Vox Populi Workshop/ Induction

The phrase ‘Vox Populi’ having a Latin etymological reference which literally translates as “the voice of the people” It can also be found in the longer maxim, “Vox populi, vox Dei” which means “The voice of the people is the voice of God”. To help raise the voice of people i.e. the freshers, Bhawanpur Education Society College proudly performs the annual cycle of embracing the new entrants with all their strengths and viewpoints. The Dean of Student Affairs, Professor Dilip Shah, has an altogether different take on Induction. In his opening speech he tried to ignite the burning spirit of the newcomers taking the charge himself to turn them into that molten metal of progress.

There is no better comparison given by the Dean considering the College to be providing the required flip to charge the young minds achieve whatsoever their dreams are leading them to. The Induction programme is basically consisted of a number of different workshops clubbed beneath one umbrella. Vox Populi Workshop being the primordial one, came about on 24th July, 2019 in ‘The Placement Hall’. Around 30 students from various streams like B.A, B.SC, B.COMturned up for the event in which Mr Parnab Mukherjee, one of the leading alternative theatre directors, an independent media analyst by profession, knowledge resource curator and instructor was invited as the chief guest.

“Open your windows and see the world around you”, exhorts Parnab Mukherjee in his opening speech in reply to the questions asked by Raksha Mishra, student of  BA English. Having said about his major workshop module “Freedom Speak”, he emphasised on the factor ‘speaking’. Considering the pros and cons of this network oriented and social media addicted generation, he talked about in an advising tone to adapt the practice of reading. Apart from giving details about the styles and rules of Public Speaking, he talked about the various new networks one should follow, the novels and non-fiction one should read. He also urged the students to broaden their world not by engaging themselves into unfocussed social media activities but by being immersed in the city of Kolkata where they live and many of its intricacies that one usually misses out on. According to him, world geo-political situations are something they should not remain ignorant about.

Having interacted with the students at length he seemed quite contented to witness such keen learners who feed on their inquisitiveness. At about 6:00 pm in the evening the event came to an end with a vote of thanks by Professor Dilip Shah.

Reported by: Oindrilla Sinha

Photography: Snehal Mullick