SPPU postpones Indian History Congress

SPPU postpones Indian History Congress

PUNE: Over seven-decade-old Indian History Congress (IHC) faced an unusual crisis after Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) announced that the 79th IHC, which was scheduled from December 28-30 in Pune, has been postponed owing to lack of funds. Apparently, SPPU was the host for the event, which had registration of some 3,000 delegates from across the country.

On Wednesday, a slug stating 'The scheduled 79th session of the Indian History Congress, December 28-30, 2018, at Savitribai Phule Pune University, is postponed until further notice' appeared on the SPPU website. Least to say that it invited wrath by research scholars and public damaging the reputation of the varsity. The university was hosting the event after 50 years and the History Department was the organiser.

"We are currently facing a shortage of funds, as we haven't received the corporate funds as promised. An estimation of Rs 1.5 crore is required to make the arrangements for the event,” said Head of History Department Radhika Seshan, who is also the local secretary of IHC.

“Also, we had planned the accommodation for all the delegates at Balewadi Stadium, but later, the authorities of stadium informed that they are unable to provide accommodation as they are occupied for Khelo India Project, which will be held in January 2019. To make arrangement for thousands of participants elsewhere will be costlier, so, we have requested for postponement of the event,” added Seshan.

The department has sought permission to reschedule the Congress in end of February or beginning of March. “We need few more months to raise the funds. Some amount of promised funds will be available in January. We are hopeful to have adequate funds till then,” said Seshan.

While SPPU authorities have also expressed disappointment and regret to inconvenience, the failure to meet deadlines has brought the varsity into a tight spot. According to sources, although it has been stated that university was informed 10 months before the event, the official confirmation was received three months back.

“It is a matter of pride for the university to host such a prestigious academic event. The History Department has faced some difficulties due to the non-availability of funds which is why the department has requested permission to reschedule the event in a couple of months, preferably March. We are optimistic about the development in future,” said SPPU Registrar Prafulla Pawar.

IHC EXPRESSES SHOCK AND DISAPPOINTMENT
Although the university has asked permission to reschedule the event at the beginning of March, there are possibilities that IHC team may reconsider over the venue now. As a statement released on their website states, "We regret that our members are being put to great inconvenience at this late hour but assure them that we will hold the 79th Session at a future date, the dates and details will be conveyed by email to members and on the IHC website."

IHC has also expressed shock and disappointment by the announcement related to the postponement of the event on the SPPU website on December 12.

"The scheduled 79th session of the Indian History Congress, for which we (IHC) had a written offer from the Vice Chancellor of SPPU, will not be taking place. We had received an email from an anonymous 'Team IHC' at 11.48 pm on December 11, which appeared to be emanating from the office of the Local Secretary (Radhika Seshan) in Pune, that due to financial difficulties and lack of arrangements for accommodation of delegates, they have at the last moment taken this unilateral decision. On Wednesday, the website of SPPU carried the announcement of the postponement of the IHC, without the approval of the EC of the IHC. We have written to the Vice-Chancellor of SPPU expressing our deep anguish and asking him to ensure that the local delegate fee is returned immediately to the members,” said Secretary of IHC Prof Mahalakshmi Ramakrishnan.

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