Articles by: Dr Maya John

Adhocism and its discontents: Waiting for the modern Yuyutsu

Adhocism and its discontents: Waiting for the modern Yuyutsu

This is the first part of a two-parts article on the issue of job insecurity of ad-hoc teachers in Delhi University. A little close to a decade ago, when I was working as an ad-hoc teacher, I recall a particular incident which left me extremely disturbed and sad. I was walking through my college car park and came across a[Read More…]

by 08/02/2023 Comments are Disabled India
A Brief Outline of Strategy for the New Phase of Janatha Aragalaya

A Brief Outline of Strategy for the New Phase of Janatha Aragalaya

[This article is based on the discussions with activists of the Janatha Aragalaya and concerned Sri Lankan citizens. It is a humble contribution towards ongoing debates within the movement. As the French proverb goes: “De choc des opinions jaillit la vérité” – Truth arises from a conflict of opinions.]   With the deepening crisis of the world capitalist system, we[Read More…]

by 13/08/2022 Comments are Disabled South Asia
Burning Questions of the Sri Lankan People’s Movement: What is to be Done?  

Burning Questions of the Sri Lankan People’s Movement: What is to be Done?  

(This article is based on a talk delivered at the online session organised by International Solidarity with the People’s Movement in Sri Lanka on a 23.07.2022) The people’s movement in Sri Lanka has entered into a deadlock with the ‘(s)election’ of Ranil Wickremesinghe as President. Within hours of him assuming office, a mid-night crackdown on the Galle Face protest camp[Read More…]

by 24/07/2022 Comments are Disabled South Asia
Online examinations: towards educational genocide of students of School of Open Learning

Online examinations: towards educational genocide of students of School of Open Learning

It is circa 2020 and we are in the middle of a declared pandemic and a nation-wide lockdown. In the current extraordinary circumstances, university students have been simply asked to concentrate on their studies, and now, be ready to appear for open book examinations in several leading universities. Of course, it is presumed that the poorest of the poor students[Read More…]

by 24/05/2020 Comments are Disabled Life/Philosophy
From Spanish Flu to Covid-19: A Repeat of Folly?

From Spanish Flu to Covid-19: A Repeat of Folly?

The last most remembered pandemic can be traced to the general crisis facilitated by the First World War. The “Spanish Flu”, as it was popularly known, was connected to a strain of the influenza viruses, which was in circulation among troops from 1916 onwards. By 1918, the virus strain triggered a full-blown pandemic, spreading in waves that lasted up till[Read More…]

by 19/05/2020 Comments are Disabled India
International Nurses’ Day 2020: Plights and Prospects of Frontline “Corona” Warriors

International Nurses’ Day 2020: Plights and Prospects of Frontline “Corona” Warriors

12th May as International Nurses’ Day is celebrated worldwide. However, this Nurses’ Day is marred by the harrowing accounts and mounting discontent of nursing cadre battling with the apathetic attitude of the Central and State governments during the Covid-19-cum-lockdown situation. The situation ushered in by the Covid-19 pandemic has clearly revealed, yet again, the highly unsafe and insecure work conditions[Read More…]

by 13/05/2020 Comments are Disabled India
Lockdown and its discontent: mass quarantine and beyond

Lockdown and its discontent: mass quarantine and beyond

On Sunday, 3rd May, the Covid-19-triggered lockdown completed forty days in India. We are caught in the cusp of two moments – the completion of the forty days-cycle and the lurching forward of the entire country into another 14 days of lockdown that was recently notified by the Government. This conjuncture calls for close reflection on the model adopted for[Read More…]

by 06/05/2020 Comments are Disabled India
Workers’ self-activity in the time of lockdown: the victory of their right to return home

Workers’ self-activity in the time of lockdown: the victory of their right to return home

Agitated construction workers employed in IIT-Hyderabad recently went on a rampage inside the campus, demanding their pending March and April wages and the right to return to their native places. They complained that in the wake of the lockdown, they had not been paid and were starving. On 29 April, their pitched battle against the local police and officials of[Read More…]

by 02/05/2020 1 comment India