Mangaluru: Brits had good table manners, whereas rest of world had good food: Dr Sashidar

Bellevision Media Network

Mangaluru, 30 Dec 2015: ‘British had good table manners whereas rest of the world had good food,’ was humorously quoted by key note speaker Dr Sashidar referring to the change in social composition that affected English literature during the 1950’s.

 

Literature at the Crossroads: Millennial Challenges, 2-day national level seminar organized by the department of English of St Aloysius College was inaugurated at Eric Mathias Hall, here on Monday November 30.

 

In his presidential address the principal of the College Fr Swebert D’Silva SJ quoted Henry Wordsworth Longfellow, ‘The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night.’ Explaining the quote, he added that great success in life cannot be achieved without hard work and dedication and in our world today, especially in India, English seems to be an important language to ensure success.

 

 

‘British had good table manners whereas rest of the world had good food,’ was humorously quoted by key note speaker Professor Dr Sashidhar R, department of English, Mangalore University referring to the change in social composition that affected English literature during the 1950’s. He spoke about the change brought about by the Second World War which brought a new class of people to universities thus questioning the traditional forms of literature. He further went on to elaborate about the questions in the minds of people as to how literature could be evaluated and on what point a text would become literature. He emphasized on the way literature is looked today and how a lack of integrity creates confusion among the people.

 

The dignitaries present on the dais were Dr Ratan Mohuntha, HOD, English, convener of the seminar, Severine Pinto, organizing secretary. Dr Alwyn D’Aa, Dean of Arts Faculty welcomed the gathering.

 

The other speakers were Dr Gayatri Prabhu, Assistant Professor, Manipal Center for Philosophy and Humanities Manipal. The students, teachers and research scholars from various institutions presented their papers during the seminar.

 

The valedictory programme will commence on Tuesday December 1 at 3:00pm.