Successful Completion of the Inaugural Session of The Speaking Page, Department of English

The inaugural session of The Speaking Page: A Book Talk Series, organized by the Department of English, Green University of Bangladesh, was held successfully and marked a moment of pride and inspiration for the entire university community.

The event, titled “Uncaging the Self: Arundhati Roy’s Mother Mary Comes to Me,” was a tremendous success, drawing an enthusiastic audience and sparking thought-provoking discussions.

The session began with a warm welcome speech by Dr. Md. Elham Hossain, Associate Professor, Department of English, Green University of Bangladesh, who highlighted how the department has been arranging such intellectually engaging and culturally enriching events that continue to enhance the academic reputation of Green University of Bangladesh. He then invited Dr. Md. Shamim Mondol, Chairperson and Associate Professor, Department of English, Green University of Bangladesh, describing him as a distinguished scholar in Bangladesh and beyond, to deliver his talk.

The session's distinguished speaker, Dr. Md. Shamim Mondol, presented the text with a brilliant and engaging style, exploring it through a critical lens. He discussed how Arundhati Roy’s narrative intertwines complex emotions, portraying her mother as a profound source of inspiration. Dr. Mondol masterfully painted a vivid picture of Roy’s life and struggles, emphasizing the nonlinear nature of human experience. Despite the short duration, his talk deeply resonated with the audience, especially students, who were captivated by his insights into the emotional depth and literary brilliance of Roy’s work.

Following the talk, students participated enthusiastically in an interactive session with the speaker. They expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Department of English for arranging such a meaningful program and raised thoughtful questions that reflected their growing curiosity and critical engagement.

We were deeply honored by the gracious presence of the Honorable Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Mohammad Shorif Uddin, and the Honorable Pro Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Khawza Iftekhar Uddin Ahmed, of the Green University of Bangladesh.

The Honorable Pro Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Khawza Iftekhar Uddin Ahmed, shared his reflections on the importance of reading and encouraged students to read books in their entirety—an increasingly rare practice in today’s world. He emphasized the value of storytelling and inspired students to nurture their creative potential as writers, much like Arundhati Roy. He also praised the Department of English for its continuous progress under the leadership of the Chairperson and extended his best wishes for the continued success of the series.

The Honorable Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Mohammad Shorif Uddin, expressed his delight at the success of the program and the enthusiastic participation of students. He remarked on the full attendance as a sign of the students’ growing passion for literature and learning. The Honorable Vice Chancellor commended the Department for its dedication to strengthening the academic culture of the university and stressed the importance of humanities and liberal arts scholarship in higher education. He warmly congratulated the department for organizing such a meaningful and inspiring session and extended his appreciation to everyone involved in making it a success.

Respected faculty members of the Department of English were also present, offering insightful comments and congratulating the Chairperson for conducting such a thought-provoking and intellectually rewarding session.

The program was gracefully hosted by Kashfia Israt, Lecturer, Department of English, who concluded the event by announcing the next talk of The Speaking Page. The upcoming session will feature the book “Heart Lamp” by Banu Mushtaq, winner of the International Booker Prize 2025, and will be jointly presented by Dr. Md. Elham Hossain, Associate Professor, Department of English, Green University of Bangladesh, and Mehedi Hassan, a student of the Department of English, Green University of Bangladesh.