Category Archives: Essays

India and English Language

Many years ago, a well known editor and columnist had written that since he writes in english, speaks most of the time in english, most of his reading is english, and he even consequently thinks in english, therefore his mother … Continue reading

The Concept of Swaraj

This essay was presented at the Essay Competition-cum-Young Scholars Seminar on Concept of Swaraj, held under auspeicies of Indian Council of Philosophical Research (ICPR), at Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya (University), Jabalpur, Feb 25-28, 1997. Concept of Swaraj © Anup Mukherjee Swaraje … Continue reading

Religion and Politics

If religion is the belief in supernatural, its propriety in civilised society lies in the cognizance of conciliating the divergences to euphony, which is characterised by harmony of universe and is symbolic of the supernatural arbiter. And if religion is … Continue reading

Independence Day and Legacy of Mangal Pandey

India celebrated its 59th independence day today (58 years of independence). Some cynic would say, that the republic is already old and it should prepare for its retirement (as a republic, India is 55 something). More optimists would say that … Continue reading

Literature, Nationhood and Imperialism

To deny the concept of nationhood that stood in binary opposition to the enterprise of imperialism is basically to deny imperialism and to see the whole imperial enterprise as a foreign rule. When we do a social-history study of colonialism … Continue reading

Secularism and Pluralism

Secularism and pluralism are the two sides of the same coin. A society to exist needs religion – it cannot do without it. However, in todays world situation where the insularity of historical society has largely vanished, we find that … Continue reading

Cultural Context and Interpretations

Culture gives meaning to our actions and ideas. Any action or idea can have meaning only in a particular cultural context. Waving the hand in a particular context may mean greeting, while in another it may mean a warning or … Continue reading

Dreams

“Dreams are like highways, gets lost with distance…”, so went the song. Are dreams meant to be lost? yes, no, maybe…, perhaps, dreams are not landmarks to be reached, but something to be pursued. Dreams do not have any destination, … Continue reading

Truth and Reality

Truth is eternal and imperishable. It is formless, without description, and exists for its own sake. Truth is interpreted in form of reality, while reality itself is a mere description. Reality is individual’s interpretation of truth. Reality is transient and … Continue reading

Only Better People, Not Better Laws, Can Transform Society

Only Better People, Not Better Laws, Can Transform Society © Anup Mukherjee (Feb, 1991) History bears witness to the moments of trials and turmoils when civilizations underwent an upheaval because of the anomie and it is bequeathed that it is … Continue reading