This article analyses the emergence and political significance of meme-driven satirical movements, particularly the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), in the context of the post-2026 Indian elections. The study outlines the reach of digital satire and examines its capacity to influence young adults' political engagement, the structural dynamics of meme dissemination, and the implications for democratic participation. It pursues two principal objectives: (1) to examine the role of memes as a distinct political language directed at young voters, and (2) to assess the effects of meme culture on political polarisation, candidate credibility, and policy discourse. These objectives are addressed through an analysis of the cockroach meme within the Indian political landscape.
Precarious work, marked by job insecurity and limited social protection, is a growing concern in rapidly developing Indonesian cities such as Yogyakarta, where tourism expansion and limited formal employment opportunities push many residents into informal labour. This article examines the living-space dynamics of tailors in the Terban area, who operate on land historically owned by the Sultanate and shaped by long-standing informal power structures. Using an ethnographic approach, the study explores how these tailors navigate uncertainty arising from insecure land tenure, fluctuating income, and weak institutional protection. The findings show that although their work aligns with many characteristics of the precariat, the tailors’ collective strategies, particularly their community-based organisation, informal insurance mechanisms, and reciprocal patron-client relations with land custodians, provide alternative forms of stability. Their everyday practices reveal a form of agency that allows them to negotiate with authorities, sustain livelihoods, and shape their social and spatial environment. This study demonstrates that precarity among informal workers is not equal but mediated by local social relations and urban land politics, offering insights into how vulnerability, resilience, and spatial contestation intersect in contemporary urban society in Indonesia.
Action films have received immense popularity, both critically and commercially. They have reshaped the portrayal of heroes in contemporary times. This epic narrative often elevates the classic action hero to a mythological figure. Such transformations reflect not only creative innovation but also deeper archetypal patterns that shape the mythic foundations of these stories. This study argues that the heroes evolve from traditional mythic ideals to a “Devilish” archetype, drawing on Joseph Campbell’s (2004) The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Moreover, this shift embodies changing storytelling conventions and societal beliefs. The concept of “mythic” production creates a unique connection between the film and the audience, fostering deeper engagement. Focusing on five films—K.G.F. (2018), Lucifer (2019), Kantara (2022), Jawan (2023), and Salaar (2023)—this analysis identifies three key “contact zones”: Godly, Societal, and Individual. These intersections underscore each film’s primary themes, often perpetuating discussions on masculinity, violence, and regional identity, sometimes at the expense of feminist perspectives. This paper sheds light on how mythic portrayals of action heroes reflect societal values and tensions, especially around gender and cultural identity in a global context.
This article explores the life, academic career, and literary contributions of Professor Suren Talukder. Born in rural Assam in 1943, Talukder established a distinguished career in Geography, serving for over three decades at the prestigious Cotton College (now a state university located in Assam, India). Beyond his pedagogical achievements, particularly in Cartography, he made significant contributions to Assamese literature through translation. This biography traces his journey from a nature-loving child in Batiamari to a recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize, highlighting his dual legacy in academia and literature.
The rapid transformations occurring in modern society influence all dimensions of social life, including the sphere of spirituality. This study examines the role of spiritual values in shaping personality amid processes of urbanisation, globalisation, and digitalisation, with particular attention to the declared and actual spiritual priorities of young people in Kazakhstan. Although the spiritual foundations of Kazakh society appeared to weaken between 2000 and 2025—a period marked by both a post‑independence revival of traditional values and the emergence of new spiritual orientations—the findings suggest that what is occurring is less a decline than a transformation in the forms through which spiritual values are expressed. The data reveal a potential gap between the values young people claim to hold and the ways these values manifest behaviourally in certain empirical indicators; however, this discrepancy cannot be generalised to all youth in Kazakhstan. Cultivating a system of spiritual values among young people, therefore, requires a balanced approach that integrates both traditional and emerging values, while also discouraging the mere declaration of socially approved ideals that are not reflected in practice, as such dissonance undermines the very essence of spirituality. The findings of this study can inform the development of targeted social and educational programmes and provide a foundation for future research.
