The School of Comparative Tribal Languages and Literatures (Odia Programme) and Utkalamani Gopabandhu Research Chair, KISS-DU jointly organized a webinar talk on 4th May 2022. Delivering the talk, Professor Baishnaba Charan Samal, Former Professor, Visva Bharati University, Santiniketan explained the importance of Humanism and stated that Literature and Humanism took their origin in India. He drew references from Vedas, Upanishads, and many other Indian religious scriptures that put the footprints of Humanism in this regard. He also detailed the contribution of different literary figures towards mankind and civilization through their works.
Speaking on the occasion, Professor Deepak Kumar Behera, Vice-Chancellor, KISS-DU stated that literature mirrors society and through it Humanism can be visualized. Professor Bijayananda Singh, Chair Professor, Utkalamani Gopabandhu Research Chair mentioned that Lord Jesus Christ and Goutam Buddha had spread the religion of mankind and Humanism in the society. Talking about the importance of literature, Professor Bijay Satapathy, Professor Emeritus, KISS- DU, said, literature and culture are possessed by only human beings, not animals, and stressed that the revival of Literature in Odisha provides knowledge about Humanism.
Dr. Rasmita Tripathy, Dean, School of Comparative Tribal Languages and Literatures offered a vote of thanks to all the participants. Dr. Nibedita Mohanty, Faculty Member (Odia Programme) moderated the session.
