The Trauma of Partition Continues to Live in the Experiences of Its Survivors’

Gurugram: The Department of English, School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Liberal Arts, SGT University, organised a guest lecture titled “Literatures of the Partition: Lessons Across Borders.” Dr. Maya Joshi, Associate Professor of English at Lady Shri Ram College, University of Delhi, was the resource person for the session.

Welcoming the guest, Prof. (Dr.) Shammi Nagpal, Dean of the School, remarked that the trauma of the Partition of India continues to live on in the experiences of its victims and survivors. She emphasised the importance of engaging in meaningful discussions on this significant historical event. She also facilitated Dr. Joshi’s visit to the university’s Media Centre and Barista Training Centre. Dr. Joshi appreciated the practical and experiential learning opportunities provided to students at SGT University.

Moving beyond the format of a conventional lecture, the session was organised as an interactive and thought-provoking discussion that accommodated diverse ideas and perspectives. Students participated enthusiastically and shared their views on the subject.

Placing human emotions at the centre of the discourse on Partition, Dr. Joshi discussed in detail the experiences of women, the impact of Partition on men, and the relationship between Partition and ecology. To illustrate her arguments, she referred to literary works such as Toba Tek Singh, The Dog of Tithwal, Peshawar Express, Hum Wahshi Hain and Lajwanti. She also drew insights from Aniruddha Kala’s book The Unsafe Asylum.

A major highlight of the session was Dr. Joshi’s account of a student exchange programme organised at Lady Shri Ram College, during which students from the Lahore University of Management Sciences shared their experiences and perspectives on Partition. The interaction helped students recognise that, despite the political boundaries separating the two countries, people on both sides continue to share numerous linguistic and cultural similarities, including common food traditions.

At the conclusion of the programme, Dr. Girija Suri, Assistant Professor in the Department of English and the programme coordinator, delivered the vote of thanks. She expressed her gratitude to Dr. Maya Joshi, the university administration, Prof. (Dr.) Shammi Nagpal for her continued encouragement, co-coordinators Dr. Palak Arora and Dr. Kanika Godara, the faculty members of the School, and the students for their valuable contributions to the successful conduct of the session.