Suchismita das

A reminder about the approaching deadline, for anyone wishing to apply.

We will be doing a webinar about the IHS PhD programme @AhdUniv on Friday. We will be happy to answer questions any potential applicant has about the application process and the PhD.

Applications are now open for the PhD Programme in Interdisciplinary Humanities and Social Sciences @AhdUniv @ahmedabad. Do apply or share with anyone working on the areas listed below.

Devastated to hear that the great sociologist André Béteille is no more. He was the Indian scholar I most admired, for me (and many others) a moral and intellectual anchor. Here's a tribute I published on his 90th birthday in September 2024: scroll.in/article/107299…

The great ecologist Madhav Gadgil died last night. I am devastated. He was an exemplary scientist and citizen, and, to me, a friend and mentor for forty years and more. Here’s a piece I published on his 80th birthday in May 2022: telegraphindia.com/opinion/people…

I'm honored to be moderating a discussion with Devesh Kapur and @arvindsubraman on their new book, "A Sixth of Humanity" at Ahmedabad University (@AhdUniv ) When: Mon, Jan 12, 530pm Where: GICT Auditorium, Ahmedabad University Registration Required: forms.gle/3mxy3mpchZreP2…

Call for papers for the Yale Modern South Asia from advanced PHD students Workshop @YaleSouthAsia . Link below macmillan.yale.edu/southasia/mode…

Who is to blame for the violence in Ladakh? Movement leaders who've promoted & demonstrated peaceful means for 4 yrs, or govt that callously refuses to fulfil its own promises? scroll.in/article/108697… @Julley_Ladakh @rigzinhimalaya @GulistanLadakh_ @j_paljorladakh @MehdiShah777

We (me, @Jeff_Weaver_, @anahitark) are looking to hire a Gujarati-speaking paid intern and RA to help with lab-in-the-field work on barriers to trade in rural Gujarat. Full details in the link, and feel free to help us by RTing! docs.google.com/document/d/1X-…

The New Political Economy Initiative at IIT Bombay invites applications for the second Economy and Society Winter School, offering an interdisciplinary curriculum. Share the news. npei.in/economy-societ…

CFP! A workshop for scholars and activists working on the themes of #cities, #Migration, #security, #humanitarian and #solidarity to engage in sustained, interdisciplinary collaboration under the close mentorship of research faculty. Apply:forms.gle/eCMVu9CpMJju65…

Teesta Glacial Lake Outburst Flood and Disaster Management Concerns in India The Teesta Glacial Lake Outburst Flood of October 2023 caused widespread devastation in Sikkim and the Darjeeling hills. While Sikkim received significant attention, including extensive media coverage, the Darjeeling hills were largely overlooked, despite severe impacts in the region. In India, disaster management is primarily a state responsibility, but the central government plays a vital role in providing support, guidance, and resources. However, in the case of the Darjeeling hills, central government involvement was minimal, limited to sporadic mentions by the Darjeeling MP. A possible reason for this could be the political dynamics at play. The TMC-led West Bengal government did not officially declare the flood a "disaster," despite the Kalimpong District Magistrate’s report documenting damages exceeding ₹1200 crore, along with loss of life and missing persons. Declaring the event a disaster would have triggered central government funding, potentially allowing the BJP to claim credit, which may have been politically disadvantageous for the TMC-led state government. As a result, the Darjeeling hills, once again, became a victim of political maneuvering. This underscores the need for a more robust disaster management framework. While disaster management is a state subject, there have been discussions about including it in the Concurrent List, enabling both central and state governments to legislate and act more effectively. Furthermore, given Northeast India’s vulnerability to various disasters, including the Darjeeling hills, there is an urgent need for regional representation in the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). Currently, the NDMA has only three members, with just one considered a domain expert, while the others come from defense backgrounds. The inclusion of subject experts, academic professionals, and regional representatives in the NDMA is critical to addressing the unique challenges of disaster-prone areas like Northeast India. I have already raised this concern with our MP, urging him to advocate for regional representation in the NDMA, and I hope this request has been communicated to the relevant authorities. The Darjeeling hills and Northeast India deserve a disaster management system that prioritizes their needs over political considerations. Immediate steps must be taken to ensure equitable support and representation for all affected regions.

For the next PAHAD Lecture Series we discuss- "When there is memory, there is history”: Historicizing Space and Reclaiming Absence in Chittisinghpora, Kashmir. Speaker @Kaurgeographer Discussant @arshi_javid Details in Flyer. Register @ tinyurl.com/PAHAD-HEALTH

Institutional Post Doctoral Fellowship at @iitbombay Salary Rs. 80,000/- pm + HRA contingency Rs. 50,000/- pa. Must have obtained PhD in last 2 years from institution besides @iitbombay. Details at iitb.ac.in/career/apply Rolling advertisement

🚨 We're looking for postdocs! Excited to host researchers through the ANRF-NPDF scheme. If you're interested in community ecology, biogeography, plant-animal interactions, or ecological restoration, check out our work: sites.google.com/view/rohitnani…

1/ Sharing my story with the NYTimes was not an easy decision. My north star goal is always liberation and a free Palestine. That led me to decide to participate in this article despite my concerns. nytimes.com/2025/06/06/mag…

On World Environment Day, participated in @ZWH_Himalaya 's Clean-Up initiative in Gangtok. This plastic waste was collected in 2 hrs from 1 stretch of road. Let us be mindful of our consumption & demand greater producer responsibility

If you want to know why Mushtaq’s win is significant then read about the context in which her writings emerge. This article does that for you! himalmag.com/culture/banu-m…

Maybe we can take a pause and stop desperately snatching the words of the bereaved and making them stand for things- bravery or whatever.

Had an enriching time at the 'Workshop on Migration, Mobility & Social Transformation' organized by the Centre for Asian Studies, @GITAMUniversity, Bengaluru & @MWF_Delhi. Thanks to the hosts especially for bringing together works on ethnicity & belonging on the frontier.