Discussion Symposium Organised by the Odia Department of Kuntala Kumari Sabat Women’s College
Balasore, Feb 13 (Krushna Kumar Mohanty): A one-day discussion symposium was organised by the Postgraduate Department of Odia Language and Literature of Kuntala Kumari Sabat Women’s College, Balasore, in collaboration with the ‘Shatadal’ Club.
College Principal Dr Jhansi Jena presided over the programme and delivered the welcome address. Head of the Department, Rajkishore Pandit, introduced the guests and presented his reflections on the theme of the symposium, “Vaishnava Consciousness in Medieval Literature.”
Distinguished litterateur and retired professor Dr Bhagabat Behera participated as the resource person and spoke in detail about the medieval literary period. He explained the concept of religion, highlighted the presence of Krishna consciousness in the Vedas, and discussed the evolution of Vishnu and Vaishnavism over time. Dr Behera elaborated on the awakening and spread of Vaishnava consciousness in Odia literature during the medieval and post-medieval periods.
On the occasion, participants extended birthday greetings to Dr Behera. Former student Anupama Khanda, who achieved success in the NET examination, was felicitated. Faculty members including Dr Srustidhar Panda, Dr Pratichi Nanda, Monalisa Behera, Ajay Raut, and Dr Jagannath Khatua assisted in organising the programme.
Postgraduate second-year student Rachana Das conducted the proceedings, while Monalisa Nayak proposed the vote of thanks. Students from undergraduate and postgraduate classes actively participated in the symposium.
