19 JANUARY 2025 at Hotel Akbari, Cuttack

The Researchers' Association, Odisha organised a one day National Seminar on "The Art of Short Story: Rethinking National and International Short Story Writers in English" on 19 January 2025 at Hotel Akbari, Cuttack.

After the Registration of the delegates, the inaugural session began at 10:30 am with Professor Bijay Kumar Das, the president of the Association in Chair Prof. M.R. Verma, the former professor of English, Gurukul Kangri Viswavidyalaya Haridwar, Prof. B.Sudipta, former professor of English, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, and Prof. Sailendra Mahapatra, former Principal, Bhadrak Autonomous College Bhadrak lighted the lamp. Dr. Sonali Das, Associate Professor of English, F.M.University, and Dr. Premalata Rout introduced the guests. Mr Braja Kishore Pall Reader in English read out the proceedings of the last seminar.

Prof. Bijay Kumar Das delivered the Welcome Address and introduced the theme of the Seminar. Prof. M.R. Verma delivered the Keynote address under the caption "Categorising the thematic concern of the short story. Prof. Ashok Kumar Mohanty proposed a vote of thanks. Dr. Sonali Das compered the programme.

"The Critical Endeavour "vol 31 January 2025 was launched  by all the distinguished guests. In a special session, Homage was offered to Mr. Umesh Chandra Nayak and Dr. Chintamani Bharati who passed away in 2024. Their contribution to the Association was duly recognised.

Dr. JnanRanjan Padhi, Associate professor of English and Head, Dera Natung Govt College, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh chaired the first paper reading session in which Dr. Manmohan Mishra (Retd.) Reader in English Begunia College, and Dr. Ujjwal Dutta, West Bengal Education Service, Burdwan presented their papers. The papers were well received. Mr. Bata Krushna Das, a Senior Faculty Member Jajpur proposed a vote of thanks. This was followed by an open lecture delivered by Prof. Bijay Kumar Das on "The Art of Short Story A Critical approch". Prof. Sailendra Mahapatra Chaired the session.

Book Launch

An important event of the seminar is the launch of Bijay Kumar Das's book," A.P.J. Abdul Kalam: The Making of a Scientist and the President of India".The book was well received and appreciated by the delegates.

Post launch Session

Prof. Akhtar Jamal Khan, Nagaland University delivered a lecture on Nagaland Story writers. The lecture was well appreciated. The session was chaired by Prof. Krushna Chandra Mishra, Rajeeva Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh. Dr. Dayanidhi Pradhan, Principal Jaleswar Women's College, Odisha proposed a vote of thanks.

MEET THE TEACHER

Professor Bijay Kumar Das delivered the 29th Meet the Teacher Session organised by the Researchers' Association, an innovative programme in the country. Prof. Das's lecture was delivered under the caption "Teaching is my Profession, Seminar my Passion and Research my Mission ". 42 years of teaching, 50 years of research and publication have gone into the making of Prof. Das's academic life.

Prof. Das has a unique relationship with his teachers and he has dedicated his books to some of them. He too has very good relations with his scholars, students, and members of the Researchers' Association which is his brainchild to whom he has dedicated his book, "A Handbook of Translation Studies". He mentioned the names of some of his scholars and Students who are fine human beings.

He has written and edited 50 books which are his life breaths. He has dedicated his books to distinguished academics of India. His translated book on Mahatma Gandhi and  edited fests chriftt for Prof. R.W. Desai are his unique publications.

Paper Reading Session 2 was chaired by Dr. Sonali Das in which Dr. Susmita Mohanty and Dr. Ramesh Chandra Pradhan presented their papers. The papers were well received.

Paper Reading Session 3 was chaired by Ashok Kumar Mohanty in which Dr. Natabar Jena and Dr. Dayanidhi Pradhan presented their papers. Dr. Satya Sindhu Ghosh (Retd.) Associate Professor of English Khandra College Burdwan University chaired Paper Reading Session 1, in place of Dr. Jnan Ranjan Padhi at the latter's request as he felt unease.

Valedictory Session

This session became lively under the chairpersonship of Prof. B. Sudipta. Prof. Ashok Kumar Mohanty, Dr. Satya Sindhu Ghosh. Dr. Jnan Ranjan Padhi and Dr. Krushna Chandra Mishra spoke enthusiastically in this Session. The Participation certificates were given away by Professor B.Sudipta,former professor of English Andhra University, Visakhapatnam. The Seminar went off well.

Images from Seminar