Latest news with #EnglishandForeignLanguagesUniversity
Hans India
3 days ago
- General
- Hans India
EFLU observes World Environment Day with a tree plantation drive
Hyderabad: The English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU), Hyderabad, celebrated World Environment Day 2025 with an impactful initiative dedicated to environmental conservation and sustainability. As part of its commitment to fostering ecological responsibility, the University organized a Tree Plantation Drive, reinforcing the global theme of environmental restoration and biodiversity preservation. The event was led by Prof. N. Nagaraju, Vice-Chancellor of EFLU, who emphasized the importance of collective action in protecting nature and ensuring a greener future. A substantial number of saplings were planted in the area near the Heritage Well on the campus, transforming the space into a symbol of growth and sustainability. The initiative drew enthusiastic participation from Registrar (I/c) Prof. K. Narasimha Rao, Prof. T. Srivani, Dean CPD, Prof. Shyam Rao Rathod, Proctor, as well as senior administrators, faculty members, non-teaching staff, and students. Their active engagement reflected the university's commitment to environmental conservation and inspired a sense of responsibility among all stakeholders.
New Indian Express
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Why Gen Z is turning to wisdom on Instagram
Philosophy — the greatest form of liberal art. It is difficult to understand, and as they say, 'One who chases philosophy ends up losing everything.' In a world where almost everyone, right from children to the elderly, is glued to 15-20 second reels, a quiet but curious shift is unfolding on Instagram. Between beach photos and dance challenges, there's a new genre flourishing — the one of philosophy quotes, existential musings, and reflections on Friedrich Nietzsche, Albert Camus, and Marcus Aurelius. For many young people, especially Gen Z, philosophy is no longer confined to the university classroom. It's become a way to make sense of a world full of questions. 'Philosophy has become a necessary refuge for this generation,' says Debadrita Chakraborty, assistant professor in the Department of English and Other Languages at GITAM University, Hyderabad. 'We are living in a time where political and regional fundamentalism is peaking, yet young people are choosing to question it. They are thinkers, asking the right questions,' she notes. This isn't the dusty, academic philosophy in heavy old textbooks. Instead, it's bite-sized and beautifully designed, and shared by influencers on Instagram and Threads, where Nietzsche's 'God is dead' meets pastel sunsets and serif fonts. But does that make the content superficial? 'On the surface, it might seem aesthetic-driven,' Debadrita says. 'But it works because there's an audience genuinely engaging with it. People don't just stop at the visuals; many go deeper. They resonate with the thought behind the quote, and that opens the door for more reading, more questioning,' she adds. She points out that forums — digital or otherwise — that make philosophy accessible are crucial to note. 'These platforms simplify philosophy, making it less intimidating for beginners,' she states. At the English and Foreign Languages University in Hyderabad, professor Jibu Mathew George sees this shift as part of a broader cultural moment. He says, 'Philosophy today includes more than traditional academic discourse. The semantic field has expanded. What we once thought of as mere 'life thoughts or reflections' are now often included under the umbrella of philosophy.' According to him, this expansion has been shaped by two academic tendencies: analytic philosophy, which leans toward logic and precision, and continental philosophy, which engages with existential questions like class, ideology, identity. 'Today's readers are co-creators of meaning. They read Nietzsche and Camus in new ways, shaped by 21st-century contexts,' he explains. The democratisation of knowledge, particularly through the internet, has played a key role. 'Social media has created platforms where philosophy is no longer locked in academia,' he notes, adding, 'Students now access lectures, documentaries, and conversations that were previously unavailable. This is a positive shift, but with a caveat.' That caveat is interpretation. 'When you quote Karl Marx or Freud on Instagram, there's a real risk of misinterpretation. Freud never even used the word 'subconscious', but it gets thrown around all the time. These thinkers are often misunderstood when reduced to hashtags,' Jibu states. Still, both professors agree that platforms like Bookstagram are helping build a culture of reading, even if it starts with snippets. 'Social media is reshaping what it means to be 'well-read',' says Debadrita, adding, 'But the real question is: will people go beyond the quote and read the whole book?' She points out that the line between philosophy and self-reflection is becoming fluid, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. 'Gen Z can't keep a supercilious mask for long. Whatever they pick up, even unintentionally, often leads to introspection. There's a deeper need at play here,' notes Debadrita. Jibu, too, acknowledges this, saying, 'The academic and experiential are starting to cross-fertilise. What we once thought of as 'high-funda' theory is becoming part of everyday experience. But we have to ask: are these simplified versions reductive? Or are they gateways?' In a world of overstimulation and broken attention, it may just be that philosophy offers something different: stillness, structure, and a space to wonder. And for a generation trying to make meaning out of chaos, that might be exactly what they need.
The Hindu
25-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
We feel safe in Hyderabad: Kashmiris share after Pahalgam terror strike
As anxiety grips students and families across several states following the recent Pahalgam terror attack, Kashmiri students and families in Hyderabad say they feel secure. In the classrooms and campuses of Hyderabad's universities, Kashmiri students are attending lectures, participating in events, and carrying on with their routines — cautiously, but without fear. Also Read: Pahalgam attack LIVE: Indian, Pakistan forces exchange fire at LoC 'There can be small conflicts and an underlying sense of caution in the mind,' said a student from a premier institute in the city. 'But compared to many parts of North India, Hyderabad feels like a safer space where students are not being forced into hiding.' 'We are busy collecting information on different Kashmiri students throughout India. Attacks and such mob violence have been reported mostly from North India,' said a Jammu and Kashmir Students' Association member. Kashmiri students in a Punjab college alleged assault by peers armed with sticks and knives, while in Uttarakhand, a right-wing group allegedly threatened them with violence unless they left Dehradun. 'So far things have been quite good,' said another student from the same institute. Students from the English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU) also expressed they feel a sense of safety. 'The videos circulating online, showing instances of violence and intimidation against students in various institutions across North India, have caused immense concern among our families back home. However, our experience in Hyderabad has, so far, been peaceful and reassuring. The people here have been warm, respectful, and welcoming,' a student shared on the condition of anonymity. 'We have felt a strong sense of safety and solidarity. While many students here have expressed justified anger over the incident, they have also ensured that we, as Kashmiris, feel secure and supported. We are truly grateful to the university community and the people around us for fostering an environment where we are not made to feel alienated during such a difficult time,' the student added. Beyond campuses, a deeper story unfolds in the city's bustling streets and old market lanes, where Kashmir natives have found a home away from home. One among them is Atul Raina (name changed), who arrived in the city as a child in 1992 after his family of over 18 members was uprooted from Kashmir. He now runs a Kashmiri textile store in Abids — a modest reminder of the four handloom showrooms and a travel agency they once owned in Srinagar. 'This city embraced us,' he said, gesturing toward the flow of pedestrians outside his shop. 'The city's cultural diversity, welcoming people - they made it possible for us to rebuild. We are a small community of about 300-400 Kashmiri Pandits here and we feel absolutely safe,' he said. Clutching the latest edition of a Jammu weekly, Atul offered a hesitant smile as he flipped through its pages. 'This is how I stay connected with the valley and know what's really happening back home,' he said, his voice heavy with concern. A few lanes away, Firoz (name changed) sits beside his father in their handloom store — a business planted in Hyderabad nearly five decades ago. His father, who made the move for safety and better educational opportunities for his children, now watches the next generation thrive in the same city. Just minutes earlier, Firoz had received a call from his sister in Delhi. The school where her children study had advised her not to send them for the next few days, citing safety concerns. 'Such troubles have never arisen here in Hyderabad,' he remarked. His father nodded quietly. 'We still have family in Kashmir. They keep asking when we'll come back. But my wife… she doesn't want to go back anymore,' he said, the silence heavy with the weight of memory. Following the attack, Firoz shared that two to three families from Hyderabad who had planned trips to Kashmir and reached out for stay arrangements have now backed out. ' Many, like Raina and Firoz, speak of how manufacturing in Kashmir has picked up pace and production continues amid ongoing tensions, a lifeline that has kept their businesses in Hyderabad afloat without major supply chain disruptions. For Dr. Shalini Dhar (name changed), a practising ophthalmologist at one of the city's top eye hospitals, the journey from exile in 1991 to a respected medical career has been one of resilience. Hyderabad, she says, has helped her reconnect with life in ways she hadn't imagined. 'Here, we've had exposure to a wide range of communities and cultures, education, and a sense of acceptance. I've built a comfortable life and a strong circle, both personally and professionally,' she said. 'But the pain of not being able to return to my mother or to our home in Kashmir… that never leaves.' Dr. Shalini said she has been in constant touch with friends and relatives in Pahalgam. 'So far, they are all safe. We've lived through so many conflicts over the years. For us, sadly, this has become routine — it just keeps happening,'she sighed. Related stories Unity and resolve: On the Pahalgam terror attack
