‘Women and Literature in the 21st Century’ Symposium Held by Odia Bhasa Bikash Andolan (OBBA)
Balasore, Nov 6 (Krushna Kumar Mohanty): The woman of the 21st century is no longer a fragile creeper. She now stands tall beside man, like two trees growing together and sharing the same light. In literature too, women have carved a distinct identity for themselves across India and the world. Speakers at a symposium titled “Women and Literature in the 21st Century”, organized by Odia Bhasa Bikash Andolan (OBBA), observed that in today’s globalized world, creative minds must rise above narrow attitudes. By inspiring and supporting one another, they said, Odia literature can establish itself more firmly on the world stage.
The symposium, presided over by senior OBBA member and literary figure Aruna Ray, featured eminent poets and writers Yashodhara Das, Pratima Panda, Geetanjali Satapathy, and Kalyani Nanda as speakers. They discussed in detail the contributions of distinguished women and literary figures of India.
Poet Jyotsna Ray conducted the proceedings, while Joint Secretary Shantilata Panda presented the editorial note. The General Secretary, Dr. Lakshmikant Tripathy, delivered the concluding remarks and offered a vote of thanks.
Among others present were Dr. Hemamala Dash, Sharad Kumar Mahapatra, Dr. Ramakanta Behera, Hemendra Mahapatra, Nibaran Jena, Tapan Ray, Deepak Bose, Kavita Jena, Shanti Bishi, Ramakanta Mohanty, Jumarnath Patra, Pushpalata Chakraborty, and Bidyadhar Sahu, along with many noted litterateurs and intellectuals.
