The NRC as 'truth machine' in Assam

With the introduction of new forms of surveillance and an expansive list of criteria to meet, the National Register of Citizens (NRC) has become the source of distress and even suicide, for some residents of Assam unable to provide this information. Lawmakers, academics and members of civil society must thus consider the state's accountability regarding this, writes Rafiul Ahmed

Use of Literature in Language Teaching and Learning: A Critical Assessment

Literature is the media of teaching and learning authentic language. The language of literature is well-organized and wonderful choice of  diction. Language  generally  represents  literature.  The recent historical  positions   regarding  the   use  of  literature  in  English language teaching, and the inclusion of literary texts may foster the  development  of reading,  writing,  speaking, listening,  and critical thinking skills. This is the reason why, this paper argues for the use of  literature  for  language  teaching  purposes.  More important, it claims  consistently  that the  use of literature for language teaching purposes can promote literary understanding and general linguistic awareness among teachers and learners. Key words: Literature, Language, Skills development, Motivation, Oppositions and Resistances.

Relationship between Gender and Language

There is a close connection between the structures, vocabularies and the ways of using language and the social roles of men and women who speak the language. Why there are different varieties for men and women. Do men and women use language in the same way? Why do these differences arise? Is it because of the structures of that language? Or because of the norms of the society, which prescribe the ways men and women should use language. First question gives rise to another question: ‘Is it possible to describe a particular language ‘sexist’? The second question also produces another question: ‘Is it possible to label the users of that language and the norms regulating the use of language as ‘sexist’’. These questions are actually the issues of discussion on gender and language. Besides, how can we avoid sexism in language is also a concern of the discussion.  We examine gender differences in language use in light of the biological and social construction theories of gender. Keywords: Gender, Politeness and Stereotypes, Pronunciation, Interruptions, Competitive, cooperative, Construction of gender, social construction, biological, language differences, Dominance, Status and Power

Use of Literature in Language Teaching and Learning: A Critical Assessment

Literature is the media of teaching and learning authentic language. The language of literature is well-organized and wonderful choice of diction. Language generally represents literature. The recent historical positions regarding the use of literature in English language teaching, and the inclusion of literary texts may foster the development of reading, writing, speaking, listening, and critical thinking skills. This is the reason why, this paper argues for the use of literature for language teaching purposes. More important, it claims consistently that the use of literature for language teaching purposes can promote literary understanding and general linguistic awareness among teachers and learners. Keywords: Literature, Language, Skills development, Motivation, Oppositions and Resistances

Urgensi Analisis Kebutuhan Dalam Pelayanan Bimbingan dan Konseling Di Sekolah

The purpose of this study is to find, study and further explore scientifically and theoretically, about the importance of the position and role of needs analysis, in order to maximize the process of guidance and counseling services in schools. Through this research, it will be explained scientifically about the reasons for the importance of needs analysis for the formulation of bk services in schools. It is hoped that later from this research a basic paradigm of thinking will emerge related to the urgency of analyzing the needs for bk services. This research is a literature study which is a study carried out through the collection of information and data on various sources derived from libraries, which is inseparable from the problem to be solved. The data that has been obtained is then analyzed by the content analysis method. Needs analysis plays a role in planning programs in the long term, short term and certain programs, as well as laying the foundation for the formulation of counseling service programs that will be carried out. The implementation of the needs analysis for students can be the basis for the formulation of guidance and counseling programs in schools, by conducting a needs analysis of students, teachers can formulate various guidance and counseling service programs appropriately. Keywords: The Urgency of Needs Analysis; Counseling Guidance Service

The obstetric factors and outcome of adolescent pregnancy having IUGR babies

Introduction: Adolescent childbearing is still a common social and health concern in Bangladesh. Adolescent maternity is causally associated with many poor obstetric complications. Low birth weight is one of the most common problems in adolescent pregnancy and majority of these LBW babies is due to intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). The aim of the study was to evaluate the obstetric factors and outcomes of adolescent pregnancy having IUGR babies.Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive type of study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dhaka Medical College Hospital from the period of January 2012 to June 2012. In this present study, 150 adolescent mothers selected. Sample technique was purposive sampling. Detailed medical, obstetric and neonatal information recorded on a designed data sheet. Data were analyzed using statistical program SPSS.Results: The mean age of all adolescent mothers was 18.14±0.85, while mean age at marriage found 16.24. All the adolescent respondents were married and 9 out of 10 were living with husband (91%). Higher proportion (70%) of Hindu respondents delivered IUGR babies. 60% pregnancies were unplanned, of them, 36% developed IUGR. High proportion of maternal and neonatal complications found among the mothers having IUGR babies. More common maternal complication were severe anemia (65%), fetal distress (56.2%), oligohydramnios (43.8%), pre-¬eclampsia (35.4%), eclampsia (33.3%), PPH (23%), puerperal sepsis (14.6%) and more common neonatal complications were birth asphyxia (96%), hypoglycemia (83%), hyperbilirubinemia (8.3%) and sepsis (8.3%).Conclusions: Adolescent pregnancy complicated with IUGR demonstrated higher proportion of maternal complications like severe anemia, pre-¬eclampsia, eclampsia, oligohydramnios, PPH, and adverse perinatal outcome