tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561829398685858313.post2753157489337037708..comments2023-05-08T04:06:30.276-07:00Comments on Notes of an Itinerant Mendicant: Feet of Clay: Amitav Ghosh and the Imperial Indian GazeJason Keith Fernandeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747657801280747019noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561829398685858313.post-71885590958635614112011-06-01T21:22:57.333-07:002011-06-01T21:22:57.333-07:00Darling Jason!
Its a beautiful and thought provo...Darling Jason! <br /><br />Its a beautiful and thought provoking article you have written. It would seem that Ghosh is a clear example of how the South Asian elite - to which we both belong - are forever trying to find the way to be elite in the best way possible. Ghosh's comment that 'all' Bengalis in the 19th century learnt persian betrays this desire he has to be elite in way that British imperialism forced us to forget. He aspires to a sophisticated, humane, elitism - undoubtedly a project tied to the rise of Imperial 'india.' All I want to know is why you put so much energy into taking down Ghosh, when there are lots of other elite individuals and organisations who are the agents of ACTUAL indian imperialism; who make, invent and propagate institutions that further entrench and separate the elite from majority lived reality in South Asia. My point is Ghosh operates in the realm of ideas and representation. He is less responsible for the uglyness of gross inequalities of 'India' then many other elites. After all, all he does is 'Gaze' upon the multitudes. What i want to see you do critique a moment when a corporation, individual or a nation-state directly changes the material reality of non-elite South Asia. It would ultimately be a more meaningful attack on South Asian elitism. The point of my comment is not to discredit your work. Your writing is important and increasingly beautiful. But then so is Ghosh's! Ultimately I guess I just think there are better use of your talents, more biting ways to expose Indian elitism, then having a go at Ghosh.<br /><br />Yours forevermore<br />SamsamkhatkhatSamiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04754637957682681989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561829398685858313.post-47186514739323211772011-06-01T21:19:58.504-07:002011-06-01T21:19:58.504-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Samiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04754637957682681989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561829398685858313.post-11471305458974806982011-06-01T07:38:55.443-07:002011-06-01T07:38:55.443-07:00ghosh's statements do reflect a disconnect wit...ghosh's statements do reflect a disconnect with the sordid reality that prevails in India though it is not clear whether it is a deliberate attempt on his part to mask that reality out of insecurity as you imply. that is a hunch on your part which can be as good or as bad as the hunch that he is a CIA agent!Rahul Banerjeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03878406459334361611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561829398685858313.post-27945886914758340892011-05-31T14:41:35.160-07:002011-05-31T14:41:35.160-07:00Speaking from someone living in Diaspora, I kind o...Speaking from someone living in Diaspora, I kind of have to agree that funding and money coming from diaspora communities are proving dangerous to India's unresolved issues, such as Kashmir and the North East. But, I reckon that allowing Oversees Indians, like myself, to be oversees citizens of India will help to bridge the gap between what we know and hear (presumably from the government or 'elite' population) and what is actually happening, an access that we cannot be granted without visiting and living in India. Maybe this would allow those with the finance to use it for a good cause. <br /> Also, I don't actually think you (writer of this article) hates Ghosh, or indeed the Indian 'elite'.<br /> Further interesting, is that we begin to explore Ghosh's comments through the idea that the 'elite' are insecure because of colonial humiliation which made them also create a 'golden age', but I just feel that this idea is now outdated, and I think we can come up with new ideas and theories for why the contemporary 2011 Indian elite appears to be 'insecure' (if that is what they are). If they are arrogant, why are they? And the reason why I say that the colonial humiliation and golden age theories are outdated is that we can now clearly see that every society has an 'elite' or arrogant set of members, and this could also help to understand why India's elite appears to be what it is.Jamienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561829398685858313.post-29915695499474777062011-05-30T13:41:30.598-07:002011-05-30T13:41:30.598-07:00"Insecurity of the Indian elite"? more l..."Insecurity of the Indian elite"? more like arrogance towards the weak and servility towards the strongAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561829398685858313.post-90894077728482061832011-05-30T00:37:36.950-07:002011-05-30T00:37:36.950-07:00More on India's contributions to the world: ht...More on India's contributions to the world: http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?214549Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561829398685858313.post-60209278772277430312011-05-29T08:02:44.861-07:002011-05-29T08:02:44.861-07:00Good article! I read the interview, and he even sp...Good article! I read the interview, and he even speaks of how 'all Bengalis' learnt Persian in the 19th c. and everyone also knew Sanskrit. Bizarrely elitist!Amitanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561829398685858313.post-62500435743910679112011-05-29T08:01:51.477-07:002011-05-29T08:01:51.477-07:00It is unfortunate that Ghosh continues to disappoi...It is unfortunate that Ghosh continues to disappoint, following on his acceptance of the Dan David Prize: http://electronicintifada.net/content/groups-amitav-ghosh-dont-accept-dan-david-prize/1053.Bene Nightchildnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561829398685858313.post-12492972479429313922011-05-29T08:01:07.319-07:002011-05-29T08:01:07.319-07:00very nice jason, i like the focus on the insecurit...very nice jason, i like the focus on the insecurity of the elites, though, i find the term' insecurity ' too mild a term. this fear and anxiety of the elites world over propels the mega processes, we need a whole battery of analytical tools and vocabulary to talk about this massive negative force within these small powerful groups of people.Anu Ramdasnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561829398685858313.post-75571337791660552912011-05-29T08:00:12.589-07:002011-05-29T08:00:12.589-07:00Thank you for your comment Ajit.
Let me first beg...Thank you for your comment Ajit.<br /><br />Let me first begin by acknowledging that perhaps there is too much being twined under the rather large term of 'elite'. I often feel uncomfortable with the term, even though I use it, because it does not feel precise enough.<br /><br />I do speak of how the Dalit is ignored, and perhaps it get tedious. But I'd like to believe I do it, from different perspectives, so one is constantly seeing a new form of how this disregard operates. And even if it does get repeated, surely there is cause enough to speak about it! :-) <br /><br />Besides, in this particular essay, I touch upon the Dalit once, and then move on.<br /><br />Finally, the insecurity I bring in, is only a reference to other works that speak of the elite (there I go again!) Indian's insecurity stemming from a colonial humiliation. The pride in this (non-existent) golden age of pre-colonial India, is in fact the response to the colonial humiliation the upper caste and class elites felt during the British colonial period. What I am doing is not innovating, but only bringing a frame already used, to prove its point.Jason Keith Fernandeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13747657801280747019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561829398685858313.post-58871198097908928622011-05-29T04:47:10.324-07:002011-05-29T04:47:10.324-07:00Some crazy comments here!
Not every discussion ab...Some crazy comments here!<br /><br />Not every discussion about India needs to be turned into its disregard (admittedly total as it is) for the downtrodden, the Dalits. That those with agencies and voices usually ignore the 80% of the population is surely an issue. But to infer that "the elite" (as you call them) are insecure defies logic. I happen to think Ghosh is actually drunk with his Indian-ness here. Such self-aggrandization ultimately doesn't usually bode well; however, I don't see even a trace of insecurity.Ajithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07562558235002181816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561829398685858313.post-71523227279279058702011-05-28T02:39:53.681-07:002011-05-28T02:39:53.681-07:00Dear Anonymous,
Thank you for your 'compassio...Dear Anonymous,<br /><br />Thank you for your 'compassionate' message. May i point out though that compassion requires a certain bond between individuals which your anonymity prevents. But then that is your choice.<br /><br />I don't know about hate. There are some things I will not tolerate silence on. Especially because this silence will allow for the injustice that this 'thing' stands for to be perpetrated.<br /><br />I do know however, that however strong my views, I am open to hear the other's side of it. I know to recognise how a person has gotten to that position and to understand it (read my response to the pain Karmali encountered as a young man).<br /><br />Finally, I do not attack Ghosh because what is says is not what I would like to hear. I critique him because what he says is dangerous.Jason Keith Fernandeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13747657801280747019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561829398685858313.post-37092679622850989162011-05-28T00:06:42.260-07:002011-05-28T00:06:42.260-07:00You attack Ghosh because what he says is not what ...You attack Ghosh because what he says is not what you'd like to hear. Is that right? I find a lot of your other views also misplaced. Jason, clearly you hate certain things very strongly, in particular any kind of bullying. What we HATE so strongly, we end up becoming. You my friend have started passionately hating a certain kind of hatred, or your perception of it. I don't know what in the past has lead to this. I can only pray that you will wake up soon. Know that ailments of society have never been cured by hatred, but by compassion.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561829398685858313.post-73403564939532794302011-05-25T04:15:51.266-07:002011-05-25T04:15:51.266-07:00Dear Partial Secret Admirer,
Thank you for your c...Dear Partial Secret Admirer,<br /><br />Thank you for your comment. <br /><br />By France's association, I did not mean to suggest that they act in concert. Rather that in a unipolar world, power comes from both toeing the line, as well as rebuffing positions.<br /><br />I do not claim expertise on all matters, but I think this formulation of power is a safe enough proposition, that could no doubt be nuanced. The French position, is however not the thrust of my argument.<br /><br />P.S. I would LOVE to be able to abandon the 'moralistic sweeping statements and tones'. Help me!Jason Keith Fernandeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13747657801280747019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561829398685858313.post-90828175637540036812011-05-25T04:10:20.624-07:002011-05-25T04:10:20.624-07:00France maintains its 'power through associatio...France maintains its 'power through association with America'.<br /><br />This is a ridiculous statement and shows a profound and radical misunderstanding of the country you refer to. Its quite typical at times of these moralistic sweeping statements and tones you adopt which can well impress the 'common man' on the street but not by any stretch any serious social scientist. <br /><br />We all have to earn our bread but you could apply your intelligence in a far more productive and impressive manner than these self-satisfied rants of yours. <br /><br />A partial secret admirer!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com