Webquest activity: Harry Potter

This blog is a part of thinking activity given by our Professor. To visit his blog click here

1. Feminist Reading in Harry Potter

Portrayal of female character in Harry Potter series is very significant. J.K Rowling has minutely observed and portrayed real life characters. There are so many female characters in the series which are different from each other. Like some are strong, some are soft, girlish ,fearful etc.

i) Hermione Granger

- Not Static
Hermione is one of the main female character of Harry Potter series. She is intelligent, fierce and a loyal friend The portrayal of her character is not static in all series. The character is changing from very beginning to the end. Like in the first part most of the tasks were done by Harrry only and she remains behind the wall. Then suddenly her character change in the third part where most of the task performed by her. Or she supports Harry and Ron in every task. Her presence is significant without her it becomes difficult to reach to the conclusion.

- Look Conscious
When Hermione visit past through her time locket than she saw herself from backside and think of her look for a while. Whereas Harry did no think aboout his look. In this way the difference between girl's and boy's thinking came out.

Other female characters like Professor Mcgonagall, the strict but fair teacher, Molly Weasley the caring yet brave mother, Ginny Weasley for transforming from a shy little girl to a fearless warrior etc scattered throughout the series.
The author's context and intensions are completely irrelevant and are considered only to the extent to which they confirm negative position of women within the patriarchal structure of power. Instead of the author's context it is the reader's context that is examined from the feminist perspective(Paul 1999)

2. Discource on the purity of blood and Harry potter

"No one asked your opinion you filthy little mudblood", he spat

This is the comment of pure blood boy over mud blood girl. Draco commented on Hermione that she is mudblood. The concept of racism, casteism and class conflict is common in Harry potter series. Three types of caste based on blood Idea, Pure blood, half blood, mud blood. Harry is half blood because his father is pure blood but his mother is a Muggle.Likewise Ron's parents were also Muggles. Mudblood is very impolite term in Wizarding circles(Pottermore). It is some witches and wizards' attitude towards non-magical individuals that form the basis of Voldemort's pure blood Ideology.
Barrett says that "across the wizarding world, attitude towards muggles include egalitarianism, disregard, avid curiosity, paternalism, and outright hatred"(Lund University).

3. Confronting reality by reading fantasy

In the world of fantasy J.K Rowling highlights some serious issues of the real contemporary society like class conflict, politics of power, racism, corruption, injustice system etc. She has covered each reality with fantastical world but if someone looks deep down into it then they will find the hidden message. Rowling books are not conventional fairy tales, her success show the continued power of the form and the archetypes that those long-ago Germans perfected. Harry's situation contains many of the inchoate fears of  childhood, not just the parental abandonment fear. Harry is skinny and weak and wears glasses patched together with tape, and in this sense he stand in for the vulnerability, the powerlessness that children feel. The rest of the story shows Harry assuming his true identity, gaining the courage to overcome obstacles and winning a battle against the adversaries of his ancestors(critic's notebook, Richard Bernstein).

4. Self-help culture and Harry Potter

The characters of Harry Potter series are struggling to gain something. In a way all are helping themselves with some ideologies. Harry is treated very badly in his guardian home. He learns to stay strong in awkward situations in life. His life battle is fought by himself without any kind of support. When he left all alone in the dangerous situation then with his own power he fought with the death eaters. There was one scene in the last part when Sirius is killed then Harry saves his body and  himself also from the Dementors. Same is the case with other characters like Hermione, Ron who are constantly struggling for their identity. Hermione wants to show her talent that she is best from all the pure blood students. She is intelligent and with her knowledge she defeats everyone and in this way help herself. The children or even adults also learn things from Potter series about self help culture.

5. The discourse of power and politics

"Imagine that Voldemort's powerful now. You don't know who his supporters are, you don;t know who's working for him who isn't; you know he can control people so that they do terrible things without being able stop themselves. You're scared for yourself, and your family, and your friends. Every week news comes of more deaths, more disappearances, more torturing...The Ministry of Magic's in disarray, they don't know what to do, they're trying to keep everything hidden from the Muggles, but meanwhile, Muggles are dying too. Terror everywhere...panic...confusion..that's how it used to be."


Children's literature is largely written, produced and consumed by adults. Therefore an author should advance some political message under the guise of children's literature(Rajendra kumar das, M.Phil)
Rowling has presented power dynamics from the very first part to the end. There is fight between Harry and Voldemort, in which Harry stands for the voice of suppressed and Voldemort is in the evil power who wants to rule. Ruling over other, dominating other, killing innocent, these all things is a part of the corrupt political system. In the fifth part "Harry  Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, new rule came into the school of Hogwarts. Fudge appoints Umbridge as High Inquisitor of Hogwarts, giving her the authority to inspect all faculty members and evaluate their skills. However, Umbridge misused her power as like common corrupt leaders and started dominating others. Harry raised his voice against her and formed a community in which he trained the students for the defence against the dark art. Later on, truth wins and she is discarded from her post. In this way Rowling presents the power conflict in Potter series.

6. Children's literature

Harry Potter series is full of fantastical, supernatural or magical elements which put it into the category of Children's literature. Normally in Children's literature we found a quest of Hero, Hero rescuing his princess, Magic, fantasy, happy ending, good vs evil, ideal hero etc. In the second part, "Chamber of secrets" Harry rescued Ginny in the end like true ideal hero. In all the parts there is quest or adventure, fight against the evil Voldemort, virtue rewarded and vice get punished.The magical world fantasise children and gives immense pleasure. But harry Potter series is not fall under the classic children literature because of its deep moral and philosophical lessons, political meaning.

"When you first start reading the books, they're just kids. But as she(JK Rowling) develops them through happy and sad moments, they feel more and more real," says Marine Davidson.

7. Speculative Literature

Speculative fiction encompassing fiction with certain elements that do not exixt in the real world(wikipedia). There is more imagination than the reality. Harry Potter series is full of imagination, supernatural things which doesn't exist in the real world. Like magical wand, Dementors, hoarcruxes, Sorcerer's stone, liquid luck, invisible caps everythings is just an imagination. In the third part there is one werewolf charcater Prof. Lupin who turned out as werewolf in full moon night. There is nothing like werewolf, all these is exist in fantasy world only. There is no truth behind this. Therefore Harry Potter series is fall under the genre of speculative fiction.

8. Theme of Choice and Chance

"It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abbilities."
-Dumbledore

There is choice of Harry Potter to stay with his guardian even if they are cruel. Harry got his magical power but still he didn't left his guardian home. Harry also chose to save humankind from the evil creature Voldemort. He chose to fight for other. There is chance for him to escape but he didn't and stand as a true ideal hero. In the end when everyone is fighting to protect Harry from Voldemort, then Harry realised that because of him many Innocent are killed by Voldemort. Therefore he decides to surrender himself. He has choices to make in his life that whether he become as cruel like Voldemort or good like Dumbledore. These all harry Potter series plays vital role in between Choices and Chances. Harry Potter is by chance becomes a part of horcrux that should be destroyed at the end. But he comes to life after death because Rowling wants to make happy ending and this could only done by making Hero alive.

9. Theme of love and death

There is death of Harry Potter's parents by Voldemort, after which the revenge motive came in the mind of Harry. From the very beginning he is in search of finding the truth and in search of Voldemort. He wants to destroy him and that is possible only if he destroyed all the horcruxes. In between this process of destruction, many innocent people dies. In the triwizard tournament Harry lost his friend. He lost his godfather Sirius when he is fighting with Voldemort. He lost his mentor Dumbledore who is killed by prof. Snape. In this way many dies in Harry Potter series, specially the close ones of Harry.

Theme of love is also going parallel. From the very beginning we can see the interest of Ron in Hermione, the way he get jealous with the partner of Hermione in Ball party clears the illusion that Ron hates Hermione. Inspite of it he loves her a lot. Harry when steps towards his adulthood tehn he develops starnge affection for Cho. Later on Ginny and Harry becomes love birds. In this way Death and love theme is significant in Potter series.

10. Moral and Philosophical Reading


Entire Harry Potter series teaches us very important life lessons. The popular book series urges us to accept our mortality so we can fully experience human virtues, partcularly the virtue of love. Accepting death can be seen as an important philosophical lesson. Harry Potter is not like all ordinary man who fears of death and wants to be immortal like Voldemort. He is happily and calmly accept death as it is. He is not reacting in each and every situation. In most of the places he stays calm. He follows the moral principles which were taught by Dumbledore. He always remains on the sideof truth. He doen's allow the evil side to win over his good side. He contantly struggling with is inner self. The philosophical speech about the life after the death of Harry by Dumbledore is very significant in the end.

"Do not pity the dead, Harry. Pity the living, and above all, those who live without love."
- Dumbledore

11. Christianity

The idea of Christianity is very much challenged in Harry Potter series. The debate is based on occult or Satanic subtexts. The Novel has anti-Christianity elements like witchcraft and Wizardry because these practises are abandoned in the Christianity. These considered as pagan worshipping. There is no any single Church in the series of Harry Potter and no one can ask help to God to fight with evil forces. So, in this way we can say that The Novel has anti-Christian elements.

Rowling rightly states that her book is highly significant for the young readers who learns to questions the authority, power status. To believe in any system without doubting is not the fair way of living life. Someone should raise his/her voice. Michel Foucault's theory of Power and Knowledge is significant under this context. There is social control through societal institutions on common man.

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Works Cited

Editor of faculty salisbury. Fantasy and Science Fiction. <http://faculty.salisbury.edu/~elbond/408fant2.htm>.

Editor of shmoop. HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS THEME OF CHOICES. <https://www.shmoop.com/harry-potter-7-deathly-hallows/choices-theme.html>.

Editor of women's web. Women's web. 29 July 2016. 2018 <https://www.womensweb.in/2016/07/feminism-in-harry-potter-books-or-lack-of-it/>.

Kotarba, Polly L. "Honors Program." Harry Potter: A Link to the Fantasy Genre. <http://www.uh.edu/honors/Programs-Minors/honors-and-the-schools/houston-teachers-institute/curriculum-units/pdfs/2003/twentieth-century-novels/kotarba-03-kid-lit.pdf>.

"Psycho Babble." 25 April 2015. Harry Potter Self Help. <https://psychobabblechat.com/2015/04/25/harry-potter-self-help/>.

Rajendra Kumar Dash, M. Phil. "Chasing the Shadow:Is the Harry Potter Series a Political Discourse?" LANGUAGE IN INDIA (2012): 467.

Spilsbury, Paul. Love and Death in Harry Potter. 3 april 2006. <https://www.hp-lexicon.org/2006/04/03/love-and-death-in-harry-potter/>.

Vise, Daniel de. Is Harry Potter classic children’s literature? 16 july 2011. <https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/college-inc/post/is-harry-potter-classic-childrens-literature/2011/07/16/gIQA0RS1HI_blog.html?utm_term=.1ef2b0eae875>.

wikipedia contributors. Talk: Blood Purity (Harry Potter). 7 October 2018 <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk%3ABlood_purity_(Harry_Potter)>.

Thinking Activity on 'The Da Vinci Code'

This blog is a part of thinking activity which is given by my Prof. Dilip Barad. Click here to get blog link of the task.

1. Brown states on his website that his books are not anti-Christian, though he is on a 'constant spiritual journey' himself, and says that his book The Da Vinci Code is simply "an entertaining story that promotes spiritual discussion and debate" and suggests that the book may be used "as a positive catalyst for introspection and exploration of our faith."

-  Brown is trying to give factual evidence to prove his anti-christian point. Still he is denying that his books are not anti-Christian. His statement is problematic. The book from the very beginning tries to gives clues or hints to reach to the truth behind the Christian God Jesus and his relationship with Mary Magdalene. It is not simply an entertaining story, if we look deeply then we can find that there is much serious issues on which Brown throws light. In a way he is trying to awaken the people from the blind faith. In the book he focuses on Female Sacredness and therefore presents Sophie Neveu as a strong character who doesn't believe on the lies told by the priest about religion or doubt the entire religious system.

2 . “Although it is obvious that much of what Brown presented in his novel as absolutely true and accurate is neither of those, some of that material is of course essential to the intrigue, and screenwriter Akiva Goldsman has retained the novel's core, the Grail-related material: the sacred feminine, Mary Magdalene's marriage, the Priory of Sion, certain aspects of Leonardo's art, and so on[1].” How far do you agree with this observation of Norris J. Lacy?

Yes, it is true that much of what Brown presented in his novel as absolutely true and accurate is neither of those. But it is necessary to present those ideas or things to make novel interesting or to make secrets in an intrigue way so that readers get convinced by the ideas. Akiva Goldsman, the screenwriter is successful in making the core content. Everything in the novel is connected with each other and at last brings the truth behind the scene in front of readers. The Grail- related material: The Sacred feminine is very much important idea which talks about the living descendent. The Holy Grail for which all are searching is the living heir of Jesus himself which gets revealed in the end with opening all the secret codes by Prof. Langdon and Sophie Neveu. All the codes are hidden in teh art of the famous painter Leonardo Da Vinci who is famous for keeping secretive codes in his work of art. It gives factual proof to the point of searching Jesus's heir with the Sarcophagus of Mary Magdalene. 

3.If)You have studied ‘Genesis’ (The Bible), ‘The Paradise Lost’ (John Milton) and ‘The Da Vinci Code’ (Dan Brown). Which of the narrative/s seem/s to be truthful? Whose narrative is convincing to the contemporary young mind?

John Milton's Paradise lost is much convincing to the contemporary young mind. There are so many lies being told in  both the narratives of 'Genesis' and 'The Da Vinci Code'. In comparison to those the number of lies is less in John Milton's Paradise lost. We can rely on the narrative of Milton who thinks about the contemporary mind and make rational plot. In Genesis, the very first lie being told to the readers is that Eve is born through the rib of man. When we think rationally of scientifically no Eve can made from the rib. The birth process is natural and common for all the living being in one or another way. The second lie is that if a man tries to follow his beloved advice then his fall is for sure near. But these all are just a falseness. In "Da vinci Code" the lies are in the paintings made by Leonardo Da' Vinci. The painting about last supper in which Jesus and Mary is sitting nearer and Teabing decode the painting by stating that Leonardo Da' Vinci is known for mirror paintings and used this to draw the image of Mary and Jesus which is totally foolishness. There is no such clues about Vinci's painting that how he used to paint and which codes he is using. In comparison to these lies, Paradise lost by Milton is much convincing which narrates about the truth of the mindset of human beings. Temptation is obvious which is happening around us in one or another way. There is always a restrictions where we need to explore out ideas or thoughts. Human's are not supposed to tide with any kind of rope or barrier. freedom is necessary and is equal for all, whether it is Eve, Adam and even Satan himself. 

4 .What harm has been done to humanity by the biblical narration or that of Milton’s in The Paradise Lose? What sort of damage does narrative like ‘The Vinci Code’ do to humanity?

Milton tries his best to make Eve argumentative by nature which is true or sounds real with the contemporary society. Not only Eve but every human being should be questioning by nature, should raise doubts against the system, which Eve did in Paradise lost. However when we look from the moral boundaries of society then it harms to humanity. But all sort of moral things are constructed by the one who is in power or having some kind of authority. It can be vary from person to person. Same is the case with the narrative of 'The Vinci code' in which the writer tries to open the eyes of the religious people by presenting the relationship of Jesus Christ. He thinks that sexual rituals are all comes under the frame of spiritual narratives. it is necessary for everyone to reach to the peace and getting prosperity in life. God is also human being who needs someone to satisfy their desire. These ideas tries to make aware all the religious people. However this may be harmful for those who are strong or blindly followers of religion. Not for all.

5. What difference do you see in the portrayal of 'Ophelia' (Kate Winslet) in Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet, 'Elizabeth' (Helena Bonham Carter) in Kenneth Branagh's Mary Shelley's Frankenstein or 'Hester Prynne' (Demi Moore) in Roland Joffé's The Scarlet Letter' or David Yates's 'Harmione Granger' (Emma Watson) in last four Harry Potter films - and 'Sophie Neuve' (Audrey Tautau) in Ron Howard's The Da Vinci Code? How would justify your answer?

There are so many differences in the portrayal of female characters in different films based on novels like, the character of Ophelia is portrayed as under the dominance of male. In the novel there are no such scenes or discussions of the sexual intercourse or doing physical relationship with Hamlet. But in the film the camera focuses on these scenes between Hamlet and Ophelia. Same is the case with Mary Shelley's Frankenstein in which there is close up on the intimate scene between Elizabeth and Victor. In Demi Moore' The scarlet letter the body of Hester shown in much attractive way, the focus of camera shift from her toe to the head and focused on the  body parts when she is going to take bath. In Harry Potter there is kiss scene between Ron and Harmione which is useless. But the Ron Howard's main focus is not on the body of the protagonist Sophie Neveu. His main concern is to presents Faminine sacredness and he is successful also in doing so.

6. Do novel / film lead us into critical (deconstructive) thinking about your religion? Can we think of such conspiracy theory about Hindu religious symbols / myths? 

                                                         And 

7. Have you come across any similar book/movie, which tries to deconstruct accepted notions about Hindu religion or culture and by dismantling it, attempts to reconstruct another possible interpretation of truth?

Yes, we can think of such conspiracy theory about Hindu religious symbols/myths by looking into the deconstructive reading of the film. everything in this universe should put on doubts, an intyellectual mind doesn't believe on things weasily without questioning and if there are loose stones then it must be disclosed to the audience to make them aware about the truth. Bollywood is doing these things also by making films about the deconstructive idea of God.  For example, "Oh My God' film is presents God in very formal way same as human without any ornaments or halo circle behind the head. Hindu religion is broad to accept these type of film. The controversies are only for promoting and after release number of people went to saw such films. As compare to this Islam religion is much narrow which doesn't portray the image of even the messenger of God.

8. When we do traditional reading of the novel ‘The Da Vinci Code’, Robert Langdon, Professor of Religious Symbology, Harvard University emerges as protagonist and Sir Leigh Teabing, a British Historian as antagonist. Who will claim the position of protagonist if we do atheist reading of the novel?

Obviously, Leigh Teabing emerge as protagonist if we do aetheist reading of the novel. Leigh Teabing is much intellectual personality and without knowing all the truths he is not deconstructing things in his mind. First he reads all the histories then he deconstruct it. He wants to open the eyes of peoples and make them aware about the relationship of Jesus and Mary. He wants to reach to the sarcophagus of Mary Magdalene. He is sure that after getting the DNA he will find the living descendent of Christ and proves his point.

9. Explain Ann Gray’s three propositions on ‘knowability’ with illustrations from the novel ‘The Da Vinci Code’.

a.       1) Identifying what is knowable 

b.      2) identifying and acknowledging the relationship of the knower and the known

c.      3) What is the procedure for ‘knowing’?

Ann Gray's three propositions on "knowability" works well with the novel "The Da Vinci Code" The entire novel is based on these three concept of Knowability.

1. The very first step is to identify that what is knowable. In the novel, things begins from the symbol of pentacle and identifying the codes of Da Vinci who is famous for keeping secrets in his work of art. Each and every symbols, paintings, object which follows Vinci's design is making some secrets which need to be revealed by the protagonist.

2. The second step in the process is to identify the relationship between the knower and the known. Means who is the knower of secrets, who knows the truth behind the codes and how it get connected with the known things of Vinci. In a way Leigh Teabing knows much about the codes and knows how to decodes things. But his relationship with the secret object known in the end. Langdon at the end decodes the cryptex but keep it secret in front of Teabing. Sophie knows everything about her so called grandfather and how he used to keep secrets and make puzzles, but each things connected in the end of the novel.

3. The last thing is to understand the process of 'knowing'. That is how Sophie and Langdon reached to the final truths by decoding each and every object in between. From the symbol of pentacle on the chest of Sauniere till the end to decoding the truth behind the Holy Grail which is the sarcophagus of Mary Magdalene which provides the DNA for living descendent

Feature writing

This blog is a part of thinking activity which is given by  our teacher Vaidehi Hariyani. Click here to get the link of her blog.

Feature Story writing

How a street dancer, son of Rikshaw wala becomes actor, made history, and Was Then Forgotten

Faisal Khan, winner of Dance India Dance L'il Masters 2 has big dreams. He dreamt to choreograph famous star Hrithik Roshan also. In his life he taste only the fruit of victory, never defeats. But what happens to him after his one serial "Maharana Pratap", and one reality show "Khatron Ke Khiladi". Where he is now?, no one knows. He has big dreams but at one points so many rumours start spreading about his relationship and all. This is obvious with any actor that rumours start spreading. Faisal Khan lost his battle in the reality show "Khatron Ke Khiladi". He was defeated bu other strong competitor. This incident breaks him and he decided not to come out on screen again. The very bad choice being made by a dancing superstar. Doing action is not his field. He tries to go out of safe zone but didn't succeed. He also stated that because he never taste the fruit of defeat that's why it becomes hard for him to get out from the shock.

The lesson we get from this story is failures are a part of life. One man or woman will not live their entire life on success stories only. They have to face failures also. But learning from failure is important rather than stopping everything. Son of Rikshaw wala also can do anythting, but the change came from mind not from the social status. We need to make our mind large to accept each and everything in life, success or failure.

Academic tour to Junagadh

5-6 February

A tour is a journey for pleasure in which several different places are visited, but when we include the word 'Academic' before the word 'tour' then its meaning extend to Academic Interactions with the students and teachers of college, university, school. In these two days of Academic tour we enjoyed a lot. But with enjoyment we have learnt so many things also. Let me tell you from the first to last place of our visit.

1. Bahauddin College

We departed from very early morning from Bhavnagar to reach at time to our first place Bahauddin college because it will be close at 12 p.m. First we have seen the old architecture of college. It was amazing. The structure reminds us of history. It was inaugurated by Lord Curzon. Earlier there are 52 gates but one gate is closed afterwards because as per the myth to have 51 gates is luckiest than 52. People consider 51 as lucky number.

52nd gate in middle

 The building structure was based on Muslim Sthapatya. We have seen the huge seminar hall with mind-blowing art work on wooden. The ceiling was made up of wooden. Normally terrace gate will not open for students. But we have seen terrace also. The beauty of art was mesmerising.

wooden ceiling

Then afterwards we have an interaction session with B.A English students. We tell them about our departmental activities specially about our blogs. they asked about net/set also. We have seen curiosity in their eyes to know about net/set, many of them are preparing. It was strange because when I was in bachelor, I don't even heard about any exam like Net/set. Then they asked about our you tube channel. As we all have our channel in which we are uploading videos of our presentation. After the interaction session we visited the library. There were oldest and rarest books. The names of writer and their work are too strange for us which we have not heard.

There are so many Ideas that we need to take from their computer lab because the students are preparing for net-set, they have made charts on the history of English literature. Much creativity is used in making posters or adding bulletin points about the history. 

We had taken our breakfast there and then moves to our second place of visit that is Sakkarbaug Zoological Garden.

Group picture on the terrace of Bahauddin college

2. Sakkarbaug Zoological Garden

After academical things we moves towards the entertainment site that is one of most amazing zoo Sakkarbaug. There we have seen the rarest species of birds and animals like White tiger, Ostrich and so many. We have also seen skulls of the lost species and then afterwards taken lunch.

3. Uparkot

Uparkot is the hubs of Tourism with oldest forts, Adhikati vav stepwell, Ranki devi mahal, Buddhist caves, Navghan kuvo, Lashkari vav and so many other places. We can remember the history of Junagadh through Uparkot. The beautiful architecture of very ancient times from the rule of King and Queens becomes the place of attraction for many foreigners. It is the place where Amitabh Bachhan' shoot about "Khusboo Gujarat ki" to promote Gujarat tourism being made.

4. Ashok Shilalekh

Then we went to see Ashok Shilalekh where we paid rs 25. The 3rd century B.C saw extension of the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka's rule over Saurashtra as attested to by his famous 14th  rock edicts at Girnar, Junagadh. Ashoka chose slopes of the Girnar hill and got his fourteen Rock Edicts engraved on the north east face of a Granite boulder at the foot of the hill.

5. Damodar Kund

The last place of visit for 5th date is the sacred Damodar Kund. According to Hindu mythology many prefers to bath here and immerse the ashes and bones into it. There is belief that departed soul get moksha in this kund. There is Damodar Hari Temple also. This is satirical that even if Hindu considered it most sacred Kund, they pollute it more than any other people. Like they used to worship Kund by lighting the lamp, Joss stick and by throwing flowers, food, coins into it.

6. Bharti Ashram

We all stay at Bharti Ashram, where there is free distribution of food. There is ongoing Annakshetra for the travellers or for the students who are living in hostel.

7. Dattatrey Temple

On next morning we took risk of climbing Datta, but we are able to climb 900 steps only. There are total 9999 steps, it was a daunting task. Two of my friends climb 5000 steps and reached Ambaji, but then they also returned because of shortage of time, as we need to depart from Bharti Ashram at 8 am.

8. Bhavnath Temple

Then we have seen Bhavnath Temple which is nearby the Ashram. As per the myth the Shivling is said to have emerged of its own divine intention. Mrigi Kund is the place where Naga Bavas used to bathe before Shivratri parva. It is belief that one from the Naga Bavas is Lord Shiva himself who took bath and never comes out of the kund. This happens every year.

9. Rupayatan Ashram

The most beautiful place for study is Rupayatan school of Junagadh. We had an interesting session here. Many students from our department interacted with small children and make them sing a song. Our professor also shared one of the best moral story of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam to make students aware about the positvity in life. We have seen that the children are very curious to learn English language and many of them spoke about themselves in English. The education system is better than other schools because many children come out shame and gave answers of each questions which were asked to them by Professor or by students. One thing which I have noticed that no one wants to become a teacher or professor there. All wish to become, IAS Officer, Doctor, Engineer etc. Cinema plays a vital role in building the mentality in children that IAS officer, Police, Engineer, Doctor are best jobs than other. Children are also influenced by the portrayal of action hero of Bollywood which are fictitious police characters. There is one interesting place "Divyasetu Darshan" from where we can see the mount Girnar and the shape of sleeping Rishi clearly.

10. Mahabat Makbara

After Rupayatan AshramShala, we went to visit the most beautiful Mahabat Makbara. We can see the influence of Lucknow's Islamic Sthapatya sheili and Hyderabad sheili into it. This Makbara is the best example of Western Islamic architecture. This is built on the grave of Junagadh Nawab Mahobat Khanji Bija in 1892.

11. Willingdon Dam

Willingdon dam is also one of the best place of natural beauty. This dam is built on the river kalwa. It was named after Lord Willingdon. It is a beautiful picnic spot.

12. Bhakta Kavi Narsinh Mehta University

The last place of our visit is Bhakta Kavi Narsinh Mehta University where we had an interesting session with newly made Vice chancellor Chetan Trivedi sir. It becomes surprise for us because the day when we are planning to visit their university he was a professor only but before two days of our tour he became the Vice Chancellor. We all have taken Lunch there and then interact with students. There were presentations by Documnetation and ICT committee leaders. Me and Ramiz Solanki gave brief introduction about our works. We have seen lots of simmilarties between their and our department. Most of the activities are same. they are also doing daily schedule everyday, they have same numbers of committees and so on. They are also using ICT in learning English literature. Mr. Clement(research scholar) also presented on Academic writing. After that there were wonderful performance of mimicry by Nirav Makwana, song by Dr Rupa Danger, youth winning Drama performance, Sanskrit song by on of the student. Many students from our department also presents themselves with creative poems, song.

In this way our two day tour ended with lots of memorable moments. It not only gave pleasure but also becomes one of the best interactive academic tour, in which we met students from different college, University and saw their way of learning. Interaction with Rupayatan school children is also worthy where we have find curiosity of learning in children who are the future of India. I would like to thanks our professor Dilip Barad for making out tour interesting and knowledge gaining.

The White Tiger and Slumdog Millionaire

This blog is a part of thinking activity given by my Prof. Dilip Barad.

Similarities between The White Tiger and Slumdog Millionaire

i) Narrative structure

Parallel Narratives are going on in both, the film and the novel. In the novel there is poster reading scene and along with it the parallel story of Balram Halwai is going on. At one side he is reading Wanted poster  and on the other side he is remembering his past and the crime which he has committed.
In the film we find that at one side the Questions and Answers show is running, and with reference to each questions, Jamal is thinking of his past. In this way two stories are working parallel in both. Flashback technique is used respectively in recalling the past events.

ii) Indianness

Picture of slum area- The film and the novel successfully presents the harsh reality of slums in India. Dirty surrounding, lack of water, electricity, education system etc. These all things are connected with Indianness because in a way major part of India is covered by slum area.
Education system- In village the education system is very poor, the masters are not taking care of their students. They are portrayed as careless and cruel. There is satire on the education system. In the white tiger when Inspection team surprisingly take visit to school then master put forward Balram to answer all questions because no other boy in the class is intelligent like him. In the film we can see harsh portrayal of master who used to beat students.
There are many other points which presents the theme of Indianness in film and the novel like Intuition, Trains, Two brothers-lost and found(common archetype) Difference between knowledge and understanding, "It is written". The first point is Intuition, which we can find in the character of Balram, Ashok(In novel) and Jamal, Salim(In film). When Balram is going to murder Mr. Ashok then something from his conscience alarming him. He spoke some unusual words like "Trust me" to Mr. Ashok who already trust him. When Balram calls Mr. Ashok to come out of car then Ashok's body is not cooperating with his mind. He want to go but his body is not moving. In a way his body knows that the end is near. In the film also Salim committed suicide. He has intuition that now his time is finished and release Latika. These is much Indian concept to have intuition which alarm us before something bad is going to happen. Train is also found in both, it becomes necessary to use train or its platform to show Indian crowd. Difference between knowledge and understanding is found in both, like Balram who is not much educated but has gained knowledge from surrounding, similarly Jamaal is also more social than reserve and learns a lot from surrounding. There is more understanding than taking higher education in both these characters. "It is written" means something that is in fate. If we think about the life and success of Balram and Jamaal then we can draws easy conclusion by stating that "It is written in their fate" because Jamal got the questions in the show which are connected with the episodes of his life. Balram killed Ashok, but police was not able to catch him even if they pasted wanted poster on walls because of uneducated masses that cannot read.

iii) List of the questions asked in the film 'Slumdog Millionaire'

1. Who was the star in the 1973 hit film "Zanzeer"
   a) Shah Rukh Khan
   b) Salman Khan
   c) Amitabh Bachhan
   d) Ranbir Kapoor
Answer: (c)

When Jamaal is at age five then there is incident of Amitabh Bachhan's visit to his slum to promote his film. Jamaal  is big fan of Amitabh Bachhan and he went to get the autograph of him. From that incident he remembers the answer of this question.

2. A picture of three lions is seen in the national emblem of India. What is written underneath it?
    a) The Truth alone triumphs
    b) Lies alone triumphs
    c) Fashion alone triumphs
    d) Money alone triumphs
Answer: (a)

3. In depiction of God Rama, he is famously holding what in his right hand?
    a) A bow and arrow
    b)A sword
    d) A flower
    c) A child
Answer: (a)

There is riot in the village during which Jamaal saw a child in the costume of Rama, holding A bow and arrow in his right hand. From that incident he remembers the correct answer.

4. The song " Darshan Do Ghanshyam" was written by which famous Indian poet?
    a) Surdas
    b) Tulsidas
    c) Mira bai
    d) Kabir
Answer: (a)

In the film there is incident when Jamaal and Salim met a person who is a gangster. They think that he will offer them good job. Jamaal also prepared one song to recite in front of him "Darshan Do Ghanshyam". Therefore he remembers that it was written by Surdas.


5. On the American One Hundred Dollar Bill, there is portrait of which American Statesman?
    a) George Washington
    b) Franklin Roosevelt
    c) Benjamin Franklin
    d) Abraham Lincoln
Answer: (c)

When Jamal was searching for Latika he met one blind boy who is very intelligent. He has an American Dollar bill on which there is picture of a man. When he describes the picture to the blind boy, he immediately give the correct answer Benjamin Franklin.

6. Who invented the revolver?
    a) Samuel Colt
    b) Bruce Browning
    c) Dan Wesson
    d) James Revolver
Answer: (a)

Jamal saw the murder of the gangster Maman by his brother Salim. Then he speaks that Samuel Colt is such a great man who invented  revolver for good purpose. From that incident he recounts the correct answer.

7. Cambridge Circus is in which UK City?
    a) Oxford
    b) Leeds
    c) Cambridge
    d) London
Answer: (d)

8. Which cricketer has scored the most first class centuries in history?
    a) Sachin Tendulkar
    b) Ricky Ponting
    c) Michael Slater
    d) Jack Hobbs
Answer: (d)

In this questions there is proper guess work by Jamaal. He use 50-50 option. The host give him answer in break but Jamaal know very well that what type of character he is therefore he didn't rely on his answer and used lifeline. 

9. In Alexander Dumas' book, "The Three Musketeers", two of the musketeers are called Athos and Porthos. What was the name of the third Musketeer?
    a) Aramis
    b) Cardinal Richetieu
    c) D' Artagnan
    d) Planchet
Answer: (a)

In this way Jamaal gave answer to questions which are connected with his life incident. And in some questions he used pure guess work. I wanted to remove first question which seems too simple to answer for any person about the star of the film Zanzeer. I will replace that question by asking another which is connected with his life story that "Which is the largest slum of Asia, located in India?". The answer is obvious "Dharavi".

iv) Deconstruction of film with post colonial tools.

Postcolonial study helps us to question the power dynamics. Between colonial centers and margins. The film Slumdog Millionaire is directed by an English director Danny Boyle. He presents the harsh reality of India. His centre of focus is the slum area of India. He portrays foreigners in a very good manner. For example, foreigners have obsession for Taj Mahal and many came to India to visit Taj. Salim Malik used to guide them, but he asked for more money to loot them. At the other side some thief stolen the wheels from the car of foreigner. Still they show mercy and gave money to Salim. This shows their calm and generous nature. On the other hand Indian's are portrayed as cruel, cunning, thief. There are so many other things which presents Indian as downmarket people. Danny Boyle satirizes on the Indian education system, Police system, crowd at station, portrayal of gangster. This shows that how most of the American looks at India which is a land of poor for them. Even after so many years of freedom, still we are slave, not physically but mentally. We like everything about them and dislike everything which is Indian. Karan Johar, the director also presents falseness in his film by portraying decorative things which seems much artificial, lacking reality into the film. That is the outsider way of looking at India.

v) Compare with Texture and Treatment of subject content in film and novel. 

The technique of the film and novel is much similar which presents the dark side of India rather than looking at the light side. Themes like corruption, poverty can be found in both. The show host, gangster, police, Salim everyone is corrupt in the film. Salim sells the autograph of Amitabh Bachhan to get money. However it is his younger brother Jamal who get the autograph. From the very early age Salim begins corruption. In the novel the character of protagonist himself is corrupt. If someone did small corruption like, taking more money from masters to repair car or to get petrol, then keeping  the remaining amount is also corruption. However big dealers corruption looks more problematic  than workers of small scale. Both, presents the same texture of India. The outsider looks at India from different angle like lizard in the class (in the novel), street dog (in film). This is much Indian, about the real society.
Treatment of subject is also going similar in the film and the novel that is treating serious element of India with dark comedy. There is comedy upon the life of common man, about the size of their family and so on.

vi) How far do you agree with  the India represented in the novel "The White Tiger"

Adiga is much realistic writer than other writers who used to write fake things. He doesn't believe in fspreading falseness. Therefore he presented the harsh reality of Indian society. He described the condition of village, school, family size and write about it in satirical tone. There is Lizard in classroom, families are used to be too big, one buffalo in each family, used to fed buffalo more than human. This is the condition of village life. Similarly Adiga also satirized on city life. The India which is portrayed in this novel is much true than the India portrayed in any films of Johar.

vii) Do you believe that Balram's story is the archetype of all stories of 'rags to riches'?

Normally the story about poor ends with rich. According to common archetypal pattern all poor boy's life turns out into rich. Same is the case with Balram Halwai who grows in a very poor family. He left his schooling and started working in a tea stall. Then he learns driving and becomes driver of rich entrepreneur Ashok Sharma. His dreams are big therefore he decided to kill Mr. Ashok to get his place. After killing his master he steals his identity and become same rich entrepreneur. In many other stories like 'Slumdog Millionaire', 'Boss', 'Once upon a time in Mumbai', Raees' we can find the common archetype of rags to riches where the protagonist begins from poor class turned into Rich in the end or between of the film.