USTM & Indian Social Science Academy holds seminar on R & D in NE

Guwahati : A National Seminar on "Social Science Research, Institutions and Development in North East India" has been organised today by the Centre for Gender Studies, University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) in collaboration with the Indian Social Science Academy. The seminar has been supported by the Indian Council of Social Science Research, NERC.

The resource persons include Prof Sambit Mallick, IIT Guwahati, Prof Rana Pratap Singh, School of Environmental Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University and Dr Sabrina Iqbal Sircar, Pragjyotish College, Guwahati, apart from others.

Dr Sircar, in her presentation, said that within feminism and gender studies, the body has occupied a key position in a wide range of debates, including men’s control of women’s bodies as a key means of subordination. “Feminists have long recognized that bodies matter in social relations, but over time, there have been shifts in conceptions of what the body is, especially about nature and to culture. The range of conceptions of the body present within gender studies can be grouped into three broadly defined categories: the body as nature, the body as socially constructed, and embodiment”, she added.

After the felicitation of dignitaries by Prof. G.D. Sharma, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, USTM and Dr RK Sharma, Advisor USTM, Prof GD Sharma addressed the audience and highlighted on gender equality for the development of the society. This was followed by thought-provoking speeches made by the resource persons. A total of 24 research papers have been presented by Ph.D. scholars in four parallel Technical Sessions in this day-long seminar which is being held in a blended mode.

Earlier, the welcome address in the inaugural session was made by Prof. Amit Choudhury, Director-ODL, USTM. Dr. Trishna M. Thakuria, Convenor and Organizing Secretary of the seminar spoke about the objectives of the seminar.