Reimagining Island Poetics: Seminal Research on N S Madhavan’s Novel
Dr Soni Wadhwa, Assistant Professor at the Department of Literature and Languages and her research scholar, Ms Jintu Alias, from the Easwari School of Liberal Arts at SRM University-AP, have published their seminal research paper titled “Provincialising Island Poetics: The Personal as the Spatial in N S Madhavan’s Litanies of Dutch Battery.”
Their research delves into the intricate relationship between personal experiences and spatial representations, challenging traditional island narratives. Focusing on the island city of Kochi and its rich history of cosmopolitanism, they aim to draw attention to alternative island spaces in India and Asia. Furthermore, they are convinced that their work will inspire further studies and creative writing on cultural traditions in smaller Indian island cities, highlighting the diverse themes and settings that are yet to be explored in Indian literature.
Abstract
Affect towards islands is a unique approach to engage with in discussions of the phenomenology of fictional islands. This affect complements the already identified tropes within island poetics: those of sensorial exploration, spatial practices, and textural detailing of islands. This article turns to a work of fiction about a fictional island based on the island city of Kochi in south India to unpack an alternative aesthetic of spatiality, the kind that changes the personal/political relationship to personal/spatial one. We argue that the novel, Litanies of Dutch Battery (the novel in question) by N.S. Madhavan, expands inquiries into phenomenology of fictional islands by making space for corporeal memory and collective memory in storytelling. These memory-oriented narrative devices, we suggest, “provincialize” island poetics to add a hermeneutic of postcolonial angst to the repertoire of formal features of literary islandness.
Link to the Article
https://doi.org/10.24043/001c.94614
We wish the pair continued success in their future endeavours!
- Published in Departmental News, English Current Happenings, News, Research News
Inauguration of NMR Spectrometer Marks a Milestone in SRM University-AP’s Research Capabilities
In a significant leap forward for scientific research, SRM University-AP proudly inaugurated the 400 MHz NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) Spectrometer, procured through the DST-FIST program. This acquisition is a vital component of the broader DST FIST project, which has been awarded to the Department of Chemistry at SRM University- AP with a budget of 2.20 crores.
As part of the project, the Department of Chemistry was recommended a 400 MHz NMR spectrometer by DST, which will play a crucial role in enhancing our expertise and aiding in achieving the proposed objectives. This state-of-the-art equipment is capable of characterising organic, inorganic, and biomolecules, enabling us to conduct comprehensive analyses and advance our understanding of complex chemical systems.
The ceremony, graced by esteemed guests, university dignitaries, faculties, and students, heralded a new era of scientific exploration and innovation. Prof. Lakshmi Kantam Mannepalli, Dr B P Godrej Distinguished Professor, ICT Mumbai, Chief Guest at the event, expressed, ” The inauguration of the 400 MHz NMR Spectrometer heralds a new era of precision and insight in scientific exploration. This instrument will unravel the mysteries of molecular structures and catalyse groundbreaking discoveries in the realm of chemistry and beyond.”
Dr S Mannathan, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, extended a warm welcome to the esteemed gathering and offered an insightful demonstration of the equipment’s operation, highlighting its advanced features and functionalities.
Prof. Manoj K Arora, Vice Chancellor, conveyed heartfelt congratulations to the team for this remarkable accomplishment, emphasising the transformative impact the new NMR Spectrometer will have on research and academic pursuits within the Department of Chemistry and beyond.”
Prof D Narayana Rao, Executive Director – Research, SRM Group of Institutions, emphasised, “The addition of this advanced equipment will significantly enhance the research capabilities, opening new avenues for exploration and discovery.”
V S Rao, Advisor, lauded the team for their achievement, stating, “This state-of-the-art equipment embodies our commitment to providing cutting-edge resources for our researchers and fostering a culture of innovation and discovery.”
Dr Pardha Saradhi Maram, Head of the Department of Chemistry, expressed his gratitude to all present and extended heartfelt thanks for their support and encouragement.
The acquisition of the 400 MHz NMR Spectrometer represents a significant advancement in scientific instrumentation, enabling researchers to delve deeper into molecular structures, chemical compositions, and dynamic processes. The Equipment will not only benefit the Department of Chemistry and Physics but also serve as a valuable resource for faculties and students across various disciplines.
The university has already trained 70 to 80 individuals in the operation of this equipment and is planning to organise a workshop for students and faculties from different universities, offering them the opportunity to leverage this advanced technology for their research and academic pursuits.
- Published in Chemistry-news, Departmental News, News, Research News
Stanford University Professor Highlights Liberal Arts Education in India
SRM University-AP convened the 18th chapter of its esteemed University Distinguished Lecture (UDL) series under the auspices of the Easwari School of Liberal Arts. This enlightening session showcased the expertise of Prof. Thomas Blom Hansen, the Reliance-Dhirubhai Ambani Professor & Department Chair, Department of Anthropology School of Humanities and Sciences Stanford University, USA. The lecture delved into the topic of “Interiority Design: Liberal Arts Education in India,” providing insights into the evolving landscape of liberal arts education within the Indian context.
Manoj K Arora stated, “We are a university that provides unique learning experiences; this UDL is part of that learning.” His insightful address underscored the significance of liberal arts and interdisciplinary learning.
During the lecture, Prof. Thomas Blom Hansen remarked on the need for liberal arts education in India to shape well-rounded individuals capable of addressing multifaceted challenges and embracing diverse perspectives. Prof. Hansen’s remarks emphasised the relevance and transformative potential of liberal arts education, enabling students to introspect and cultivate a deeper understanding of the world around them.
The 18th chapter of the University Distinguished Lecture (UDL) concluded with an interactive Q&A session. A token of appreciation was presented to Thomas Blom Hansen by Prof. Vishnupad, Dean-Easwari School of Liberal Arts, along with Prof. Ranjit Thapa, Dean-Research; Prof. G S Vinod Kumar, Professor and Head, Department of Mechanical Engineering; Dr Ayesha Parveen Haroon, Head and Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology; Dr J P Raja Pandiyan, Assistant Professor-Department of Chemistry. The event also saw the presence of Registrar Dr R Premkumar, Prof. Jayaseelan Murugaiyan and Prof. Vandana Swami, among others.
- Published in Departmental News, News, University Distinguished Lecture
Fishing Community Perspectives: NAOP Convention Insights
The Department of Psychology at SRM University-AP is pleased to announce Dr Dhamodharan’s pivotal insights, which surfaced at the culmination of the 33rd Annual Convention of the National Academy of Psychology (NAOP), orchestrated by the Department of Applied Psychology at GITAM School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Vishakhapatnam. Dr Dhamodhran, Assistant Professor at the Department of Psychology published his paper, titled “A Study of Fishing Community Parents’ Perspectives on Children’s Education, Health, and Discipline,” which has received profound attention for its insightful analysis.
Abstract:
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) prioritise addressing poverty, promoting good health, and ensuring quality education, among other objectives. However, coastal villages often experience profound socio-economic, financial, and educational disadvantages, leading to recurring financial hardships. The literacy levels within fishing communities are notably deficient, exacerbating challenges in accessing fundamental amenities such as clean drinking water, adequate shelter, educational opportunities, and general well-being. The pervasive poverty and vulnerability prevalent in these areas significantly impede children from fishing villages from regularly attending school, thereby impacting their overall health, educational attainment, and mental well-being. The present study explains the fisher community’s parental perceptions about children’s education, health, and corporal punishment. A cross-section design was used. Samples were selected from four clusters (N = 100, each cluster = 25) from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. A semi-structured interview method was used. The data were analysed with SPSS and thematic analysis. The result of the study indicates that most of the fisher parents are uneducated, and parents give importance to their children’s education, health, and career choices. Lack of proper income, lack of awareness about academic guidance, corporal punishment, and child rights in the community. The study suggests developing more intervention programmes at the family, school, and community levels to improve the fishing community families and the well-being of the children.
- Published in Departmental News, News, Psychology News
Igniting Entrepreneurial Sparks: Varsity Hosts Entrepreneurship Bootcamp 1.0 for Young Innovators
The Entrepreneurship Bootcamp 1.0 Demo Day, hosted by the Directorate of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at SRM University-AP on March 31, 2024, marked a fitting culmination of rigorous entrepreneurship training for aspiring student and faculty entrepreneurs. Dynamic pitches were presented by participants through the demonstration of their innovative ideas, astute business models and go-to-market strategies, complemented by sharp & insightful feedback from global investors and world-class mentors. The elite panel of industry mentors included Srikanth Talluri, Founder and CMD of 6D.Works, Rathnakar Samavedam, Investment Director & CEO Hyderabad Angels, Deb Mukherji, Chief Advisor-Anglian Omega Group – India, Siddharth Dangi, Founder & CEO at Mentogram, Singapore, Ravi Eswarapu, President of TIE, CXO turned Entrepreneur and Dr Dhiraj K Mahajan, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Ropar along with Prof. Manoj K Arora, Vice Chancellor of SRM AP.
The Entrepreneurship Boot Camp 1.0 at SRM AP was a comprehensive 6-week cohort featuring 8 interactive sessions carefully curated for a dedicated pool of 60+ selected participants, who immersed themselves in an intensive boot camp guided by Prof. Sidharth Tripathy, a Harvard Alumnus and a Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at SRM AP.
Participants navigated the intricacies of ideation, business development, and strategic planning as the curriculum featured world-class case studies, practical implementation roadmaps, and real-time engagements with industry and business mentors of international calibre. From a competitive pool of 180 applicants, a rigorous selection process resulted in the acceptance of only 60 candidates. Further refinement led to the identification of 16 standout ventures. Ultimately, a select group of 10 ventures was chosen to receive a grant of Rs 50,000 each, thereby empowering them to incubate, accelerate, and build their ventures in Hatch Lab Research Centre, the incubator of SRM AP.
- Published in Departmental News, IDEA Events, IDEA NEWS, IDEA Workshop, News
Accelerated Academic Leadership Workshop
The Directorate of Human Resources organised a 2-day Accelerated Academic Leadership Programme 2024, on March 27 and 28, 2024, bringing together the academic community to align with the institute’s mission and strategic goals. This landmark event, organised in collaboration with People Business Consulting, has brought together Mr Kadapa Hanumantha Rao Muralidhar and Vinish Soman from People Business Consulting, Vice Chancellor Prof. Manoj K Arora, Registrar Dr R Premkumar R, Deans and Associate Deans of all schools and HoDs and faculty from all departments.
“Building on the foundation set by last year’s Alignment 360 Workshop, we are focused on achieving our strategic objectives for 2023-28. Our aim is not only to enhance operational excellence but also to foster individual and collective growth within our community of over 7,000 students and 300 faculty members. Our ambitious targets are to position SRM University-AP among the Top 30 universities in India by 2027-28. We are setting benchmarks that reflect our commitment to excellence and the development of our academic team,” said Prof. Manoj Arora.
Prof. Arora also commented on how the university is dedicated to nurturing a vibrant team of young professors, with an average age of 34, signifying the university’s belief in youthful innovation and dynamic leadership. He also spoke exclusively on SRM AP’s culture of continuous learning and growth, guided by 6 core values integral to our institutional ethos.
- Published in Departmental News, News, Workshop
INFINITUS 2024: 4-day National Level Techno-Cultural Fest Wraps Up in Style
INFINITUS-2024, a national level techno-cultural fest comes to a grand close. The 4-day fest highlighted SRM University-AP‘s commitment to fostering creativity, talent, inclusivity, and technological innovation where students showcased their talents, competed, learned, and thrived in an environment that celebrates diversity, unity, and boundless possibilities.
The national-level extravaganza was filled with an exhilarating journey of cultural activities including Western and classical music, dance, theatre performances, fashion walks, creative arts segments, quiz competitions, E-sports tournaments, photography contests, and interactive games such as “How I Met Your Murderer” and “Mouse Busters: Water Gun Battle that offered students a chance to immerse themselves in a whirlwind of inspiration. INFINITUS -2024 proved to be a magnificent learning platform, offering students opportunities to collaborate, network, and acquire 21st-century skills.
The event witnessed renowned Bollywood playback singer Neeti Mohan, Moksha Band, Haricharan, DJ Notorious, Telugu DJ, and stand-up comedian Mouli. The pro-shows attracted a crowd of over 6,000 attendees including students and participants from across the country.
Additionally, the event featured over 30+ food stalls, recreational games and activities, and a one of a kind automobile expo that showcased the exhibition of luxury cars on campus, further enriching the overall experience for attendees.
Director-Student Affairs, Mr Anil Kumar Nigam, in his address to the students, remarked, “Each competition, performance, and exhibit that was put up was a testament of hard work and passion,” as he congratulated the winners.
“In my eyes, each one of you is a winner today; the perseverance and commitment that you exhibited towards the making of INFINITUS is commendable. Keep the spark of innovation, creativity, and team spirit forever alive,” said Ms Revathi B, Associate Director – Student Affairs, as she addressed the gathering at the prize distribution ceremony.
- Published in News, student affairs news
Leading the Next Generation of Creators and Innovators: Inauguration of Tech Fest 2024
“Tech fests are your platform to explore, learn and thrive. Your spirit to compete and succeed is immaterial without learning, ” remarked Mr Sanjiv Bhavnani, distinguished guest at SRM University-AP Tech Fest 2024.
SRM University-AP kick starts its Tech Fest with glamour, zeal and endless exuberance. The student-led national fest, held from March 21-22, 2024, was inaugurated in the gracious presence of Guest of Honour, Mr Dinesh Dua, Executive Director on Board at Nectar Lifesciences Limited, esteemed guests, Mr Sanjiv Bhavnani, founder of Mentorpreneur & Infotecniques and Dr Deepak Pandit, Chair Professor – Innovation and Entrepreneurship, BML Munjal University, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Manoj K Arora, Registrar, Dr R Premkumar, Director-Student Affairs, Mr Anil Kumar Nigam, Chief Club Advisor, Dr Priyanka, Deans of different schools, leaders and representatives from the Student Council, and all students of the varsity.
Vice Chancellor, Prof. Manoj K Arora stated in his welcome address that technical fests are magnificent learning platforms. He said, “This is your opportunity to collaborate, network and learn 21st-century skills such as creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving leadership that will equip you to be the tech leaders of tomorrow.” Mr Dinesh Dua, Guest of Honour, encouraged budding students to take advantage of the upsurge of technology to recalibrate themselves to the new age of intelligence. He expressed his genuine delight in inaugurating the Tech Fest with an interactive discourse on Artificial Intelligence.
The thrilling university fest embarked on its two days of electrifying events and activities with a mega Hackathon challenge, “Hack SRM”, with a prize pool of Rs 4 Lakhs. The 24-hour hackathon challenge saw dynamic participation from colleges around the nation, with young techies from VIT-AP, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham-Amaravati, SRM University Ramapuram, VISAT Maharashtra bagging the top prizes worth Rs 5000/-, Rs 10,000/-, Rs 40,000/- and Rs 50,000/-.
Tech Fest 2024 is the university’s testament to celebrating innovation, creativity, and boundless possibilities. The four-day fest features technical competitions, non-technical events, workshops, hackathons, ideathons and expos on every technology domain enhancing students’ learning experience.
- Published in News, student affairs news
Annual Sports Day comes to a Grand Close
The Directorate of Sports at SRM University-AP organised its highly anticipated Annual Sports Day on March 16 and 17, 2024. This exciting event was conducted in the wake of its 3-day National Sports Fest -UDGAM ‘24. The event was graced by Mr Anup Singh Suryavanshi, Director of Campus Life & Maintenance, and Mr Anil Kumar Nigam, Director of Student Affairs, as its chief guest.
The Annual Sports Day saw an impressive participation of 669 athletes. These talented athletes engaged in an intense and spirited competition, showcasing their skills and abilities in both individual and team events. It was truly a spectacle to behold, with participants and spectators alike left in awe of the incredible displays of athleticism and sportsmanship on display. The event showcased a remarkable display of skill and persistence across various competitions in Badminton, Table Tennis, Chess, Kabaddi, Cricket, Volleyball and several others.
The annual sports fest culminated with a prize distribution ceremony, Assistant Director of Sports, Ms Sushmitha Kumari; Director of International Relations and Higher Studies, Ms Aditi Jain; Associate Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Mr Udayan Bakshi alongside sports officer, coaches, athletes and students bore witness to this momentous occasion. As the curtains close on an exhilarating annual sports fest, we eagerly anticipate the continuation of a legacy focused on promoting sportsmanship, fostering healthy competition, and nurturing the talents of young athletes.
- Published in Departmental News, News, Sports News, student affairs news
Celebrating Inclusion: Empowering Women Workforce at SRM AP
In commemoration of International Women’s Day, the Directorate of Student Affairs and the Directorate of HR collaborated to orchestrate a vibrant celebration on campus. The celebration witnessed Dr Shikha Jain, Director of Preservation and Community Design at DRONAH and Vice-President of ICOFORT, as its esteemed guest, alongside her were distinguished figures, including Vice Chancellor, Prof. Manoj K Arora; Associate Director of Faculty Affairs Prof. Sheela Singh; Professor of Liberal Arts, Dr Vandana Swami; and Associate Director of Student Affairs, Ms Revathi B.
Dr Sikha Jain, in her keynote address, reverberated with homage to the timeless strength inherent in women, drawing parallels with the archetype of Goddess Durga, symbolising courage, bravery, and compassion. She urged all attendees to embody these virtues and champion gender parity in every sphere of life.
Prof. Arora, in his speech, emphasised on the pivotal role women play in shaping our present and future, excelling across diverse domains from space exploration to entrepreneurship. Embracing this year’s theme, “Inspiring Inclusion,” he stated, “our dedication lies in cultivating a world where everyone appreciates and supports women’s contributions, ensuring they experience profound empowerment and a sense of belonging”.
The event also marked the launch of ‘Aditri-The Horizon of Hope,’ a transformative initiative aimed at empowering rural women, serving as a testament to the university’s commitment to fostering positive change. This pioneering endeavour was inaugurated by Mr Sidharth Shankar Tripathy, Director – Entrepreneurship and Innovation & Professor of Practice. The celebration reached its zenith with captivating performances by our talented staff, faculty and students, culminating in a joyous prize distribution for the Women’s Day competitions.
- Published in Departmental News, News, student affairs news