ADDITIONAL ENGLISH

PROJECT
The City and Literature
 EXPLANATION OF TOPIC
3

RELEVANCY OF TOPIC
7

agenda ADDITIONAL RESEARCH

ON TOPIC
11

FINDINGS AND
CONCLUSIONS
12
EXPLANATION OF
TOPIC

The city is a major theme in modernist literature overall.

The manner in which cities produce feelings of shock,
excitement, alienation, anonymity, bewilderment, or thrill
are reflected in several books and poetry.

In our syllabus the topic city and literature appeared as a

poem (Nallur), essay (country of No) and another essay
(pundits of Pakistan).

3
EXPLANATION OF
TOPIC

The poem NALLUR speaks devastating problems of racial

discrimination and political violence that were pervasive in
modern Sri Lanka in the context of the ethnic struggle
between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil minority are
discussed by Jean Arasanayagam.
Despite being a Burgher by origin, because of her marriage
to a Tamil, she was destined to endure extreme torture
during the events of Black July 1983, which were a serious
outcome of the racial violence that was then rampant in Sri
Lanka.

NALLUR 4
EXPLANATION OF
TOPIC

The essay PUNDITS OF PAKISTAN speaks about how

cricketing adventure across Pakistan The Indian cricket squad
travelled for Pakistan in the early months of 2004. Pundits
provide a detailed account of the ensuing tour, including
information about the players, games, and matchups.
It is also a book about the first significant sporting match
between India and Pakistan in 15 years, a time period during
which the two nations fought one war and nearly another.
Through the perspective of a young Indian exploring Pakistan,
a compelling contemporary portrayal of a beautiful game in its
most important context is revealed.

PUNDITS OF PAKISTAN 5
EXPLANATION OF
TOPIC

The essay COUNTRY OF NO speaks about Suketu

Mehta’s personal experience returning to Bombay as an
adult, together with significant study, served as the basis for
Maximum City. Through interviews and slice-of-life
shadowing, he presents the city. He makes observations
about more general political, social, and infrastructure
challenges using the immersive quality of the city.

COUNTRY OF NO 6
 RELEVANCY OF
TOPIC
In our syllabus, the topic has appeared as a poem (Nallur), two essays (country of no), and
(pundits of Pakistan).
• We learned about how the poem remains a horrifying and terrifying picture of
repugnance brought up by ethnic segregation and the resultant bloodshed and from this
sorrowful painting of death and destruction of the city, emerges the innocent appeal of
thousands of victims who had encountered the extreme obliteration caused by war living
in the city.
• The essay “Country of no” tells how India’s some parts are yet to be developed and is
the references to the difficulties faced by the individuals in India owing to the systematic
issues in a city or a place and this essay also talks about how India is a corrupted country
where people only think of money making process by any means.
• The essay “Pundits of Pakistan” tells about the author’s exploration of Lahore. Lahore
being a major city experienced widespread communal clashes, the author saw how
Lahore has been affected because of the partition, how the city was marked by mass
migrations, and social and cultural changes, the scars of the partition have a great
influence on people and the city.
 

INTRODUCTION 7
 RELEVANCY OF
TOPIC
Nallur" by Jean Arasanayagam is a powerful and poignant novel that delves into the
complexities of identity, belonging, and the impact of war on individuals and communities.
Through her evocative prose and compelling characters, she paints a vivid picture of the
lives of the Tamil people living in Sri Lanka during a time of conflict. The key
message/finding of the novel is the importance of cultural heritage and the struggle to
preserve it in the face of oppression. Arasanayagam highlights the rich Tamil culture,
language, and traditions, while also shedding light on the challenges of preserving them in
a changing world.

In conclusion, her literary prowess shines through in this deeply moving and thought-
provoking work, leaving readers with a greater understanding of the human experience and
the enduring resilience of the human spirit.
 

NALLUR 8
 RELEVANCY OF
TOPIC
"Pundits of Pakistan" by Rahul Bhattacharya is a thought-provoking and immersive
exploration of cricket and its role in the complex social and political landscape of Pakistan.
Through his rich storytelling and keen observations, Bhattacharya delves into the cultural
significance, passion, and challenges associated with cricket in Pakistan. The key finding
of the essay is the intersection of cricket with politics, religion, and national identity in
Pakistan. Bhattacharya delves into the complexities of how cricket is often intertwined
with larger societal issues, such as corruption, nepotism, and regional disparities, providing
readers with a deeper understanding of the unique context in which cricket operates in
Pakistan. He also explores the challenges faced by cricketers from minority groups and
rural communities, such as the Hazara community, shedding light on the discrimination and
barriers they often encounter.

PUNDITS OF PAKISTAN 9
 RELEVANCY OF
TOPIC
"The Country of the No" by Suketu Mehta is a compelling and thought-provoking
exploration of the challenges immigrants and refugees face today. Mehta sheds light on the
complex issues of migration, identity, and belonging. One of the essay’s key findings is the
inherent humanity of immigrants and refugees, the different types of problems they face in
the city, and the need for empathy and understanding towards their plight by the people
who live in these cities. He challenges common misconceptions and negative stereotypes
about immigrants, highlighting their resilience and contributions to society. He also delves
into the complexities of cultural identity and the tension between assimilation and
preserving one's heritage, adding depth to the narrative.

In conclusion, "The Country of the No" is a timely and relevant book that shines a light on
the human stories behind the headlines and statistics of immigration. Mehta's nuanced
exploration of the challenges faced by immigrants and refugees serves as a reminder of the
shared humanity that transcends borders and calls for compassion, empathy, and
understanding in a often divided world.

COUNTRY OF THE NO 10
DITIONAL RESEARCH
• In literature, the city is often portrayed as a place of
opportunity and danger. It is a place where dreams can
be realized or shattered. The city is also a place of
anonymity, where people can reinvent themselves and
leave their pasts behind
• The modernist movement in literature was heavily
influenced by the city. In some works of literature, the
city itself takes on a character of its own. It becomes
more than just a setting or backdrop, but an active
participant in the story. This is particularly true in works
of noir fiction, where the city is often portrayed as a
corrupt and dangerous place.
• Finally, the city is often used as a reflection of society in
literature. It is a place where the values, attitudes, and
beliefs of a culture are made visible. if society continues
down a certain path. In this way, the city becomes a
mirror for society, reflecting its strengths and
weaknesses, its hopes and fears

LITERATURE 11
FINDINGS
Jean Arasanayagam deliberates on the disastrous issues of racial discrimination and
political violence which were rampant in the contemporary Sri Lanka in the context of the
ethnic conflict between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil minority. Though a Burgher by
birth as result of her marriage to a Tamil she was destined to experience enormous torture
during the period of Black July 1983 which was a grave consequence of the racial violence
prevalent in the then Sri Lanka.
Country of the No published in 2004 is an extract from Maximum City: Bombay lost and
Found and is an autobiographical account of his experiences in the city of Mumbai. It
explores the underbelly of the sprawling city exposing the unpleasant, and corrupt part of
Mumbai. The author interweaves his day to day experiences and observations highlighting
the major problems of the city that is in a perpetual state of influx. Aa a native of Bombay,
Mehta gives us an insiders view of the metropolis-how it is the Country of the No, where
one has to negotiate the No’s and rejections to be continually persistent and get through the
virtual wall of No to get things done.
.

COUNTRY OF THE NO AND NALLUR 12

FINDINGS
• The author reveals the many paradoxes that beset the country in its attempt
to leapfrog to the 21st century by skipping the basic steps. He says that in
its ambitious pursuit for technological progress the basic steps cannot be
surpassed or sidestepped. Thus scam seems to be the underlying basis
wherein all are complicit. Scam is something that ensures quick upward
mobility and which forms the ethics of a metropolis like Bombay. A well-
executed scam , the author contends is in fact a thing of beauty and marvel.

• The story is an excerpt from the book titled Pundits from Pakistan. Though
the book is on cricket it covers the Indian cricket teams tour of Pakistan in
the year 2004. While the book is mostly about cricket, it tells of how the
tour had an impact that went far beyond sub-continental cricket in terms of
good-will and sense of homage between the people of the two countries. It
questions the idea of partition and its relevance. More than that it is a book
about the first major sporting encounter between India and Pakistan in 15
years

COUNTRY OF THE NO AND PUNDITS

13
OF PAKISTAN
CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, the three paragraphs discuss vastly different
topics, from the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka, to the struggles
of navigating the corrupt city of Mumbai, to the impact of a
cricket match on the relationship between India and
Pakistan. Despite their differences, each paragraph sheds
light on the complex realities of their respective contexts and
underscores the importance of understanding the nuances of
different cultures and societies. Through these stories, we are
reminded of the importance of empathy, curiosity, and an
open mind in building bridges between different
communities and working towards a more inclusive world.

CONCLUSION 14
Work Contribution DEEPSHIKHA AND
ANSHIKA
Relevancy of Topic

MONISHA
Explanation of Topic

ADIT
Additional Research

TOMIN SAGAR
Findings Conclusion
Thank you
TEAM 1