- Gender, Social Work, Peace & Conflict Studies, Disability Rights, Health Impact of War on Women During Conflict and Post Conflict, Women's Studies, and 25 moreQualitative methodology, Armed Conflict, Resilience Theory, Trauma and Resilience, Qualitative Research, Social Identity, Applied Ethics, Social Work Education, Human Services & Social Work, Pedagogy of Social Work, International Social Work, Child Protection Social Work, Non Profit Organizations, Community Development, Feminist Methodologies, Social Sciences, Sociology, Call for Papers and Research and Publication, Call for Papers, Call for Papers, Cultural Studies, New Journal Call for Papers, Decolonizing Methodologies, Empathy (Psychology), Empathy, and Empathy (Philosophy)edit
- I am a social work professional & a social entrepreneur working with the framework of mental health, human rights and... moreI am a social work professional & a social entrepreneur working with the framework of mental health, human rights and inclusive development in India. Since 2002, I have been involved in capacity building, program review and design, team management, service delivery, advocacy, evaluations, and research. I have worked in the following areas: mental health, disability rights, psychosocial support in disaster response, gender and child rights. My PhD focused on resilience among women widowed due to conflict in Kashmir. At present, I lead my social enterprise - Ginny's Planet (www.ginnysplanet.com) and develop workshops, products, and online content on empathy, diversity, and disability.edit
In the context of intractable conflicts, women face the consequences of deaths and disappearances of their husbands at various levels. However, this may not be known or understood by each of those who share opinions about national safety... more
In the context of intractable conflicts, women face the consequences of deaths and disappearances of their husbands at various levels. However, this may not be known or understood by each of those who share opinions about national safety and security. In the process of forming and propagating our judgments about political conflicts, it is important to reflect upon the extent of one’s knowledge about lives of people from conflict zones. This paper, through some of the narratives of women from Kashmir, urges readers to know more about the context of conflict instead of believing in assumptions that may have been promoted through popular media. This paper is based on my research that focused on resilience among women widowed due to conflict in Kashmir.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Discourse on interfaith marriages in India at present involves diverse narratives ranging from opposition and resistance to acceptance. These alliances deserve greater focus in terms of their uniqueness, challenges as well as everyday... more
Discourse on interfaith marriages in India at present involves diverse narratives ranging from opposition and resistance to acceptance. These alliances deserve greater focus in terms of their uniqueness, challenges as well as everyday negotiations that form part of their lives. Based on narratives of respondents from Dhanak, an organisation of inter-caste and interfaith couples, this article presents some domains of their lives and spaces being negotiated by them within their families. These domains include the issue of conversion, protecting identity, celebration of diversity and socialisation of children, perceptions of themselves vis-à-vis other families and parental outlook towards the alliance.
Research Interests:
Discourse on interfaith marriages in India at present involves diverse narratives ranging from opposition and resistance to acceptance. These alliances deserve greater focus in terms of their uniqueness, challenges as well as everyday... more
Discourse on interfaith marriages in India at present involves diverse narratives ranging from opposition and resistance to acceptance. These alliances deserve greater focus in terms of their uniqueness, challenges as well as everyday negotiations that form part of their lives. Based on narratives of respondents from Dhanak, an organisation of inter-caste and interfaith couples, this article presents some domains of their lives and spaces being negotiated by them within their families. These domains include the issue of conversion, protecting identity, celebration of diversity and socialisation of children, perceptions of themselves vis-à-vis other families and parental outlook towards the alliance.
Research Interests:
In the context of intractable conflicts, women face the consequences of deaths and disappearances of their husbands at various levels. However, this may not be known or understood by each of those who share opinions about national safety... more
In the context of intractable conflicts, women face the consequences of deaths and disappearances of their husbands at various levels. However, this may not be known or understood by each of those who share opinions about national safety and security. In the process of forming and propagating our judgments about political conflicts, it is important to reflect upon the extent of one's knowledge about lives of people from conflict zones. This paper, through some of the narratives of women from Kashmir, urges readers to know more about the context of conflict instead of believing in assumptions that may have been promoted through popular media. This paper is based on my research that focused on resilience among women widowed due to conflict in Kashmir.
Research Interests:
In the context of intractable conflicts, women face the consequences of deaths and disappearances of their husbands at various levels. However, this may not be known or understood by each of those who share opinions about national safety... more
In the context of intractable conflicts, women face the consequences of deaths and disappearances of their husbands at various levels. However, this may not be known or understood by each of those who share opinions about national safety and security. In the process of forming and propagating our judgments about political conflicts, it is important to reflect upon the extent of one’s knowledge about lives of people from conflict zones. This paper, through some of the narratives of women from Kashmir, urges readers to know more about the context of conflict instead of believing in assumptions that may have been promoted through popular media. This paper is based on my research that focused on resilience among women widowed due to conflict in Kashmir.
Research Interests:
Discourse on interfaith marriages in India at present involves diverse narratives ranging from opposition and resistance to acceptance. These alliances deserve greater focus in terms of their uniqueness, challenges as well as everyday... more
Discourse on interfaith marriages in India at present involves diverse narratives ranging from opposition and resistance to acceptance. These alliances deserve greater focus in terms of their uniqueness, challenges as well as everyday negotiations that form part of their lives. Based on narratives of respondents from Dhanak, an organisation of inter-caste and interfaith couples, this article presents some domains of their lives and spaces being negotiated by them within their families. These domains include the issue of conversion, protecting identity, celebration of diversity and socialisation of children, perceptions of themselves vis-à-vis other families and parental outlook towards the alliance.
Research Interests:
Social work education is responsible for professional socialization of social workers as they evolve from students into professionals. Without the focus on core values, however, this professional socialization is incomplete. It is... more
Social work education is responsible for professional socialization of social workers as they evolve from students into professionals. Without the focus on core values, however, this professional socialization is incomplete. It is increasingly becoming important for educators to reflect on their teaching and learning processes with the question – whether we are able to transfer commitment or adherence to social work values, especially social justice, in learning and practice of social work students? This article focuses on certain aspects of teaching and learning, as well as the role of educators and institutions. It also emphasizes that educators need to demonstrate social work values and principles in their everyday interactions and practice instead of hoping that students should derive all practice related learning from fieldwork experiences only.
Research Interests:
The article challenges the philosophy of normalization using the context of India. Emphasis on deinstitutionalization and belief in the family as a cradle of nurturance runs the risk of further marginalization of those already... more
The article challenges the philosophy of normalization using the context of India. Emphasis on deinstitutionalization and belief in the family as a cradle of nurturance runs the risk of further marginalization of those already marginalized. Social Workers in the Indian context are posed with ethical dilemmas. On one hand, they are confronted with the challenges that Indian families are facing today. On the other hand, is the practical absence of institutionalized services that would offer support or interim respite to the family! The dilemma is regarding navigating this crossroad so as to secure the best interests of the vulnerable sections.
Research Interests:
The term ‘resilience’ has been used and described in several ways. It has been used to describe characteristics of an individual who copes successfully with adversity. It has also been used to describe positive functioning that suggests... more
The term ‘resilience’ has been used and described in several ways. It has been used to describe characteristics of an individual who copes successfully with adversity. It has also been used to describe positive functioning that suggests recovery from trauma. It is now being argued that resilience cannot be understood only as a trait of individual and that a stronger emphasis is required on society and social policies. This argument indicates how the concept of resilience has evolved. It is no more only about the characteristics and assets of individuals or populations. It is now argued that how we understand resilience is negotiated discursively and influenced by culture and context in which it is found. It has also been proposed that there are global, as well as culturally and contextually specific aspects that contribute to resilience. A significant amount of existing literature vis a vis resilience focuses largely on children but this paper focuses specifically on adult resilience. This paper presents the argument that resilience cannot be understood by labeling people as 'resilient'. Focus has to be on the interaction between the person and the environment and the adaptive characteristics of both. With this argument, the author discusses the implications for research and social work practice.
Research Interests:
Using a case study, this paper describes initial results from qualitative research with women widowed as a result of conflict in Kashmir. Recognising resilience as a process that contributes to a sense of wellbeing, this paper highlights... more
Using a case study, this paper describes initial results from qualitative research with women widowed as a result of conflict in Kashmir. Recognising resilience as a process that contributes to a sense of wellbeing, this paper highlights how this process also often involves experiencing and exercising overlapping identities of being a ‘victim’, ‘widow, and a ‘mother’ for women within conflict contexts. Further, the paper questions simplistic readings of resilience and wellbeing that classify people as resilient or not resilient, and classify relationships, identities, and feelings in terms of ‘good’ or ‘bad’ by reflecting on questions such as: ‘is belief or portrayal of oneself as a victim unhelpful or negative? Or, is worrying bad?’ The case study included here is one of the fifty qualitative interviews conducted as part of PhD research on resilience among women widowed due to conflict in Kashmir.
Research Interests:
Growing up in the context of conflict brings one face to face with many challenges. The experiences in such a context, however, also evolve coping mechanisms/ patterns of people. Focusing on the 2010 scenario of unrest in Kashmir, this... more
Growing up in the context of conflict brings one face to face with many challenges. The experiences in such a context, however, also evolve coping mechanisms/ patterns of people. Focusing on the 2010 scenario of unrest in Kashmir, this paper is based on a qualitative research that aimed to explore perspectives of young women from Kashmir in terms of events, impacts and patterns of coping in their life. This research involved 9 young women in the age group of 16 to 26 years from two districts of Kashmir: Srinagar and Budgam. The paper presents findings related to patterns of coping in their life. Narratives of young women presented a sense of collectivism and identification with issues and concerns of other Kashmiris in terms of an identity of victimhood and a sense of being oppressed and discriminated against. Following patterns of coping emerged from narratives: use of community support, preparations based on past experiences, use of supportive relationships and existing resources of family, engagement in activities, expressing and communicating, seeking information and restructuring life and schedules based on information about the situation, normalizing and acceptance, and identification with scenarios/contexts of oppression and struggle for rights.
Research Interests:
Thinking of diversity in a society, one automatically begins to think about dimensions such as gender, sex, color, race, class, caste, religion, culture, language, and ethnicity. One may not naturally think of disability among these... more
Thinking of diversity in a society, one automatically begins to think about dimensions such as gender, sex, color, race, class, caste, religion, culture, language, and ethnicity. One may not naturally think of disability among these dimensions. However, similar to the experiences of people on basis of gender, color, castes, etc. persons with disabilities too have faced exclusion and marginalization in their communities because of being different. ‘Respect for difference and acceptance of persons with disabilities as part of human diversity and humanity’ is one of the guiding principles of United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). This positions the discourse on disability within the larger discourse on diversity, pluralism and social inclusion.
Introducing disability as a part of human diversity, this article reflects on perceptions of the Indian society which often links disability with ‘personal tragedy’ or with ‘negative character’, and ‘burden’. Discussing the factors influencing these perceptions, such as ‘Karma’ philosophy, societal definitions of normal and abnormal, family’s own perceptions, invisibilization, and segregated services, the article ponders over the following – How is disability similar or different as compared to other kinds of diversity in India? What efforts are being made to create a diversity respecting society? The article presents the argument that in order to respect diversity, one needs to challenge the ‘isms’ and fragmentation, move beyond affirmative action, create a culture of respect and concern towards fellow citizens and continuously review the scenario. The article concludes by discussing the postmodern perspective and its celebration of diversity
Introducing disability as a part of human diversity, this article reflects on perceptions of the Indian society which often links disability with ‘personal tragedy’ or with ‘negative character’, and ‘burden’. Discussing the factors influencing these perceptions, such as ‘Karma’ philosophy, societal definitions of normal and abnormal, family’s own perceptions, invisibilization, and segregated services, the article ponders over the following – How is disability similar or different as compared to other kinds of diversity in India? What efforts are being made to create a diversity respecting society? The article presents the argument that in order to respect diversity, one needs to challenge the ‘isms’ and fragmentation, move beyond affirmative action, create a culture of respect and concern towards fellow citizens and continuously review the scenario. The article concludes by discussing the postmodern perspective and its celebration of diversity
This was the presentation for my talk in a symposium on 'Mental Health at Workplace and Social Work Profession' at the WORLD CONGRESS ON MENTAL HEALTH, Delhi (3rd November 2017). I discussed about creating inclusive workplaces using... more
This was the presentation for my talk in a symposium on 'Mental Health at Workplace and Social Work Profession' at the WORLD CONGRESS ON MENTAL HEALTH, Delhi (3rd November 2017).
I discussed about creating inclusive workplaces using mental health perspectives and emphasized upon the idea that the processes for promoting mental health and creating inclusive environments not only contribute to each other but are also necessary for each other. According to me, an inclusive workplace has following characteristics:
• It draws diverse people in
• It creates space for diversity
• It celebrates diversity (instead of tolerating it)
• It nurtures and protects mental health of each person
• It promotes meaningful participation of each person
• It does not push people out because of disability, gender, religion,
sexuality, choice of spouse (e.g. someone in inter-faith marriage),
caste, and other characteristics that are part of human diversity
• It ensures that the environment is not a barrier for people’s contribution
• It motivates people to contribute
• It has caring and respecting environments
• It has mechanisms in place for self-care and support - which are not
seen as favours.
I discussed about creating inclusive workplaces using mental health perspectives and emphasized upon the idea that the processes for promoting mental health and creating inclusive environments not only contribute to each other but are also necessary for each other. According to me, an inclusive workplace has following characteristics:
• It draws diverse people in
• It creates space for diversity
• It celebrates diversity (instead of tolerating it)
• It nurtures and protects mental health of each person
• It promotes meaningful participation of each person
• It does not push people out because of disability, gender, religion,
sexuality, choice of spouse (e.g. someone in inter-faith marriage),
caste, and other characteristics that are part of human diversity
• It ensures that the environment is not a barrier for people’s contribution
• It motivates people to contribute
• It has caring and respecting environments
• It has mechanisms in place for self-care and support - which are not
seen as favours.
Research Interests:
In spite of the progressive but gradual realization of rights of persons with disabilities, India is far from being an inclusive society. In a society where exclusion continues on the basis of caste, gender, religion, language, ethnicity,... more
In spite of the progressive but gradual realization of rights of persons with disabilities, India is far from being an inclusive society. In a society where exclusion continues on the basis of caste, gender, religion, language, ethnicity, location, age, and individual or group level choices/decisions, the risks magnify when disability co-exists with one or more of these identities. Although laws and guidelines exist to make at least the built environment more accessible, barriers to inclusion remain not only in our buildings, transportation, jobs, education, and services, but also in the form of negative attitudes, indifference, misinformation and lack of awareness. As human beings we are built to be drawn towards and empathize with others from our species. We are also drawn to find solutions for our survival and strategies for a better future for our families and ourselves. In spite of all this, unless our personal experience include disability, we often fail to focus on building a better and inclusive world that considers people with disabilities to be an integral part of our society. We overlook how each of us needs accommodations and accessibility in this world at different stages and circumstances of our lives. All of us need an inclusive world for ourselves. But who will build it? Through this paper, the author converses with the reader and audience on some of the issues, concerns, and ground level solutions for contributions that everyone can make towards an inclusive world for people with disabilities. I draw from the literature as well as my professional experience in this process.
Research Interests:
Children of incarcerated parents remain inadequately focused upon in policy, research as well as practice in India. Although there are Governmental and Non Governmental initiatives to address some of the needs of such children, they still... more
Children of incarcerated parents remain inadequately focused upon in policy, research as well as practice in India. Although there are Governmental and Non Governmental initiatives to address some of the needs of such children, they still remain largely invisible in the child rights and social justice discourses and hence the services that are designed to reach all children. This annotated bibliography/source book hopes to partly address this gap by bringing forth some of the studies on children’s experiences and impacts vis-á-vis parental incarceration.
ISBN: 978-93-88630-74-0
ISBN: 978-93-88630-74-0
Research Interests:
Needs and concerns of the children of incarcerated parents remain largely invisible in the child rights and social justice discourses in the Indian context. Consequently, the issue has received scarce attention in the realm of policy,... more
Needs and concerns of the children of incarcerated parents remain largely invisible in the child rights and social justice discourses in the Indian context. Consequently, the issue has received scarce attention in the realm of policy, research, and practice in India. Compared to this, the issue has been the focus of recent scholarship in High Income Countries. The present work draws upon some of the relevant published primary researches and reviews, unpublished dissertations and published books to highlight children's experiences and impacts vis a vis parental incarceration.