GANDERBAL, JUNE 26: To nurture critical thinking and promote intellectual exchange, Office of the Dean International Affairs, Central University of Kashmir (CUK) Thursday took a major step by hosting its maiden offline event, a one-day international workshop on “Dialogic Consciousness in Western Philosophy.” The workshop served as a rich academic confluence centered around the seminal ideas of Russian philosopher and literary theorist, Mikhail Bakhtin. The workshop began with a welcome address by the convener, Prof Sandhya Tiwari, who welcomed the audience and also presented the concept note. Addressing the participants comprising students, research scholars, and faculty, she highlighted the significance of Russian Formalism in general to the development of western philosophy that has its roots even in ancient Indian ethos. She reflected on how the seeds of dialogic consciousness are already sown in the classroom, particularly when discussing literary texts that echo multiple voices and layered perspectives. Drawing from Bakhtinian concepts like the carnivalesque and polyphony, she stressed the importance of developing research depth, dialogic aptitude, and critical engagement in literary studies. “The workshop,” she added, “was conceived with the intention of giving focused academic nourishment to students, especially those preparing for national level exams where Bakhtin’s contributions figure prominently.”
The welcome address and concept note was followed by the address of the chief guest of the inaugural session, Vice-Chancellor Prof. A. Ravinder Nath, who in his inspiring message, set the tone for the event by highlighting the urgent need for dialogic thinking in a world grappling with fragmentation and conflict. Resource person of the workshop, Prof. Lakshmi Bandlamudi, a prolific author and a Professor of Psychology, Affiliate College, City University New York, known for her groundbreaking contributions in psychology, philosophy, and literary theory, transported the audience into Bakhtin’s world—where dialogue is not merely an exchange of words, but a profound philosophical event.