KISS Organizes Symposium on ‘Women’s Education in Odisha: The Seminal Contribution of Madhusudan Das’
A national symposium on ‘Women’s Education in Odisha: The Seminal Contribution of Madhusudan Das’ was organised by Sahitya Akademi in collaboration with Madhusudan Das Research Chair, KISS-DU on 28th May 2022. The daylong symposium was divided into three sessions. Inaugurating the symposium, Professor N. Nagaraju, Vice-Chancellor, G.M. University, Sambalpur highlighted the seminal contribution of Madhusudan Das in women empowerment. He also shared some of the modernist ideas of Madhu Babu.
Chairing the inaugural session, Professor Deepak Kumar Behera, Vice Chancellor, KISS Deemed to be University thanked the organizers of both the collaborating institutions for conducting a National Symposium on Madhusudan Das. He talked about the importance of conducting such symposiums and urged the Akademi to conduct more events so as to promote literature.
In his keynote address, Professor Jatindra Kumar Nayak, Professor Emeritus, KISS-DU presented a career graph of Utkal Gourav, Madhusudan Das. Emphasizing the effort of Madhusudan Das for women education, he termed him “an alienated reformist” who took pain and penalties to propagate education especially among the women.
Professor Prafulla Kumar Mohanty, eminent writer, gave a detailed picture of Madhusudan’s life and career. Expressing deep concern over the superficial attitude and hypocrisy of the so-called Madhu Babu admirers, he said, exhaustive study is required to keep up the legacy of Madhusudan Das.
Shri Mihir Kumar Sahoo,Programme Officer of Sahitya Akademi admired Prof. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KISS & KIIT for his noble mission. Professor Bijayananda Singh, Convener, Odia Advisory Board and Chair Professor Gopabandhu Research Chair, KISS-DU delineated various facets of Madhusudan Das’s life, works and activities. Professor Jugal Kishore Mishra, Chair Professor, Madhusudhan Das Research Chair, KISS-DU shared the details of the theme of the Symposia. Addressing Madhusudan Das as “Satabdira Surya”, he spoke about his contribution in promoting Women Education in Odisha.
Dr. Prashanta Kumar Routray, Registrar, KISS-DU spoke a few words on the purpose of organizing the collaborative symposia. The researchers will certainly be benefited by the symposia, stated Dr. Prashanta Kumar Routray, Registrar, KISS-DU, while urging the faculty members of KISS-DU to incorporate Madhusudan Das in University curriculum.
The inaugural session was followed by two technical sessions. The first technical session was presided by Professor Swarnamayee Tripathy, Professor Emeritus, KISS-DU, while papers were presented by Dr. Hiranmayee Mishra, eminentwriter; Dr. Chittaranjan Mishra, Retired Reader in English; and Dr. Anita Sabat,an erudite scholar ofMadhusudan Das. The second session was chaired by Professor Ashok K. Mohapatra, Senior Professor, Department of English, KISS-DU. Dr. Arun Kumar Mohanty, writer and critic; and Professor Pritish Acharya, a senior professor and an erudite scholar of Madhusudan Das presented papers at the session.
Dr. Sujata Acharya, Principal, KISS proposed the vote of thanks to the chairperson, distinguished guests and all the participants. Ms. Saswati Jena, faculty member, Education Programme coordinated the programme.