Interactive session with Mr. Sopan Joshi

The Department of English, DHSK College (Autonomous) in collaboration with the IQAC,
DHSK College (Autonomous), organised an interactive session with noted author and journalist
Mr. Sopan Joshi on 17th February 2026 at the college auditorium. The programme was
conducted with the objective of providing students and faculty members an opportunity to
engage with a contemporary writer of national repute and to enrich the academic environment of
the institution.
The programme was graced by several dignitaries- the Principal of the college,
Dr. Shashikanta Saikia; the Vice-Principal, Dr. Partha Ganguly; the Chief Guest, Mr. Sopan
Joshi; Dr. Pratik Chowdhury, Moderator and former Head of the Department of English; the
Member Secretary of the Academic Council, Dr. Jyoti Prasad Phukan; and the Head of the
Department of English, Dr. Madhumita Purkayastha. The event was also attended by faculty
members of the Department of English, faculty from various other colleges and departments, and
a large number of students from different departments of the college.
The programme commenced with a formal introduction of the invited guest by Dr. Hanifa
Rahman, who highlighted Mr. Joshi’s significant contributions to literature and journalism, with
special reference to his acclaimed work, Mangifera indica: A Biography of the Mango. She also
underlined the relevance of his writings in understanding the intersections between literature,
culture, and ecology.
This was followed by the Welcome Address delivered by the Principal, Dr. Sashikanta Saikia
who extended a warm and cordial welcome to the guest speaker. In his address, the Principal
expressed his appreciation to Mr. Joshi for accepting the invitation and emphasised the
importance of such academic interactions in fostering intellectual growth among students and
faculty members. Following this, the Vice-Principal delivered a short speech welcoming
the guest speaker.

The interactive session was then conducted by Mr. Sopan Joshi, who shared his insights on
literature, writing, and the broader cultural and social contexts that shape creative expression. His
talk was informative, engaging, and thought-provoking. In particular, he spoke extensively about
his acclaimed work, Mangifera Indica: A Biography of the Mango, and explained the intellectual
journey behind the writing of the book. He reflected on how the mango, though an ordinary and

familiar fruit, holds extraordinary cultural, historical, and literary significance across regions and
time periods.
The session was followed by an interactive segment during which faculty members posed several
insightful questions. Mr. Joshi responded to each question with clarity, depth, and patience,
making the discussion both enriching and intellectually stimulating for everyone present. His
responses were not only informative but were also interspersed with delightful pieces of
knowledge that held the attention of both students and faculty members.
The programme concluded with the Vote of Thanks proposed by Ms. Swati Chakraborty, who
expressed sincere gratitude to the guest speaker, the Principal, the dignitaries, IQAC, the
organisers, faculty members, and all participants for their valuable presence and contribution
towards the success of the programme.
The session was highly informative and inspiring, and it significantly contributed to the
academic and intellectual atmosphere of the college.