CALL FOR PAPERS

EXPLORING SUSTAINABILITY, LITERARY ENVIRONMENTALISM, AND ECOLOGICAL ETHICS IN

INDIANSUBCONTINENTALSTUDIES

8-9 April 2025

                  (SPONSORED BY ICSSR)

PAPERS ARE INVITED IN ENGLISH & BENGALI

(Across Disciplines Of English, Bengali, Anthropology, Sociology, Public Policy, Env. Studies, Law & Other Allied Disciplines)

ORGANIZEDBY

• Department of Bengali, Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi
• Spandan Literary Society, Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi

CONVENERS

• Prof. Antara Chaudhuri, Department of Bengali, Deshbandhu College, DU 
• Dr. Debashree Sinha, Department of English, Deshbandhu College, DU

CONFERENCETHEME

The genre of eco-fiction, which examines the relationship between humans and nature, has gained significant traction in the Indian Subcontinent over the last decade. This literary domain not only highlights ecological concerns but also mirrors the cultural and philosophical perspectives on nature found in various literary traditions. Drawing on concepts like Professor Selvamoney’s neo-TiNai poetics, rooted in the Tamil idea of TiNai, this seminar seeks to investigate the intricate connections between humans and their oikos (home or habitat).

Focusing on sustainability literature, the seminar will explore themes of environmental stewardship, resource management, and long-term ecological balance. These themes are vital in raising awareness and inspiring sustainable practices. The discourse will encompass diverse literary forms, including fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, each contributing to a broader understanding of how literature can engage with sustainability and inspire actionable change.

While the seminar places a special emphasis on Bengal—a region celebrated as Ruposhi Bangla (the beautiful Bengal)—its scope is not confined to this geography. Bengal’s natural beauty, from the Sundarbans' fragile ecosystem to the red soil of Jangal Mahal and the majestic hills of Darjeeling, provides a rich context for exploring the intricate relationship between humans and nature. At the same time, the seminar will incorporate perspectives from across the Indian Subcontinent to foster a more comprehensive understanding of literary environmentalism.

Bengali literature, deeply rooted in its engagement with nature, serves as an illustrative case study. From Rabindranath Tagore and Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay to Manik Bandyopadhyay, Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay, and Adwaita Mallabarman, the works of Bengali writers often place the natural world at the center of human experience, blending cultural, philosophical, and ecological perspectives. Folk literature and rural tales from Bengal also emphasize the harmony between humanity and nature, offering insights into sustainable practices and environmental ethics.

While these Bengali literary traditions provide a vital focus, the seminar seeks to connect these insights to broader regional and global narratives, blending modern approaches to literary environmentalism with traditional ecological wisdom. Beyond literary discussions, the seminar aims to foster new theoretical paradigms that can inform policy-making and governmental initiatives. The insights generated will support environmental outreach programs and contribute to the fulfilment of sustainability mandates.

KEY TOPICS FOR SUBMISSION

We invite submissions on topics including, but not limited to:

• Anthropology and Sustainability
• Literature and Sustainability
• Law and Ecological Paradigms
• Environmental Justice
• Memory, Trauma, Intersectionality, and Globalism
• Green Technology and its Social Impact
• Narratives, Storytelling, and Conservation
• Indigenous Ecocriticism and Activism
• Natural Disasters, Conservation, and Futurities
• Bengali Dalit Narratives and Environmental Concerns
• Bengali Folklore and the Depletion of Natural Resources
• Bengali Music and Environmentalism
• Neocolonialism, Extractivism, and the Anthropocene
• Water Narratives: Polluting Shores and Rising Seas
• Urban Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation
• Disaster Management and Policy Formulation in Bengal
• Ecological Ethics and Governance
• Environmental Policy and Law in South Asia

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

• Ø Deadline for Abstract Submission: 04 April, 2025
• Ø Abstract Word Count: Maximum 300 words
  • Ø Abstracts should include the title of the proposed paper, author(s) name(s), institutional affiliation, and contact information.
  • Ø Selected participants will be notified by email by 2nd April 2025.
  • Ø Last day of registration for the seminar: 5 th April, 2025
  • Ø Papers can be presented in both English and Bengali.
  • Ø Last date for submitting the complete paper: 7th April 2025.

v For International Participants:

International scholars and faculty members may use IFSC code and SWIFT code for bank transactions. All international paper presentations will be conducted through online mode although we would be thrilled to have you with us in person.

v For Domestic Participants:

Domestic participants, research scholars and faculty members can also make online presentations.

v Certificates and Conference Kit: All those who register as participants will be provided with certificates and conference kit.

v For submission of abstracts and further queries:

✉ sustainabilityconference2025@gmail.com

v Conference Proceedings:

Selected papers from the conference will be published in a peer-reviewed volume.

REGISTRATION FEES

CATAGORY

DOMESTIC

INTERNATIONAL

Faculty/Academicians

INR 2000

USD 23.10

Industry/Organisation

INR 2500

USD 28.87

Research Scholars/Students

INR 1000

USD 11.55

Participants

INR 500

USD 5.77

BANK DETAILS

• Bank: Punjab & Sind Bank
• Branch: Deshbandhu College, Kalkaji, New Delhi
• Account Name: SUSTAINABILITY SEMINAR 2025
• Account Number: 09031000104741
• IFSC Code: PSIB0000903
• SWIFT Code (USD): CITIUS33

Registration Link:https://forms.gle/TPXB48qBbaUfiW9c6

We look forward to receiving innovative and interdisciplinary

contributions that explore the intersections of literature, sustainability, and ecological governance within the Indian Subcontinent and beyond.