Department of Sanskrit
and Philosophy of Post Graduate Govt. College for Girls, Sector-11, Chandigarh,
organised a Regional Seminar on the theme “Reconsidering Classical Indian
Thoughts”. The seminar was sponsored by Indian Council for Philosophical
Research, New Delhi, to commemorate the birth anniversary of Socrates declared
by UNESCO as World Philosophy Day. The detail report of the seminar is
given below:
Inaugural Session, Prof.
Ramakant Angiras (Ex. Professor of Kalidass Chair, Panjab University,
Chandigarh) was the Chief Guest on this occasion. Prof. Dharmendra Goel
(Professor Emeritus, Department of Philosophy, Panjab University, Chandigarh)
was Invited as Guest of Honour, Prof. K.K.Sharma ( Former
Pro-Vice-Chancellor, NEHU, Shillong and Director, Centre for Sri Aurobindo
Studies, Sohan Lal DAV College of Education, Ambala City) delivered his
Key-Note address on the theme “Growing Influence on Classical Indian
Philosophy”.
Dr. Sham Lata,
Vice-Principal and Programme Convener, welcomed the distinguished speakers,
guests and also introduced the theme of the Seminar. She pointed out that every
person has his own philosophy, ethics and thoughts of life but the Classical
Indian Thoughts teach us how to practice them correctly. In the key-note
address, Prof. K.K.Sharma emphasized that the Philosophy of a country is the
essence of its culture and civilization which springs from ideas that prevail
in its atmosphere and bears its unconscious stamp. However, there is a need to
redefine and reinterpret them keeping in mind the changing environment. He also
raised some fundamental questions related to classical Indian thought which
should be the issue of concentration by our present academic and non-academic
scholars.
While speaking on the
occasion, the Chief guest Prof. Ramakant Angiras, stressed upon the fact
that for over 3000 years there has been an uninterrupted Indian culture
projected in Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagwad Gita, Mahabharata, Ramayana and
in the poetical philosophy of Vedanta. But there is an urgent need today
not only to reconsider Indian Classical thoughts but we must also rediscover
and reconstruct them for leading a better life.
Prof. Dharmendra Goel
pointed out that man is responsible for shaping his own life. Quoting Lenin he
clarified that a person should work for his liberation. He suggested that the
best way of learning philosophy is to come in contact with the minds of the
great philosophers. Socrates did not claim that he knew everything; on the
contrary, he admitted his ignorance before discussing anything. His method and
attitude was quite different. By means of skillful questioning he would lead
his pupils to realize their ignorance and errors of thinking. The questions
which Socrates asked were concerned with the nature and meaning of justice,
truth, goodness and beauty. Knowledge, in Socrates’ view is essential for good
conduct.
Mrs. Achila Dogra,
Principal of the College also glorified the rich culture and heritage of India,
which has a lot of depth to teach and share with young generation. She pointed
out that the present seminar is a significant step as it recognizes the
potentials of classical Indian tradition and its vast wisdom to contribute in
all realms of life.
The seminar had two
sessions with ten papers. In the first session, chaired by Prof. K.K.Sharma,
following five papers were presented on different topics:
1. Dr.
Shankarji Jha (Chairperson, Department of Sanskrit, Panjab University,
Chandigarh) : Vachaspati’s View on Indian Syllogism (Anumiti-prakriya)
2. Dr.
Lakhvir (Head, Deptt. of Sanskrit, PGGCG-42, Chandigarh) : Mosquito Science
in Athravaveda
3. Dr.
Shivani Sharma (Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy, Panjab
University, Chandigarh) : Bhartiya Chintan Mein Kavya-Savrup: Ek Anveshan
4. Dr.
Ramandeep Kaur (Assistant Professor, Deptt. of Sanskrit, PGGC-46, Chandigarh) :
Bhartiya Chintan Ki Vikas Yatra
5. Mohammad
Abdullah (Student B.A.Final (Philosophy), PGGC-46, Chandigarh) : Indian
Value System with special reference to the Holy Quran
In the second session,
chaired by Prof. Shankarji Jha, the following five papers were presented on
different topics:
1. Dr. Manoj Kumar
(Assistant Professor, P.G. Department of Sociology, PGGCG-11, Chandigarh) : Contradictions
in Indian Values
2. Dr. Kamal Krishan
(Assistant Professor, Department of Hindi, PGGCG-11, Chandigarh) : Srimad
Bhagvad Gita Mein Samaj Kalyan ki Bhawna: Aadhunik Pripekshya Mein
3. Ms. Rajinder Kaur
(Vice-President, Society for Positive Philosophy and Interdisciplinary Studies
(SPPIS), Haryana) : Prachin Bhartiya Chintan Mein Bhoutiktavada Ka Vikas
4. Ms. Poonama Verma
(Secretary, SPPIS, Haryana & Research Scholar, Department of
Philosophy, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra) : The Concept of Dharma in
Mahabharata
5. Ms. Garima (
Student, USOL, Panjab University, Chandigarh): Mahabharata Ki Naitik Shiksha
A fruitful discussion
occurred with the questions asked by the students and participants. It made
both sessions fully interdisciplinary in nature and source of knowledge.
Teachers from Depts of Punjabi, Hindi, English, French, Public Administration,
Psychology, Home Science and students of Depts. of Sanskrit and Philosophy
joined the seminar and made their active participation.
Prof. Vikram Kumar ,
Head, Dayanand Chair of Indic Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh presided
over the valedictory session. He appreciated the efforts of Departments of
Sanskrit and Philosophy for organizing seminar on such a relevant issue to
emphasize Indian value system and its continuity. He stressed upon the
importance of the theme of the present seminar with reference to all
sub-themes. Dr. Desh Raj Sirswal, Organizing Secretary, presented the report of
the seminar and thanked all dignitaries, paper presenters and participants.