http://dspace.dtu.ac.in:8080/jspui/handle/repository/18280 2026-10-17T16:51:49Z http://dspace.dtu.ac.in:8080/jspui/handle/repository/23179 Title: SITA IN POPULAR LITERARY IMAGINATION: A STUDY OF SELECT CONTEMPORARY NOVELS Authors: SAINI, AYUSHI; Dwivedi, Rajiv Ranjan (SUPERVISOR) Abstract: Mythological themes in Indian literature first bear their most influential and destiny defying traces in the two epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Today, there is a wide arena of literature dealing with the themes derived from these epics, making the characters and plots conspicuous that were earlier lurking in the background. Indian writers such as Amish Tripathi, Devdutt Pattanaik, Chitra Banerjee, Divakaruni, Kavita Kane, to name a few, have produced a plethora of stories based on the myths. They have introduced these myths and stories to the contemporary world, affirming the new pattern of life in the fast-paced world. The Ramayana presents the ideals of the society, Rama, its masculine part and Sita, the feminine one. She is often portrayed as the epitome of strength and resilience. She is the ideal wife, daughter, sister and mother for Indian Subcontinent. Her conduct is considered to be the closest to dharma. While Sita is seen as the female protagonist of the Ramayana, it is interesting to note that In total, Sita appears in Seventy-six sargs out of 645, accounting for barely 10 percent of the Valmiki Ramayana. and even less when one notes the sargs where she has dialogues. This forces one to ponder if she actually is the heroine or just a means to portray what is expected of the women. “Social roles are highly polarised by gender, with a wider range of acceptable notions available to men than women” (Gardiner 352). The traditional portrayal of Sita in the Ramayana reflects deep-rooted cultural and social expectations placed on women, particularly in terms of virtue, obedience, and self-sacrifice. Her attributes to be a pativrata were not just personal virtues but societal mandates, reinforcing a patriarchal framework where a woman’s worth was often measured by her ability to conform to these ideals. Sita’s willingness (as mentioned in certain versions of the iv Ramayana) to undergo the Agni Pariksha to prove her chastity after her abduction by Ravana underscores the societal demand for women to maintain their chastity at all costs, even when they are victims of circumstances beyond their control. Mainly because history and myth both, have not given them space to occupy physically or verbally. Over time, these expectations have evolved, particularly as contemporary perspectives have begun to challenge the rigid confines of traditional gender roles. Feminist interpretations of Sita’s story question the fairness of the trials she endures, arguing that they reinforce a narrative of female subordination and the objectification of women’s bodies as symbols of family and societal honour. This research is framed with the urgent need to revisit and reimagine Sita in contemporary times, not merely to honour her mythic legacy but to interrogate the power structures that have historically shaped her portrayal. The study explores how modern Indian women writers reclaim Sita as a site of narrative agency, feminist resistance, and symbolic transformation. The research is framed by three core questions: How do these retellings give Sita a voice in a literary tradition that has long silenced her? What feminist, mythic, and postcolonial frameworks inform these reimaginings? And how does mythopoesis function as a form of resistance and reclamation in the hands of contemporary women authors? Through these questions, the thesis repositions Sita not as a relic of the past but as a dynamic figure of literary and cultural possibility. The primary texts selected for this study include Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s The Forest of Enchantments, Amish Tripathi’s Sita: Warrior of Mithila, Bhanumathi Narasimhan’s Sita: A Tale of Ancient Love, and Sini Panicker’s Sita: Now You Know Me. These novels represent a spectrum of genres and voices, from lyrical introspection to mythic fantasy and trauma testimony, yet are united in their shared commitment to reclaiming Sita from patriarchal and canonical fixity. Their inclusion allows for a comparative analysis that underscores both thematic convergence and stylistic divergence.Methodologically, the study employs an interdisciplinary framework that weaves together feminist narratology, archetypal criticism, and postcolonial feminist theory. The works of Adrienne Rich, Gayatri Spivak, Judith Butler, Northrop Frye, Robert Segal, and Mircea Eliade serve as the theoretical backbone of the analysis. Rather than using theory as an external lens, the study demonstrates how these novels themselves perform theoretical work by embodying concepts such as re-vision, subaltern speech, gender performativity, and mythic archetype in their narrative forms. This allows the research to move beyond application toward what may be termed “lived literary theory.” Chapter 1 lays the conceptual groundwork, introducing the mythic legacy of Sita, the history of feminist reinterpretation in Indian literature, and the theoretical frameworks that guide the analysis. Chapter 2 examines Divakaruni’s The Forest of Enchantments, where Sita’s first-person voice challenges the moral binaries of the epic and constructs memory as resistance. Chapter 3 explores Tripathi’s Sita: Warrior of Mithila, where Sita is reframed as a strategist and warrior, engaging with nationalist undertones and mytho-fantasy conventions. Chapter 4 focuses on Narasimhan’s Sita: A Tale of Ancient Love, offering a spiritual and ecofeminist portrayal that equates interiority with rebellion. Chapter 5 analyses Panicker’s Sita: Now You Know Me, arguably the most direct in its feminist stance, reflecting the affective and cultural echoes of the #MeToo movement. The final chapter synthesizes these readings to position myth as a living discourse, a space of rupture, negotiation, and reinvention. The thesis contributes to scholarship in four key ways. First, it proposes a new interdisciplinary model for reading mythological retellings by Indian women writers, placing equal emphasis on narrative form, thematic innovation, and socio-political context. Second, it expands the field of feminist narratology within Indian English literature by demonstrating how first-person narration functions as a mode of epistemic reclamation. Third, it reconceptualizes mythopoesis as a contemporary feminist practice—not merely as creative adaptation, but as literary activism. Finally, it highlights the comparative value of engaging diverse genres and tones to illustrate the multiplicity of Sita’s feminist articulations. vi While the study is firmly grounded in literary analysis, its limitations are acknowledged. The exclusive focus on English-language texts omits regional retellings in languages such as Tamil, Bengali, and Malayalam, which offer equally rich perspectives. Moreover, the thesis does not address performative or visual representations of Sita in media such as dance, cinema, or television, which remain critical areas for interdisciplinary exploration. The corpus is also limited to post-2000 works, leaving out earlier feminist interventions that shaped the trajectory of mythic reinterpretation. Future research could undertake comparative studies with regional Sita narratives like Krittibasi or Kamban’s Ramayana, or analyse non-literary art forms to explore how Sita is embodied in visual, performative, and popular culture. Another valuable direction would be to explore masculine counterpoints, Ram, Lakshman, and Ravan, as reimagined within feminist retellings, or to conduct reception studies on how contemporary readers engage with these shifting representations. Ultimately, this thesis positions Sita not as a resolved or completed figure, but as a narrative site that remains open to reinterpretation. In these retellings, Sita emerges not as a monolith but as a mosaic, assembled from memory, trauma, strength, and survival. Her story endures because it continues to ask the most pressing questions of our time: Who speaks? Who decides? And who listens? In answering them, these writers not only recover a lost voice but also create space for new ones to emerge. 2025-08-01T00:00:00Z http://dspace.dtu.ac.in:8080/jspui/handle/repository/22301 Title: DIASPORA AND FUNDAMENTALISM ON SCREEN: A STUDY OF SELECT SOUTH ASIAN MOVIES Authors: MEENA, PRIYA Abstract: South Asian diaspora cinema engages audiences of Western as well as non-Western origins as it depicts experiences of diaspora communities through the themes of nostalgia, cultural hybridity, alienation, immigration, refuge, and many others. The films of South Asian diaspora become a powerful medium in the global world where the message can be conveyed from a single television screen to any place which is far away. As there is an abundance of South Asian diaspora literature, filmmakers choose to adapt diaspora novels to reach larger audiences, which may not be possible through readership because of a lack of knowledge of the English language, which is the prevalent language for diaspora authors. These films break this barrier of language through subtitles and dubbing in other languages. Most of the time, their selection criteria for making film adaptations is the popularity of the novel, which has been widely accepted by readers. Also, curious readers criticise the film adaptations after watching them and sometimes try to compare them, but the transformation from a novel to a film is an arduous task that demands changes due to its distinct medium of expression. In this process, along with plots and characters, the themes shown in the novel are adjusted accordingly. Today, fundamentalism is a global phenomenon often referred to as religion by critics even when it is not just limited to it. After the attack of Al-Qaeda on the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York, America, the term has gained popularity by the western world. However, it is often misrepresented as merely religious. The social, cultural, political, and economic forms of fundamentalism are not much explored by critics. Despite the plethora of primary sources of vi South Asian diaspora literature and cinema, fundamentalism is not even considered a theme. When it comes to film adaptations, any inaccurate representation can be taken for granted. Secondary sources do touch upon the connection of fundamentalism with globalisation and culture, but they fail to associate it with the struggles of diaspora people of South Asia. There is a dearth of addressing fundamentalism in South Asian films by critics. This study, "Diaspora and Fundamentalism on Screen: A Study of Select South Asian Movies," aims to explore this gap in the phenomenon of fundamentalism depicted in select South Asian movies, which are cinematic adaptations of select source texts. The primary sources selected for the current research are three film adaptations of South Asian diaspora based on the three well-known novels of prominent South Asian diaspora authors. These works are Aravind Adiga’s The White Tiger, Mohsin Hamid’s The Reluctant Fundamentalist, and Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner, which deal with India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, respectively. Authors of these novels look at society from their perspectives, which is reflected in their unique representations of fundamentalism. All the main characters—Balram from The White Tiger, Changez from The Reluctant Fundamentalist, and Amir from The Kite Runner—are products of globalisation, which shapes their personal identities. Their thought processes and actions are consequences of globalisation. However, fundamentalism is also a part of globalisation and culture and sometimes hinders the growth of their dreams and desires. Despite belonging to the diaspora, all three cinematic renditions and the novels are distinct in their representation of fundamentalism. The study is relevant to understand how South Asian diaspora filmmakers reconstruct fundamentalism in the contemporary context and how there is a need to observe this concept in depth as it affects both natives and diaspora communities of the countries. The thesis is divided into five chapters. The first chapter gives a brief introduction to the South Asian diaspora, its literature, and its cinema, along with research vii questions and objectives. This is the foundation of the thesis, as fundamentalism’s correlation with culture is explored in it. The second chapter provides a theoretical framework with film as an interdisciplinary art and how it reflects society, which in the case of the present study is reflected as the contemporary issue of fundamentalism noticed in the novels and the films. The prominent themes of South Asian diaspora films are highlighted too. In the third chapter, culture and globalisation and how they play a role in the representation of fundamentalism are analysed. The fourth chapter is the core chapter, which compares the depiction of fundamentalism in the select novels and their film adaptations. The last chapter summarises the key points of the research and provides future directions for further research for scholars. In this way, the present study holds significance in the field of South Asian diaspora as it connects globalisation, fundamentalism, and South Asian diaspora cinema. 2025-09-01T00:00:00Z http://dspace.dtu.ac.in:8080/jspui/handle/repository/21489 Title: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES OF TECH- STARTUPS: A STUDY IN THE CONTEXT OF DELHI- NCR Authors: ARORA, DIKSHA Abstract: The rapid growth and emergence of technology startups, or tech-startups, have become pivotal in shaping the global economy, with the Delhi NCR region in India playing a significant role in this transformation. However, the growth and success of these ventures are influenced by a multitude of factors, ranging from the characteristics of the founders to the internal dynamics of the startups themselves, and the external market environment. This research, titled "Opportunities and Challenges of Tech Startups: A Study in the Context of Delhi NCR," aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of these factors and their interactions. By focusing on four key objectives, the study explores the opportunities that fuel the growth of tech-startups and the challenges they face in their pursuit of success. The first objective of this study is to examine how both founder-specific and firm-specific factors impact the financial performance of tech-startups in the Delhi NCR region. The findings indicate that founder characteristics—such as prior experience, skills, and gender—play a crucial role in determining the startup's success. Startups led by experienced founders, particularly those with a background in managing other startups, tend to perform better financially. Moreover, gender diversity in founding teams, particularly those with female founders, was found to positively influence financial outcomes. Additionally, the firm’s internal capabilities, such as innovation, technology development, and organizational culture, are significant contributors to financial performance. The research highlights that startups developing their own technologies outperform those that rely on purchased technologies, indicating the importance of innovation in sustaining growth. Contrary to some existing literature, the study found that the size of the startup does not have a direct impact on revenue growth, challenging traditional assumptions about the scaling of startups. iv The second objective investigates the factors influencing the export propensity and export intensity of tech-startups. In a world increasingly shaped by globalization, understanding the international expansion potential of startups is crucial. The study employs both Logit Regression and OLS regression models to identify the key determinants influencing export behavior. The results reveal that technology adoption and commercial ability are among the most significant factors determining the likelihood of a startup entering international markets (export propensity) and the intensity of their export activities (export intensity). Startups that embrace innovative technologies and demonstrate strong commercial capabilities are more inclined to engage in international markets, and once they do, they generate a higher proportion of revenue from exports. Furthermore, achieving financial breakeven status was found to enhance the probability of engaging in export activities, underlining the importance of financial stability and market credibility. However, the research also uncovers a significant challenge: startups with female founders are less likely to engage in exports, reflecting potential gender-based biases in access to global markets. This finding calls for targeted interventions to support female entrepreneurs, including promoting STEM education and providing access to international networks. The third objective of the study explores the determinants of initial funding sources among tech-startups. The early-stage financing decisions of startups are critical to their survival and growth, and understanding these decisions is essential for fostering a supportive environment for new ventures. The research finds that founder education and prior industry experience are significant factors influencing funding choices. Educated founders tend to seek external financing options, such as incubators and private equity, rather than relying on personal funds (3 F). Interestingly, founders with prior startup experience are more likely to access non-repayable funding sources like subsidies and incubators. The study also highlights that startups with a strong growth orientation are more likely to attract private equity funding, as investors seek high returns, such as through an v IPO. Furthermore, the availability of real estate assets influences the likelihood of obtaining bank loans, with startups owning property being more likely to secure funding from public or private banks. Age is another determinant, with younger founders favoring alternative funding sources and older founders more likely to turn to traditional financing options. Despite these variations, gender was found not to significantly influence funding decisions, suggesting that financial institutions do not discriminate based on the founder's gender. The fourth objective delves into the challenges that tech-startups face, particularly those located in Delhi NCR. The study identifies several key barriers to startup growth, including limited access to capital, regulatory hurdles, difficulties in talent acquisition, and intense competition within the market. These challenges are particularly pronounced for early-stage startups that lack the financial resources and market experience to navigate these obstacles effectively. The study suggests that addressing these challenges requires a multi-stakeholder approach. Policymakers must create more favorable regulatory frameworks and offer incentives that reduce barriers to entry. Investors should consider more flexible funding models tailored to the needs of startups. Moreover, fostering a robust ecosystem that includes mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to resources like office space and technology infrastructure can significantly mitigate some of the challenges startups face. In this context, a supportive environment can enable startups to not only survive but thrive, driving innovation, technological advancement, and contributing to broader economic growth. In conclusion, this research offers valuable insights into the dynamics of tech-startups in the Delhi NCR region. It provides a nuanced understanding of the factors influencing their financial performance, international expansion, funding strategies, and the challenges they face. By identifying key determinants of success and barriers to growth, this study contributes to the existing body of knowledge and offers actionable recommendations for policymakers, investors, and entrepreneurs. The findings suggest that fostering a supportive ecosystem, particularly one that addresses gender disparities and provides tailored funding options, is essential for nurturing the next generation of successful tech-startups. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://dspace.dtu.ac.in:8080/jspui/handle/repository/21371 Title: LIBERALISATION IN AGRICULTURAL TRADE: A STUDY OF FOOD SECURITY IN INDIA AFTER 2001 Authors: VERMA, HARIOM PRAKASH Abstract: This thesis, titled ”Liberalisation in Agricultural Trade: A Study of Food Security in India after 2001,” examines the impacts of trade liberalisation on food security in India through three objectives: analyzing food price volatility, evaluating agri cultural trade’s impact on farm income, and assessing its effect on food availability. Food price volatility is studied using monthly indices (2013–2022) via ARCH and GARCH models. Volatility persists in cereals, oils, and pulses, contradicting the view that liberalisation stabilizes prices. The ARDL approach (1991–2021) reveals a long-run positive relationship between farm income (Agricultural GDP), exports, fertilizer use, and crop yield, with imports having no significant long-term effect. In the short run, imports and fertilizer use impact farm income. Dietary Energy Supply (DES) is used to assess food availability, showing strong long-term benefits from trade liberalisation, though short-term challenges persist. The study highlights the varied impacts of trade liberalisation on food prices, farm income, and food availability, emphasizing the need for nuanced agricultural policies to maximize benefits and address challenges. 2024-12-01T00:00:00Z