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Nandini Sundar: Profile and Husband





Nandini Sundar - A Biographical and Personal Profile

Personal Profile:

  • Full Name: Nandini Sundar
  • Date of Birth: 1967
  • Place of Birth: India
  • Profession: Professor of Sociology, Social Anthropologist, Author, Activist
  • Education:
    • Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from Somerville College, Oxford (1989)
    • Master of Arts, Master of Philosophy, and Ph.D. in Anthropology from Columbia University (1989, 1991, 1995 respectively)
  • Current Position: Professor at the Department of Sociology, Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi

Family Details:

Nandini Sundar is married to Siddharth Varadarajan, who is a noted journalist and was formerly the chief editor of The Hindu newspaper. He is also a founding editor of The Wire, an Indian news website. Her parents, S. Sundar and Pushpa Sundar, were both officers in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) from the Gujarat cadre, batch of 1963.

Career and Academic Contributions:

  • Academic Work: Sundar's research focuses on political sociology, law, inequality, and particularly the experiences of indigenous (Adivasi) communities in India, especially in relation to state policies, environmental issues, and counterinsurgency. She has authored several books, with "The Burning Forest: India's War in Bastar" being one of her most recognized works, detailing the conflict in Chhattisgarh.
  • Awards:
    • She received the Infosys Prize for Social Sciences in 2010 for her contributions to understanding social identities in India.
    • In 2016, she was awarded the Ester Boserup Prize for Development Research.
  • Activism: Sundar has been actively involved in human rights advocacy, particularly concerning the rights of tribal populations. She was part of a group that filed Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against the Salwa Judum, a state-backed militia in Chhattisgarh, leading to its ban by the Supreme Court of India in 2011.

Recent News and Controversies:

  • Recent News:
    • In 2023, Sundar was involved in discussions around academic freedom in India, contributing to debates on the role of universities in democratic societies, especially in the context of increasing governmental oversight.
  • Controversies:
    • Legal Issues: In 2016, she was accused by the Chhattisgarh police of involvement in the murder of a tribal man in Sukma, which led to significant controversy. She was named in an FIR, but this was later quashed by the Supreme Court, which criticized the police actions as vindictive. The accusations were dropped in February 2019 due to a lack of direct evidence, following a change in the state government.

    • Maoist Allegations: She has been accused by some right-wing media and political groups of having sympathies with Maoist insurgents due to her work in Bastar and her criticism of state actions there. These accusations often stem from her work on human rights abuses and the impact of state policies on tribal communities.

Top 10 Interesting Facts About Nandini Sundar:

  1. Academic Excellence: She holds multiple degrees from renowned institutions like Oxford and Columbia University, showcasing her commitment to academic rigor.
  2. Human Rights Champion: Her PIL against Salwa Judum was instrumental in bringing attention to human rights abuses in conflict areas.
  3. Notable Publications: Her book "The Burning Forest" has been translated into several Indian languages, reflecting its wide-reaching impact.
  4. Awards and Honors: The Infosys Prize and Ester Boserup Prize are among the many accolades she has received for her scholarly contributions.
  5. Public Intellectual: She frequently writes for various platforms, including The Wire, on issues ranging from tribal rights to academic freedom.
  6. Family of Scholars: Coming from a family of IAS officers, she herself has continued the legacy of public service through her academic and activist roles.
  7. Field Research: Much of her work involves extensive field research in conflict zones, showcasing her dedication to understanding grassroots realities.
  8. Global Recognition: Her work has been recognized internationally, positioning her as a key figure in sociology and anthropology on a global scale.
  9. Advocate for Academic Freedom: Sundar has been a vocal advocate for academic freedom, especially highlighting issues in India's educational institutions.
  10. Intersection of Academia and Activism: Her career exemplifies how academic insights can influence and drive social change, particularly in advocating for marginalized communities.

Nandini Sundar remains a pivotal figure in Indian sociology, with her work bridging the gap between academia and activism, continuously pushing for justice, equality, and the protection of human rights.

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