Shunting the Nation by Aniruddha Bose explores the tumultuous decade in South Asian history from 1939 to 1949 through the lens of Indian railway workers. The book delves into their experiences during World War II, the freedom struggle, partition, and class conflicts. While it offers a vivid ground-level view of historical events, it relies heavily on elite biases and organized labor actions, overlooking everyday resistance strategies, gender, and caste dynamics. Despite its limitations, the book provides valuable insights into critical labour experiences and subaltern perspectives, making it an important contribution to South Asian history.
The vibrant Eid markets in Kashmir have become desolate and empty, with declining customer footfalls and low sales. Factors contributing to this decline include skyrocketing prices, economic depression, lack of vibrancy, and the impact of the Smart City project, which has affected transportation and diverted customers. Traditional marketplaces are struggling to compete with online shopping, while the overall economic crisis and financial constraints further exacerbate the situation. The implementation of the Smart City project has not adequately supported and promoted the traditional markets, leading to a significant decline in business activity.