22 SEPTEMBER 2024 at Hotel Akbari, Cuttack

The Researchers' Association, Odisha organized a one-day National Seminar on "Revisiting two Great Trios of the Twentieth Century  Indian English Literature: Mulk Raj Anand, R.K.Narayan, Raja Rao and Nissim Ezekiel, Kamala Das, A.K.Ramanujan" on 22 September 2024 at Hotel Akbari Cuttack. After the registration of the delegates, the inauguration session began with Professor Bijay Kumar Das, the President of the Researchers' Association in Chair. Prof. C.R. Visweswar Rao, former Vice Chancellor, of Vikrama  Shimapuri University, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, and Prof.N.Nagaraju, Vice Chancellor, G.M. University, Sambalpur, Odisha jointly Inaugurated the Seminar by lighting the lamps. Prof. Bijay Kumar Das delivered the welcome address and introduced the seminar's theme. Mr. BrajaKishore Pall, Reader in English, Oupada Higher Secondary School, Balasore read out the proceedings of the last Seminar held on 16 June 2024 at  Hotel Akbari, Cuttack Prof. Nagaraju delivered the Inaugural Address and Prof. C.R.V. Rao delivered the Keynote  Address. Dr. PremalataRout, Principal, Jagannath Higher Secondary School, Keonjhar, and Dr. Sonali Das, Associate Professor of English, Fakir Mohan University, Balasore introduced the Guests. Prof. Ashok Kumar Mohanty, former Professor of English, at SOA University Bhubaneswar, proposed a vote of thanks. Dr Sonali Das compered the Programme.

Journal Launch

Special Number of "The Critical Endeavour": Vol 30 No2 on Nissim Ezekiel edited by Prof. Bijay Kumar Das was launched by Prof. C.R.V. Rao and  Prof. Nagaraju to mark the Birth Centenary of Nissim Ezekiel (1924--2024).

Paper Reading Session 1

Dr. Ayesha Irfan, Associate Professor of English, Dayal Singh College, University of Delhi, presented her paper under the title "The Influence of Gandhian Thought on R.K. Narayan's Novels."

Dr. Sonali Das, Associate Professor of English, P.G. Department of Language and Literature, Fakir Mohan University, Balaswar presented her paper under the caption "Thinking About A.K. Ramanujan as an Expatriate Insider".

Both the papers were well received. The presentation of the papers evoked a lively response from the delegates. Prof. Nagaraju had a word of praise for Dr Sonali Das's paper. Prof. Ashok Kumar Mohanty chaired the session.

Paper Reading Session 2

Dr. Satya Sindhu Ghosh, (Retd) Associate Professor of English, Khandra College (Burdwan University) West Bengal presented a paper under the caption" Despondency and Dejection in Kamala Das's poetry. Dr. Ujjwal Dutta, (West Bengal Education Service) presented a paper under the caption" East-West Encounter in A. K. Poetry". Both the papers were discussed by way of questions from the participants. The paper presenters were confident in answering questions. Prof. B.Parvathi (Retd) former  Professor of English, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam submitted a paper under the caption" The Less Known R.K Narayan' was read out in absentia as she could not make it to the  Seminar due to unavoidable reasons. Mr Laxmidhar Panda (Retd) Reader in English Nimapara College, Nimapara (Puri)  chaired the Session.

Plenary Lecture

Professor Bijay Kumar Das delivered a Plenary Lecture under the caption" Revisiting Six Canonical Writers (Mulk Raj Anand, R.K.Narayan, Raja Rao, Nissim Ezekiel, Kamala Das, and A. K. Ramanujan) of the twentieth Century Indian English Literature. His lecture was distributed in the form of a Booklet. Prof. C.R.V Rao chaired the Session.

Paper Reading Session 3

There were 4 paper presenters in this session. Dr. Premalata Rout presented a paper under the title "Revisiting Kamala Das through her poem "Nani". Dr. Bilkesh Parveen, Reader in English, Tangi Mahavidyala, Cuttack presented the paper "Critiquing Dalit Characters in Anand's" Coolie". Dr. Rajendra Kumar, Asst. Prof. of English, Govt. P.G. College, Chunar, Mirzapur (UP) presented a paper under the title "A.K. Ramanujan as a Modernist Indian English Poet" and Mr. Braja Kishore Pall presented a paper under the title "Nissim Ezekiel's Background, Casually: An Autobiographical Study". All 4 papers elicited searching questions which followed lively discussion. Dr. Sonali Das chaired the session.

Paper Reading Session 4

There were 3 paper Presenters in this session Dr. Ramesh Chandra Pradhan (Balangir, Odisha) presented a paper titled "Identity Crisis in Anand's "Untouchable". Dr. Durbadela Gibella (Balangir, Odisha) presented a paper titled "Psychological Trauma of Women in R.K Narayan's' The Dark Room" and Mr. Laxmi dhar Panda presented a paper titled "The Use of Indian English in the poetry of Nissim Ezekiel." All the three papers were well received. Dr. Satya Sindhu Ghosh chaired the session.

Lifetime Achievement Award

The Researchers' Association, Odisha conferred Lifetime Achievement Award on Professor C.R.V. Rao for his contribution to English Studies in India His expertise in Comparative Literature, and English Language Teaching is well acknowledged in our country. His contribution to the Researchers' Association, Odisha as a Resource Person and contribution to the Critical  Endeavour is outstanding. He is a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of "The Critical Endeavour". He is both loved and respected by the members of the Researchers Association. A Memento was given to Prof Rao as a token of honor by the President of the Association, Professor Bijay Kumar Das.

Valedictory Session

Participation Certificates were given both to the participants and Resource Persons by Prof Crv. Rao. Prof. Ashok Kumar Mohanty, Chaired the Session. Dr. Pravat Kumar Mishra, former Associate Professor of English and Treasurer of the Association, Dr. Pravat Kumar Mishra, Prof.B K. Das, and Dr. Satya Sindhu Ghosh were present on the Dais.

Images from Seminar