Anthrobuds

  An Ethnographic Snapshot [1] Abhijit Guha abhijitguhavuanthro@rediffmail.com   ‘… When someone tells you what he states happened to himself, you are more likely to believe that he is telling the truth than when he tells you what happened to somebody else. It has besides the merit from the story-teller’s point of view that he need only tell you what he knows for a fact and can leave to your imagination what he doesn’t or couldn’t know’. W. Somerset Maugham (Preface, Collected Short Stories, vol.2, Penguin Books, 1963).   Background or false consciousness? Since I began my research on development caused forced displacement with a special emphasis to land acquisition on a particular locale, I also tried to collect public opinion outside my field area. I talked with people of other places who were not affected by land acquisition. For example, I talked, listened and debated with my colleagues, friends, relatives and strangers on the streets and public transpor...

Ukraine crisis: The case of a medical student  by Abul Kalam (Sem II, 2023) Student life is one of the most memorable phases of a person’s life, the phase of student life builds the foundation of our life. In student life, we do not just learn from books. We learn to grow emotionally, physically, philosophically as well as socially. Today I will share my personal experience as a ‘’MEDICOS’’ - Dream to become a Physician in Ukraine. Dream: We went to Ukraine after the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test - Undergraduate (NEET UG) to fulfil our dreams of becoming a doctor but unfortunately, the war took place between Russia and Ukraine, and our education was affected by it. Struggle: Running out of food, cash, Indian students took shelter in metro bunkers. Thinking the situation has improved, students tried to come out of the metro station but then they immediately had to run back in after spotting military vehicles on the roads. People were panic buying, supermarkets ran out o...

  Anthrobud Volume 1 (1) October 2023 Click here for the entire issue

Death! does it end here?  By Ankita Majumder (Sem 1,2023)  The Entombment by Michelangelo What is “death”? Like what is the definition of it?  Is it “the thickening of breath, the visual of black dots infront of your eyes, the beating of heart coming to a stop”? Is that death or is it “the feeling of relaxation in your mind and soul, the exterior sounds coming to a stop, the tingling feeling of air on your finger tips, the feeling of a weightage suddenly being lifted from your chest and a sudden calmness in your heart knowing very well that you won’t be able to open your eyes tomorrow”.  What is death to be actual?  Is it scary? Or is it soothing?  Is it merciless? Or is it compassionate?  Is it a feeling of nervousness? Or is it peaceful?  Is it really ugly? Or is it beautiful?  Is it the end of one’s life? Or is it the starting of another being?  What is it?  Many people say that they fear death but why? Is it because of the ...

Chocolate, how about you?  By Sneha Utthasini (Sem 1, 2023)  A few days ago my anthropology department professor gave me a chocolate but the funny thing is that I was so busy with studies that I didn’t get time to eat the chocolate he gave me. The Prime Minister of India may not have come across such an unrealistic situation like me. Anyway, I woke up today and ate the chocolate given by my professor as breakfast while eating it a stranger question come to my mind. I questioned myself well, who invented this chocolate? And how many years ago was it discovered? And why do children love to eat so much chocolate? What is the mysterious substance that it is made of? Is it just cocoa powder? Both the method and ingredients are written on the back of the chocolate wrapper but honestly, I have tried to make it at home but never succeeded. I keep asking myself why everyone likes to eat more or less chocolate? I remember telling my father repeatedly when I was a child, I lo...

Mom, are you a 'Superhero'? by Ankita Majumder (Sem I, 2023)  “Who is she? A mere human being or a superhuman?” This question is not up for debate at all. Like who is “mother”. I’m sure she isn’t someone who takes care of the family while forgetting to take care of herself. I’m sure she isn’t someone who look after her child when they are ill the whole night while sacrificing her own sleep. I’m sure she isn’t someone who knows the solutions of all your problems. I’m sure she isn’t someone who always remembers where the specific thing is kept when we shout for it. I’m sure she isn’t someone who would always scold you before tending to your wounds. I’m sure she isn’t someone whom we all takes for granted because we know that she is going to be there for us forever. I’m sure she isn’t someone who teaches you a subject in a short period of time better than you can in your whole semester. I’m sure she doesn’t says that she isn’t hungry and gives you...

Dreams and us by Md. Kazi Jeeshan (Sem II, 2023) Introduction  Dreams have fascinated and perplexed humanity for centuries. These ephemeral experiences that unfold within the realm of our unconscious minds have inspired artists, scientists, philosophers, and mystics alike. From ancient civilizations to modern psychology, the interpretation and significance of dreams have evolved, yet their mystique remains. In this 1500-word exploration, we will delve into the multifaceted nature of dreams, discussing their origins, types, functions, and the various theories that attempt to unravel their enigmatic significance. The Origins of Dreams To understand dreams, we must first consider their origins. While the exact mechanism remains elusive, dreams are believed to originate in the brain during the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep. During this phase, the brain becomes highly active, nearly resembling its wakeful state. It's within this neural symphony that dreams take form. The D...

  From a tiny Cat to a massive Construct: Everyday experience of a rider by Priyambda Samanta Ray (Sem I, 2023)   Today I want to share an incident with you all. It happened when I was returning from college to home. I ride scooty to travel. So, as I was driving home, I observed how people’s belief works while driving.   A man driving ahead of me spotted a cat crossing the street. The man was on one end of the street and the cat was already on its way to cross the street. That man mindlessly increased his vehicle's speed like it didn’t matter if the cat died or if any of its parts got crushed under his tiers. His only motive was to cross the road before the cat did. His humanity, kindness, and mind went out of the window as if he were chased by a leopard. He just passed by the cat’s face. It was so close that if it was not for the cat’s reflex, then it would have died on the spot, and its ‘’crime’’ is that he tried to cross the road before a “superstitious man”....