It is a video on an International Webinar on 'A Discourse on Culture, Literature and Nationalism in the Present Scenario' which was organized by the Deptt. of English, Govt. Maharaja Postgraduate College, Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, India on 12 June 2020.
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Proceedings of the International Webinar on 'A Discourse on Culture, Literature and Nationalism in the Present Scenario'.
JUNE 12, 2020 15:00 IST* (+5:30 UTC**)
An International Webinar on a Discourse on Culture, Literature and Nationalism in the Present Scenario was organised by the Department of English Govt. Maharaja Postgraduate College Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, India. The Chief Patron of the webinar was Prof.T.R. Thapak, the Vice Chancellor, Maharaj Chhatrasal Bundelkhand University Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, India. Dr. D.P. Shukla, The Principal of the college was the Patron. Dr. B.P. Singh Gaur, Asso. Professor & Head, Dept. of English, was the Coordinator. The webinar was inaugurated on June 12, 2020 at 03 pm. As per the schedule Inaugural session continued from 03:00 pm to 03:20 pm. The webinar started with an inaugural note from Prof. T.R. Thapak, Welcome Note was given by Dr. D.P. Shukla. He greeted all the eminent academicians, faculty members, professionals and students from various educational institutions on behalf of the college and thanked them for joining the webinar. Introductory remark was given by Dr. B.P. Singh Gaur who discussed how the webinar would play out. The aim of the webinar to redefine our approach to Culture, Nationalism, and Literature was also discussed by him at length.
The proceedings below record the summary of the speech by esteemed resource persons from different institutes across the globe.
The first session started with Keynote Address. The most distinguished orator of this session was Prof. Nivedita Maitra, Professor & Head, Dept. of English & OELs Doctor Hari Singh Gour Vishwavidyalaya (A Central University) Sagar, M.P. India. She presented an account on “Nationalism, Literature, Culture and Global Crisis.” in her opening remarks, she congratulated for organizing the Webinar. She discussed different kinds of problems faced by the world in the recent years. She added some of the pathetic stories during Covid 19 pandemic. She mentioned the importance of Atma Nirbhar Bharat, Made in India and Vocal for Local. The review of her lecture was presented by the Chairperson of this session Dr. Pravin Joshi Director, Prerna College of Commerce, Nagpur Maharashtra, India.
During the Plenary session-I of the webinar, eminent speaker Prof. Sumathy Sivamohan, Professor, Dept. of English, University of Peradenia, Sri Lanka made her presentations on the topic, “Crossing Borders: Social and Political Discourse.” The honorable speaker enlightened the listeners on the topic and enhanced the knowledge on sudden changes and transformation all around the world. She highlighted that how idea of sovereignty suffered during the pandemic like protecting borders of nations and targeting a particular community for spreading the virus. She further added that how human relations are renewed with nature but it becomes dubious and skeptical with other humans. Social and political imaginations have countered our ideas of sovereignty. The Chairperson of this session was Dr. Praveen Kumar Anshuman, Asst. Professor of English, Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi, India. He explained his views on the topic, “Role of Literature in Human Life.” He focused on three keywords of the international webinar Nationalism, Culture and Literature with respect to Covid 19. Presenting the importance of literature, he remarked, “Literature comprises all and everything.” He presented an account on the importance of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam in the present scenario.
The keynote speaker of Plenary session-II was a scholar of high repute, Prof. Anand Sharma, Professor, Dept. of English Tribhuvan University, Nepal. The title of his talk was, “Pestilence, Terror Management Theory and Poe’s The Masque of Red Death.” He discussed how different literary artists and works have resonated with hope to overcome anxiety. The beauty of art transcends time and space validating the truth of pandemic and terror management. He also asserted that the flight of death infuses wide range of survival behaviours reflected in different literary works of Robert Burton, Daniel Dafoe and Albert Camus.The Chairperson of this session was Ms. Dinali Fernando Senior Lecturer, Dept. of English University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. She discussed on a very important topic, “Sri Lanka Teaching Literature in Times of Covid-19: Experiences from Sri Lanka.” At the outset, she gave a brief on the working of the educational institutions during pandemic and changing dimensions of education in the present scenario with special reference to Sri Lanka. She also narrated different experiences gained by the teachers and the students by online teaching and learning. She also pointed out nationalism and its changing dimensions in literature in her talk.
The webinar ended with Valedictory Session. In the last session feedback was received from the participants. Vote of thanks was presented by Dr. K.B. Ahirwar. He expressed his gratitude to all participants and to the honorable speakers who enlightened us on various topics and enhanced our knowledge.
