Scholars debate Orwell's contribution to society

Motihari: Scholars from various universities debated on the contributions of Eric Arthur Blair, popularly known as George Orwell, to English language and the society at large at the two-day national seminar on ‘The Mind, Art and Vision of George Orwell’. The seminar, jointly organised by the UGC and Rotary Motihari Lake Town, concluded here on Sunday.
Topics ranging from Orwell as a novelist to Orwell’s Motihari connections were discussed at the seminar.Participants delved deep into the critical and analytical views on Orwell’s best sellers like--‘Animal Farm’, ‘Burmese Days’, ‘Shooting an Elephant’, ‘Ninteen Eighty Four’, etc.
Chief speaker Prof Shivjatan Thakur, head of the department of English, Patna University, said, “Orwell’s writings and thoughts are always relevant. He has aptly described his abhorrence for imperialism and autocracy in his book ‘Burmese Days’. A convinced socialist, he always strived for social justice and helped the oppressed. His writings are marked by clarity, wit and intelligence which still continue to influence popular and political culture.”
Head of the department of English, MS College, Motihari, Eqbal Hussain said, “ Orwell is known for his novels but his contribution to the English language is also huge. Orwell did a commendable job in the field of language studies, literary criticism, poetry and polemical journal.”
A teacher in the department of English and European language, Lucknow University, Prof RP Singh made a critical commentary on Orwell’s work.
Chief guest of the function, Rotary district governor Dr B Bhagat, underlined Orwell’s political thought.
A documentary film on ‘Orwell and Champaran Satyagrah’, directed by Vishwajit Mukherjee was also screened. The documentary focussed on Orwell’s birthplace in Motihari, and the close relationship the author had with Mahatma Gandhi and his first satyagraha movement.