Special Lecture on “Munshi Premchand: The Pathfinder of Hindi Short Story and Novel” Held at Women’s College
Vijayapura, 16 September 2026: Under the special lecture series of the Department of Hindi, Smt. Bangaramma Sajjan Arts, Commerce and Science Women’s College, run by the B.L.D.E. Institution, organised a special lecture on Tuesday on the topic “Munshi Premchand: The Pathfinder of Hindi Short Story and Novel”.
At the outset, Head of the Department of Hindi, Dr. Sunil Kumar Yadav, delivered the introductory address. He said that the objective of this lecture series is to familiarise students with Premchand’s life, his literary contribution, and the struggles of farmers, women and deprived sections depicted in his literature. He added that the main aim of the programme is to highlight the contemporary relevance of Premchand’s literature and to inspire students to imbibe its values in life.
The keynote speaker, Dr. S. T. Merwade, threw light on Premchand’s life along with his famous stories — Idgah, Namak ka Daroga, Poos ki Raat, Kafan — and novels such as Godan, Gaban and Nirmala. He said that Premchand turned Hindi literature from idealism towards realism and gave powerful expression to the struggles of the common farmer, labourer and woman. Premchand was not merely a storyteller but a conscious painter of Indian society, who brought literature out of palaces and into the huts.
Dr. Merwade called upon the students not to confine Premchand merely to the syllabus, but to learn the lessons of social justice, equality and humanity from his literature. He said that Premchand’s realism does not close its eyes to problems in pursuit of ideals; rather, it inspires one to recognise problems and seek solutions.
In her presidential address, Dr. Tammanna said that Premchand’s women characters — Nirmala, Dhaniya and Suman — are a source of inspiration for today’s women’s power. She said, “What Premchand said a hundred years ago about women’s education, women’s dignity and social equality is being realised today through campaigns like ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’.” She urged the students to take some time away from mobile phones and social media to read great litterateurs like Premchand, because literature alone builds character.
At the end of the programme, Dr. Meraj Begum proposed the vote of thanks. Faculty members of the college and a large number of girl students were present on the occasion.
