 Early Times Report
JAMMU, Nov 22: A national level student-scholar seminar on "Unsung Indian Women Freedom Fighters: Historical, Cultural and Literary Refractions", organized by Department of English, Central University of Jammu was inaugurated today.
Vice Chancellor, Prof Ashok Aima along with Padmashri Shiv Nirmohi inaugurated the seminar in the Brigadier Rajinder Singh auditorium. The seminar planned in a blended mode was also joined by Prof Neeraja Gupta, Vice Chancellor, Sanchi University of Buddhist-Indic Studies, who highlighted the significance and timeliness of the theme of the seminar particularly the cultural and literary perspective of unsung women freedom fighters as narratives pertaining freedom struggle get limited only to historical narratives.
In the Inaugural address, Prof Aima said that seminars on such themes related to representations, adaptations pertaining our culture and heritage is imperative and the switch over from virtual to physical mode is a welcome move.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof Rasal Singh, Dean, School of Languages threw light on documenting the contributions of unsung freedom fighters and expressed hope that Department of English will work in the same direction with gusto.
Padmashri Shiv Nirmohi, an eminent litterateur, historian and icon of Dogra pride was felicitated by Prof Aima in the same function. Speaking on his literary journey, Padmashri Nirmohi advised younger generation to read, travel and participate in seminars to expand horizons of learning. Shedding light on the strength and exemplary courage of Duggar women, Padmashri Nirmohi referred to the resilience and courage of Naraatu Devi, whom Dinu Bhai Pant has glorified in his poetry as "Sherni Naraatu".
Earlier, welcoming the guests, Dr Vandana Sharma, Head, Department of English and convener of the seminar said that in sync with the aim of the seminar a good number of papers exploring various forms of narratives related to lost narratives of women freedom fighters hint at gaps in history and raises the question related male-centric post 1947 historical records. Prof Kalpana Purohit, Head Department of English, Jai Narayan Vyas University, Jodhpur in her keynote address traced the trajectory of freddom struggle and women's role in it with special emphasis on Rajasthan. Another noted speaker of the seminar was Prof Neeraja Mattoo, Kashmiri writer and scholar eminent for her research in the Kashmiri narratives and storytelling. Dr. Parveen Kumari proposed vote of thanks. |
