Sacred Conversations

BackgroundNurses play a critical role in supporting the self-management of patients with chronic illnesses. However, there is a lack of evidence on this important topic from the South Asian context. This study aimed to understand what influences nurses’ role in the provision of self-management support in chronic care within the South Asian context.MethodsAn exploratory, descriptive qualitative study was conducted at two private university hospitals and one public university hospital in Pakistan. Purposive sampling was employed. Fifty-four healthcare professionals, with at least one year of experience in chronic non-communicable disease care, participated. Data were collected using a self-developed semi-structured interview guide. Seven focus groups (with nurses and nursing faculty) and 16 individual interviews (with nurse managers and physicians) were conducted. Thematic analysis was done. We adhered to the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative studies (COREQ) for reporting the current study.ResultsNurses’ supportive role in chronic illness self-management appears to be influenced by interdependent external and internal factors. Their motivation to perform supportive roles seems fragile and heavily dependent on external factors. Amongst the other factors, due to the institutions’ narrow perspective on self-management support, nurses face a mismatch between their expected and documented roles. Moreover, trust in positioning nurses in a supportive role seems superficial and situation-driven.ConclusionsThe factors influencing nurses’ supportive role in self-management reflected a unique perspective from the South Asian context. The study suggests implementing measures that can be undertaken at the nurses and healthcare system levels, to strengthen nurses’ role in the provision of self-management support in chronic care, in the South Asian context. It also emphasizes the need for training interventions to increase nurses’ motivation and self-efficacy, and to reduce their reliance on external factors affecting on their role performance.Clinical trial numberNot applicable.

Salman Rushdie’s novels, including Midnight’s Children, The Satanic Verses, and The Ground Beneath Her Feet, offer profound insights into postcolonial identity in South Asia. This analysis explores the themes of cultural hybridity, religious transformation, and globalization, revealing the complex nature of identity negotiation in a postcolonial context. Beginning with an overview of postcolonial identity and the significance of cultural hybridity, the analysis focuses on Midnight’s Children, illustrating characters navigating the synthesis of diverse cultural elements in post-independence India. The theme of cultural hybridity becomes a lens for understanding the shifting nature of identities in the wake of historical changes. The Satanic Verses extends the examination to religious hybridity, revealing the transformative impact of religious experiences on individual and societal identities. The novel becomes a profound exploration of the intersections between religion, identity, and cultural conflict within the South Asian context. In The Ground Beneath Her Feet, the analysis delves into globalization and cultural fusion as transformative forces shaping South Asian identity. Characters navigate the tension between local traditions and global influences, offering a nuanced representation of South Asian identity in a transnational world. Within the South Asian context, the analysis scrutinizes cultural diversity, the impact of colonialism, and Rushdie’s nuanced representation of identity. The novels become a literary mirror reflecting the kaleidoscope of cultures, languages, and histories that define South Asia, challenging stereotypes and embracing the fluid, hybrid nature of postcolonial identities. Salman Rushdie’s novels contribute significantly to the discourse on postcolonial identity. Themes of cultural hybridity, religious transformation, and globalization collectively offer a profound exploration of the complexities inherent in identity formation in the postcolonial era. This comparative analysis invites readers to navigate the intricate terrain of postcolonial identities, transcending boundaries and embracing the richness of a world shaped by diverse cultural influences.

The resolution of conflict in families.

In global public health and international development, there is a growing emphasis on engaging with and addressing men in relation to gender and health. In the reproductive and sexual health arena, however, relatively little research to date has focused on men in South Asian contexts. In this paper we explore this issue in the context of South Asia with the aim of moving beyond somewhat stereotypical and essentialist representations of men to suggest more productive modes of engagement— both in the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) literature and with respect to policy and programs within the region. To do this, we draw on the work of Raewyn Connell and Judith Butler among others to advance new understandings of men and masculinity in relation to SRH in South Asian contexts. We contrast these against recurrent patterns in representations of men in the existing literature and interrogate some of the assumptions underpinning such representations. We argue that there is a need to re-think men, gender and sexual health in South Asian contexts, and highlight some profitable ways of doing so, drawing on international experience to date.

In this chapter, three feminist and Science and Technology Scholars discuss the idea of biological politics within the South Asian context. The concepts of biopower and biopolitics emerged within a western frame of Foucauldian theorisations on the technologies of power. As the introduction to this volume suggests, Charles Darwin and Thomas Malthus have played important roles in navigating our conversations regarding bodies and populations in colonial and post-independent India. Yet, the chapter cautions against any easy deployment of biopolitics as a universal theory of how the entanglements of biology and politics play out in the South Asian context. All three scholars have been part of an ongoing project on thinking about biological politics in a South Asian context. The chapter highlights the key issues that emerge, and the many elisions and erasures in the complex histories of science in South Asia. Recent work challenges us to think beyond enlightenment logics in postcolonial contexts. Rather, during colonial and postcolonial times, the colonies have always resisted the imposition of western science resulting not in a pure or universal science but rather complex and hybrid sciences in the postcolony. We explore these tensions and, in particular, the new formations of reproductive labour that are emerging in South Asia.

The importance of internet penetration in reducing carbon dioxide emission growth rates and establishing environmental sustainability in South Asia.

BackgroundMonitoring and evaluation (M&E) provides vital information for decision-making and its structures, systems and processes are expected to be integrated throughout the life-cycle of public health programs. The acquisition of these skills should be developed in a structured manner and needs educational systems to identify core competencies in M&E teaching. This article presents our work on harmonizing M&E competencies for Masters level programs in the South Asian context and undertaking the global review of M&E track/ concentration offered in various Masters of Public Health (MPH) programs.MethodsThrough an online search and snow-balling, we mapped institutions offering M&E tracks/ concentrations in Masters of Public Health (MPH) programs globally. We obtained detailed information about their M&E curriculum from university websites and brochures. The data on curricular contents was extracted and compiled. We analyzed the curricular contents using the framework for core competencies developed by the Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH); and the Miller’s triangle. This data was then used to inform a consultative exercise aimed at identifying core competencies for an M&E track/ concentration in MPH programs in the South Asian context.ResultsOur curricular review of M&E content within MPH programs globally showed that different domains or broad topic areas relating to M&E are covered differently across the programs. The quantitative sciences (Biostatistics and Epidemiology) and Health Policy and Management are covered in much greater depth than the other two domains (Social & Behavioral Sciences and Environmental Health Sciences). The identification of core competencies for an M&E track/ concentration in the South Asian context was undertaken through a consultative group exercise involving representation from 11 institutions across Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. During the consultation, the group engaged in a focused discussion to reach consensus on a set of 15 core competencies for an M&E track in South Asian MPH programs.ConclusionThis work presents an opportunity for institutions to identify and re-examine their M&E competencies as a part of their specialized tracks within MPH programs. Our curricular analysis approach has the potential for adaptation and further use in curriculum analysis across different academic specialties.

"Research Aims - This research intends to study the extent of work-life balance and the level of satisfaction among women teachers assigned in the northernmost part of the province of Surigao del Sur and to determine if there is a significant relationship between them. Design/methodology/approach - This study used the descriptive normative and correlation method. The adopted questionnaire was modified and used. A total of 226 women teachers were chosen as respondent but only 210 participated. The data gathered from the questionnaire were tallied, tabulated, analyzed and presented in tables. Research Findings - The result shows that majority of the teachers answered “moderate extent” to the work life balance under personal and work environment and mostly “satisfied” on the level of satisfaction. It concludes that there is a significant relationship between the work life balance and level of satisfaction. Theoretical Contribution/Originality – Significant relationship between the work life balance and the level of satisfaction were tested in this study and showed that there is a relationship of work and life balance and the level of satisfaction among women teachers assigned in the northernmost part of the province of Surigao del Sur. Managerial Implications in the South Asian Context – Managers or administrators in Southeast Asian context especially in the education sector have to consider not only the work of their women employees in their institution but also their personal life because once these two balanced; this could lead to high level of job satisfaction. As an effect, this could heighten the level of commitment and their loyalty. Research limitations and recommendation – This study limits only to women teachers assigned in the northernmost part of the province of Surigao del sur. This paper offers for further research to other sectors."

Rangrez and Rangdār are two commonly used words in north India. ‘Rangrez’ is a painter/dyer, and in Sufi tradition is also a word for Allah. ‘Rangdāri’ is an illegal extortion tax, and the person who collects this tax is called the ‘Rangdār’. In all likelihood, ‘Rangdāri tax’ originates from the geo-political landscape of coal and mining regions of India (in districts which are now in the state of Jharkhand). The term is closely linked with the rise of mafia/gangsters in the region for usurping coal contracts and for effective/extra-legal management of coal workers from the mid-1940s and in the 1950s. The figure who collects this tax is called ‘Rangdār’. Both terms Rangrez and Rangd a-ri centre upon ‘rang’, which largely means colour across the South Asian milieu. Engaging with different terrains occupied by these terms, this article ventures into a less traversed domain of colours in the South Asian context. It uses this occasion to disentangle some of the knots present in the dark abyss of post-colonial political practices while looking back to the roots of the word ‘rang’ (colour). While tracking the historically changing meanings of the word ‘rang’, the article stumbles upon Sufi tradition and argues that this tradition has decisively structured the association of ‘rang’ with colour in South Asian context. Creatively mobilizing the darkness embedded in the word ‘Rangdāri’ tax, I extend my analytical frame to a larger question of addressing hierarchies which go into the making up of the post-colonial chromatic landscape. It is at this level, the figure of the ‘Rangrez’, shrouded in Sufi mystery, appears laden with a number of possibilities and creative tensions.

O presente artigo examina a inter-relação entre violência e modernidade no contexto do sul da Ásia. Uma revolução social não é nem espontânea nem é um projeto cuidadosamente planejado, com uma linha do tempo preparada com antecedência, mantendo a situação política em mente. Existem condições objetivas a serem atendidas para qualquer transformação social em larga escala; além dessas condições, o papel da intervenção humana deve ser enfatizado para que a mudança seja realizada. O argumento central do artigo é que, no contexto da pobreza em massa, torna-se imperativo que os pobres se unam e se revoltem com a intenção de adquirir ganhos materiais resultantes do crescimento econômico. Até que ponto as vítimas das sociedades de classe sentem a necessidade de se revoltar contra seus opressores é uma questão em aberto. O fato, no entanto, é que existe um potencial de revolução incorporado à natureza da opressão. Onde os pobres são a grande maioria, há uma possibilidade real de que uma faísca seja suficiente para criar uma reação em cadeia que leve a mudanças ao longo de vários níveis. É importante examinar situações aparentemente não relacionadas em que um grupo de pessoas que lutam por uma causa imediata seja capaz de defender suas idéias através de lutas organizadas. O artigo examina a região do sul da Ásia, onde as contradições coloniais estão entrelaçadas com as desigualdades estruturais, a fim de entender o que os pobres fazem no processo de se revoltar contra uma condição desigual; como eles são capazes de se modernizar através do uso da violência que está paradoxalmente emergindo como resultado de uma modernidade desequilibrada

People who have experienced trauma, especially adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) are at risk of experiencing subsequent emotional and mental health difficulties. South Asian countries have high prevalence rates of CSA and other forms of complex trauma. Despite the requirement for mental health support for trauma survivors in South Asia, their needs are poorly understood, and specific interventions are still in their infancy. We aimed to explore the views of mental health professionals and key stakeholders on the mental health and support needs of trauma survivors, especially CSA survivors in South Asia and the treatment and support available. We interviewed mental health professionals and key stakeholders from six countries in South Asia who had experience working with trauma survivors. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. We interviewed 17 professionals and key stakeholders working in Afghanistan (n = 1), Bangladesh (n = 2), India (n = 8), Nepal (n = 2), Pakistan (n = 2) and Sri Lanka (n = 2). Four main themes were developed: mental health symptoms as the tip of the iceberg; a pragmatic approach to treatment and services; systemic factors are roadblocks to trauma services; cultural beliefs and practices across communities. We found that the participants view survivors’ difficulties as a combination of mental health problems and relationship difficulties, often dominating the mass of trauma. Despite systemic barriers, they extended their services to the survivors to make them as applicable as possible to the clients’ needs. For this, they considered the clients’ context. Overall, these professionals in South Asia acknowledged that the treatment and support that should be provided to trauma survivors, specifically adult CSA survivors, have not yet been formally established in South Asian contexts. Future research is needed to inform guidance for specific communities in the South Asian context.

Despite inclusion policies, stark inequalities for disadvantaged groups persist in schools, with limited research on school leaders (SLs) as change agents in the global South. This paper discusses implications of GPE-KIX funded research (2021 -2024) in Pakistan, Nepal and Afghan refugee contexts. The focus is developing SLs to bring about school changes addressing local inequalities in access and learning through practice-based learning in professional learning communities and stakeholder engagement. The model comprises: open resources (co-created with local stakeholders), peer networked improvement communities (NIC) with facilitator-support for SLs working collaboratively on tackling micro-challenges. Initial field testing established levels of digital expertise, current inclusive practice and policy contexts, which informed the second phase of co-creation of localised open course resources in local languages. Empirical field work in the third implementation phase explored how SLs collaborated, exercised agency and their changes in attitudes and understandings of inclusion. To inform policy, stakeholders were involved throughout. Findings suggest SLs demonstrated an underexplored capacity for engaging with local inclusion issues, taking ownership, responding to activities in the OER and developing professional capital to reduce the policy-practice gap. Recommendations for developing an inclusive mindset are significant for OER design; developing school leaders at scale, and education policymakers.

Nuclear weapons in South Asia: Theoretical implications

Previous articleNext article No AccessBook ReviewDavid Gordon White, . Kiss of the Yoginī: “Tantric Sex” in Its South Asian Contexts. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000. xix+372 pp. $45.00 (cloth).Jonathan C. GoldJonathan C. GoldFordham University. Search for more articles by this author Fordham University.PDFPDF PLUSFull Text Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by The Journal of Religion Volume 84, Number 2April 2004 Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/421830 Views: 7Total views on this site Permission to reprint a book review printed in this section may be obtained only from the author.PDF download Crossref reports no articles citing this article.

This chapter deals with mental illness in Tibetan medicine, its classification, diagnosis, and treatment. The discussion is based on research carried out in clinics of Tibetan medicine in Nepal and the UK. The chapter addresses a major debate in transcultural psychiatric studies about whether certain features of psychiatric experience can be said to be universal, or whether representations of mental illness are entirely framed by the culture in which they occur. In what follows, a comparative assessment is made of Tibetan medical approaches to mental disorders in a South Asian context and in Tibetan medical clinics in the UK. A further layer of comparison is between Tibetan approaches to mental disorder and those of Western psychiatry. Keywords: mental disorders; South Asian context; Tibetan medical clinics; Tibetan medicine; transcultural psychiatric studies; Western psychiatry