of instructors who pile you with work and do zero care work but constantly tell you that you should be doing selfcare and taking time out. So basically if you are struggling it is because you are not doing the self care work properly and not because of them.