Centre for English Language

Studies Lecture / Workshop Series

“Voices and Visions: Exploring Language, Media, Equality and Equity in the Modern
Landscape”
Hyderabad, February 12, 2024

Time: 10 am - 4pm
Venue: Humanities Auditorium

Organised By
Dr. Shree Deepa
Associate Professor, CELS, University of Hyderabad

Coordinators
Shadab Khan
Amaratheja
Ambati
Phamdom Rameshori Chanu
Prakash
Smriti Asha
Shaik Maseera Firdous
 Program Timeline

Monday, 12 February 2024

10.00 am-10:15 am Inaugural Session

10:15am- 11:30am First Talk- Rachna Mudraboyina

Impact of binary and non-binary language

11:30-11:45 am Tea Break

Second Talk- Kiran Nayak

11:45am- 1:00 pm Language choices: language and Media
as Mirrors: Reflecting on Sexuality,
Disability, and the Experiences of Tran
Men
1:00pm-2:30pm Lunch Break

Third Speaker- Vyjayanti Vasanta

2:30-3:45pm Mogli Language choices: Othering of us,
our lives and genders

3:45pm Vote of Thanks

Tea
Inaugural session

Lamp Lighting Ceremony

Host: “Ladies and Gentlemen, we will start our program by lighting the lamp. This act
signifies the dispelling of darkness and igniting of thought. It's our honor to invite the
dignitary/dignitaries(name/names) on stage to do the honor.

(Dignitaries light the lamp)

Thank you, esteemed guests (names), for leading this auspicious beginning. With this
luminous start, we declare the program open and proceed with our planned schedule.”

The host will greet the audience. Then, invites Dr. Shree Deepa for the opening speech
 Opening
Speech By
Dr. Shree Deepa

Good morning, everyone. Welcome to this lecture series entitled Voices and Visions:
Exploring Language, Media, Equality and Equity in the Modern Landscape"! I am
honored to welcome all the speakers, professors, colleagues, and volunteers here today. We
welcome you.

Firstly, I welcome Professor Basuthkar Jagadeeshwar Rao, the VC of the University of

Hyderbad, Professor V. Krishna, Dean, School of Humanities, and Dr. Jyothi Hymavathi
Devi, Hod, CELS. They could not join us today due to academic work but they have sent
their heartfelt greetings for our lecture/workshop series. They have also conveyed their good
wishes for the success of the event. The VC remarks, “I am immensely pleased to welcome
you all to this distinctive lecture series. Today marks the beginning of a journey where
knowledge intersects with experience, and wisdom transcends boundaries. I urge you to seize
this opportunity to grow and learn together. The lecture series promises an educative and
informative experience for all of us. I wish the Organizer and the coordinating team success.
Your dedication to knowledge dissemination and scholarly pursuits is truly commendable.”
Professor V. Krishna, Dean, School of Humanities, remarks, “Lecture series like this
exemplify the essence of academic discourse—the exchange of ideas, the exploration of new
frontiers, and the cultivation of intellectual camaraderie. we are honored to have the generous
support and encouragement of esteemed donors and well-wishers, Ms. Radha Rajagopalan.
Today marks the beginning of an enriching journey, made possible by her dedication to
fostering knowledge and growth. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Ms. Radha Rajagopalan
and all our supporters for their invaluable contributions to this endeavor.
I convey my heartfelt greetings and good wishes. I wish the Organizer and the coordinating
team a great success.”
Secondly, I thank our guest speakers for taking their time out for this program and
thoughtfully agreeing to share their expertise with us. I welcome you. I welcome my
audience. Thank you for being present here today. Before we begin today's session, please
allow me to deliver a short speech to warm everyone up regarding today's vital issues.
Today's topics of concern are language in media, Equality, and Equity.

We will address issues related to disability, social ostracization, and inclusivity by

highlighting the importance of language in media and its role in shaping perceptions and
attitudes to lay the groundwork for fostering equity and equality. Dr. Bhimrao Ramji
Ambedkar says, "If all men are equal, then all men are of the same essence, and the common
essence entitles them to the same fundamental rights and equal liberty." This lecture series
adheres to the above principle and attempts to reinforce that all humans are of the same
essence and entitled to the same rights and liberty.

Language carries immense power and can reinforce or challenge societal norms and biases.
Foucault's work on language and power extensively explores how language operates within
systems of power and knowledge, shaping individuals' understanding of themselves and their
social environments. One of his key insights is that power is not just something possessed or
wielded by individuals or institutions; it operates through networks of discourses, shaping
and constraining the possibilities for thought and action. Language, therefore, serves as a
mechanism through which power is exercised and contested. In this light, we consider
language is never innocent. It rather is imbued with color, sometimes discriminatory. Hence,
we will look at the potentiality of language being biased by exploring what it does—
examining language in media, removing discriminatory elements, and promoting inclusivity
and respect for all individuals, regardless of their backgrounds or abilities. So, we are
primarily looking at language and language in media to establish equity and equality.

Today is the first lecture series; we hope to bring in more. As you can see, we also have a
sign language interpreter over here who is in case there is somebody, or even if there is
nobody, we need to open our doors to deaf persons as well. That is what we are standing for
and what we would like anybody else to stand for.

Vedic philosopher and social reformer Ramanujacharya advocated social equality among all
sections of people centuries ago. He encouraged temples to open their doors to everyone,
irrespective of caste or societal position. He also traveled across India, propagating his ideas
of social equality and universal brotherhood from temple podiums. This lecture series is a
step towards opening the door to inclusivity and attempting to establish equality and equity
from the academic podium.
 Introduction of CELS
Host: “Now, I want to call upon the Head of CELS/ a volunteer (subjected to change), School
of Humanities, University of Hyderabad, to introduce the Centre to the audience.”
The HoD/ a volunteer comes up on the stage and introduces the Centre.

Introduction:
The Centre for English Language Studies (CELS) was founded in 2011 in the School of
Humanities with the objectives of teaching English to students and researchers in various
departments and centres of study in the University, offering full-fledged degree programs, to
engage in research pertaining to language curricula, "studying the nature and structure of
language and its relationship to education, culture, and society." The centre also focuses on
"language education, English Linguistics, and other areas of the English language studied
from various perspectives."
At present, the Centre offers MA and Ph.D. programs. The areas of study in the Ph.D.
program includes "teacher training, materials development, testing and assessment, skills
development, historiography of English in India, language acquisition, sociolinguistics,
language and social media, inclusive education, corpus-based studies, and the psychology of
language learning." The MA program consists of courses in linguistics, applied linguistics,
ELT, and research methodology, along with skills-oriented courses. The Centre also offers
English proficiency courses for the students of the Integrated Masters programs of the
University.
(The host thanks the HoD/ a volunteer after the introduction. Then, proceeds to introduce the
sign Language interpreters.)
Host: “Today, we have two Indian Sign language (ISL) interpreters, C G Chitra and
Keerthana, who have graced the program with their presence. They will interpret the whole
event in Indian Sign language. C G Chitra & Bezawada Keerthana. Now, call upon Ms.
Ankita on the stage to introduce the ISL interpreters.’’
(Ankita comes up on the stage and introduces the ISL interpreters.)
 Introduction of Bezawada Keerthana
Bezawada Keerthana is a sign language interpreter with over 7+ years of dedicated service in
facilitating effective communication between deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals and hearing
individuals. She is proficient in sign language systems and well-versed in interpreting spoken
language into sign language and vice versa. She adapts interpretation style and vocabulary to
suit individual needs, ensuring accurate and accessible communication. She has extensive
experience in educational, professional, and community settings and can convey complex
concepts and foster inclusive environments. She is committed to promoting equal access and
bridging the communication gap for the deaf community. She seeks challenging opportunities
to use her sign language interpretation expertise to make a meaningful impact. She worked as
a Sign Language Interpreter for the Empowerment of Disability, Senior Citizen, and
Transgender Department from December 2021 to April 2023. She was also a freelance sign
language interpreter at V-SH LEARNING SERVICES PRIVATE LIMITED from January
2016 to February 2022. She was an ISL interpreter and coordinator at NODIA DEAF
SOCIETY/ Akshara School from June 2019 to March 2020. She was the work placement
coordinator at DRPI AWARE from May 2017 to December 2018.
She has a bachelor's degree in Commerce, an MBA THM in Tourism and Travel Services
Management, and a Level C in Sign Language Interpretation.

Introduction of Anita Anil Gandham

Anita is a certified Indian Sign Language interpreter from ISLRTC [Indian Sign Language
Training and Research Centre]. She has been associated with the hearing-impaired community
since 2013. She is passionate about training hearing-impaired children on various skills and is
interested in working with young, hearing-impaired children. She has worked on several
projects with various Corporate CSR activities.

(Ankita thanks the audience once she is done with the introduction and got down from the
stage.)
~Inaugural session ends~
 The first talk
10:15am- 11:30am
(The host thanks Ankita. Then, proceeds the program.)
Host: “Today’s first speaker is Rachna Mudraboyina. Her topic is Impact of binary and non-
binary language.”
(First speaker’s introduction follows)
Introduction
Rachana Mudraboyina is a transgender/hijra persons rights activist. She is a trans woman
who has challenged conventional norms and broken barriers and built a collective movement
that supports and empowers the trans community in India. She has confronted multiple layers
of discrimination and marginalization. The first Swabhimana Sabha was organized under her
leadership along with other trans hijra activists on 10th September 2015 at Dharna Chowk
and
has had a tangible effect on the welfare of the trans hijra folks in Telangana and Andhra
Pradesh. She decolonizes Telangana Queer Pride Walk by suggesting a vernacular name
Telangana Queer Swabhimana Yatra, under the umbrella the Hyderabad has experienced its
first Hyderabad Queer Swabhimana Yatra in 2015. She involves in various collectives such
as the National Network of Transgender Persons (NTP), Telangana Hijra Intersex,
Transgender (THITS), and Telangana Queer Swabhimana Yatra (Hyderabad Pride March).

She is the founder of the #SITAL project. She also coordinated 20 trans entrepreneurship
projects across India and provided sustainable livelihood options for trans individuals
previously engaged in begging or sex work.
She has a double post-graduation in Commerce and Social work. She has a profound
understanding of the challenges faced by her community in the formal education system and
employment sector. Rachana's intellectual prowess and technical expertise in interpersonal
communication skills have amplified her advocacy efforts, enabling her to engage with
policymakers, organizations, and academic institutions to effect meaningful change.
She won the Laadli award in the gender sensitization wing from the Population Council of
India for her direction and scripting skills in three languages, Telugu, Kannada, and Deccani
Urdu, for her YouTube channel.

Host: “Now, I hand over the session to Rachana.”

(Rachana starts the talk. The talk ends and the discussion
follow.) Tea Break- 11:30-11:45 am. The host announces the
venue.
 The Second Talk
11:45am- 1:00 pm
Host: “Welcome back to our second talk. Our next speaker is Kiran Nayak. His topic is
Language choices: Othering of us, our lives and genders.”
The host introduces Kiran.
Introduction
Kiran is a trans man. He is passionate, dynamic, and a competent, differently-abled transman
keen to enhance skills as a disability, gender, and sexuality rights activist. He takes up
challenges head-on and fearlessly, which is his forte.

Kiran worked as a village Advocacy Officer in Narasampeta mandal, Warangal Rural,

Telangana, for the Velugu project for Persons with Disabilities from June 2006 to March
2008. He volunteered for various NGOs, including Sangama, a Bangalore-based NGO. Kiran
has also worked as an ANEKA Fellow in Chikkaballapura district, Karnataka, from January
2010 to March 2013. He was the Co-ordinator at KSMF (sexual/gender minority CBO) from
April 2014 to March 2015. He again volunteered as President and CBO Manager at Nisarga
(sexual/gender minority CBO), in Chikkaballapura district, Karnataka, from April 2016 to
March 2017. He was the 1st President of Karnataka Vikalachethanara Samasthe (CBO of
Persons with Disabilities) in Chikkaballapura from 2012 to 2017 and later as General
Secretary from 2017 till date. He also worked as a Solidarity Foundation Fellow from July
2017 to June 2019. He was the Point of View Fellow from July 2019 to March 2020, and a
WFA Fellow
from September 2020 to March 2021. Currently, he officiates as General Secretary of the
Society for Transmen Action & Rights (STAR).

He is the awardee of the following:

•Helen Keller (Individual) Award 2020 from NCPDEP
•Good social worker award from Canara Bank, New Delhi
• Rajya Prasasthi award from Karnataka Government
• Uttama Samaja Sevakaru award from Inter-faith group
• Uttama Prasasthi award (for promoting the Kannada language as a non-native speaker) from
the Karnataka Government
• Positive Health Hero award from Dr. Batra’s Clinic, Mumbai
• Good Community Encourager award from Women and Child Department, Karnataka
• Good Crisis Manager award from District Legal Services Authority, Chikkaballapur
Host welcomes Kiran on that stage. Kiran starts the talk. Ends. Discussion follows. Wines up
by 2:30pm.
Lunch Break (1:00pm-2:30pm). Host announces the lunch venue.

The Third Talk

2:30pm-3:45pm
At 2:30pm: The third talk starts.
Host: “welcome back to our third talk.” Introduces the last speaker, “today’s last speaker is
Vyjayanti Vasanta Mogli. Her topic is Language choices: Othering of us, our lives and
genders.”
Introduction
She is a trans woman human rights activist and RTI activist precipitating Public Interest
Litigation (PIL) in the High Courts and the Supreme Court of India. She has worn several
hats across the corporate and social development sectors, ranging from training design and
delivery, diversity and inclusion, to people engagement. Vyjayanti's preferred name is
Vyjayanti, and her pronouns are she, her, and hers. Vyjayanti has worked and volunteered
across collectives, issues, organizations, and movements of anti-trafficking, construction
laborers, domestic workers, environment, farmers, migrant workers, and weavers, among
other things. As a transgender person, Vyjayanti has actively been involved in advocacy
efforts in the domain of gender to expand the rights of transgender people, women, and other
marginalized communities.
She is one of the founding members of the Telangana Hijra Intersex Transgender Samiti
(THITS), Queer Swabhimana Yatra (QSY), Telangana Queer Transgender Janulu (TQTJ), all
of which are unfunded and an unregistered people's collective and network of queer, hijra and
transgender people. Vyjayanti volunteer’s pro-bono with the hijra and transgender
community and is engaged with the community, the legal fraternity, and the government to
foster a legal framework that decriminalizes the existence and subsistence of the transgender
community. In August 2022, she was appointed by the Government of Telangana as a
member of the Telangana
State Welfare Board for Transgender Persons constituted vide G.O. Ms. No. 21 dated
19.08.2022 of the Department of Women, Children, Disabled and Senior Citizens (PROG.
II). Her Public Interest Litigation work was quoted twice as citations on pages 59 and 71 in
the Sensitization Module for the Judiciary on the LGBTIQA+ community designed by the e-
Committee, Supreme Court of India.
Host hands over the session to Vyjayanti. She starts the session. Ends. Discussion follows.
Wines up by 3:45pm. The host calls upon Nayana (tentative) for Vote of Thanks.
 Vote of Thanks
3:45pm
Eureka!!! we have successfully completed the first lecture in our lecture/workshop series.
On behalf of the Centre for English Language Studies at the University of Hyderabad, I extend
a heartfelt thanks to all of you who have made this lecture/workshop series on the title "Voices
and Vision: Exploring Language, Media, Equality & Equity in the Modern Landscape" a
resounding success.
We are deeply grateful to our esteemed speakers Rachna Mudraboyina, Kiran Nayak, Vyjayanti
Vasanta Mogli who have generously shared their expertise, insights, and experiences on such
crucial topics. Your contributions have enriched our understanding and inspired us to strive for
positive change in our society. Your presence has truly made this platform meaningful and
inclusive. I would also like to express our gratitude to the sign language interpreters Anita Anil
Gandham & Bezawada Keerthana who helped us to open the door for the specially
abled/hearing impaired audience...
I would be remiss if I did not express our deepest appreciation to the driving force behind this
event, the visionary organizer, Dr. Shree Deepa. Your dedication, meticulous planning, and
unwavering commitment have been the cornerstone of this remarkable occasion. Your passion
for excellence has truly set a benchmark for all of us to aspire to.Thank you, Dr. Shree Deepa,
for your unwavering commitment, your unparalleled leadership, and your enduring dedication.
We are truly privileged to have you at the helm, and we eagerly anticipate the brilliance that lies
ahead under your stewardship. Cheers to shree deepa ma’am.
I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Ms. Radha Rajagopalan for her generous
sponsorship of the lecture/workshop series. Ms. Rajagopalan's support has made it possible for
us to bring together experts and enthusiasts alike to exchange knowledge and insights in topics.
Her dedication to education and community development is truly inspiring, and we are
incredibly grateful for her contribution to this initiative. We look forward to continuing to honor
her commitment by fostering learning and growth within our community. Thank you, Ms.
Radha Rajagopalan, for your invaluable support.

I thank Dr. Jyothi Hymavathi, the HoD, CELS, for permitting us to conduct this
lecture/workshop series. Thank you, ma'am. I also thank the Dean of the School of Humanities
for all the support and cooperation. I extend our deepest gratitude to Vice Chancellor for their
invaluable support and for championing the spirit of learning and collaboration.
A special word of thanks goes to the organizing team - Shadab, Amar, Rameshori, Prakash,
Smriti, Maseera and all the Volunteers whose dedication and hard work behind the scenes
have made this event possible. Your tireless efforts have ensured a smooth and memorable
experience for everyone involved. kudos to organizing team and volunteers...
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our esteemed caterers, whose culinary expertise has delighted
our taste buds and added a savory touch to our gathering.
Last but not least, I want to thank all the attendees for your enthusiastic participation and
unwavering support. Your presence here today signifies your commitment to promote Equality
& Equity , and social justice.
As we conclude the fist day of our series, let us carry forward the insights gained and continue
our efforts to create a more inclusive, equitable, and empathetic society for all.
Thank you once again, and we look forward to future collaborations and endeavours together.
Hip Hip hurray to all shree deepa maam's students...HIP HIP HURRAY...
Thank you . See you all…
~Tea time~