Goa University and Dhempe College of Arts and Science organised the National Conference on State Politics in India: Perspectives from the Western Region was held on 21st November 2017 at Dhempe College of Arts and Science, Seminar Hall. The conference coincided with the Western India launch of the book “State Politics in India.” The conference was supported by the Western Region Centre Indian Council for Social Science Research, Mumbai.

The conference itself divided into three sessions, the inaugural, Session debating state politics in the Western Region and session brainstorming on State Politics in Goa. The inaugural session commenced with welcome remarks by Dr Vrinda Borker, the principal of Dhempe College. In her address she highlighted the importance of generating new ideas on contemporary politics and she encouraged the young scholars to indulge in research. Prof. Himanshu Roy from D.D.U College, Delhi University spoke on the book “State Politics in India” and the process of writing and researching the book.

The address was followed by the formal inauguration of the function by lighting of the lamp by the dignitaries. Mr. Shakti Sinha, the Director of the NMML also addressed the gathering by making remarks on the state of research in the social sciences in India. Prof. G Gopa Kumar, Vice Chancellor, Central University, Kerala gave his Presidential address followed by the vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Ketan Govekar, the HOD of Political Science Department, Dhempe College which marked the end of the inaugural session.

The second session was marked by the presentation of papers by scholars from the Western Region. Each scholar presented a paper on the topic of the state and nature of politics in their respective States. 20 minutes were allotted to each scholar followed by a question and answer session. Prof V Srinivasulu from Osmania University chaired the session. The scholars who presented the papers were Prof Amit Dholakia, M.S University, Baroda, Prof Rajeshwari Deshpande, University of Pune, Mr. Parag Porobo, Goa University, Dr Prakash Dessai, Goa University and Prof G Gopa Kumar, Central University, Kerala. After the end of this session, commenced the lunch break.

The final session which was a brainstorming session on a proposed book project on ‘State and Politics in Goa’ was chaired by Dr Rahul Tripathi, HOD Political Science, Goa University. The scholars who presented the were given 10 minutes to present their ideas followed by a question and answer session. The scholars who presented were Dr Seema Salgaonkar, Ms Prachi Naik, Ms Hegel Da Costa, Mr Solano Da Silva Ms Shilpa Singh and Mr Mohit Sukhtankar.

The conference ended with a profound discussion dubbed as ‘The Road Map Ahead’ on the idea of conceptualisation of the book.