A webinar on “Hermitage culture in ancient India: Its Relevance in present times" was organised by the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of the Central University of Odisha, Koraput (CUO) on June14.
Prof RVK Rama Krishna Sastry, Visiting Professor (Sanskrit) was invited to deliver the lecture as the key speaker on this occasion. CUO VC Prof I Ramabrahmam conveyed his best wishes for successful programme and hoped 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.
Dr Alok Baral, Head-in-Charge, Department of Odia and Sanskrit, delivered the introductory note and explained the relevance of the topic.
Delivering his address Prof Sastry highlighted the ancient Indian hermitage culture by citing hymns from Vedas, Upanishads and ancient Sanskrit literature where Barnashram (four stages of life) was way of life.
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, said Prof Sastry. He advised that for the sake of development, nature should not be destroyed. The lecture was appropriately summed up by Prof E Raja Rao, Visiting Professor, (English), whereas visiting Professors like Prof PS Avadhani, Prof Akshay Rout, Prof Bhagabata Patro, Prof KC Pradhan actively interacted in the webinar.