UGC sponsored orientation programme concludes at Panjab University

CHANDIGARH: Curtains came down on the 116th Orientation Course, sponsored by the UGC and conducted by the Human Resource Development Centre, Panjab University at the valedictory programme. It was attended by 33 faculty members of colleges and universities from 9 states of the country i.e. Kerala, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal, Delhi and Chandigarh. They belonged to 18 different disciplines.

Professor Rajaneesh Kumar Shukla, Member Secretary of Indian Council of Philosophical Research, Chief Guest of the valedictory in his address outlined the significance of ‘Gyan’ and linked it with ‘Karma’ with instances drawn from Indian philosophical tradition. He said much of what we assume in knowledge has been superimposed. There is not only one knowledge system but there can be many alternatives to it and we should be able to identify them.

Guest of Honour, Dr Sudhir Kumar, Professor in English, Panjab University, Chandigarh and Head of the

Publication Bureau

of P.U. in his address highlighted the importance of ‘Pragya’ the knowledge of our ancient nation and also that of ‘Sam’ that is equality, balance and seeing the things in a holistic approach.

Professor

Karamjeet Singh

, Director, UGC-Human Resource Development Centre, Panjab University, Chandigarh conveyed to the participants about the challenges in training the higher education faculty and apprised them about the new developments in this area. He requested them to provide feedback for further improvements. Participants from different regions presented a bouquet of cultural items in diverse languages during the programme.

Meanwhile, the department of philosophy organized a special guest lecture on relevance of philosophy in contemporary world delivered by Professor Rajaneesh K Shukla, member secretary, Indian council of Philosophical research, New Delhi. The welcome address was given by chairperson of department Mr.

Lallan Singh Baghel

, It was attended by students and faculty from various departments of university including department of Philosophy, Political Science, sociology.

Professor Rajaneesh K Shukla, opened his talk by highlighting on the important points of Philosophy as a critical inquiry in the shaping of a world based on justice and equality. He emphasized on the understanding of Philosophy as a cultural science, a process of mind making and also emphasized that philosophy as a process of transformation and creative activity towards the transformation of questions based on our relevance because to avail the answers of today’s question cannot be done by using earlier texts though we need to have a background to base our understandings. This discussion had begun by raising questions regarding the comprehension of philosophy and how are we doing it in contemporary world.