The Department of English, Maharaja Bir Bikram University has successfully organised a two day National Seminar on “Philosophical Foundation of Language, Literature and Culture in Northeast India” on November 14-15, 2024. The Seminar was sponsored by Indian Council of Philosophical Research (ICPR), Ministry of Education, Government of India, New Delhi. The inaugural session of the seminar was held on November 14, 2024 in the Dhalai Hall, Academic Block, MBB University.
The seminar was inaugurated by Shri Rajib Bhattacharjee, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, Government of India as the Chief Guest. In his address he has expressed the importance of fostering social cohesion through cultural exchange. He acknowledged and addressed the ongoing challenges in preserving the cultural unity of the North East India. He also placed the importance of unity in the North East amidst attempts to divide the region based on religion, language, and tribe. Prof Vijay Kumar Karn, Department of Sanskrit, Nava Nalanda Mahavihara emphasized the “science of the soul” urging the audience to view the world with a clear and unbiased perspective. He underscored the need to understand Indian literature (Sahitya) and philosophy, Prof. Prasenjit Biswas, Department of Philosophy, Northeastern Hill University, Shillong has delivered the Key-note address. He has presented a unique perspective on the philosophical traditions of the North East India. Emphasizing a deeper understanding of North East India’s culture, he advocated for a trans-disciplinary approach that respects diversity and distinctiveness each tribe’s free from political influences. His work on medicinal herbs and geological marvels, further underscored NE’s ecological and cultural wealth. Dr. Sumanta Chakrabarti, Registrar, MBB University in his address highlighted the urgent need for fostering further integration of the Northeast India interms of language and cultural implicitly. He has also emphasized the need for organizing such seminar in the present day. Prof. Satyadeo Poddar, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, MBB University analyzed the lack of extensive research on language, culture and literature on Northeast India as unique identity and urged for theorizing it to understand the richness of the North East India’s language, literature and culture.
In this two day seminar many Professors and Academicians from different Universities like North Eastern Hill University, Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, Assam University. Gauhati University etc. and Colleges of Northeast India participated and presented their Papers. Participants took active part in the seminar during discussion and interactive sessions with the Resource Persons. More than 150 participants participated in the seminar.
Ms. Rebeka Debbarma, Assistant Professor, Department of English, MBB University delivered the welcome address in the inaugural session and vote of thanks in the valedictory session. Dr. Jhuma Majumder, Assistant Professor & In-Charge, Department of English, MBB University delivered the vote of thanks in the inaugural session.
