Srinagar, March 14 (Scoop News) – A three day seminar on English Language and Literature in India: Issues in Policy, Pedagogy and Research organized by the post Graduate Department of English KU began at the Ghandi Bhawan Hall of the Kashmir University today .
Noted scholar of English literature Prof M L Raina in his key note address made distinction between literature and literary studies and said Literature is universal and needs to be valued above narrow considerations and it is equally imperative to delimit the constricting role of colonial western writing . “Today we have to see our literature in context of the world literature and as one with the world literature Raina emphasized. From Greek literary theory to post modern critics of language weaving in Indian epics, Shakespeare, coloniality and its after affects on English studies, Prof Raina took the audience through a stimulating journey and hoped that world literature may be a door way to more fruitful international understanding .
Prof A R Yusuf Dean Academic affairs who presided over the inaugural event was all praise for the department of English for holding seminars on such important theme . “ It is important to utilize literature spread world over to enrich our own literature “ he emphasized . Prof Yousuf noted that English has had an impact on almost all the languages of the world and that it has some kind of influence on our language as well.
In her extensive welcome address Prof Lily want Head department of English while welcoming the delegates of the seminar highlighted the achievements of her department over the years . “Holding of national seminars is a regular activity of the department wherein we provide an opportunity to our students and scholars to interact with the reputed academics in the field of English literature ,” said Head of the department Prof Lily want .
Seminar Director Prof Mohammad Aslam said that the “The present seminar is of great significance as it focuses on the importance of English in today’s world and how far literature can compete with the growing demand in Communicative Competence in the language.” . Professor Aslam observed that English has assumed a “global status in terms of acceptability, and is no longer seen just as a colonial legacy, with non-English economic powers vying for higher English-language competence.” “The rubric English Literature has come to signify much that emanates from cultural locations far beyond the shores of its origin, England. Thus instead of bemoaning English in India as a Macaulayean imposition, it is being increasingly seen as an instrument of empowerment, he added.
Besides local scholars members of the civil society , more than a dozen reputed outstation scholars of English literature and language are presenting their papers and holding deliberations in the technical sessions of the seminar which will last for another two days . Dr Iffat Maqbool conducted the proceedings of the sessions while as Dr Tasleem A War delivered the vote of thanks .