Comparative Literary and Cultural Studies have become extremely important in these days of building distrust among the global communities. People were fighting in the name of cultural identity due to the lack of awareness of the fact that all human beings have a basic value system and slightly different attitudes. Studying the literature and cultures of other societies creates friendship among individuals and helps maintain good relations in the larger perspective, said English and Foreign Languages University (Hyderabad) Vice-Chancellor Abhai Maurya.

Addressing a national seminar on ‘Comparative and cultural study of literary texts' at Andhra University P.G. Center here on Thursday, Prof. Maurya said what was now happening around the world was ‘wholesale robotisation of human beings' in the aspect of technological developments. This caused narrow – mindedness as people were leading their lives like robots with lack of the human touch. It was therefore necessary that an element of literary and cultural studies was introduced in engineering, medical and science colleges. Exposure to diverse cultures and literature's makes people modest and tolerant. It was only when a person understands the others well that he or she would be able to strengthen the bonds of humanity.

RDO G.C. Kishore Kumar, who was the guest of honor, said cross-cultural experiences were essential to shape personalities in a proper way. Exchanges between cultural groups within a country and beyond facilitate friendship thereby peaceful co-existence. Study of languages and cultures of other countries is needed more in the current context of globalization, he added. A.U P.G Center Special Officer P Rajendra Karmarkar and Prof. B.S. Korde, Head of Department of English in University of Pune spoke about various facets of inter and Multicultural and linguistic studies around the world.