Attending a workshop in ITER: An eye opener for prospective scholars

I participated in a National workshop on research methodology organised by Institute of Technical Education and Research (ITER), Bhubaneswar in collaboration with PG dept. of English, Utkal University. Attending the two days long workshop was like an eye opener from many respects.The four plenary sessions were presided over by many distinguished Professors of English in and around orissa.
Right after the inaugural session Prof. Kalidas Mishra from Sambalpur University initiated the new research scholars in to the realm of research by delivering a beautiful presentation entitled "Research Methodology: Theoretical approaches ". By means of explaining the fundamental of research through A, B, C and D (where A- author, B-book, C-Critic, and D- Dismantling the established notions), he very beautifully elaborated the very essence of research theories.
The session was followed by Prof. Himansu S. Mohapatra from Utkal University who spoke on how to pen down the information and material in to a structured disciplined and organised scholarly write up. His approach of dividing the whole writing in to small chunks and working to meet the short term goal was very promising. He also spoke about how to draft a thesis statement and how to go about the whole writing, step by step, in a very disciplined way.
Prof. Amulya k purohit, The Ex Director of American Center, presented a paper on "American Literature, key concepts". Prof Purohit, in fact, is mockingly referred as a CIA agent by his fellow professors for his long association with and wide contribution to American Literature
The third presentation was made by Dr. Swayamprabha Satpathy from ITER whose presentation entitled "Key Concepts of Communication", though little digressed from the topic of the workshop, was really useful for many participants who teach Communicative English in many technical institutes. Some research tools she came up with, used mostly in the field of communication are Observations, case study analysis, interviews and questionnaire.
The second day began with Prof. Ramshankar Nanda delivering a talk "Resources on the web", which was full of facts ,hitherto unknown to many. Apart from giving a very informative talk on how to avail resources on internet, he also gave a list of e- journals whose importance for a research scholar can not really be denied.
After so many illuminating talks on research in Literature and communication, Prof. Kalyani Samantray, who was earlier associated with ELTI,Bhubaneswar and currently a Reader of English, Utkal University shed some light on research methodology in Language. Though little different from that of the methodology used in literature , research methodology used in the field of language should be appropriate to the objective to the study. By a beautiful Powerpoint presentation and a quiz activity, she elicit the very core of methodology used in Lanuage research.

It was followed by a talk "Miscommunication" made by Dr. Sthita Pragyan, Professor of English, Siksha 'O' Anusandhan University which discussed issues in the domain of communication and dealt very beautifully with the entire barriers of communication.

Prof. Dipti R Pattanaik's insightful talk on "Indian Literature in English: Major issues" was curtain raiser in figuring out the problems in that area of research . prof. pattanaik, at his best, suggested the research scholar to read few canonical texts and to go for the unconventional research topics which are hitherto untried ventures.
So the two days workshop, with lots of input, was absolutely useful for scholars who are just initiated in to the domain of research and struggling hard to find out where to start. For me in particular it resolved many of my confusion though again leading to creating many. Apart from the intellectual dose from a seminar like this , meeting many literary scholars, eminent professors and writers under a single roof is the most beautiful part of it. Chat over a cup of coffee with Prof Mohapatra whose unconditional love to mentor the students was something we enjoyed the most. So the work shop opened up a whole array of prospects in literary research for all aspirants who are all set to fly high.


Jayaprakash

Exploring Potential untapped: Two Advertorials

While surfing through today's newspaper, I came across two advertorials; one was about ' teaching people what they want to learn' and the other was about 'reading is fun'.


The former discusses certain issues like imparting training and teaching as to cater to the need of the local people in particular. By reviewing the natural resources and economic potential of the state, it figures out some subjects appropriate to meet local issues. Further suggesting their inclusion in university curricula is the best part of the article. With special citation to some of the courses offered by KIIT and KISS, Orissa, it justifies the importance of 'extending education to marginalized sections of the society'. Orissa, home to many ethnic tribes falls way behind many other states in this regard. Thus, introducing courses like carpentry, tailoring, food processing, gardening floriculture pisciculture and animal husbandry would supplement to the much matter of fact kind of education system.


The later speaks about and event 'One nation reading together' where children in schools across the country will spend 30 minutes (preferably at 12 noon) on the designated day reading for fun, and doing other activities that celebrate reading as a pleasurable and enriching experience. The undenying importance of reading, if realised, would bring lots of healthy development in students at large.

At a point of time,when children are more inclined to social networking sites and video games, reading habit has become almost extinct. This effort, i believe , would certainly germinate the interest among many children to adopt reading as their favourite pass time.
Follow the link to find out more on Scholastic india
http://www.scholastic-asia.com/scholastic/content.php?regionid=31&rchannelid=&mainchannelid=508&pid=811

I would be the happiest to listen from you on this.



Jayaprakash

Indomitable spirit: Prof. Dipti R. Pattanaik

Apprehensions were looming large as I was heading to the Chamber of Prof. Dipti Ranjan Pattanaik in Revenshaw university. Teacher of my MA days, he was once a nightmare into-to for a 'not so bright' and lethargic student like me.

In retrospect, I still remember his unconventional stance as a University teacher. His insistence to present a paper on "Paradise Lost" every alternative day was like a hard task at its core. And to make the matter worse, the comments followed by the presentation were like a gateway to inferno (Tongue-in-cheek). But in the course of action, speeches like 'the indomitable spirit' and 'we are all sons and daughters of Kharavela' were highly inspiring. And the most surprising was his interpretation of the character of Satan as an "Anti-hero"who turned out to be an ideal epitome of chivalry and leadership. Thus, Dipti sir, in his exceptional yet fathomable interpretation of text, was sort of pleasant to listen to .

A tight slap on my back!! before I realised what was happening around, my face turned red, my throat got dry and I was absolutely dumb founded. When i lifted my head from the copy i was writing on, I found Dipti sir with hot red eye pointing his finger at my copy where i had written 'homer' instead of 'Homer'.

whenever an ATM doesn't work while withdrawing cash , current goes out in the middle of a power point presentation, or AC doesn't work while an important meeting is on, a single sentence comes out very spontaneously "Technology is wonderful as long as it works ". From a casual comment by Dipti sir that has become 'a quotable quote' for all of us.

While approaching Prof. Pattanaik's chamber, thoughts were jostling against each other, there was an unknown pleasure ,deep down the heart for meeting him after a long gap and having him as a teacher once again. Though pleasant yet apprehensive was the feeling as I know it's going to be very tough to get back to the mainstream study once again and tougher to have Prof. Pattanaik as my teacher.

Jayaprakash

Conference in Dehradun: Intellectual dose in a scenic landscape

I attended and participated in a National conference entitled ‘Emerging trends in communication: Corporate and Academics’ on 3^rd and 4^th December 2010. The conference was organised by Centre for Communication, University of Petroleum and Energy studies,Dehradun. In the two days long seminar around 27 papers were presented in four parallel sessions. Most of the papers are scholarly writings, subjects ranging from academics to corporate. I presented a paper entitled“Self Organisation: A new model of teaching communication” which is based on the idea that ‘a learner can catch up more on their own self-disciplined way than that with the active intervention of an instructor’.

Apart from the intellectual experience of participating in the conference, the beautiful winter in Dehradun was something to be very happy about. Shivering cold coupled with windy weather was sort of never experienced before. So, Intellectual discussion midst of scenic beauty made the experience worth remembering. Inspiration was up high as my teacher Prof. Himansu S Mohapatra was kind enough to accompany us. His presence along with family added charm not only to the seminar but also to the trip we made to mussourie for sightseeing.

By mentioning the upcoming international conference in October 2011 by Centre for communication UPES, they try to console us and minimised our agony of leaving such a beautiful place.

Jayaprakash