Punjabi Women Research Articles

Immersing into the lives of Punjabi women: Personal narratives on alcohol consumption

ABSTRACT Historically, alcohol has been seen as a male-dominated activity, leading to societal expectations for women to avoid excessive drinking due to their role in reproduction. This creates a repressive double standard, controlled through societal norms and family influence. Focusing on Punjabi Sikh women in Malaysia, this study is vital as it uncovers their experiences with alcohol, filling a gap in research on ethnic minority women. Through interviews, it explores diverse interpretations of religious and cultural norms, indicating that many women feel a sense of freedom and exhibit no reservations in their alcohol consumption, challenging conventional expectations.

Dead Mouse

This is a translation of Veena Verma’s (2 September 1960 - present) short story titled "Dead Mouse" for your consideration. This story is part of Verma’s collection of Punjabi-language short stories titled Mul di Tiviin (Bought Woman), which was published in 2015. Mul di Tiviin is a collection of woman-centered short stories narrating the economic, social, and cultural precarity of Punjabi women, both in Punjab and in the diaspora. Veena Verma is an important Punjabi-language short story writer. She resides in the United Kingdom where she works as a social worker. Her stories narrate the challenges and tribulations of Punjabi women trying to navigate the diaspora far from their natal homes in the Punjab, whether in Pakistan or India.

Sikkh sanrakshan maen Pahari Chitarvanshiy Shaeliyon ke samanjasy se Sikkh Shaeli ka vikash

The Sikh style is unique due to its individual characteristics, which evolved from the Mugal style, a blend of Rajasthani, Iranian, Mughal, and European styles. It features subjects like proliferate, nihangas, Punjabi women, women's clothing, cooking, and other special subjects. The collection of these paintings is collected from the Chandigarh Museum.

PHULKARI131, SAMMI AND SAADA PIND – UNDERSTANDING PUNJABIYAT

Punjab, one of the diverse states of India, is known for its composite culture, impeccable hospitality, delish food and incredible history; having been the site of great partition, it is also replete with the stories of loss, suffering and resilience. While Punjab can be seen and comprehended through various vantage points, the current paper proposes and focuses on the proposition that ‘Punjabiyat’- the essence and way of being a Punjabi, is reflected specifically through its attire-folk embroidery (Fulkaari and Baag), Folk-Dance and Music Art forms (Sammi and Jaago) and the focal point of hospitality (Saada Pind). Phulkari, literally translated as flower shape, is a folk-art embroidery that originated in 15th c by rural women in Punjab, and is popularly arranged on Dupattas135. “Many Punjabi women used phulkari (literally, “flower-work”) embroidery to decorate their daily garments and handmade gifts in the nineteenth century. Illustrations only partially convey the vibrant visual impact of phulkaris, and even color photographs fail to capture fully the sheen of the silk thread. The embroidery ranges from striking geometric medallions in reds, shocking pinks, and maroons, through almost monochromatic golden tapestry-like, fabriccovering designs, to narrative embroideries depicting people and objects of rural Punjab”.136 Initially intended to be given away to daughters in marriage and holding a strong emotional value, the use of Fulkaari has widened and transitioned in the recent past. This study asserts that it can now also be seen as a cultural symbol and an artefact, to convey the bright and cheerful attitude of Punjabis and their general happy disposition towards lifeCarpe Diem. Similarly, the folk-dance art form of Sammi- a dance performed originally by tribal women of Punjab, represents the true culture and spirit of Punjabiyat- the friendship, longing, celebration of love and a sense of optimism for life. While Bhangra and Giddha folk dance art forms have gained wide popularity; folk dance art forms like Sammi and Jaago too need representation and space in academic and historical discourse. This paper also intends to trace these two relatively lost dance art forms as signifying essentiality of ‘Punjabiyat’. Further ‘Saada Pind’- roughly translated as ‘my village’; conveys a sense of oneness, camaraderie, raw emotion and a place in time-space continuum where each stranger is welcomed with ‘Ji Aaayan Nu’137. This study would establish how ‘Punjabiyat’; and consequentially ‘Indian’ cultural art forms can be a possibility of re-looking at the lost values of friendship, camaraderie, connection with the outside real world rather than a disparate and robotic connect with the monotonous clicks on our smart devices.

Psychoanalysis, the Sufi, and the Story

Psychoanalysis, the Sufi, and the Story

The physical activity patterns among pregnant women at a tertiary care hospital in, Pakistan

Objectives:To determine the physical activity patterns among pregnant women at a tertiary care hospital in, Pakistan.Methods:A cross sectional study was conducted through questionnaire for a span of eight months (from 17th July, 2020 till 20th March, 2021) amongst pregnant women visiting Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for ante-natal visit including paramedical staff having 24 to 28 weeks of gestation. With the written consent of participants, the physical activity was assessed by a validated self-reported Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ) having 32 questions to determine the duration; frequency, intensity and type of physical activity during pregnancy. Participants were asked to select the physical activity and time spent on it per day during the current gestational period. From the PPAQ, average weekly energy expenditure in Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET-h-week) was calculated. Demographic data including age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, parity, literacy and working status were recorded.Results:A Total of 229 participants of different ethnicities were enrolled. House hold and care giving type of activities of moderate to light intensity were commonly practiced by our pregnant women. Whereas multi gravida were involved in light physical activities. The Punjabi and Baluchi women mostly took occupational type of physical activities. Working women were physically more active than household women. Around 186 (80%) of the participants had no idea that they should take antenatal exercises during pregnancy.Conclusion:The study concluded that house hold and care giving type activities with moderate to light intensity were commonly carried by pregnant women. Majority of them had no knowledge of antenatal exercise.

Utilization of underutilized grains in regional foods for improved health and nutritional status of the rural Punjabi women

Millets have great potential due to their high nutritional content, gluten free, and low glycemic index properties. Due to their high dietary fiber content, proteins with balanced amino acid profile, many essential minerals, some vitamins, and antioxidants, these can be considered as ‘Nutri Cereals’. However, due to the changing lifestyle, they are now considered as ‘Forgotten grains’ especially in the Punjabi diets. Due to increasing incidence of diabetes among rural women of Punjab, there is a need to develop foods that mimic the regional diets and can be conveniently adopted by people. The present study was undertaken to modify the commonly consumed traditional recipes of Punjab into the low glycemic index foods and investigate their effect on pre diabetic rural women. The modified foods i.e. dalia, missa parantha and chapati showed higher overall acceptance when compared to traditional preparations. These foods products had higher protein(12-17g/100g) and dietary fibre(12-15g/100g) content. The modified products had low glycemic index i.e. 39, 44 and 41 for dalia, missa parantha and chapati, respectively and with a low glycemic load. The dietary intervention on pre-diabetic rural women improved the nutritional profile (p<0.05) showing a positive effect of the modified foods on the blood profile of the subjects.

Intersections of gender, ethnicity and age: exploring the invisibility of older Punjabi women

ABSTRACT Older Punjabi Sikh women are central to their families and communities, but their own needs are often overlooked. Probing the intersections of gender, ethnicity and age and interlocking experiences of sexism, racism and ageism within and beyond their own communities can deepen our understanding of why this happens and what we can do about it. Vertical hierarchies of women that develop in response to male domination, the gendered nature of women’s work and leisure activities, migration patterns that result in generational role reversals, unmet childcare needs, and sponsorship policies that engender dependency and promote isolation of older adults all play a role. These disparate threads are integrated through application of the intersectional life course lens, which recognises the importance of structural influences and oppressions on life course transitions over time and space.

Association of AdipoQ gene variation (rs1501299) and oxidative stress with cardiovascular disease in North West Indian population of Punjabi women.

BackgroundTill to date whether adiponectin AdipoQ gene variation (rs 1501299) is associated with cardiovascular disease, still remains controversial. Therefore, we aimed to relate the SNP (rs1501299) of adiponectin gene and oxidative stress in context to CVD in Punjabi women of North West India.MethodsIn the present case-control study menopausal women with CVD as cases (n=265) and menopausal women without CVD as controls (n=258) were recruited. Genotyping of rs1501299 single nucleotide polymorphism of adiponectin gene was carried out by RFLP-PCR analysis. Biochemical parameters were analyzed according to the standard procedures.ResultsDistribution of homozygous TT genotype of normolipidemic (p=0.001) and hyperlipidemic (p=0.001) women with CVD was significantly more frequent as compared to women without CVD. rs1501299 T allele carriers with CVD also showed significant (p=0.001) higher frequency distribution as compared to women without CVD. Under recessive model of inheritance TT mutant type homozygotes conferred ~9 fold higher risk [p=0.001; OR= 9.60 (2.92-31.58)] towards CVD susceptibility for MDA>1.50; ~11 fold higher risk [p=0.007; OR= 11.11 (1.49-82.83)] towards CVD for LDL carbonyl protein>15.04 and ~9 fold higher risk [p=0.001; OR= 9.75 (2.30-41.22)] towards CVD susceptibility for SOD≤5.55. Under logistic regression analysis oxidative stress and TT genotype were significantly correlated with CVD.ConclusionsOur study revealed significant association of AdipoQ (rs1501299) gene polymorphism and oxidative stress with cardiovascular disease in Punjabi women of North West India. However, additional studies are required to support these findings.

The sociocultural relationships of older immigrant Punjabi women living in Nova Scotia: Implications for well-being

ABSTRACT With the increase of South Asian immigrants in Canada, the relationship between older immigrant Punjabi women’s sociocultural relationships and their mental health and well-being needs to be understood. Guided by the social determinants of health and intersectional feminist frameworks, five Punjabi women living in Nova Scotia, Canada were interviewed. Three themes were identified: (a) having freedom yet being dependent on families, (b) conflating having a happy family with having good mental health, and (c) needing ways to connect with other older Punjabi women. These findings articulate how Punjabi relationships affect women’s views on mental health and well-being.

Toxic Masculinity and the Construction of Punjabi Women in Music Videos

Toxic masculinity fosters the domination and devaluation of women, often resulting in overt violence. As Punjabi women within Punjab and in diaspora have moved into the digital space, so has the reproduction of their womanhood. This paper serves to look at one of the many complex overlapping and intersecting trends that contributes to these constructions; Punjabi music videos. The author looked at the top 20 most viewed Punjabi music videos on YouTube in 2017 and coded for the gender of the producers and singers, as well as coding for themes in the final product. Major themes included that women were powerless, were objects to be acquired, were in need of saving, and were unable to consent. As an alternative to these toxic representations, the author suggests that the political potential of the multitude can be used to imagine digital spaces as sites of resistance where women reclaim telling their stories.

Jasmine’s Travail from Widowhood to Selfhood in Bharati Mukherjee’s Jasmine.

Bharati Mukherjee happens to be a prominent Asian American writer who has in her works vividly represented the experiences of Asian immigrants and the evolution of their migrant selves in America.Her works reflect both, her pride in her Indian heritage and also her earnestness for embracing the new world, America.&#x0D; Mukherjee’s much acclaimed novel Jasmine depicts the story of a young Punjabi woman who dares to rebel against the norms of patriarchy since her childhood. Her stifling experiences of leading the life of a widow in a small Indian village of Hasnapur doesn’t dent her spirit as she dares to sail on her own as an illegal immigrant to the United States on a mission to perform ritual Sati on the campus where her dead husband had enrolled to study. The problems of acculturation drags immigrants like her into an identity crisis. But it does not deter her, as she continuously strives to refashion herself to fit into the mainstream American culture. In this context, the paper attempts to explore how the feminist protagonist, Jasmine, through her shifting identities rediscovers her own independent self by assimilating into the land of opportunity, i.e., America.

Assessment of intake of macronutrients of Punjabi women

Assessment of intake of macronutrients of Punjabi women

Case Report on Horner�s Syndrome Following Thyroidectomy

We report a case of 37-year-old Pakistani Punjabi woman who visited the Eye department of DHQ teaching hospital Sahiwal with complaint of drooping of right upper eyelid following the thyroidectomy. This is to highlight the importance of proximity of Thyroid gland and sympathetic trunk. Hence, to make surgeon more vigilant to avoid risk of injury to sympathetic trunk so that potentially stressing cosmetic disfigurement can be avoided. Moreover, this would help the surgeon to undertake measures to lessen the risk of injuring the sympathetic runk while doing the thyroidectomy.&#x0D; Key words: Horner’s syndrome, miosis, ptosisthyroidectomy.

The Social Value of the Child and Fear of Childlessness among Rural Punjabi Women in Pakistan

Abstract The ‘Child’ is a value-laden concept in rural Punjabi society with foremost pronatal values. The woman is primarily responsible for childbearing. Fertility is valued for the social value of the child that raises the status of the woman as woman-being and a mother. It is believed that the child removes the curse of childlessness and sets a woman from social demotion. Infertility or other related issues that cause congruent child mortality are serious and often perceived as Athra, an “evil sickness” to be cured by religious healing. This ethnographic study investigates perceptions of rural Punjabi women about the socially valued child and the fears attached to Athra. This study was conducted in a village in southern Punjab. The study explores the social value of the child, the status of the mother, the ‘unexplained’ nature of Athra, and its contagious effects.

Desertion: Experiences of Women Married to Non-resident Indian Men in Jalandhar, Punjab

The issues faced by Punjabi women married to Non-resident Indians (NRI) are largely seen from the perspective of ‘desertion’. This study attempts to explore factors pivotal to the arrangement of these marriages at the individual, familial and societal level. It attempts to capture the complexity of the issues experienced by women in NRI marriages and their struggle to get justice in the face of exploitation.

Transnationally relocated? Sex selection among Punjabis in Canada

ABSTRACTThis exploration of the dynamics of son preference and daughter aversion among Punjabis in Canada uses interviews and a survey to augment voices across different generations of Punjabi women and men in Brampton, Ontario. Hierarchies of age, gender, patriarchal control and strong transnational kin ties intersect in allowing older generation immigrants to exert stronger influence on factors underlying son preference and daughter aversion in a context of socio-economic and cultural discrimination against Punjabis. Young Punjabi women and men are challenging unequal gender norms within the Punjabi community even as they create their own sub-culture appropriating Punjabi and wider Canadian cultures.

Exploring the role of “honour” in son preference and daughter deficit within the Punjabi diaspora in Canada

ABSTRACTThis article engages with discourses surrounding “honour-related violence”, son preference and daughter deficit in Punjabi Sikh communities of northern India and Canada. I contextualise son preference within historical and contemporary understandings of “izzat” or family “honour” and explore how second-generation Punjabi women navigate the boundaries placed on their bodies while the men in their lives, including their brothers, are expected to maintain izzat through policing and punishing. Using post-structural feminism, critical race theory and narrative methodology, I argue that preventing gender-based violence, son preference and daughter elimination requires both a deeper awareness of izzat and more research with second-generation Punjabi men.

Reinventing the Self in Bharati Mukherjee's Jasmine

Bharati Mukherjee’s Jasmine is a story of a young Punjabi woman named Jasmine whose life takes her from India to the United States, where she goes through many different destinies with her effort to reinvent her coherent self. Searching for and defining a new identity is a central question for immigrants living in a foreign land. The confusion of identity and cultural conflict pushes the immigrants into an identity crisis. The novel exposes how Jasmine, the female protagonist, as an outsider, strives to shape her identity to fit in the mainstream American society. Fortunately, she encounters confirmations of her shifting identity in different stages of her life. Instead of rejecting these identities and names in various phases, she seeks to create a harmonious relationship with those identities. In this context, this paper tries to explore on how she struggles throughout her life to reinvent the coherent self by her constant effort to assimilate to the alien culture and setting.Crossing the Border: International Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies Vol.4(1) 2016: 29-38

One against the grain

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to reframe transformative and culturally sustaining leadership for a diverse global society by addressing the need for educational systems to better serve people of color, situated in the urban Auckland area of Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ), who have been marginalized by the societies to which they immigrate.Design/methodology/approachGrounded in an applied critical theoretical framework, this qualitative inquiry uses raw auto-ethnographical data gleaned from a case study featuring the voice of Deva, a Malaysian Punjabi woman educator, who is also an aspiring school leader. In aspects of her auto-ethnography, she candidly shares experiences of racism, discrimination, and oppression germane to her professional educational experiences in Aotearoa NZ.FindingsFindings inform practice and policy to foster more inclusive school improvement in a bicultural and increasingly multicultural context that has historically recognized Maori (indigenous to Aotearoa NZ), Pakeha (of European descent), and Pacific Islander (e.g. Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Niue, Cook Islands) achievement in a national context. Global and international implications are included.Originality/valueThis contribution presents a unique perspective showcasing Deva’s direct experiences with acknowledgment of and professional positioning around Te Tiriti o Waitangi – The Treaty of Waitangi, the principles of which are now being applied not only to the rights of Maori and Pakeha, but also Pacific Islander and immigrants to the country.