The Cost of Living in a Conflict Zone: A Study of Shahnaz Bashir’s Scattered Souls

Art and conflict share filial affinity with each other. Art has been used as a perennial tool to fight the oppression and to give voice to the voiceless. Where ever the menace of occupation digs its roots, art comes as a handy tool of resistance to fight back against the oppressor. Art, in conflict zones, shoulders the burden of a witness to highlight the innumerable crimes committed against humanity. For long, Kashmir has borne the trauma of conflict. This has not only caused the human rights violation but has amounted to almost a psychological rape of the local people who live in a constant state of siege and anxiety. The pain and misery of living in a conflict zone is reflected in the literature produced by the natives. Aga Shahid Ali has been followed by writers like Mirza Wahid, Basharat Peer, Rahul Pandita, Siddhartha Gigoo, and Shahnaz Bashir. The aim of this paper is to study Shahnaz Bashir’s Scattered Souls (2016) as a text which tries to reflect the day to day miserable life of a common Kashmiri who lives in a constant state of pain and anxiety

What is in the Qur’an? Message of the Qur’an in Simple English

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UNDERSTANDING PAKISTAN THROUGH LITERATURE: AN APPRAISAL OF SOME RECENT WORKS

Pakistan, the second most populous Muslim country after Indonesia, came into existence on 14th August, 1947, after the division of ‘British ruled’ India (into India and Pakistan). From its inception to present, Pakistan covers a tumultuous history of over seven decades (1947-2019). Among the South Asian countries, no quantum of scholarship has been produced on any country—its history, religion (and religious ideology), politics, society, economy, and other inter-related issue—than Pakistan. This has continued in the last as well as present century. From 2010 onwards, numerous works have been published on religion, politics, military, and other aspects of Pakistan. This review essay, in this framework, presents an assessment of three (3) important works, published in between 2012 and 2014, so that to get clues of the various aspects of Pakistan. Following a descriptive-cum-comparative methodological approach, the books assessed and examined are: Ian Talbot, Pakistan: A New History (2012); Faisal Devji, Muslim Zion: Pakistan as a Political Idea (2013); and Aqil Shah, The Army and Democracy: Military Politics in Pakistan (2014). This assessment helps us in understanding the diverse scholarly approaches adopted (by different scholars) in studying Pakistan. The major argument put forth is that such an appraisal helps us not only in understanding the history of Pakistan, but in analyzing the issues and challenges Pakistan has faced, and is facing—be they religious, political, or related to military and security, etc

Chromium stress in Brassica juncea L. cv. 'Pusa Jai Kissan' under hydroponic culture

Chromium (Cr) entering plant tissue inhibits most physiological processes at all levels of metabolism including inhibition of growth, photosynthesis and nitrate assimilation. Since Cr exists in many forms, its toxicity to plants depends on its valence state, with Cr (VI) found to be highly toxic and mobile than Cr (III). Different concentrations of Cr (0, 25, 50 and 100 μM) in the form of K2Cr2O7 was added to 30 days old Brassica juncea plant and harvested on the 3rd and 5th days after treatment for estimation of plant growth, chlorophyll, total soluble protein, free amino acids and nitrate reductase activity. Cr was found to cause deleterious effects on whole plant growth. The potential of plants with the capacity to accumulate or to stabilize Cr compounds for bioremediation of Cr contamination has gained interest in recent years. The biochemical aspects like photosynthetic pigments (Chl a and Chl b), total protein and amino acids content decreased with Cr concentration. A significant increase in nitrate reductase activity was observed corresponding to Cr concentration.Key words: Brassica juncea, chromium, heavy metal, phytoremediation

Liposarcoma of the Spermatic Cord: A Rare Entity

Primary malignant tumours of spermatic cord are rare. The liposarcoma of spermatic cord is a rare entity and only a few cases have been reported in the literature. We report a case of forty five-year-old male with huge left inguinoscrotal swelling. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of swelling revealed the diagnosis of a liposarcoma. The patient was subjected to radical orchidectomy and wide excision. Histopathological examination (HPE) of the resected specimen reported a well-differentiated liposarcoma of the spermatic cord and confirmed the diagnosis

Role of diversion ileostomy in low rectal cancer: A randomized controlled trial

AbstractIntroduction: Rectal cancer continues to be devastating malignancy worldwide. Sphincter preservation is the need of the hour. Distal anastomosis is more prone to leaks. Proximal diversion in form of ileostomy may be used to protect distal anastomosis. Aim: To compare two groups of low anterior resection with and without diversion ileostomy in rectal cancer patients. Material and methods: A prospective, hospital based study of 78 rectal carcinoma patients were taken for the study. Inclusion criteria was operable rectal cancer 4–12 cm from anal verge. Patients were randomized into two groups. Group – A (34 patient) patients with low anterior resection with ileostomy (LAR with ileostomy); Group – B (44 patients) patients with low anterior resection without ileostomy (LAR without ileostomy). Quality of life was assessed by scoring done by self designed method. A total score of 0–20 given for various parameters. Results: Skin excoriation was the commonest complication. Stomal retraction and stomal obstruction was seen in 1 patient each (3%). Hypokalemia was the commonest electrolyte imbalance present in ileostomy group. Anastomotic leak was present in 6% of Group A and 11% of Group B patients. Mean time of closure of ileostomy was 16 ± 4.3 weeks. Conclusion: LAR with ileostomy has certain advantages over LAR without ileostomy in terms of anastomotic leak, postoperative ileus, resumption of diet, wound infection, small bowel obstruction and in terms mortality and recurrence. However stoma related complications were main disadvantage in LAR with ileostomy