An homage to my mother & grandfather

Ravenshaw University, Cuttack India

I gave a talk today at Ravenshaw University (formerly Ravenshaw College) in Cuttack, Odisha on the topic of Rethinking Learning in the 21st Century: Creativity, Technology & Systems Change. I have given many talks over the past few years but this one was special. It was special because by grandfather, Dr. K. B. Tripathy was a highly respected professor of philology there for many years. My mother also studied there, completing her bachelors and masters’ degrees there. She was a prolific writer – especially after coming back to Odisha after my father retired. These two individuals, more than anybody else, were instrumental in my becoming an academic, and who I am today. I dedicated my talk to the both of them.

Below are some photos and links to the event and to information about my mother and grandfather. 

Banner advertising my talk

All the students and faculty gathered for my talk

My grandfather, Dr. K. B. Tripathy, received his PhD from the School of African & Oriental Studies, University of London in 1953.

He later converted his thesis into a book, “Evolution of the Oriya Language & Script,” published 1963 [PDF available here]

My cousin, Shweta, is an amazing illustrator and has been creating these lovely
nostalgic images of her memories of Cuttack and my grandparents home
(in Professor Para) and imagining my grandfather & grandmother
when they were younger.  You can see her illustration work and more images
from what she has called the “Professor Para Series” here. Image above © Shweta Mohapatra

My mother, Kanan Mishra (née Tripathy) aged 5 & then at her graduation from Ravenshaw College

Partial list of books written by my mother (mostly in Odiya) My mother’s last book: “Rekha Kunja,” a biography of her father (my grandfather). She wrote this, even as she battled cancer, knowing that she did not have much time left. She died 2 years ago.