Research Work (a Monthly, Open Access, Peer Reviewed International Journal) eISSN 3139-2377

Memory, Trauma and the Reconstruction of Black Identity in Richard Wright and Toni Morrison

Rajesh Kumar Yadav & Dr Ram Prakash Pradhan — 2026-08-31

Memory and trauma occupy a central position in African American literature because the history of Black America has been shaped by slavery, racial segregation, displacement, violence, economic exploitation, and the continuing effects of white supremacy. Richard Wright and Toni Morrison, writing in different historical periods and employing markedly different narrative techniques, make memory and trauma fundamental to their representations of Black identity. Wright's Black Boy (1945) and Native Son (1940) portray the psychological consequences of racial oppression and demonstrate how an environment structured by fear, humiliation, and violence can fracture Black subjectivity. Morrison, particularly in Beloved (1987) and Song of Solomon (1977), develops this concern further by presenting memory not merely as a record of the past but as an active force that shapes the present and determines how individuals and communities understand themselves. This paper examines the relationship between memory, trauma, and Black identity in selected works of Wright and Morrison. Drawing upon trauma theory, memory studies, African American literary criticism, and theories of racial identity, it argues that both writers represent identity as historically produced rather than naturally given. Wright emphasizes the damaging psychological effects of racial oppression and the struggle of Black individuals to acquire a sense of agency within a hostile social order. Morrison, while sharing Wright's concern with racial violence, moves toward a more communal and restorative conception of identity. In Beloved, traumatic memory must be confronted before Sethe, Denver, and Paul D can move toward a more integrated sense of self. In Song of Solomon, the recovery of ancestral memory enables Milkman Dead to reconstruct an identity fragmented by slavery, migration, patriarchy, and materialism. The paper therefore contends that Wright and Morrison employ memory in different but complementary ways: Wright exposes the psychological fragmentation produced by racial trauma, while Morrison explores the possibility of reconstructing identity through the recovery, reinterpretation, and communal sharing of the past.

Keywords: Richard Wright, Toni Morrison, memory, trauma, Black identity, African American literature, Black Boy, Native Son, Beloved, Song of Solomon, racial identity.

Sports and Physical Activity as a Powerful Driver for Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals

Dr. Pushpender Singh — 2026-08-31

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were established by the United Nations in 2015 with the aim of eradicating poverty and ensuring quality education, better health, gender equality, environmental protection, as well as peace and prosperity by 2030. Sports and physical activities are not limited to mere recreation or competition; they are also vital tools for social, economic, and environmental development. Sports promote discipline, leadership, cooperation, equality, health, and social inclusion. This research paper analyzes the role of sports and physical activities in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Keywords: Sustainable Development Goals, sports, physical activities, health, education, gender equality, social development.

Structural Violence and Poverty in the Select Poems of Jayanta Mahapatra

Dr. Rituraj Trivedi & Mr. Bhagwant Rao Nandeshwar — 2026-08-31

The present study focuses on poverty and inequality in four poems of Jayanta Mahapatra, namely, “Main Temple Street, Puri,” “The Whorehouse in a Calcutta Street,” “Hunger,” and “The Tattooed Taste.” Poverty in these poems is not incidental. Here, poverty is a structural issue. It is produced and sustained by religious, economic and social institutions. There are previous studies of Mahapatra that use post-colonial or regional approaches. This study takes a different approach. It brings together Marxist literary theory and Johan Galtung's theory of structural violence. Marxist criticism offers explanations of poverty based on the economic base, commodification and alienation. Structural violence theory is a theory that helps to understand that harm is done by structure, as that is the way that it is structured, not by any one villain. These frameworks help to focus Mahapatra’s social vision in the reading. This study employs a close reading of texts that map poverty in four locations. These are the temple street, the brothel, the fishing hut and the beggar’s corner of the city. Each is a case of poverty being perpetuated without direct coercion of the institutions. Charity, ritual and family only absorb suffering; they do not resolve it. The analysis also focuses on Mahapatra's poetic style. This structural argument is also decoded by imagery, irony, direct address and landscape. They observe suffering, but they never intervene. In addition, the ethical boundaries of Mahapatra’s approach are considered. He prefers criticising the situation rather than resolving it in his poetry. It employs visibility as an ethical address. This method remains applicable in today’s India, as there is still significant inequality and normalised poverty.

Keywords: Structural violence, Poverty, Marxist criticism, Commodification, Alienation, Reification, Social inequality, and Institutional harm.

Forensic investigation and legal framework in india

Dr. Sunita Rawat — 2026-08-31

Forensic investigation has evolved as a crucial means in criminal proceedings around the world. There is a wide range of evidence recovered from the crime scene that can be analysed and presented in court. Crime related to electronic devices, cyber fraud, neglect, or murder can be solved with the help of forensic investigation. Expert analysis is required to identify and assess forensic evidence and reveal the truth. Various forensic investigating agencies and laws are established in India to ensure effective application of this evidence in the justice system. This article focuses on the various fields covered under forensics, the development of forensic science agencies, and the legal framework in India.

Keywords: Forensic Science, Institutes, Criminal Investigation, Legal framework, India.

भारतीय लोकतंत्र में युवाओं की राजनीतिक भागीदारी

डा0 अरविन्द कुमार शुक्ल — 2026-08-31

भारतीय लोकतंत्र में युवाओं की राजनीतिक भागीदारी लोकतांत्रिक शासन की प्रभावशीलता, प्रतिनिधित्व और भविष्य की दिशा निर्धारित करने वाला एक महत्वपूर्ण तत्व है। भारत की विशाल युवा आबादी लोकतांत्रिक प्रक्रिया में मतदाता, राजनीतिक कार्यकर्ता, सामाजिक आंदोलनकारी, डिजिटल नागरिक तथा संभावित राजनीतिक नेतृत्व के रूप में महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभाती है। प्रस्तुत शोध-पत्र का उद्देश्य भारतीय लोकतंत्र में युवाओं की राजनीतिक भागीदारी के स्वरूप, प्रवृत्तियों, निर्धारक तत्वों, अवसरों तथा चुनौतियों का विश्लेषण करना है। अध्ययन वर्णनात्मक एवं विश्लेषणात्मक शोध प्रविधि पर आधारित है तथा इसमें निर्वाचन आयोग, सरकारी रिपोर्टों, जनगणना, राष्ट्रीय युवा नीति, शोध-पत्रों, पुस्तकों और अन्य द्वितीयक स्रोतों का उपयोग किया गया है। अध्ययन से स्पष्ट होता है कि राजनीतिक जागरूकता, शिक्षा, डिजिटल तकनीक, रोजगार की स्थिति, सामाजिक पृष्ठभूमि, राजनीतिक विश्वास और नेतृत्व के अवसर युवाओं की राजनीतिक सहभागिता को महत्वपूर्ण रूप से प्रभावित करते हैं। सोशल मीडिया ने युवाओं को राजनीतिक सूचना, अभिव्यक्ति और ऑनलाइन अभियान के नए अवसर प्रदान किए हैं, किंतु फर्जी समाचार, दुष्प्रचार, राजनीतिक धु्रवीकरण और डिजिटल असमानता जैसी चुनौतियाँ भी सामने आई हैं। अध्ययन यह भी दर्शाता है कि युवा राजनीतिक भागीदारी केवल मतदान तक सीमित न रहकर राजनीतिक दलों, छात्र संगठनों, नागरिक समाज, स्थानीय शासन और डिजिटल मंचों तक विस्तृत हो रही है। शोध का निष्कर्ष है कि भारतीय लोकतंत्र को अधिक सहभागी, समावेशी और उत्तरदायी बनाने के लिए युवाओं को राजनीतिक शिक्षा, नेतृत्व के अवसर, रोजगार, डिजिटल साक्षरता और संस्थागत संवाद उपलब्ध कराना आवश्यक है। सक्रिय, जागरूक और संवैधानिक मूल्यों से प्रतिबद्ध युवा वर्ग लोकतांत्रिक भारत के निर्माण में निर्णायक भूमिका निभा सकता है।
मुख्य शब्द- युवा राजनीतिक भागीदारी, भारतीय लोकतंत्र, युवा मतदाता, राजनीतिक जागरूकता, राजनीतिक समाजीकरण, डिजिटल राजनीति, युवा नेतृत्व, नागरिक सहभागिता