KARGIL: The two-day Joint National e-Conference on “200 Years of Hindi Journalism: Indian Knowledge Systems, Vernacular Media, and Cultural Renaissance”, organised jointly by the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, University of Ladakh, Kargil Campus, and the Department of Mass Communication, Arunachal Pradesh University, Pasighat, concluded on Saturday with participation from academicians, researchers and students from across the country.
The conference brought together 80 participants and featured the presentation of 35 research papers by faculty members, research scholars and students representing universities and educational institutions from different parts of India. Discussions focused on the evolution of Hindi journalism over two centuries, the role of vernacular media, indigenous knowledge traditions and the relationship between media and cultural development.
The valedictory session was chaired by Prof. (Dr.) Saket Kushwaha, Vice Chancellor, University of Ladakh. Dr. Milorai Modi, Vice Chancellor (In-Charge), Arunachal Pradesh University, attended as Collaborating Chief Patron.
Special addresses were delivered by Prof. Suresh Chandra Nayak, Ghulam Murtaza Fazily and Prof. P.C. Jena. Among those who also addressed the gathering were Narmi Darang, Registrar, Arunachal Pradesh University; Dr. Bala Lakhendra of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, Banaras Hindu University; and Dr. Mehboob Ali, In-Charge Administration.
The second day of the conference commenced with three technical sessions chaired by Prof. Ratan Kumari Verma, Prof. Mohammad Fariyad and Saddam Hossain. Researchers presented papers examining contemporary trends in journalism, media practices and the continuing relevance of regional-language communication platforms.
Earlier, the inaugural day featured special lectures by noted academicians Prof. Pramod Kumar and Prof. Sanjeev Bhanawat. Two plenary sessions were conducted with Prof. Amitabh Srivastava, Dr. Shailesh Shukla and Dr. Vikas Rajpopat serving as panel speakers. Dr. Jaffar Ali Khan, Dean, Faculty of Arts, also addressed the conference.
The organisers said the event provided a platform for scholarly engagement on the legacy of Hindi journalism and its contribution to public discourse, cultural preservation and knowledge dissemination.
The conference was coordinated by Dr. Shriprakash Pal, Convener of the event, with support from faculty members of both participating universities. Dr. Prem Taba and Dr. Kombang Darang from Arunachal Pradesh University, along with Dr. Qutsia Tabassum, Dr. Punam Kumari, Dr. Shivangi Bahadur, Dr. Abhishek Kumar and Dr. Vinit Vishal from the University of Ladakh, worked in various capacities towards the conduct of the programme.
