Authority and Tradition: A Study of (pseudo)-Feminist Voice in Bankim Chandr Chattopadhyay’s Rajmohan’s Wife

Babu Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyaya is a renowned name in the history of Indian struggle for Independence. He is the writer of the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ of India. This song created an effervescence among Indians in that era to be united for the freedom of their country and to break together the shackles of slavery. Apart from this he is a strong signature in Bangla Literature. This is disappointing to know that Rajmohan’s Wife is his only novel written in English though it records the true picture of its time at its best. Authority and tradition are two words which seem synonymous to each other. Tradition apparently denotes a continuation and acceptance of norms and myth in society. It also showcases a peculiar kind of imitation. When tradition becomes an integral part of normativity it also exhibits a strong authority towards those traditions. Patriarchy may be the similar kind of traditional authority that was spontaneously born due to the flow of imitation, approval and power. This paper tries to explore those issues closely related to authority a form of power and tradition as an internalized system in determining and demeaning the position and status of women in the early decades of the 19th century India. Indeed, India was facing the high tides of upheaval in its social, political and cultural milieu that became the fundamental factors in generating turmoil in the lives of the people. Our paper attempts to explore the feminist or pseudo-feminist voice in the novel along with its connection with authority and tradition

Assessment of splenic function

Hyposplenic patients are at risk of overwhelming post-splenectomy infection (OPSI), which carries mortality of up to 70%. Therefore, preventive measures are warranted. However, patients with diminished splenic function are difficult to identify. In this review we discuss immunological, haematological and scintigraphic parameters that can be used to measure splenic function. IgM memory B cells are a potential parameter for assessing splenic function; however, more studies are necessary for its validation. Detection of Howell–Jolly bodies does not reflect splenic function accurately, whereas determining the percentage of pitted erythrocytes is a well-evaluated method and seems a good first-line investigation for assessing splenic function. When assessing spleen function, 99mTc-labelled, heat-altered, autologous erythrocyte scintigraphy with multimodality single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)-CT technology is the best approach, as all facets of splenic function are evaluated. In conclusion, although scintigraphic methods are most reliable, they are not suitable for screening large populations. We therefore recommend using the percentage of pitted erythrocytes, albeit suboptimal, as a first-line investigation and subsequently confirming abnormal readings by means of scintigraphy. More studies evaluating the value of potentially new markers are needed