3-Day Chandigarh Language Congress hosted by Panjab  University

Chandigarh, February 17, 2024: As a part of the three-day Chandigarh Language Congress hosted by Panjab  University, the last day of the session was led by Prof. Deepti Gupta and Prof. Rajeev Puri, who highlighted their collaboration with RUSA to initiate language research fellowships. 

They expressed concern over the predominance of science backgrounds among applicants and stressed the need to encourage individuals from arts or language backgrounds. Prof. Gupta underscored the significance of Digital Humanities, advocating for the utilization of tools and websites for language learning, while emphasizing that AI should be viewed as an aid rather than a replacement for teachers. She traced the history of language labs globally, noting Panjab University's pioneering role in introducing language labs to Northern India.
 
Second session of the day began with translation of poems based on various themes. Dr. Sudhir Mehra coordinated the event, which commenced with the recitation of translated poems from various writers worldwide.Students of Department of English and Cultural Studies recited the translated versions of poems. Prof. Cecilia Antony, the resource person, commended the selection of poems and encouraged audience engagement with the theme of "read, write, and reflect." Prof. Cecilia and Prof. Akshay highlighted the transformative nature of translations, offering insights into diverse cultures. They emphasized the arbitrary nature of selections, aimed at providing a glimpse into global poetic traditions. The overarching theme of the conference, "comparative cosmopolitan culture," was reiterated, with poetry being portrayed as a medium for fostering global interconnectedness and understanding.
 
The third session of the day featured renowned poet and editor, Sudeep Sen. Sen's notable works, including "Anthropocene" and "RED," took center stage during the discussion. Alongside his editorial endeavors in "Converse," Sen shared insights into his creative process, notably his upcoming book "Rocks," exploring the concept of indefinite time through sedimentary rocks. In dialogue with Prof. Akshay Kumar, Sen delved into the motivations behind his poetry, emphasizing the significance of stillness and observation in artistic expression. Despite noting societal trends favoring brevity, Sen remains optimistic about the reception of his forthcoming works. The event concluded with heartfelt gratitude from Prof. Akshay for Sen's enlightening discourse.

The three-day long Congress ended with a poetry programme "Shaam E Shayri" .The chair of the event was Prof.Yograj, Dean Languages, Panjab University,Chandigarh .

In this session, poets from various colleges of Chandigarh and various  departments of Panjab University presented their shayris and poems which entertained all.