Not only 4 levels 4 India is a country of diversity in all aspects: culture, religion, race, language… Hinduism is the largest religion in India (currently 966 million followers) and is the The world’s third largest religion (1.03 billion adherents) played a key role in shaping India’s social fabric. From this religion arose the caste system in Indian society, and it dominates, has a profound, lasting impact with many consequences in society to this day. Dharavi slum in Mumbai. Dharavi is one of the most densely populated places in the world. The blue roofs are actually plastic cloth to keep out the rain. Photo: Daily Mail The structure of Indian society according to writer and cultural researcher Geetesh Sharma is “a collection of irregular elements, but strangely, it is arranged into a clear layer system”. Looking from the outside in, the overlapping Indian society is caste, class, religion, language, region… But if the caste system is positioned as the backbone of the whole Indian social structure, all things will become orderly and clear. This system was formed thousands of years ago, and to this day, it remains the root cause of social unrest. Most Indian and Western scholars agree that the caste system is a feature of Hinduism. However, along with the birth and introduction of other religions, the caste system also had a certain influence on Islam, Christianity, Judaism and Jainism. The English word caste is caste, which is not a single Indian word. According to the Oxford dictionary, caste is derived from the Portuguese word casta, meaning “race, lineage, breed” and primitive meaning “pure and unadulterated”. There is no concept in the Indian language that fully represents the word, but only two approximate terms, varna and jati. Varna means color, and was the first framework of social demarcation in the Vedic period. The four castes in the varna are the Brahmins (the priestly caste, also known as the Brahmin castes), the Kshatriyas (also known as the Rajanyas, the castes of noble princes and warriors), the Vaishyas (the craftsmen) , merchants, farmers) and Shudras (class of slaves, people who did the hard work). However, there is still a fifth caste in the varna system that is not officially recognized in the scriptures, the Dalit (untouchable) caste. People of this caste are considered “outside of society” and have to do jobs that are considered despicable such as dumping feces, picking up trash, etc. Whereas, jati means birth, origin. This concept is less mentioned in the scriptures than in varna. There are thousands of jati, and currently there is no exact definition for this concept. Where is the origin? From the West’s pro-racist theory… There are many explanations from anthropologists, archaeologists and both Indian and world historians as to the origin of this particular caste system over the past century. However, it is possible to temporarily group the hypotheses of Indian caste origin into three large theoretical groups: racial theory, contingency theory, and genetic proofs. Race theory started from a debate between two British researchers and managers in India JC Nesfield and HH Risley. According to Risley, the caste system was formed from racial clash. He suggested that the “light-skinned” Aryans had entered the Indian subcontinent from the northwest and conquered the native “black” Dravidian race. Risley’s explanation is that the Aryans, after conquest, conquered the weaker race, captured women according to their needs and created hybrid offspring, thereby becoming a higher caste. Meanwhile, Nesfield commented that “the issue of caste origin is not only about race, but also about culture”. The racial theory of caste formation encouraged racist ideas, which were originally developed to enhance the status of Europeans in the subcontinent. A family in the slums of Mumbai on April 3. Photo: AP To the objection of the Indian scholar himself học Indian scholars have countered Risley’s racial theory. Researcher Ketkar argues that castes are more a result of tribal conflicts than between Aryans and Dravidians. Ketkar’s view was that all Indians, with limited exceptions from the east, belonged to a single race, and expressed concern that racial theories could cause division in society. The reactions of the Indian scientific community led to the creation of the so-called random theory. In this view, caste regimes are the product of specific historical events, which may be limited to a particular time and place. This theory has an important contribution Dr. Ambedkar (who comes from the Dalit caste, and also drafted the Constitution of India). Ambedkar rejected the racial theory and attacked those who had “used biology to protect the caste system”. He emphasized on Nesfield’s research with the conclusion that there is no racial difference between different castes in the same area, and at the same time concluded that “the caste system is the distinction in society between different castes”. people of the same race”. End of the hundred year debate In the mid-1990s, scientists began to use genetics as a tool to examine the origin of caste systems as well as the extent to which castes were related. Since then, a series of genetic studies on the caste system have been produced. The first genetic studies reached conclusions consistent with the randomization theory. Accordingly, there is no corresponding relationship between genetic relationships and socio-cultural structure. Subsequent studies, however, yielded very mixed results, with some supporting the race theory. To date, studies using genetics to understand the origin of the caste system continue to be carried out. Liberate class, liberate people Although the debate has not yet led to a final result, it has at least contributed much differently, from the rejection of the “divine” about the origin of the castes, when the Rig-Veda (Vedas) that castes were born from different parts of the primitive man, in which the upper caste was born from the upper body, and the lowest caste was born from the heart. This is extremely important, because it will lead to the destruction of the concept of “class is inherently natural, is immutable”. This was the premise to liberate the lower castes from the strict caste system, and was an important step towards human liberation. Medical staff check people’s health in a slum in Mumbai. Photo: Guardian Second, studies have shown that caste originates from socio-political factors rather than from religion. And without exception, the caste system is a tool created by rulers to establish a stable, orderly and favorable social structure for them to easily rule. The current caste system is a huge barrier affecting India’s development. Recent surveys show that caste discrimination still shows no signs of abating, but on the contrary, tends to be more serious. The 2014 census shows that the percentage of people from the lower castes, especially those belonging to the Dalit caste, are facing severe discrimination with the lowest percentage in the following criteria: access to education, health care, employment… Social injustices related to the lower castes persist, whether in urban or rural areas, demonstrating the tension in modern Indian society. Although the Indian government has constitutionally prohibited the practice of any discrimination against the lower castes, the fact that there are separate laws on “reservation” for the lower castes shows that The situation is not optimistic. Specifically, India has compiled a list of vulnerable castes, and calls it “Nominal Castes”. Accordingly, all state agencies (including the National Assembly), universities, military, police… must reserve a certain percentage of their “seats” for these identified classes. This, while having a positive effect on the lower castes, clearly demonstrates India’s inability to prevent discriminatory practices. Luu Duy Tran (Doctoral student at Jeonbuk National University, Korea)

The Persian Gulf, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Mannar in Sri Lanka have been the center of the international pearl trade for more than 4,000 years. Since ancient times, the region has produced some of the world’s finest natural pearls, supplying the courts of the ancient kings and queens of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and later the Greek empires. , Roman and Byzantine. Kuwait was also once one of the centers of this industry in the Persian Gulf, with a history of developing the pearl industry at least four millennia. Pearl fishing in Kuwait had its heyday before the 19th century. (Source: Pinterest) Before the discovery of oil in the 1930s and extraction after World War II, the main economic activity in Kuwait and the Persian Gulf was the extraction of pearl resources mainly on the Arab side of the Persian Gulf. The history of pearl farming in the Persian Gulf goes back more than four millennia. References to this industry were made by early writers such as the Greek historian Pliny and the Roman geographer Ptolemy of the 2nd century AD. Historically, people living around the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Mannar discovered and appreciated the beauty and value of natural pearls created from mussels, opening the pearl industry. Ups and downs with history Since then, Kuwait’s pearl industry has experienced many ups and downs of history. At one stage, pearls became the main export product of the Gulf state, alongside horses, dates, timber and spices. From the early seventeenth century until the 1930s, the country’s economy was largely dependent on pearl diving off the coast of the Arabian Gulf, home to the richest reserves in the world. At the beginning of the twentieth century, Kuwait had nearly 700 pearl diving boats with a workforce of about 15,000 people. The pearl diving season usually lasts for 4 months, from mid-May to mid-September. In the remaining 8 months, traders often use ships to trade and fish offshore. It is the basis for Kuwait’s thriving maritime and shipbuilding industry. Kuwaiti fishermen regularly call at ports in the Middle East, the East coast of Africa, the Indian subcontinent and Sri Lanka. Historical evidence shows that Kuwaiti pearl fishermen sailed as far as Mannar Bay, between the Indian subcontinent and Sri Lanka, especially during the fishing season of these pearl fishing grounds. Natural pearls of Kuwait are thought to be caused by a combination of soil environment, water salinity, climatic conditions and accidental conditions when a small foreign object or grain of sand enters. inside the clams, mussels and stay in it. Irritated by this foreign object, the mussel creates a layer of mother-of-pearl that surrounds the intrusive sand. This process repeats for many years and creates a wonderful gem. For three centuries, Kuwait’s economy based on the pearl industry, seafaring and commerce has thrived relative to the rest of the region. It created a prosperous merchant class, but did not provide a steady income for much of the population, mainly pearl divers and supplementary workers. But there are ups and downs. The large-scale production of cultured pearls in Japan in the 1930s, and the Great Depression shortly thereafter, caused the traditional pearl industry in Kuwait to gradually decline. Pearl divers and their families are entering an unprecedented period of economic hardship. Fortunately, a promising new revenue stream has emerged. In 1938, oil was discovered in Kuwait. After World War II ended and oil extraction and exports were boosted, most of Kuwait’s population gradually emerged from its economic decline, and began to enjoy the fruits of its wealth. Pearl divers have found alternative work in the burgeoning oil industry. The pearl industry in Kuwait is also gradually disappearing… Find the return date However, even though life is full, the Kuwaiti people have not forgotten their old identity. The Kuwait Tower, one of the iconic works of Kuwait, is inspired by pearls, expressing the pride of the people about the ancient occupation of their ancestors. More importantly, the Kuwaiti government has worked to revive the natural pearl industry. Every June, Kuwait holds a month-long pearl diving festival, to pay tribute to the industry’s ancestors, who dedicated their lives to the pearl industry that formed the foundation of Kuwait’s wealth in the past year. past. The festivals also help Kuwait’s younger generation to recognize and appreciate the ups and downs that their ancestors went through in order to protect and preserve this glorious but potentially dangerous industry. Thereby, the festival also helps preserve the pearl diving tradition that has become an integral part of Kuwaiti culture. A Kuwaiti girl waits for the return of pearl divers during the 2019 Kuwaiti pearl diving festival (Photo: Gazi/Xinhua) Pearl diving in Kuwait is called “ghaus” and those who participate in diving are called “ghawawis”. Divers use traditional equipment such as “Dieng” (neck-basket), “hager” (anchor) and “fotam” (nose clip). The end of the festival called “qafal” is celebrated with traditional singing and dancing performances. The Kuwaiti public responded enthusiastically and participated in the festival, expressing their desire to preserve national traditions and culture. The festival also attracts international tourists and friends: Many are excited to take part in the diving competition after initial training. The pride of the “Kuwait pearl” also helps remind the people of Kuwait about the once glorious pearl industry of the Gulf nation. The “Kuwait Pearl” has a special design, 19th century style with the brilliant shine and ivory characteristic of natural pearls from the Persian Gulf, once incorporated by the first owner as a faceplate. necklace. The “Kuwait Pearl” has an almost perfect teardrop shape, weighs 64.35 carats, (12.87 grams), and measures 41.28 x 19.05 mm in length and width, respectively. It is known as the 6th largest natural pearl and one of the 12 rarest pearls in the world. The ‘Pearl of Kuwait’ (Source: Smithsonian Institution) The pearl’s current owner is Bond Street, jeweler Symbolic & Chase, purchased on November 24, 2004 for £150,000 ($270,000) and named it “Kuwait Pearl” in recognition. and a true reflection of the pearl’s natural origin. The sale was made at Christie’s in London from an anonymous private family consignment for auction in 2004. The “Pearl of Kuwait” is now part of the Pearl exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

The deadly “tsunami” called COVID-19 is sweeping across the Indian subcontinent, leaving tragedies that scare the world. With each passing day, India has recorded more tragic records of the number of people infected with COVID-19 as well as the number of deaths from this deadly virus since the outbreak of the epidemic in China more than a year. before. For days in a row, the number of people infected with COVID-19 has reached a world record, exceeding 300,000, while the number of deaths steadily exceeds a terrible threshold of 3,000 people per day. This South Asian nation’s health system showed signs of not tolerating the aggressive attack of COVID-19. Hospitals refused to accept patients with COVID-19 because they were completely overloaded. Newspapers reported that patients who reached the hospital gate died there because they were not admitted. Many hospitals deplete their oxygen supply, causing the death of patients to be abnormally high. Photo: LG In particular, hospitals such as Gorakhpur have had to make the painful option of withdrawing the ventilators of elderly patients who have not improved after a long period of treatment. to give oxygen to young patients with a greater chance of life. The crematoriums were nearly melted down by not turning off the fire for 24 hours a day. And even when running at full capacity, the crematorium could not handle the number of corpses caused by COVID-19, causing people to organize cremation in open areas. The pictures of the crematoriums burning red fire day and night are like scenes from horror movies about hell. The world is horrified by the tragic scene, at the dire consequences caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in India. The frightening thing is that it seems that these deadly scenes are not yet the culmination of the pandemic. Many experts make gloomy predictions about the number of people infected and dying in India will continue to rise and peak in the days of May 2021. Meanwhile, the lack of oxygen continues to put enormous pressure on the oxygen plants. Once considered a drugstore in the world, a source of vaccines against COVID-19 for other countries, now India itself is in a shortage of vaccines, having to import … All signal a gloomy future before the epidemic in this South Asian country. Wrong chain Because a country that only a few weeks ago confidently thought that it had entered the final stage of the war against COVID-19 and successfully controlled a pandemic, is now suddenly engulfed in a “tsunami”. This death? In March 2020, India is one of the rare countries in the world implementing a national blockade to fight pandemics, a harsh measure not easy to take for a country with 1.3 billion people. This measure may have had serious consequences for the Indian economy as well as the well-being of the people. However, for the Indian authorities at that time, the threat of COVID-19 was the greatest one, existing and must be prevented at all costs, from spreading it. This strong measure has yielded positive results. The number of deaths is much lower than experts predicted. The number of daily infections also plummeted after reaching a peak of 100,000 per day in September 2020. It was at that time that began a series of mistakes that would cost India a hefty price point later. The first is the erroneous belief that India can achieve a state of public immunity to easily overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. This belief stems from studies that suggest that the majority of Indians, except for the rich and middle-class, from working outdoors a lot, absorb a large amount of vitamin D, thus increasing the body’s ability. resistant to viruses. These theorists claim that the low mortality in the late 2020 period supports this point. But, they have not learned a valuable lesson from countries like Sweden or the UK, which have had time to misplace their beliefs in community immunity and thus have suffered painful consequences. pain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. After a period of social “relax” with belief in community immunity and as a result, the number of infections and the death rate skyrocketed compared to other countries with the same social conditions, gender. These countries are forced to formally admit mistakes in terms of policies, leading to tragic consequences for society. The mistakes made by these countries in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrate that in critical moments, the right policy is needed and is more valuable than a single dose of vaccine. fabricated). If the policy is wrong, not only a few individuals but the whole society will have to pay the price. But, the second mistake is the main cause of the current humanitarian tragedy in India. Until early 2021, the Indian authorities acted as if the COVID-19 pandemic ceased to exist. Large rallies are allowed. In particular, despite the risks of transmitting COVID-19 in a crowded environment, Indian officials have allowed millions of believers to participate in religious festivals with the policy of “belief in God will win. fear of viruses ”. A typical example of this phenomenon is the Kumbh Mela festival, one of the holiest Hindu pilgrimage ceremonies that take place on the banks of the Ganges River with millions in attendance. Most of the millions of people gathered in this place without masks, without spacing, turning such festivals into “super infectious” events, the ideal environment for the virus to spread at breakneck speed. , sowing invisible death would turn tragedy for days afterward … For whom the Bell Tolls! The world has not underestimated the magnitude of the COVID-19 pandemic in India. Until the tragedy struck, the prospect of a global catastrophe stemming from a pandemic raging in India emerged. Considered to be the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer, India has participated in the vaccine supply chain for poor, developing countries around the world. Currently, preliminary statistics show that up to 92 developing countries depend on supplies of vaccines from India. The COVID-19 pandemic broke out in India on a large scale, creating a favorable environment for the mutant virus to form new strains. By the time India was caught in the midst of COVID-19, which led to a shortage of vaccines and a slow pace of vaccination, it was natural that Indian authorities tightened exports of COVID vaccines. -19 abroad. Before the outbreak of the pandemic, India joined the COVAX program to provide equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccine. Until the COVID-19 “tsunami” hit, India froze vaccine exports, including for the COVAX program, to save vaccines for use to meet domestic demand. As a result, the worldwide supply chain of vaccines is under enormous pressure; At least 92 poor countries that received vaccines from the COVAX program were severely affected. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India’s withdrawal from the program to worry about domestic issues caused COVAX to lack 90 million doses of vaccine planned for 60 low-income countries in March and April. Another, more significant concern is that the widespread outbreak of COVID-19 in India, with many untreated people, has been a favorable environment for the virus to mutate, creating new strains, which are more virulent, and “smarter” to adapt to human-made vaccines. It is also worth mentioning that new variants of the COVID virus in India have been discovered and have entered dozens of countries around the world, posing a big challenge to the global health network. for example, countries with weak health systems themselves. Realizing those risks, the world has frantically rushed in to help India overcome the aftermath of the pandemic. The US, UK, and United Arab Emirates (UAE) are rushing to send breathing machines and vaccine materials, while a number of other countries have also pledged to assist India to overcome the crisis. France, New Zealand and Spain pledged to share some of their dosages with the COVAX program to help reduce vaccine shortage tensions for poor countries due to India’s withdrawal from the program. Even China, which is in a state of border dispute with India, has announced it will send the vaccine to its neighbor, but did not say how much and when to send it. It seems that, in the meantime, helping India is also helping me! Please do not ask who is the bell for your soul, the bell for your soul!
Yen Ba