IQAC, CUO organizes webinar on ‘Hermitage Culture in Ancient India-It’s Relevance in Present Times’

Koraput: A webinar on “Hermitage Culture in Ancient India-It’s Relevance in Present Times ” was organized by the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of the Central University of Odisha on 14.06.2021. Prof. RVK Rama Krishna Sastry, Visiting Professor, Dept. Sanskrit was invited to deliver the lecture as the key speaker on this occasion.
Prof I Ramabrahmam, Vice Chancellor, CUO conveyed his best wishes for successful programme and hope the students of CUO will learn the ancient culture to love and protect the nature. Chairing the session Prof Sharat Kumar Palita, Dean, SBCNR and Director, IQAC, delivered the welcome address and briefed on the importance of Hermitage Culture in Ancient India on the then society, culture and politics along with its relevance in the present times. Dr. Alok Baral, Head-in-Charge, Dept of Odia and Sanskrit, delivered the introductory note and explained the relevance of the topic.
Delivering his address Prof. Sastry highlighted ancient Indian hermitage culture by citing hymns from Vedas, Upanishads and ancient Sanskrit literature where Barnashram (four stages of life) was way of life. He analysed these stages, Brahmacharya (student life), Grihastha (household life), Banaprastha (retired life) and Sanyasa (renounced life) and their impact on the way of life and on society. The Nature was part of his life in every stage. The Hermitage Culture of ancient India has much relevance to the present times. The friendly behaviour with nature, minimum utilization of natural resources, protection of nature and balanced interaction with nature with this type of life style were the main features of this ancient culture. He advised, for the sake of the development we should not destroy nature.
The lecture was appropriately summed up by Prof E. Raja Rao, Visiting Professor, Dept of English, whereas visiting Professors like Prof. P.S.Avadhani, Prof. Akshay Rout, Prof. Bhagabata Patro, Prof. K. C. Pradhan actively interacted in the webinar. Dr. Birendra Kumar Sarangi of Dept. of Sanskrit tendered the vote of thanks. Large number of faculty and students including PRO Dr. Phagunath Bhoi were present on this occasion and participated with great enthusiasm.