CSPA launches two new Lecture Series – “INSPIRATIONS: People-Places-Processes” and “BOOKWORMS: Writers and Readers”
Outside of conventional didactic frameworks, Chitkara School of Planning and Architecture (CSPA) regularly offers a variety of talks, lectures and workshops, aimed at motivating students to explore the world beyond the classroom. The latest addition to this bouquet are two new Lecture Series that were both launched on 02 February 2018.
The first, titled “INSPIRATIONS: People-Places-Processes”, is designed to connect us to personalities, built and natural spaces, and, path-breaking societal and technological developments that inspire us to excel in various ways. The Guest Speaker for this inaugural session was Dr. Bhavita Saxena, who describes herself as “an Electronics Engineer by Profession, a Photographer by Choice and, a Healer by chance”. Through her presentation titled “I chose to Shine … for Myself”, she shared how she decided to give up a flourishing, lucrative career as a top-notch IT Professional to shift to her passion for photography and, is now geo-mapping the lost heritage of stepwells in India. The event was attended by more than 100 faculty members from various schools of Chitkara University Punjab.
The second series, titled “BOOKWORMS: Writers and Readers”, involves face-to-face interaction with authors of books on architecture and related disciplines. The aim is to revive the “love of reading” amongst students and, also expose them to possibilities of adopting ‘Architectural Photography’ and ‘Architectural Journalism’ as valid career options. The Guest Speaker here was Ms Victoria Lautman, a Chicago-based Art Historian and Journalist of international repute. Ms Lautman took us through her 8-year long journeys into various parts of India that culminated into her new book “The Vanishing Stepwells of India” (Published by Merrel, June 2017). The event was organised in collaboration with Chitkara Schools of Mass Communication, Applied Sciences and Civil Engineering and was attended by over 400 students and faculty members.
Dr Madhu Chitkara, Vice-Chancellor, Chitkara University, presided over both events. Dr. Archana Mantri, Pro-Vice Chancellor, also shared her views with the audience.
