Experts recently explored how communication actively shapes social structures
Newly admitted sociology students recently began their academic term by examining the deep connections between messaging, governance, and societal power structures. Prof. Garada, Head of the Sociology Department, welcomed attendees by distinguishing between simple information sharing and true sociological communication. He explained that communication involves message, meaning, and medium, while also determining who gets to participate and whose voices face marginalization. Odisha has a rich linguistic heritage encompassing 64 tribal languages, making the region an ideal backdrop for studying these complex cultural exchanges and power dynamics.
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To illustrate how systemic poverty affects individuals, Prof. Garada shared a humorous story about a starving tiger from Kalahandi posing as a cat, proving that hardship is often a structural issue rather than a personal failure. He reminded students that sociology is a window to see people, their dreams, their struggles, their invisible chains, and their quiet resistance.
Analyzing media and public perception
Akhil Kumar Mishra, Additional Director General at the Press Information Bureau and Central Bureau of Communication in Bhubaneswar, shifted the focus to modern media. He argued that films and advertisements actively dismantle or reinforce gender norms. Mishra cited commercial campaigns like Surf Excel, which normalizes male involvement in domestic chores. He also analyzed movies like Pink and Baghban, which challenge unrealistic expectations placed on women and expose patriarchal dominance masked within families. He noted that true communication requires internalizing ideas, rather than just memorizing data.
Overcoming access barriers in institutions
Dr. Chitrasen Prasayat, a former Odisha Administrative Service officer, expanded the discussion to physical infrastructure and institutional accessibility. He recalled the geographic isolation of Jeypore in 1996 due to poor road connectivity, demonstrating that physical mobility functions as a crucial form of interaction. Prasayat also shared a notable case study from the Gopabandhu Training Centre. There, administrative intervention by Commissioner Nitin Chandra ensured visually impaired candidates received Braille materials, proving that systemic adaptation is essential for equal educational access. Furthermore, Prasayat discussed how traditional temple architecture can counter patriarchal dominance, referencing specific Shaivite imagery where Shiva massages Shakti’s feet to challenge classical norms.
