Institute of Social and Cultural Studies

ISCS marked November 27th, Thursday, as White Day during the second edition of the Purvodaya Lit Fest. As UN observes November 27th as the Nobel Peace Prize Day, we organized a discussion session entitled ‘Resounding Global Peace through Literature’ at Rabindranath Tagore Centre (RTC), ICCR, Kolkata. The speakers included Prof. Sachin Chaturvedi, the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of Nalanda University, Dr. Ilya Tarkan, Lecturer, Deptt. of Social Sciences and Humanities, Belarusian State Pedagogical University, Belarus, Dr. Marcis Gasuns, Digital Sanskrit Lexicographer, Russia and Swami Vedatitananda Maharaj, Lecturer, Ramkrishna Mission Shilpamandira.

The Institute of Social and Cultural Studies (ISCS) has seen a significant rise in acceptance within the academic community. Consequently, collaborative research and programmes are being undertaken with various esteemed educational institutions both nationally and internationally throughout the year. In line with this tradition, on November 27, 2025, during the second edition of the Purvodaya Lit Fest, ISCS formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Nalanda University at the Rabindranath Tagore Centre (RTC), ICCR, Kolkata. The MOU was signed by Shri Arindam Mukherjee, the Director of the Institute of Social and Cultural Studies (ISCS), and Prof. Sachin Chaturvedi, the Hon'ble Vice Chancellor of Nalanda University, Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India.

During the second edition of the Purvodaya Lit Fest, a range of competitions were held for students on various days. On November 27, 2025, Poster Making Competition for school students took place at the Rabindranath Tagore Centre (RTC), ICCR, Kolkata.

A special Interactive Session with Students’ took place on 26 November 2025, as part of the second edition of the Purvodaya Lit Fest, held at Library room, Rabindranath Tagore Centre (RTC), ICCR, Kolkata. The session was moderated by Dr. Sajjan Kumar, Director, PRACCIS.

ISCS marked November 26th, Wednesday, as Tri-colour Day during the second edition of the Purvodaya Lit Fest. As India observes November 26th as the Constitution Day or Samvidhan Diwas, we organized a discussion session entitled ‘Forces behind the resilience of Indian Constitution’ at the Library Room, Rabindranath Tagore Centre (RTC), ICCR, Kolkata. The speakers included Justice Shri Biswanath Samadder, Hon’ble Chief Justice, Sikkim High Court, Dr. Sajjan Kumar, Director, PRACCIS, Shri Abhijit Deb, Eminent Columnist and writer and Shri Prasenjit K. Basu, Distinguished Economist & Historian and Eminent writer. Beginning of the session a book titled ‘India Reborn: The epic story of a civilization’s rebound from two centuries of decline’ written by Shri Prasenjit K. Basu was formally released.

In the second edition of the Purvodaya Lit Fest, a variety of cultural events were organised over several days. On November 26, 2025, a drama entitled ‘Rashbehari’, centered on the life and contributions of Indian revolutionary leader Rashbehari Bose, was presented by Sovabazar Protibimbo at the Satyajit Ray Auditorium, Rabindranath Tagore Centre (RTC), ICCR, Kolkata.

During the second edition of the Purvodaya Lit Fest, a range of competitions were held for students on various days. On November 26, 2025, a Sit & Draw Competition took place for school students at the Rabindranath Tagore Centre (RTC), ICCR, Kolkata.

The Chhau dance was showcased during the Purvodaya Lit Fest, Second Edition, on the festival’s second day on 25 November 2025 at the Rabindranath Tagore Centre (RTC), ICCR, Kolkata. The performance featured the remarkable Chhau dance by artists from the ‘Sindari Cultural Chhau Academy, Purulia’.

‘Fashion Show competition on Traditional Attire of Eastern India’ was held as part of the Purvodaya Lit Fest, Second Edition, on the second day of the festival, which took place on 25 November 2025 at Sculpture Court of the Rabindranath Tagore Centre (RTC) at ICCR, Kolkata. The Fashion Show competition was participated by different colleges of Kolkata.

ISCS marked November 25th, Tuesday, as Pink Day during the second edition of the Purvodaya Lit Fest. As UN observes November 25th as the International Day for the ‘Elimination of Violence Against Women’, we organized a discussion session entitled ‘Women’s Empowerment and Literature’ at the Library Room, Rabindranath Tagore Centre (RTC), ICCR, Kolkata. The speakers included Dr. Paramita Satpathy, a distinguished writer, Smt. Alo Sudh, the Director of the Pondicherry Literary Festival, and Smt. Saswati Guha Thakurta, a prominent film and media personality.

A session titled ‘Bimarsh: An Interactive Session with Students’ took place on 25 November 2025, as part of the second edition of the Purvodaya Lit Fest, held at the Satyajit Ray Auditorium, Rabindranath Tagore Centre (RTC), ICCR, Kolkata. The discussion featured Dr. Asitendu Dutta, Smt. Alo Sudh, Dr. Buddhadeb Sou, and Dr. Sarup Prasad Ghosh.

During the Purvodaya Lit Fest, Second Edition, which took place over five days from November 24 to 28, 2025, we established a Gyan Briksha, or Knowledge Tree, in the fountain court of the Rabindranath Tagore Centre (RTC) at ICCR, Kolkata. We only set up the trunk of this tree, inviting festival attendees to adorn its branches with colourful leaves. We also encouraged them to inscribe their thoughts on these leaves, sharing their perspectives on the nation, society, literature, and more.
We achieved our goal. On the festival’s opening day, the tree stood bare, devoid of any leaves. However, by the festival’s conclusion, the branches were nearly overflowing with new leaves, leaving little space for additional contributions. Distinguished figures such as the Governor of West Bengal, Dr. C. V. Ananda Bose, the Chief Justice of Sikkim High Court, Shri Biswanath Samadder, the Vice Chancellor of Nalanda University, Prof. Sachin Chaturvedi, participated alongside students from various schools, colleges, and universities, as well as general fest participants.