INVITATION

On the holy 156th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, the Department of Geography, Vivekananda

College, Kolkata in association with the Eastern Geographical Society, Bhubaneswar (P. G. Department of

Geography, Utkal University, Vani Vihar, Odisha) is organising an International Conference on ‘Society and

Sustainability: An Interdisciplinary Approach’ on January 12 & 13, 2019. Researchers of Geography and

allied fields are cordially invited to present their research papers in the conference.

FOCAL THEME

The roots of the term society lie with the meaning of friendship or companionship. Centuries ago the

famous philosopher Aristotle stated that humans are social animals who always seek to live in the company

of others. Humans are also social organisms possessing harmony between structure and function. The

concept and issue of sustainable society still remains a topic of debate between the fundamental tenets of

earth’s limited resources and social environmentalism ever, since it came into focus. The paradigm of

sustainability from its beginning rests upon three pillars i.e. economic sustainability, social sustainability

and environmental sustainability. Economic sustainability is guided by productivity, growth and

consumption; whereas social sustainability refers to equity, empowerment, accessibility and cultural

identity. The synthesis among these three is a requisite condition for the survival overcoming the hindrances

of social pathology. The formation of social organisation is cardinal for the existence of human beings. The

survival of the society also depends on trust, norms and integrity of the organisational factors. However, a

society needs to ensure production, distribution and harmony for its growth as well as for survival. Herbert

Spencer’s analogy related to evolution of societies and organisms is one of the major trend setting paths to

consider the study of development, structural functioning of human society and the problems associated

with it. The process natural selection with the changing environment alters each biological species

including human beings. Adaption to changing environment brings certain undesirable outcome in the

physiological, biological, philosophical and behavioural patterns of human beings. Simultaneously society

modifies itself as a negative feedback or sometimes in a positive feedback mechanism as it is a closed system.

The quest for having a higher standard of living is making man change the nature or environment so

rapidly that sometimes the natural evolutionary process fails to match the pace. The resultant situation is a

gap forming between environment and human society. Rapid urbanization, industrialization and

globalization have resulted in such a situation when it is time to urge, rebel and act for sustainable society.

Focus should be given on the balance between the existing resources and the level of its utilization. The

definition of sustainable society itself says that it should ensure the health and vitality of human life, culture

and nature’s capital for present and future generations. So, for the survival of human society it’s our utmost

duty to take the responsibility to restore damaged properties, to preserve what is left for the progeny.

To understand the present conditions of the society, where we all are standing, our active and passive

participation in changing its structure from past to present is required. The exigency of sustainability for

our own survival and commencement of new strategic policies for preserving the existing one, as well as

introducing a new gateway for further understanding the relationship between society and sustainability

has been chosen as the focal theme of the conference. The resultant deliberation will emphasize on certain

emerging issues like climate change, disaster management, urban and rural pathology, contemporary

social and political issues like war, displacement, violence against the marginal people etc.

TECHNICAL SESSIONS

1. HUMAN-NATURE RELATIONSHIPS: AN ENVIRONMENTAL QUEST

Our behaviour and policies with regard to nature and the environment should be guided by a code of ethics, which is to

be derived from basic principles of human values but from a pragmatic consideration of the issues at stake. A plea is

made here to support the Earth Charter, which embodies in its principles and prescriptions a balanced respect for nature

and man.

2. QUASI-NATURAL HAZARDS: IMPACT ON SOCIETY

Different complex calamities do accelerate through the interaction of natural processes and anthropogenic activities.

Ranging along catastrophes like climate change, flood, drought, quasi-natural hazards in recent times have been

affecting the social ecology by encroaching within our stewardship over the Mother Earth while threatening our

existence.

3. THREATS AND CONSERVATION OF BIO-DIVERSITY: ROLE OF ECO-FEMINISM

While natural disasters affect women the most, inspiring examples from around the world show that indigenous women

who are aware about conserving nature and environmental issues have been able to make significant difference to the

environment in tangible ways.

4. SOCIAL AND CULTURAL DIMENSIONS IN GEOGRAPHY

Social and cultural geography are two of the most established and vibrant areas of geographical interest, encompassing

a diverse set of issues. Broadly, social geography relates to the spatiality of society and the role of space and place in

relation to the interplay of human-nature interaction; while cultural geography embraces human expressions related to

language, art, traits, rituals, food and lots more with the broad spectrum of livelihood.

5. POPULATION, MIGRATION AND RESOURCE

The relationship between population growth and resource scarcity is a key driver of migration that is often overlooked

in public debates. As the population grows, the resources that are needed to sustain them gradually decreases. This leads

to attempts by extremist groups to achieve command over resource security, which is a major underlying source of

conflict in many developing countries in these days.

6. URBAN ISSUES: CHALLENGES AND MITIGATION

Urban issues have raised high on many agendas that deal with global questions. Most of the world’s resources are

consumed in cities, where a major chunk of people prefer to live. Cities should be driving force in developing a culture

of sustainability and transformation, which is based on a continuous analysis of their local identity and history.

7. SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY: AWARENESS THROUGH MASS EDUCATION

For the last couple of decades, there has been a conceptualization of environmental management as a science, and skill

of managing various degrees of business systems through the control of the environmental risks that threaten the

survival of the ecosystem. This further requires an interdisciplinary knowledge and continual education, and the

management itself which is strongly focused on implementing, executing and developing the principles of sustainable

development.

8. GEOGRAPHY OF GENDER AND WOMENS’ EMPOWERMENT

Reducing gender inequality is a major concern of the global policies. Recent triggering of multifaceted forms of

oppression and violence against women throughout the globe emerge as crisis of survival for the feminine race. So,

empowerment of women from each perspective of the society is of utmost importance for establishment of their rights

to live freely. To resurrect such rights benevolence is needed to be shown from every responsible citizen across the

society.

9. RURAL DEVELOPMENT: ROLE OF SELF-HELP GROUPS, LOCAL GOVERNANCE AND MICRO FINANCE

The need for rural communities to approach development from a wider perspective has created more focus on a broad

range of development goals rather than merely creating incentive for agricultural or resource based activities.

Education, entrepreneurship, development of physical and social infrastructure plays an important role in upgrading

livelihood in rural areas.

10. GEOHERITAGE AND GEOTOURISM

Geoheritage and geotourism are two important aspects of human appreciation of the earth’s geological and cultural

resources. Geoheritage refers to the elements of the earth that we value; whereas geotourism is a type of tourism that

is based on some aspects of the earth’s geological or socio-cultural heritage which needs systematic preservation.

11. CROSS BORDER TRADE, GEO-ECONOMICS AND ASSOCIATED GEO-POLITICS

The idea of geo-economics suggests that boundaries and geopolitics may come to terms with the development of cross‐

border regionalism and associated transnational state effects in the context of free trade. Recent global foreign policies

taken by so called super powers exaggerate hostile future as trade becomes more of diplomatic concern rather than

economic obligation.

12. GEOGRAPHIES OF WAR, GENOCIDE AND ETHNIC CLEANSING

Extreme political violence, i.e., genocide, ethnic cleansing and war crimes can be examined within three explanatory

frameworks important to geographical thought: nature and society; spatial identities; and geopolitics. These are

fundamentally geographical concerns in the sense that they relate to geography’s central interest in humans and their

environment.

13. SOCIAL EVILS: THREATS TO HUMAN SURVIVAL

Social evils are issues which in one way or another affects members of a society and is often considered controversial

or problematic in terms of moral values. Some of the most common social evils are casteism, class inequality,

substance abuse, child abuse, molestation and sexual violence, organised crime and gender inequality. A society

cannot upgrade its existing standard of living without combating with these social evils either traceable or in disguise.

14. POVERTY AND INEQUALITY IN RESOURCE ALLOCATION

An unequal distribution of income and wealth may result in an unsatisfactory allocation of resources and can also lead

to alienation and encourage crime with negative consequences for all. It also invites the ‘Poverty Trap’ which enhances

the discrimination over community resources and adjacent rights for survival.

15. EVOLUTION OF GEOGRAPHY THROUGH TIME

Since the classical days of the formation of what regards geography, the notion of discussion largely remained confined

within the inter-relationship between human society and their surrounding environment. Criticisms regarding the

quantitative paradigm and structural shift in existing thought and provide emphasis on behavioural and radical outlook

towards a dynamic rebirth of the discipline.

16. RESEARCH METHODS IN GEOGRAPHY

Social scientists like Frédéric Leplay (1855) and Charles Booth (1891) argued about research practices which included

the use of demographic analysis, participant observations and social mapping techniques within the contemporary

framework of social research. Geography can also be enriched by using these techniques in contemporary platform of

interdisciplinary discussions.

VIRTUAL PRESENTATION

Researchers who are unable to attend the conference (applicable only for the participants from abroad

and remote areas of India) can avail the opportunity of virtual audio-visual presentation through Skype

/ video recordings (.avi, .mp4, and .flv). Time allotted for the virtual presentations is the maximum of

10 minutes. Participants making their virtual presentations will also be awarded with the ‘Certificate of

Presentation’ on submission of the required registration fee. Those who would like to avail the facility

after acceptance of their abstracts need to contact with the organizers by September 30, 2018 through

samik.chakraborty2012@gmail.com positively.

PUBLICATION

The editorial committee will evaluate the submitted full length papers and on the basis of their

recommendations selected papers will be published in the special volume of the ‘EASTERN

GEOGRAPHER’ (ISSN: 0973-7642), an UGC approved referred journal (No. 41213) of the Eastern

Geographical Society, Bhubaneswar. The organizing committee is planning to bring out two special

volumes of the journal before the conference based on the acceptance of the papers on first come first

serve basis. The sole or first author will receive the complimentary copy of that particular volume in

which his / her paper will be published. Others who wish to get the copy of the journal, need to pay an

amount of INR 1,000/- for each volume.

DATES TO REMEMBER

Submission of abstract / full paper On or before September 30, 2018

Confirmation of participation for oral / poster presentation Within October 15, 2018

Payment of registration fee On or before November 15, 2018

Conference Dates January 12 & 13, 2019

N.B.: Those who are interested in publication of full papers, need not submit the abstract separately.

Further, the confirmation mail for oral / poster presentation doesn’t convey the acceptance of full paper

for publication. The authors will receive the confirmation for publication after the process of editorial

review.

CALL FOR PAPERS

The authors are requested to submit their original research works either in the form of an abstract or

as full length paper. The abstract must not exceed 150 words along with the maximum 5 key words,

1.5 line spacing, 12 font, Times New Roman, 1ʹʹ × 1ʹʹ margin, justified on all sides. The abstract must

carry the name(s) of the author(s), designation, affiliation, contact number and email id. The abstract

should be comprehensive, including a brief introduction, objectives and major findings as well as

methodologies. The format for writing of full length paper will be the same as abstract. It must not

exceed 10 pages including all the tables, diagrams, maps, references and title. Reference should contain

only those which are cited in the text. The abstracts and papers will be accepted after the process of

review by the editorial committee. Interested participants are requested to submit abstracts / full papers

via vcgeoegs2019@gmail.com .

VIVEKANANDA COLLEGE, KOLKATA

Vivekananda College named after Swami Vivekananda, came into existence in the year of 1950, located at

Thakurpukur, Kolkata with an extensive campus area of about 6.17 acres. Now it has the teaching facilities

up to Honours standard in 20 subjects and 3 general course subjects for Under-Graduate Studies in the

Faculties of Arts, Science and Commerce under the University of Calcutta. By continuing the endeavour of

spreading education, the institution started its regular Post Graduate wing by offering M.A. degree in

Bengali and History, affiliated to the University of Calcutta. The College is awarded with Grade – ‘A’ by the

National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) in 2016.

THE DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY

The Department of Geography spread its petals from 2014 -15 academic session. The Department is

run through fully equipped laboratory, computer room for GIS with ICT facility beside separate class

rooms. From 2015, the Department initiated its co-curricular wing called ‘Geo Club’ for encouraging

the creativity and zeal among the students of the Department beyond the prescribed curriculum

through poster competition, debate, quiz contest etc. Besides, the Department had organised special

lectures on September 16, 2015 and 2017 successively to mark the ‘International Day for Preservation

of Ozone Layer’. In addition, a day long workshop on ‘Qualitative & Quantitative Research Methods in

Geographical Studies’ was successfully conducted on February 12, 2018. Recently, 14 pupil of the

Department have secured the first class in the final examination of the University of Calcutta in 2018.

THE EASTERN GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY (EGS)

The Eastern Geographical Society (EGS) was formed in 1971 at Vani Vihar making the P.G. Department

of Geography, Utkal University as its headquarters by the former HOD Prof. B. N. Sinha. The society

has been formed with aims to establish an institute of Geography for higher study and research; to

provide facilities for exchanging of geographical information and knowledge; to promote geographical

education and research and to inculcate the spirit of adventure, travel and exploration in the youth; to

initiate health competition, study circle, symposia, discussion of field studies and seminars in the field

of geography; to publish periodicals and bulletins; to carry on scientific experiments in the field of

Geography; and to initiate and finance learned teachers from different universities of India and abroad

in help in the growth and development of geographical ideas. The membership is not confined to the

geographers only rather it is open for all disciplines. The journal ‘Eastern Geographer’ is coming out

regularly. It also helps to open new teaching departments in various government and private colleges

in Odisha and to give employment to Geography students in various government and non-government

organizations.

‘VIVEKJYOTI’ EMERGING RESEARCHER AWARD

The interested participants up to the age of 32 may apply separately for the honour of ‘Vivekjyoti’ Emerging

Researcher Award. To participate for this category the papers must be single authored. A completely

separate technical session will be conducted for the said category. The young scholars who intend to be

considered for the award are requested to submit their full length papers along with an age proof issued by

any recognized authority. The awardee will be honoured with a cash reward of rupees 5,000/- and a

‘Certificate of Appreciation’.

KOLKATA: THE CITY OF JOY

Located at the intersection of 22°34ʹ North of latitude and 88°30ʹ East of longitude, Kolkata, the capital of

West Bengal, is one of the Megacities in India. Weather condition in the month of January remains pleasant

with a feeling of winter. Mean monthly temperature ranges within 13°C to 20°C. So, light warm clothes are

enough during the period.

CONNECTIVITY

Kolkata being one of the largest cities in India profoundly well connected with the rest of the world through

airways. The nearest airport i.e. ‘Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport’ is situated 38 km away

from the conference venue. Howrah, Sealdah and Kolkata are the most important railway termini situated

within 25 km from Vivekananda College. International bus terminus at Karunamoyee (Salt Lake) and state

bus depot at Esplanade are also frequently connected with the venue. Various means of transports are

conveniently available from the mentioned terminals to reach the location. The participants are requested to

arrange the pickup and dropping facilities by their own to and from the venue.

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

Patron in Chief – Dr. Tapan Kumar Poddar

Convener – Samik Chakraborty

Organising Secretary – Kunaljeet Roy

Treasurer – Alolika Mangal

Organising Members – Dr. Isita Mukherjee

. Baishali Mukherjee

INSTITUTIONAL ADVISORY BOARD

Dr. Siddhartha Guha Roy

Prof. Naba Kishore Chanda

Dr. Debasish Mukherjee

Dr. Arvind Pan

Dr. Atanu Thakur

Dr. Rajarshi Mitra

Dr. Malabika Bhattacharjee

Dr. Asutosh Mukherjee

Dr. Dibyendu Raj

CATEGORIES AMOUNT

Faculty Members &

Other Academics

INR 2,500/-

or USD 40

Research Scholars INR 2,200/-

or USD 35

Post Graduate Students INR 1,500/-

or USD 25

Accompanying Person INR 1,500/-

or USD 25

Registration fee shall cover expenses related to participation

such as seminar kits, abstract volume and lunch for both the

conference days to the delegates. Particulars about the mode

of registration fee payment is given in the registration form.

The participants who require accommodation during the

course of the conference may contact with Convener /

Organizing Secretary through phone call / WhatsApp / Email

after getting the confirmation of their participation. The

organisers will assist only to provide the detail information

President – Prof. Sachidananda Tripathy

Vice President – Prof. Emeritus Gopal Krishna Panda.

. Prof. Prafulla Kumar Kara

General Secretary – Prof. Kabir Mohan Sethy

Joint Secretary – Dr. A. P. Subudhi .

. Dr. Sibabrata Das

Treasurer – Dr. Kailash Chandra Nayak

Chief Editor – Prof. Emeritus Gopal Krishna Panda

Executive Members – Prof. Pritirekha Daspattanayak

Prof. P. K. Das

Dr. Krishna Chandra Rath

Dr. (Mrs.) Rekha Devi

Dr. S. K. Balabantray

Dr. Ashis Chandra Pathy

Dr. Nihar Ranjan Das

Mr. S. S. Sahoo

Mr. Surendra Behera

Mr. U. N. Bhujbal

Mr. Siba Sankar Sahu

regarding the accommodation in hotels / guesthouses / lodges proximate to the venue. We discourage spot

registration. However, if anybody wishes to be registered on spot, needs to pay an amount of INR 1,000/- extra

along with the registration fee as per the respective category.

REGISTRATION & ACCOMMODATION

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, EGS

INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD

NATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD

Prof. Savindra Singh, Allahabad University

Prof. R. B. Singh, University of Delhi, Vice-President, IGU

Prof. Ashis Sarkar, W. B. Senior Education Service

Prof. Rabindranath Chattopadhyay, IIT, Kharagpur

Prof. Anis Chattopadhyay, W. B. Senior Education Service

Prof. Saswati Mookherjee, W. B. Senior Education Service

Prof. Jayasri Ray Chaudhuri, D.P.I., Government of West Bengal

Prof. Abani Kumar Bhagabati, Gauhati University

Prof. Md. Izhar Hassan, Maharshi Dayanand University

Prof. Vishwambhar Prasad Sati, Mizoram University

Prof. Malay Mukhopadhyay, Visva Bharati

Prof. Ashis Kumar Paul, Vidyasagar University

Prof. Lakshmi Sivaramakrishnan, Jadavpur University

Prof. Sunando Bandopadhyay, University of Calcutta

Prof. Ravi S. Singh, Banaras Hindu University

Prof. Debendra Kumar Nayak, North Eastern Hill University

Prof. Lakshminarayan Satpati, University of Calcutta

Prof. Sumana Bandopadhyay, University of Calcutta

Prof. Narayan Chandra Jana, The University of Burdwan

Prof. Sunil Kumar De, North Eastern Hill University

Swami Tattwasarananda, Ramakrishna Mission Sikshanamandira

Prof. Emeritus Yukio Himiyama, Hokkaido University of Education, Japan, President, IGU

Prof. Wei Li, Arizona State University, USA

Prof. A. M. M. Amanat Ullah Khan, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Prof. Simon Springer, University of Victoria, Canada

Prof. Dennis M. Fox, University of Nice Sophia Antipolis, France

Prof. Ananya Mukherjee Reed, York University, Canada

Prof. Abiar Rahman, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Bangladesh

Prof. (Dr.) Md. Moniruzzaman, Jagannath University, Bangladesh

Dr. Ranu Basu, York University, Canada

Dr. Sharad Chari, University of California, Berkeley, USA

Prof. Santanu Patnaik, Rajiv Gandhi University

Prof. Anuradha Banerjee, Jawaharlal Nehru University

Prof. Bathula Shrinagesh, Osmania University

Prof. Bishnupada Nanda, Jadavpur University

Prof. Sanat Guchhait, The University of Burdwan

Dr. Amal Kar, Central Arid Zone Research Institute

Dr. Kalyan Rudra, West Bengal Pollution Control Board

Dr. Pabitra Kumar Mishra, Bhatter College

Dr. Uttam Mukhopadhyay, Vidyasagar College

Dr. Sukla Basu, West Bengal State University

Dr. Gupinath Bhandari, Jadavpur University

Dr. Sanjukta Sattar, University of Mumbai

Dr. Bindhy Wasini Pandey, University of Delhi

Dr. Snehamanju Basu, Lady Brabourne College

Dr. Anupam Pandey, Allahabad University

Dr. Utpal Roy, University of Calcutta

Dr. K. C. Lalmalswamzauva, Mizoram University

Dr. Rahul Bhattacharya, University of Calcutta

Dr. Uday Chatterjee, Bhatter College

Dr. Saswati Roy, Sarsuna College

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

on ‘SOCIETY AND SUSTAINABILITY: AN INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH’

(January 12 & 13, 2019)

Organised Jointly by

The Department of Geography, Vivekananda College, Kolkata, West Bengal

& The Eastern Geographical Society, Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Name of the Participant: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Designation: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Affiliating Organization: __________________________________________________________________________________________________

Dietary Preference (Veg / Non-veg / Vegan): ____________________________________________________________________________

Date of Arrival: ______________________________________ Time of Arrival: ___________________________________________________

Date of Departure: __________________________________ Time of Departure: ________________________________________________

Postal Address: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

State / Province: _________________________________ Country: ________________________________ PIN: __________________________

Contact No.: _____________________________________ Email: ___________________________________________________________________

Title of the Paper: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Whether applying for ‘Vivekjyoti Emerging Researcher Award’ (Yes / No): _______ Date of Birth: __________________

Details of Registration fee (in rupees): ____________________________ (in words): __________________________________________

_______________________________________________________ Demand Draft / Cheque / NEFT No.: ______________________________

Date: _________________________ Issuing Bank: _______________________________________ Branch: ______________________________

The registration fee can be paid in the form of Demand Draft or Account Payee Cheque drawn in favour of

‘Principal, Vivekananda College’. The same can also be paid through NEFT. Account No.: 8626201000002,

IFSC Code: CNRB0008626, Bank: Canara Bank, Branch: Thakurpukur.

The duly filled registration form need to be sent along with the money receipt to ‘The Principal, Vivekananda

College’, 269 Diamond Harbour Road, Thakurpukur, Kolkata – 700 063, West Bengal, India.

N.B.: The registration fee once paid will not be refunded in any circumstances.

Full Signature with Date

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