The comparative study of ecological imbalance in Bengal and the Mississippi basin formed the basis of the first Vidvatva Lecture at the USEFI in Calcutta on May 11, 2007. The lecture, titled Global Environmental Crisis, Now and Then: Lessons from the 1930s for the 21st century, was delivered by Daniel Klingensmith, associate professor, department of history at Maryville College and Fulbright visiting scholar at Calcutta University. The meeting was chaired by Ranjan Chakrabarti, professor of history at Jadavpur University and former Fulbright visiting scholar at Brown University, US. Klingensmith emphasised the various similarities in environmental degradation wrought by man-made actions in both the US and Bengal in the 1930s. That had made the people and decision makers realise that ecological damage could influence political events of the day. “It is important to remember that a crisis is also an opportunity and this should serve as an important pointer in today’s era of globalisation, a fallout of what started in the late 1800s,” said Klingensmith. The Vidvatva Lectures have been organised by the USEFI to foster better cultural relations between the two countries by promoting interaction between Fulbright scholars of India and USA.

Shubhobroto Ghosh

asansol
Nostalgia notes

St Vincent’s Old Boys’ Association (SVOBA), Asansol, organised a grand DJ nite with dinner on May 19, 2007, in the school hall. The principal inaugurated the programme. Ex-students and teachers turned up in huge numbers with their families and danced to the tune of the latest chartbusters.

St Vincent’s Old Boys’ Association (SVOBA), Asansol

The NIFT graduation ceremony turned out to be a symphony of style and skill. Over two consecutive evenings, students of fashion, leather, textile and knitwear design, presented their creations on the ramp. The chief guest for the evening was G.D. Gautama, principal secretary of the state tourism department. The collections were inspired by various themes such as myth, heritage, freedom, teenagers, Satan and even Darwin. Earthy tones ruled the roost, although bright reds, violet and blue were also used. Adding glitter to the event were Sananda Tilottama 2007 participants, who walked the ramp. In the textile section, Gargi Chatterjee’s silk and handloom line, based on the events of the Bengali calendar, was well appreciated along with Mayuri’s collection in whites and browns.

Designer and NIFTian Sabyasachi Mukherjee dropped by on the second day to share some of his NIFT moments with the students.

Saurabh Dhanuka, Second year BCom hons, Bhawanipur College

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