Addressing the students at Maharaja College Junior BA Hall after releasing the book ‘teaching English language through literature’, Chander said many students from affiliated colleges could not secure admission into MA English after few colleges turned autonomous.

“But, with the admission test, the opportunity is going to be equal for everyone, and it will now depend on the student whether he/she would be able to secure admission through the test alone,” he added.

Stating that the book edited and compiled by Dr N Shantha Naik of Department of English, Maharaja College, was a good attempt at dealing with a certain aspect of language which is considered very tough. “Literature and poetry are the most sensitive topics of a language.

How do you teach them to someone? There are opinions that language cannot be taught, and even if there is an attempt, it can only be in a subaltern way,” he said.

Referring to the book, Dr Chander wished it was devoid of many oversights and mistakes that could ruin its image, since it was priced at Rs 500. “Maharajas College and University of Mysore carry a certain image what with the legends having taught here. Hence, when we bring out a book, it is important that we set standards and adhere to them,” he added.

Principal S N Gayathri, Prof Latha K Biddappa and Prof P N Sridevi were present on the occasion.