The Department of English, D.A.V. P.G. College, successfully organized a Quiz Competition focusing the History of English Literature (14th – 16th Century), designed to enhance students’ knowledge of the subject. The quiz was conducted for students of B.A. V Sem, M.A. I Sem., and M.A. III Sem.
The competition was held in two stages. The preliminary round took place on 10th September, 2025, where professors posed questions to students in order to select the finalists. The grand finale was conducted on 16th September, 2025 at 1:00 PM in the Conference Hall.
Event Highlights:
The final round was marked by a spirit of healthy competition and enthusiastic participation.
The event was graced by the presence of:
Professor Mishri Lal, Principal, who delivered an inspiring speech appreciating the energy and talent of the students.
Professor Sangeeta Jain, Vice Principal & Head of the Department, who played a key role in organizing the program.
Sri Ajit Kumar Singh, Manager, who encouraged the students and took keen interest in their feedback.
The quiz was efficiently coordinated by Dr. Najmul Hasan and conducted by the Quiz Master, Tanishq (B.A. V Semester student). Dr. Bandana Bal Chandnani, Prof Indrajeet Mishra, Dr. Mahima, Mr. Virat motivated students to participate wholeheartedly, setting an encouraging tone for the event.
Participants and Teams:
A total of 16 participants were shortlisted from the audience and divided into four teams, each named after renowned literary figures:
Team Thomas: Gaurav, Shankar, Himanshu (M.A. Final Year), and Riddheman (B.A. V Semester)
Team Shakespeare: Rashmi Bhakat, Sonu Tudu, Priya Tiwari (M.A. Final Year), and Rahul (B.A. V Semester)
Team Lydgate: Swarnil Bhattacharya (M.A. Final Year), Ayon Sahu, Deepshikha, and Gaurav Jaiswal (M.A. Previous Year)
Team Skelton: Somdatta Roy, Rishabh Singh (M.A. Final Year), Isha Verma (M.A. Previous Year), and Rahul (B.A. V Semester)
Quiz Rounds:
The competition featured four intellectually stimulating rounds:
Trivia Titans Face Off – Five direct questions (10 marks each), with a negative marking of -1 for wrong answers.
Fast and Curious – Teams had two minutes to answer as many questions as possible (5 marks each; -1 for wrong answers).
Picture Identification – Visual recognition round (5 marks each; no negative marking).
Visual Connect – Teams had to connect two images to find a literary clue (10 marks each; -2 for wrong answers).
Results:
The competition was intense, with all four teams showcasing deep knowledge and quick thinking. The final scores were as follows:
Team Shakespeare – 93 marks
Team Skelton – 94 marks
Team Thomas – 108 marks (Runners-up)
Team Lydgate – 117 marks (Winners)
The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Bandana Bal Chandnani, who expressed gratitude to the Principal, faculty members, participants, and students for their enthusiastic involvement and contribution. The History of English Literature Quiz was not only a test of knowledge but also a celebration of learning, teamwork, and intellectual curiosity. It stood as a testament to the Department’s commitment to fostering academic excellence and student engagement.
The Department of English at D.A.V. P.G. College, successfully organized an Open Discussion Session on “AI and Life” on September 13, 2025. The primary objective of the event was to provide a dynamic platform for students to share ideas, insights, and perspectives on the significant role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in shaping our present and future.
Key Objectives:
The session was organized with the following aims:
To foster open and critical discussion on the diverse impacts of Artificial Intelligence.
To encourage students to explore and articulate their perspectives on technological advancements in AI.
To enhance understanding of the ethical, social, and practical implications of AI in everyday life.
To provide a platform for intellectual exchange between students, faculty, and guest experts.
The program began with a formal welcome to all dignitaries – Prof. Rakhi Garg, Head, Department of Computer Science, M.M.V. B.H.U., Chief Guest and keynote speaker. Sri Ajit Kumar Singh, Manager, D.A.V. P.G. College, Prof. Mishri Lal, Principal and Prof. Sangeeta Jain,Vice Principal and HOD, Dr. Parul Jain, Coordinator of IQAC, The inaugural ceremony included the traditional lighting of the lamp, followed by cordial words of welcome from faculty members. The session commenced with an insightful address by the Organizing Secretary, Dr. Bandana Bal Chandnani, and was enriched by enthusiastic student participation and valuable contributions from esteemed guest speakers. The discussion proved to be highly stimulating and thought-provoking. An interactive question-and-answer round set a scholarly tone for the session. The core of the event was the open discussion, which was conducted in a structured yet free-flowing manner.
Key Discussion Points:
To initiate the dialogue, participants were asked thought-provoking questions by student coordinator Mr. Swarnil Bhattacharya such as:
What is Artificial Intelligence in simple words?
Rajarshee Bose (M.A. Final Year) responded: “AI is a machine created to help humans.”
Another student noted: “AI cannot replicate human uniqueness.”
Akhand Sarraf (Philosophy, Semester III) emphasized: “While AI can process and understand information about spiritual values, it cannot feel or experience them as humans do.”
Tanishq (B.A., Semester V) shared the example of Brain Navi, the first AI to conduct a surgical-grade operation using AI vision.
Participants also discussed the fields where AI can and cannot help humans, identifying its potential in medicine, education, and other domains, while acknowledging areas where human intuition and creativity remain irreplaceable. The discussion was lively and engaging, with students offering thoughtful arguments and posing intelligent follow-up questions. Guest speaker Professor Rakhi Garg highlighted the need for responsible human guidance in AI applications. She remarked: “AI cannot make us an author, but it can definitely help us become a better author.”
The event witnessed a remarkable turnout, with active participation from students across disciplines. The presence of the Principal, faculty members, and distinguished guests added immense value to the session. The enthusiasm and curiosity displayed by the students underscored the success of the program. The Open Discussion on AI and Life not only met but exceeded its objectives by fostering critical thinking, encouraging debate, and raising awareness of contemporary global issues. The session concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks by the Head of the Department, who expressed the department’s commitment to organizing more such meaningful and intellectually stimulating events in the future, contributing to the holistic development of students.
Media Coverage :
The Department of English, D.A.V. P.G. College, organized an interactive session on “How to Prepare for NET” on 10 September 2025. The session was conducted by Mr. Dhruba Nag, an alumnus of the department who completed his M.A. in English in the batch of 2020–2022.
Mr. Nag shared his valuable insights and strategies for cracking the UGC-NET examination and preparing effective research proposals. He emphasized the need for a focused and systematic approach, highlighting the importance of consistent study habits, selection of appropriate reading materials, and the practice of solving previous years’ papers. He discussed the new exam patterns and advised students not to rely solely on old question papers, as the nature of the questions changes with each exam. He stressed the importance of Indian English Literature, Indian Theories, New Literature, and Caribbean Literature as significant areas to focus on in preparation. He also pointed out the importance of developing both thorough and random reading habits, giving the example of questions such as “How many verses are there in the Bhagavad Gita?”. The session proved highly interactive, as students enthusiastically engaged with the speaker, raising their doubts and queries. The alumni interaction not only motivated the students but also helped them gain practical strategies to excel in competitive exams and pursue research with clarity and confidence.
The Department of English at D.A.V. P.G. College, Varanasi, organized an enlightening and thought-provoking National Workshop entitled “Enduring Scars: Trauma, Identity, and Survival in Holocaust Literature.” It was held from October 21 to October 27, 2024 and conducted virtually on the Google Meet platform. This workshop gathered scholars, students, and professionals from various institutions across India, enabling a profound exploration of trauma, identity, and resilience through the lens of Holocaust literature.
You can watch video here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1f5buSOhsZTQ6zeg0P5yUMDZ0TfrT4PSW/view?usp=gmail
Inaugural Session
The workshop commenced with the gracious presence of Chief Guest Dr. Shardul Chaubey, Senior Assistant Registrar at Banaras Hindu University (BHU). Dr. Chaubey’s address provided a contemporary perspective on the Holocaust, connecting its historical atrocities to present-day issues and stressing the dangers of unchecked prejudice. The inaugural session also saw the participation of esteemed faculty members, distinguished scholars and educators including Dr. Bhanumati Mishra and Dr. Amit Kumar Shukla from Arya Mahila P.G. College, Dr. Supriya Singh from Vasant Kanya Mahavidyalaya, Dr. Sushma, Dr. Priyanka from Agrasen P.G. College, Dr. Sujit Kumar Singh from Mangalyatan University, and Dr. Rituparna Datta from Jeppiaar College of Arts and Science, among others.
Workshop Participants
The workshop attracted participants from prominent institutions such as the University of Allahabad, IIT BHU, Galgotias University Greater Noida, University of Kalyani, University of Burdwan, Lalit Narayan Mithla University, Global Institute of Science and Technology Haldia, Rabindra Bharati University, Mahatma Gandhi Balika Vidyalay, Phirozabad, Calcutta University, Kazi Nazrul University, Sarojini Naidu College for Women, Mahila vidyalaya Degree college, Lucknow, and the University of Hyderabad. Scholars from diverse academic backgrounds contributed to the lively intellectual exchanges, creating a collaborative environment that enriched the understanding of trauma, identity, and resilience within Holocaust literature.
Resource Person and Workshop Sessions
The sessions were led by Dr. Annie Vimala D., Assistant Professor of English from the Faculty of Science and Humanities at SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai. Dr. Annie’s expertise facilitated an in-depth examination of Holocaust literature, addressing its psychological, emotional, and societal impacts. Key themes discussed included:
Historical Context and Theoretical Frameworks
Dr. Annie introduced the historical foundations of the Holocaust and explored theories that frame trauma, such as Freud’s concept of trauma and Cathy Caruth’s notion of fragmented consciousness. She further examined Foucault’s ideas on power and domination, Gramsci’s theory of hegemony, and James C. Scott’s perspectives on resistance.
Psychological and Societal Implications
The workshop addressed the damaging effects of Nazi ideology, which portrayed Jews as a subhuman race, leading to the brutalities of the “Final Solution”. Participants delved into the resulting psychological scars on survivors, gaining insights into the long-lasting effects of systemic oppression and prejudice.
Literary Reflections of Trauma
Through the analysis of Holocaust memoirs such as “I Was a Doctor in Auschwitz” by Gisella Perl, “Five Chimneys” by Olga Lengyel, “Triumph of Hope” by Ruth Elias, and “Thanks to My Mother” by Schoschana Rabinovici, Dr. Annie provided a profound understanding of the experience of the survivors. These works illustrated how literature serves as a vital medium for preserving and reflecting on the trauma endured by survivors.
Resilience and Resistance
Dr. Annie underscored themes of resilience and resistance, examining how survivors preserved their identities and spirit amid dehumanizing conditions. This message of hope highlighted the extraordinary resilience of Holocaust survivors and their ability to withstand unimaginable adversity.
Principal’s Insights
On the fifth day, The Principal of the college, Prof. Satya Gopal Ji enriched the workshop with his invaluable insights, linking the themes of trauma and survival to psychological impacts, including PTSD, schizophrenia, and identity crises. His observations offered a nuanced understanding of how these conditions affected both survivors and oppressed communities under Nazi rule.
Valedictory Reflections
The valedictory session marked the culmination of a week of intense discussions and reflections on trauma, survival, and identity. The Chief Guest for the session was Prof. Anita Singh, Head of the Department of English at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, and the Guest of Honour was Dr. Bhanumati Mishra, Head of the Department of English at Arya Mahila P.G. College.
Address by Prof. Anita Singh
Prof. Anita Singh delivered a profound address on the ethical implications of the Holocaust. She emphasized the importance of remembering this dark period in history as a means of fostering understanding and healing rather than replicating hatred. Prof. Singh highlighted the role of memory in encouraging critical reflection, asserting that revisiting such events can guide society toward empathetic relationship instead of perpetuating cycles of hatred and harm. She also explored the ethical responsibilities of artists and scholars in representing trauma, urging them to approach historical atrocities with sensitivity to avoid.
Reflections by Dr. Bhanumati Mishra
Dr. Bhanumati Mishra presented a heartfelt reflection on how Indian society often overlooks the painful histories of displacement and genocide in its own colonial and postcolonial contexts, such as Partition. She shared personal anecdotes, which added a deeply human element to her reflections on trauma, memory, and the importance of preserving these narratives to foster a more compassionate society.
Closing Reflections and Participant Feedback
The workshop concluded with participants expressing gratitude for the thought-provoking discussions and profound insights shared throughout the week. The event fostered a renewed commitment to advancing scholarship and artistic expressions that address trauma and resilience with empathy.
Conclusion
This workshop highlighted the significance of Holocaust literature as a means of exploring human cruelty alongside the resilience of survivors. By engaging with this literature, participants gained valuable perspectives on the moral and ethical lessons of the Holocaust, reinforcing their commitment to preventing similar injustices and fostering empathy in future generations. The event underscored the ethical responsibilities of creators and scholars in shaping collective understanding, inspiring participants to approach such topics with care and responsibility in their future endeavors.
The members of the organizing committee of the workshop included Prof. Sangeeta Jain, Head of the Department, Prof. Indrajeet Mishra, Dr. Mahima, and Ms. Sanskriti. Dr. Bandana Bal Chandnani, Dr. Najmul Hassan were the co-coordinators of the workshop.
Day 1:
Day 2:
Day 3:
Day 4:
Day 5:
Day 6:
Veledictory Session:
September 2022 in order to improve the writing skills of the students on various level from paragraph writing to essay writing. In these ten days students are separately given training 
of application writing, report writing, paragraph writing and essay writing. In literature and in general writing 
is the most important skill and if power to write lacks it changes the entire meaning. Around fifty-five students of B.A Vth Semester participated in the workshop from the department of English, Hindi, and Psychology.
and the speaker was Prof. M.S. Pandey, Department of English, Banaras Hindu University. He said that nature, beasts, trees, bees and human beings all are integral aspects of uni verse but anthropocentric view of society from time to time separate them.
He highlighted canonical texts of both east and west as a source to acknowledge the kind-heartedness and generosity of human beings towards nature. He defined theoretical and practical dimensions of eco-criticism and environmental studies. He cited examples of first Indian Poet Balmiki ji, Wordsworth, Keats, Coleridge and seminal Indian scriptures like Vedas and puranas as epitome to view the reciprocal relationship of man and nature as well as superiority of nature. Artistic imagination of Wordsworth is laced with eco-critical perspectives. Dr. Sangeeta Jain welcomed the guest, Dr. Indrajeet Mishra, Head, Department of English, delivered vote of thanks and the programme was conducted by Dr. Mahima Singh. On the occasion Dr. Bandana Bal Chandnani , Dr. Najmul, Ms Puja Jha and around 70 students were present.
conceptual, theoretical, methodological and translational innovative networks and framework containing discipline-specific and discipline-beyond approaches to research. The objective of this workshop was to acquaint and train the prospective research scholars with the novel aspects and intricacies of research methodology in Arts and Humanities. Department of English organized the lecture “Putting the Message Across: Making the Research Proposal” on 8th July, 2022 the first day of the workshop. The speaker Prof. R. P. Singh, department of English and Modern European Languages, University of Lucknow, revealed that a research proposal is a document that outlines the research topic, objectives, methodology, literature review and research gap prepared by the candidate applying for a Ph.D. Degree or Project. It is a tool that helps the
scholar structure and restructure his/her research outline. He advised the students to select a new topic or less explored one and more interdisciplinary oriented. He explained the difference between qualitative and quantitative methods, various approaches and methodologies used in humanities and the role of deciding on an approach before research. He asked the students to have a good idea of the theory that they want to apply. The various topics that he covered were – the planning, writing and editing of the proposal; the use of lucid, explicit and persuasive language; recognizing the audience and the role of the five Cs – Cite, Compare, Contrast, Critique and Connect. There were approximately 50 students from DAV PG College and VKM, Kamchha, Varanasi who took part in the event. Dr. Sangeeta Jain, Head, of the Department of English, welcomed the guest and introduced the theme of the workshop. Prof. Madhu Susodiya, Coordinator Research Promotion Cell, Dr. Mishri Lal, Organizing Secretary of the Workshop, Dr. Punam, Dr. Indrajeet Mishra, Dr. Bandana Bal Chandnani, Dr. Najmul Hasan. Dr. Mahima Singh and Miss Puja were present at the event. All the Heads and teachers from Arts Faculty participated in the workshop.
University, Nigeria made the students acquainted with different genres of African Literature. In his presentation, Mr. Adelokun discussed that a vast continent in Africa has a long and rich cultural tradition. However, the failure to capture the historical experiences of African literary tradition has paved way for all sorts of misrepresentations. The three renowned African writers – Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka and Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s critique this negative, stereotypical and distorted imaging of Africa They have contributed to the cultural consciousness and identity formation of the African continent through their literary 
writings. They aimed at correcting some of the anomalies and confuting some of the erroneous and misguided claims about the African Literary tradition. Highlighting the differences in their approaches, the speaker said 
while Achebe explores the roots, Soyinka hybridizes Eurocentric and Afrocentric world views and Thiong’o lays stress on native, indigenous traditions only. He discussed their important texts, style, verbal variability, artistry and stylistic variations. He also highlighted some literary movements unique to the African milieu. The lecture with beautiful power point presentation gave the students an insight into newly emerging African literary tradition along with the peculiarities and uniqueness of African literature. Dr. Sangeeta Jain, Head, Department of English, DAV PG college welcomed the guest. Dr. Bandana Bal Chandnani conducted the programme. Dr. Indrajeet Mishra, Dr. Najmul Hasan, Dr. Mahima Singh and around 75 students were present in the online lecture / presentation. The students eagerly interacted with the speaker in Q & A session.
was delivered by Prof. Krishna Mohan Pandey, Head, Department of English, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. Speaking on ” Literature, Language, Culture: An Insight” Prof. Pandey highlighted the role of literature in sustaining
human values. He pointed out that humanity is above power position and status. Literature widens the horizon of mind and teaches us that even the minimal object, role and position is meaningful and valuable in itself. Literature makes no distinction in terms of class, caste and gender. Through different geners of literature we learn about cultures. He said that a piece of literature having all-inclusive vision gives essence to human life. Dr. Indrajeet Mishra conducted the programme and welcomed Prof. Pandey. He said that literature written in any language must represent the best of culture. Vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Najmul Hasan. Dr. Sangeeta Jain, Dr. Bandana Bal Chandnani, Dr. Mahima Singh and around 110 students were present in the programme.