ATNN, Kolkata: The Department of Geography, Loreto College, marked a new beginning with the launch of the first edition of its annual mega event, Terraquest: Where Minds Meet the World, an international seminar that brought together academic dialogue, creativity, and community engagement.
The day-long programme on 16th January revolved around the theme “Landscapes to Livelihoods: Exploring Environmental and Societal Dynamics” and began with an engaging keynote address by Prof. Isha Ray of the University of California, Berkeley. Her address set the intellectual tone for the event by highlighting the intricate links between environmental processes, societal structures, and human livelihoods.
This was followed by a series of insightful deliberations by Prof. Saswati Mookherjee, Prof. Lakshmi Sivaramakrishnan, and Dr. Priyank Pravin Patel, who offered diverse perspectives on landscapes and environmental concerns. Their discussions encouraged participants to rethink the dynamic relationship between people and the spaces they inhabit.
The post-lunch session brought a lively shift in format with innovative student-focused competitions. TerraStrategy Simulation challenged teams to devise practical action plans for contemporary environmental and urban problems, while TerraSculpt enabled students to creatively represent landforms through physical models. Adding a digital dimension to the event, TerraStudio, an online reel-making competition, allowed students to express geographical ideas through social media.
The afternoon segment also featured eight paper presentations by faculty members and students from institutions within and outside the city, contributing fresh research perspectives and fostering academic exchange.
Overall, Terraquest emerged as a multifaceted platform that reinterpreted landscapes through scholarly discussion, role-play, games, and digital media. The event highlighted the enthusiasm and competitive spirit of students alongside the scholarly depth of experienced academicians.
The day concluded on a joyous note with Homecoming, a grand reunion of the Geography Department. Alumni from the batch of 1976 to the youngest current students came together for an evening filled with food, music, laughter, photographs, and games. The celebration of togetherness allowed former students to reconnect with their alma mater and take home cherished memories of their college days.
