Over the past century, the Assam Secretariat has witnessed a profound metamorphosis, symbolized by its transition from a summit to a valley. This paper explores the historical trajectory of the Assam Secretariat's administrative evolution, tracing its journey from its inception atop a hill to its present-day existence in the plains. Initially established at a high point, serving as the nucleus of governance amidst panoramic vistas, the secretariat embodied the region's administrative aspirations. However, as time progressed, factors such as accessibility, infrastructure (...) demands, and political shifts prompted a reevaluation of its geographical placement. This paper explores the historical relocation and subsequent evolution of the Assam Secretariat, tracing its administrative metamorphosis from the plains to the hilltops. The evolution of the Assam Secretariat's administration unfolded in five distinct stages from 1874 to 1947, each reflecting the political and constitutional growth of Assam. The paper delves into the strategic decisions and socio-political dynamics that influenced the relocation of the Assam Secretariat to a valley, symbolizing a shift in perspective and operational ethos. Through archival research, historical accounts, and scholarly analysis, it elucidates the catalysts behind this transformative process, highlighting the interplay between geography, governance, and societal needs. Furthermore, it examines the implications of this metamorphosis on administrative efficiency, public engagement, and regional development. By contextualizing the Assam Secretariat's journey within broader narratives of state-building, territorial governance, and urban development, the paper sheds light on the complex interrelations between physical space and bureaucratic functionality. It underscores the significance of adaptability and foresight in navigating the challenges of governance across temporal and spatial landscapes. Finally, this paper contributes to a nuanced understanding of administrative evolution in the context of regional history, governance paradigms, and socio-cultural dynamics. Keywords: Assam Secretariat, Summit, Metamorphosis, Evolution, Governance, Administrative History. (shrink)

The Black woman has always been portrayed in clichéd images in the white media, stereotyping them in a racist and sexist manner. In Black Women Image Makers, Mary Helen Washington dwells upon such unfair portrayals as the tragic mulatto, the hot blooded exotic whore and the strong Black Mammy. And this is probably why the black mother frequently appears in literature as a figure of towering strength. In Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God (1937), an old grandmother, a (...) former slave, accurately describes her position in this society: "De nigger woman is de mule uh de world so fur as Ah can see". The black mother is not a woman with power, not a liberated woman, but a mule, picking up the burdens that everyone else has thrown down and refused to carry. To outsiders, the Negro mother appears to be the one-dimensional Rock of Gibraltar – strong of back, long of arm, incapable of destruction. The proposed paper would study the black mothers as portrayed in Alice Walker’s novels, The Third Life of Grange Copeland and Meridian. To Walker, the Black mother is an individual – profound, tragic, mysterious, sacred, and unfathomable – strong in many, but not in all ways. She claims that the assertion of the black mother as a superwoman is a myth, and she feels that the black mother isn’t always strong. A black man does have a history of ignoring his responsibilities, but the black mother has had no choice in any matter; she has had to pick up the burdens that no one else would carry. In her fiction, Walker introduces the real-feeling, caring, uncaring, disappointed, indifferent black mother to the world. (shrink)

Despite the growing support for the importance of volunteer leadership development activities across nonprofit organizations, little is known about volunteer leadership development in the field of human resource development. This narrative literature review highlighted the main challenges in running a nonprofit organization, emphasized the value of volunteer leadership development, and stressed the important role of HRD to develop more capable and trained volunteers. Due to the shortage of skilled volunteers, special efforts are needed to concentrate on volunteers' development; proper guidance (...) and assistance are required to do this effectively and efficiently. This study opens discussion on this topic and offers overall implications for volunteer leadership development. Our findings can help professionals design thoughtful leadership development programs for volunteers and may provide a foundation for future research in the field of HRD. (shrink)

Recently there is a renewed academic interest in religion bringing it back on the global political agenda. Religion in the post modern global order is fast emerging as a new organizing principle in the face of multi-polarity, trans-nationality and sweeping pluralisation of peoples. Contrary to the secularist self believe, the modern has failed to take over the tradition including religion. Rather a logical opposite seems to be happening, questioning the very presumptions of the modernity project. The present paper is a (...) narrative on this creative tension in the religious modern and post modern. The paper is crafted into four sections. First section seeks to pin down the genesis of “religious” in the search for social order and consciousness beyond the material world. Second section deals with the unfolding of enlightenment project and its manifest consequence with the birth of secularism master theory. Third section delves deep into the immediate Indian religious lived experiences under foreign rule up to the sweeping spell of globalisation. Fourth and last part of the essay makes a case for universality of a multicultural world and religious secularism. (shrink)

This book has a topic-wise listing of different aspects of the culture and heritage of Kashmiri Pandits, who have been deprived of their native land because of militancy. This is a timely publication to document the fast disappearing records of the contributions of Kashmiri Pandits.