Glimpse of the National Seminar

29-3-2017: The Department of Philosophy and P.G. Department of Public Administration of P. G. Govt. College for Girls, Sector-11, Chandigarh organised an ICSSR North-Western Regional Centre, Chandigarh sponsored One-day National Seminar on “Aristotle and the Good Life”.

Report on ICSSR North-Western Regional Centre, Chandigarh sponsored One-day National Seminar on “Aristotle and the Good Life”

The Department of Philosophy and P.G. Department of Public Administration of P. G. Govt. College for Girls, Sector-11, Chandigarh organised an ICSSR North-Western Regional Centre, Chandigarh sponsored One-day National Seminar on “Aristotle and the Good Life”  on 29th March, 2017. Prof. Lallan S. Baghel, Chairperson, Department of Philosophy, PU, Chandigarh was the Key-note speaker on the occasion. Welcoming the chief-guest, Prof. Anita Kaushal, Principal of the college emphasised that the Seminar was being organised to commemorate the 2400th birth anniversary celebrations of Aristotle, and his philosophy is still relevant in contemporary times. Members of faculty and research scholars from various institutions of the country presented research papers on Aristotelian conceptualisation of themes of Ethical Philosophy, Happiness, Virtues, Justice, Pleasure, Friendship, Politics, Society etc.

In his key-note address, Prof. Baghel highlighted the significance of Aristotle and added that whatever is the question, we start off with Aristotle’s opinion and then start comparing that to Plato and then to other philosophers. He added that Aristotle’s philosophy cuts across the boundaries of all disciplines, may it be natural sciences or social sciences. He also chaired the 1st Technical session with theme ‘Ethical Philosophy of Aristotle’. He observed that the session was a kaleidoscope of research papers on varied aspects ranging from Education and Morality to Happiness, Intellectual Virtues and Justice.

The 2nd Technical Session was chaired by Dr. Shivani Sharma, Former Chairperson, Department of Philosophy, PU, Chandigarh. The theme of the session was ‘Aristotle on Arts, Aesthetics and Socio-political philosophy’. The delegates presented papers on aspects like Music, Metaphysics and religion, Aristotle and Gandhi, Ambiguities in Aristotle’s concepts, and Gender. Dr. Shivani Sharma commended the analysis of the delegates regarding their attempt to integrate contemporary notions with those of Aristotle’s narrative. Ms. Shashi Joshi, Convenor of the Seminar proposed a vote of thanks.

Happy New Year-2017

Dear Scholars
Happy New Year -2017

This new year, view the world with a positive outlook, speak your heart out with confidence, listen to others as well as your inner voice and you will be on the correct road in the correct direction.

Hope you scatter joy and happiness wherever you go all 365 days of the upcoming year and get the same in return. 

Every New Year gives you the perfect chance to start something new and fresh. So do your bit this year and make the world a better place for yourself and others. 

Happy New Year 2017 to you and your beloved family and friends.

Here is the link for my academic report-2016:

http://niyamakphilosophy.blogspot.in/2016/12/my-academic-report-2016.html

Have a blessed year ahead.
Dr. Desh Raj Sirswal

Special Issue on “Ambedkar, Indian Society and Tribal Philosophy”

Milestone Education Review (The Journal of Ideas on Educational & Social Transformation)

 ISSN:2278-2168   

Year 07, No.02, October, 2016

Special Issue on “Ambedkar, Indian Society and Tribal Philosophy” 

(Released on 21st November, 2016)

 Chief-Editor: Desh Raj Sirswal

Download the issue from given link:

https://drambedkar125.wordpress.com/2016/11/22/special-issue-on-ambedkar-indian-society-and-tribal-philosophy/

Report on World Philosophy Day Celeberation-2016

Report on World Philosophy Day Celeberation-2016

Continuing to its tradition of “Celebrating World Philosophy Day” every year, the Department of Philosophy and Department of Hindi of P. G. Govt. College for Girls, Sector-11, Chandigarh organised an event on 17^th November, 2016. Dr. Anita Kaushal, the Principal of Post Graduate Govt. College for Girls, Sector-11, Chandigarh facilitated the Guest -speaker, Dr. Sudhir Kumar Baweja, Coordinator, Department of Philosophy and Vivekananda Studies, USOL, Panjab University, Chandigarh.

Dr. Anita Khosla, Head, Department of Hindi introduced audience about the distinguished speaker. She mentioned that the present year being celebrated as 2400 Birth Anniversary of Aristotle and this lecture is a dedication to Aristotle and his philosophy.

The main attraction of the programme was an impressive address by Dr. Sudhir Kumar Baweja on “The Philosophy of Aristotle”.  Dr. Baweja opened his address to an attentive audience constituting students, faculty members and general audience by appraising the philosophy behind to celebrating the World Philosophy Day. Before coming to the life and philosophy of Aristotle Dr. Baweja took the audience to the streets of Athens where Socratic dialogues and Plato’s Academy Discussion still seemed to reverberate. He divided his lecture in two parts- History of Greek Philosophy and the philosophy of Aristotle. He started with beginning of the basic questions posed by ancient Greeks: What is the world made of?,  What is man?,  What is knowledge? and counted all important figures including Thales to Sophists. Where earlier Greek philosophers had been interested in the universe, in unity and difference, in the big questions, the Sophists were more interested in the mechanics of how man could do things for himself. For Socrates philosophy wasn’t a profession, as with the sophists, but a way of life. He said knowledge is virtue. The aim of Socrates’s dialectic was to expose false claims to wisdom and to move towards knowledge of man’s own nature. Plato was a prolific writer, not a textbook, but of elegant and lively dialogues in the style of thrillers with truth as query. Plato’s aim was to train man’ minds to enable them to think for themselves in the light of reason. The method seems to have been research under supervision.  Education required a joint effort on the part of teacher and pupil- a truly dialogue process. Star pupil was Aristotle-who studied at the Academy for about 20 years.

Engaging his young audiences in the same Socratic spirit, Dr. Baweja went on to unfold the nuances of Greek Philosophical traditions and Aristotle’s significant contributions to the intellectual world. In his engaging style he exported the young audiences to appreciate a very simple moral injection-Do good and he happy.’  Towards the end of his address he reminded that it was Aristotle who taught the world that Excellence is not just an act but it is a habit and also our happiness depends on our self, our own wise choices, sincere efforts and intelligent excursions. Dr. Baweja concluded that on this World Philosophy Day young students of philosophy should overcome their prejudices, sectarian outlooks and involve the spirit of critical inquiry and reasoned dialogue so, that durable peace and universal brotherhood prevail in the deeply fragmented world.

A Poster to commemorate the World Philosophy Day-2016, which showcased the contributions of the celebrated Trinity of Philosophy-Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, released on this occasion. This programme had an interactive session in the end and students discussed on various concepts like virtues, justice, morality etc. and got clarification from the speaker. After the lecture, prizes of Declamation Contest held on the theme on “The Role of Youth in National Integration held on 4^th November, 2016 distributed among the winners of the competition.

Dr. Rama Arora (Dean) and Dr. Kanwar Iqbal (Vice-Principal) graced the function.  In the end of the program Dr. Desh Raj Sirswal, Head, Department of Philosophy thanked the speaker and the audience and pointed out that the present lecture is a significant step to teach and acquaint students with the key concepts of the philosophy of Aristotle. Dr. About 80 students and faculty-members of the college have attended this lecture.

Dr. Desh Raj Sirswal

November 19, 2016

Report on Declamation Contest-2016

Report on Declamation Contest-2016

4^th November, 2016

The Positive Philosophy Society of  P.G.Govt. College for Girls, Sector-11, Chandigarh  organised  a “Declamation Contest” on “The Role of Youth in National Integration” held on 4^th November, 2016.  The competition started with an address from Ms. Nidhi Semwal, President of the Society. She said that the “National Unity Day” is celebrated every year on 31^st October throughout India. It is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.  This celebration helps youth to be aware of and provides an opportunity to everyone to maintain the integral strength of the nation. It makes Indian citizens to realize that how a national integrity helps in defeating the actual and potential threats for unity, integrity and security of the nation. She said the present programme is a part of weeklong celebration  of “National Unity Week” being held in the college from 31^st October to 6^th November, 2016.

Ms. Bhanu Priya coordinated the presentations. Total 33 students participated in it. The students declaimed on various topics like national security, casteism, religious tolerance, youth problems, corruption, women issues, educational issues and quotes thinkers of eminence in their presentations. Results are as follows:

·      First Prize: Ms. Nidhi Semwal  (B.A.Final Year)

·      Second Prize: Ms. Bhanu Priya (B.A. Second Year)

·      Third Prize: Ms. Purandhi Gupta  (B.A. First Year)

The students were given the topics on which they were asked to present their views within the given time limit. They displayed confidence, enthusiasm and alertness while participating in the competition. Judges appreciated the efforts of the students and expressed that such competitions lead to free flow of ideas and help in sensitizing towards the issues that need attention. The participants and teachers were provided with refreshments. Overall it was a knowledgeable and enthralling experience.

                                                           

                                                                                                                       

    

Date: 4^th  November, 2016

                                                                                                                                         (Dr.Desh Raj Sirswal)