University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries Magazine 2017 Summer Libraries Magazine | Page 24

Emergency Research By Dr. Ayelet Ben-Yishai Friends of UW–Madison Libraries Visiting Scholar O ctober 2016 was a heady month in the United States. The presidential elections, perhaps the most bizarre in a long while, were reaching their disturbing peak while basic norms of public discourse and cultural debate seemed to be disintegrating. But I had come from Israel to Madison for another, ostensibly unrelated, reason—to conduct my research on the cultural history of Indira Gandhi’s Emergency rule in 1970s India. Emergency Fictions, my book-in-progress, combines a study of fiction, journalism, memoir, and scholarship—primary materials meticulously archived in UW–Madison’s Memorial Library —to establish the Emergency as an important interpretative si te. It was, I claim, an exceptionally violent episode that functioned as a catalyst for a long-term renegotiation of modern Indian polity and culture. As the election discourse outside grew more and more heated and less and less nuanced, I delved into the archive to contemplate the various ways a political and cultural elite (in another time and place) were forced to reinvent the ways in which information and ideas were articulated and disseminated as elections in India were revoked by Gandhi and severe censorship imposed. My survey of English-language periodicals published during and right after the Emergency revealed diverse responses. Some resisted at the time, shutting down or going underground and abroad. Others succumbed to the official dictates of Gandhi and her coterie. But even mainstream media, ostensibly complying with the censorship regulations, allowed for a more complex narrative to emerge. One of my most startling discoveries was that the first issue of the popular English-language news magazine India Today had its origins in the Emergency with the first issue published in December 1975, six months after the Emergency was declared. The cover story—as were many others in this first issue—was titled, “The Emergency: Now You See it, Now You Don’t.” Indeed, a close reading of the magazine revealed a continuous tension between marketing the Emergency, reporting on it, and critiquing it. Most fortuitously, I was able to present my initial findings at UW–Madison’s Annual Conference on South Asia, where I received important feedback and had the opportunity to exchange ideas with others working on adjacent projects. I returned home with a treasure trove of archival material that will anchor my entire book manuscript. Moreover, returning to the ever-increasing authoritarianism, incitement, and curtailing of dissent at home made the coincidence of working on the Indian Emergency in the month leading up to Donald Trump’s election as President of the United States ever more poignant and meaningful. Indira Gandhi, Benjamin Netanyahu, Donald Trump—my research on corruption and authoritarianism in the discourse of the Emergency seems more urgent and more relevant than ever. Dr. Ayelet Ben-Yishai was a Friends of UW–Madison Libraries Visiting Scholar in October 2016. She is a faculty member of the Department of English Language and Literature at the University of Haifa in Israel. 24 | LIBRARIES Summer 2017 Vice Provost for Libraries Giving Circle T he University of Wisconsin–Madison Libraries are pleased to announce the Vice Provost for Libraries Giving Circle! This Giving Circle helps recognize individuals, companies, and foundations that have made the Libraries a cornerstone of their giving. The Giving Circle also helps ensure the financial vitality of the Libraries and will help with costs associated with collections access, and the sustainability of physical and digital material. We want to provide a chance for our supporters to learn more about the priorities and opportunities of the Libraries. The Libraries continue to be nimble and proactive as changes occur in higher education. With the addition of an ever- shifting budget landscape, we more frequently rely on our alumni and friends for support. Our peers across the nation face a similar situation. We are confident our Badger community will continue to join us in our efforts to move forward. As our Friends grow, so do our supporters’ areas of giving interests. The creation of the Giving Circle helps us share the wonderful accomplishments of the Libraries and keep our supporters informed of opportunities and resources. The Libraries Advancement Board, which consists of individuals from across the country with diverse interests, provided its feedback and support for this plan. The board was confident that the Library Giving Circle would be embraced by our alumni and community. We recognize all gifts whether they come in the form of volunteer time, in-kind materials, or financial support. Each gift is critical to the future of the UW–Madison Libraries’ mission. I hope that this new program encourages alumni and community partners to become active contributors to the Libraries. For our long-time supporters, if you aren’t yet part of the Libraries Giving Circle, please consider connecting with us so you can learn more about how to become a part of this new program. Thank you for your commitment to the Libraries! Edward Van Gemert Vice Provost for Libraries and University Librarian Benefits Include: • Annual letter from the Vice Provost for Libraries and University Librarian. • Annual Luncheon of the UW – Madison Libraries Giving Circle. • Go Big Read. We’ll mail you a copy of the annual selection of the campus common reading program. • Special Collections exhibit opening and reception invitations. • Invitation to other Libraries special events. • Donor(s) who have given $10,000 will have their names listed on the Donor Wall in Memorial Library. • Donations of $50,000 in support of Special Collections will also be recognized in Special Collections, located in Memorial Library. • The satisfaction of supporting the pursuit of reading and literacy, the dissemination of knowledge, and the educational growth of future generations. Giving Circle Supporters: • Annual gift of $1,000 or more • Lifetime giving of $10,000 or more • Planned gift or annuity plan with UW Foundation • Lifetime in-kind gift of $25,000 or more Planned Gift If you wish to join by establishing a charitable gift annuity or through a bequest please contact: Ben Strand, Development Director, 608-308-5405, or [email protected]. University of Wisconsin–Madison | 25