Panorama of Indian Society

The fourth lecture of the 'Orientation Series'- which is structured every year for the students of B.A in Media Studies and P.G Diploma in Photojournalism and Visual Communication by Centre of Media Studies, IPS, University of Allahabad was by Dr. Hemlata Shrivastav, Associate Professor, University of Allahabad. The program started with welcome words by Dhananjai Chopra, Course Coordinator, Centre of Media Studies followed by the lecture.

Lecture of Prof. Shrivastav was rapt around the social structure and historical moorings of Indian Society. She started by articulating that cast system is not only in Hindus but in every religion in our country. There are different types of relationships like primary, secondary, and tertiary.

Marriage is the threshold to family. Before giving the name to his child a being thinks according to his cast and religion. Small families or a child to a couple which is a current trend is a sign of career pressure. The politicization of cast is perilous. The techno savvy families also exist.

People vote a person according to his cast which is degrading our society. Cast-based-politics should be stopped. Social mind frame is simultaneously changing but this is difficult to say that after decade or so cast system would end.

We are greedy for relations. Social relations are the social facts of India Society. Money is very important. Living relationship and its impact was also discussed. Some important studies like marriage of a girl with a dog because of mangal in her kundali(bihar-west Bengal border), marriage of girl with her uncle(south India) and marriage of girl with his cousin brother(Gujarat) was also voiced and thrash out.

Furthermore, she discussed about impact and power of Khap Panchayat and other Cast Panchayats on our system. ‘What will people say’ syndrome was also discussed. Her lecture was filled with different sociological studies and outlook of great Sociologists.

Lastly Prof. Srivastav said that study on sociology is like there is two sides to each coin so there are positives and negatives for every study of our society. She also answered many questions raised by the students. Listeners time to time applauded on segments of the lecture. Many students expressed that this was the best lecture of whole series and requested Prof. Shrivastav to conduct a workshop in future. The program ended with vote of thanks by the Course Coordination of the centre.

Prateek Pathak

Student

B.A in Media Studies

University of Allahabad