Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 24: Prof D K Rampal Memorial Trust, in collaboration with the Department of English, University of Jammu, organized a one-day national seminar on `Indigenous Literary Studies and Hegemonic Global Metanarratives’, here today.
Prof Pragati Kumar, Vice Chancellor, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, was the chief guest on the occasion while Prof Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor, JU, presided over the function.
In his inaugural address, Prof Pragati Kumar spoke of the socio-political dynamics of the narratives in the context of global perceptions and the importance of contextualising our narratives in our own contemporary reality to reclaim our epistemological space in the global discourse. “Indigenous knowledge systems need modern interpretations and it is such academic deliberations that are essential for reclaiming our narratives” he added.
Prof Umesh Rai underscored the profound connection between individual’s identity and their national and linguistic heritage. “Time has come for us to create our own narrative, moving away from the perspectives imposed by British historians and those who have followed their agenda,” Prof Rai.
Prof Shravan Kumar, a renowned scholar in the field of Literary Studies, was the keynote speaker. He quoted extensively from the traditional texts like the Mahabharata to explain how indigenous texts are an invaluable source of knowledge that can be harnessed for modern day solutions and sustainable development.
Former Vice Chancellor of JU and Executive Member, Prof D K Rampal Trust, Prof R D Sharma also spoke on the occasion, and highlighted the vision and activities of the Trust since its inception.
Prof Sucheta Pathania, Head, Dept. of English, outlined purpose and structure of the seminar. Prof Satnam Kour, former HoD English, proposed the vote of thanks. Prof Monika Chadha introduced the keynote speaker and Dr Garima Gupta conducted the proceedings.
Later in the plenary session, Prof Sudhir Kumar from Punjab University, Chandigarh, Prof Ram Bhau Badode from the University of Bombay, Mumbai and Prof Geetanjali Rana, Principal GDC, Ramgarh spoke on various aspects of the theme and emphasised the need to orient the academics and research to more indigenous topics and schools of thought.
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