Online refresher course on culture of translation at PU

Chandigarh: A two week online refresher course on Indian languages organised by UGC-Human Resource Development Centre(HRDC) of Panjab University, Chandigarh commenced  today.  Vice Chancellor of HP Central University, Dharmshala Prof Kuldip Chand Agnihotri inaugurated the course and stressed on the role of translation in human societies. He said that there has been a long tradition of translation from Sanskrit to other Indian Languages and foreign languages, but what is essential is the motive of the translator which adds essence to the translation.

The key-note speaker of the inaugural session was eminent journalist and thinker Shri Rahul Dev. He said that Translation is also a Transaction where a cultural exchange occurs and within that process we also interact with our own selves. He also said that competence and expertise in Translation Studies will help place India on a global map.

Prof Anand Vardhan Sharma, visiting professor, Sofia University ,Bulgaria was the guest of honour. He spoke about the close connect between culture and translation and explained how cultures are reflected in translations. He also said that if as per the New Education Policy a National Institute of Translation can be set up in the country, it will be a revolutionary step in the future of translation studies.

Course Coordinator and Associate Professor of Department of Hindi, Dr Gurmeet Singh informed that 40 teachers from different universities and colleges from 10 different states and five languages(Hindi,English, Punjabi and Sanskrit and marathi) are taking part in this course. He said that keeping in view the increasing importance of translation and its role in bringing various languages and culture’s closer the central theme of the course has been chosen as “Culture of Translation and Translation of Culture”. He informed that more than 30 experts from India and abroad are invited as resource persons and they will share their experiences during the two week course .

Director of HRDC, Prof SK Tomar welcomed the guests and participants. He said that Translation is also a means to know each other's language and culture and it is indeed a way in which we can achieve 'Sab Ka Saath, Sab ka Vikaas'
Deputy Director HRDC, Dr Jayanti Dutta proposed vote of thanks. She informed that this was the first online Refresher Course being organized by HRDC, Panjab University, though several online FDP had been organized in past few months.