This collection of essays examines the multifaceted discourses that categorize persons with disabilities as 'other'. It brings into discussion representational politics surrounding person(s) with disabilities within the normatively structured society. The book discusses the many, often overlooked challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and seeks to critique the prevailing political clichés, myths, and taboos through humanistic inquiry and analytical frameworks of social sciences. This anthology aspires to familiarize the readers with the diverse obstacles that persons with disabilities encounter in their daily lives, thus aiming to promote an awareness of their socio-cultural, economic, and political exclusions.
Zinia Mitra, Professor in the Department of English, North Bengal University, India, was the Mother Teresa Chair Professor for Peace at St Xavier's University, Kolkata, India. She served as the first Head of the Department of Women's Studies, and also as Director, Centre for Women's Studies at the University of North Bengal. She has authored several articles and books, including: Indian Poetry in English: Critical Essays, Poetry of Jayanta Mahapatra: Imagery and Experiential Identity, The Concept of Motherhood in India: Myths, Theories and Realities, Fourth Wave Feminism, Social Media, and (Sl)Activism, Articulations. She has been part of the UNICEF project on awareness of trafficking and of Preserving Folktales and Folklore in the Himalayan Region.Santosh Mahaldar is a Doctoral Fellow (UGC) at the Department of English, University of North Bengal. He has completed an MA from the University of Gour Banga, India. He is the author of two poetry anthologies titled Ferns and Fireflies (co-authored) and Jalobritti O Anyanyo. He serves as one of the editors of Polyglot, a journal published by the Siliguri Literary Society. His writings have been published in various online and offline journals and newspapers. He has publications in the form of book chapters, articles and book reviews. He has participated in a number of national and international seminars/ conferences across the country. His research areas include Disability Studies, Riverine Studies, Feminism, and Dalit Studies.
