Korel, Chandigarh July 6, 2020
The Department of History and Interdisciplinary Centre of Swami Vivekananda Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh organized a Web Lecture of Shri Shankarananda, a prominent Academician and the All India Joint Organising Secretary of the Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal (BSM) on the theme of ‘Economics and Cultural Amalgamation: The Only Way to Achieve Economic Stability’.
Prof Raj Kumar,Vice Chancellor in his opening remarks applauded the effort of the Department for organizing the Web Lecture of high academic caliber. Prof Raj Kumar touched on the relevance of the theme in the light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and how the economy of the country has undergone a major shock. He remarked that there is the need to steer the economy forward but not at the cost of cultural heritage.
Shri Shankarananda began his lecture by congratulating the organizers and said that they deserve appreciation for organizing a series of web lectures. He then started his exposition on the theme by asserting that it is erroneous to compartmentalize various branches of education. This compartmentalisation acts as impediment in the holistic growth of the mind through education. Education, as per Indian objectives always aims at the sacred principle that ‘education liberates the mind’. The intellectual abilities, oratory skills and analytical presentation captured the mind and soul of the audience as the speaker recounted how culture and education can be brought together to create a powerful medium for the modern world. Through many anecdotes, stories and extensive quoting from the ancient sources of wisdom such as Vedas and Shastras, Shri Shankarananda spoke about how the economy still is dependent on age-old values and ethics to be able to function and thrive. The speaker also spoke about how it is possible to predict the vagaries of the economic situation using the traditional modes which have been spelled out in the Indian classical Sanskrit treatises. He highlighted the importance of economy, values of life, culture and dharma, the hallmarks of ancient Indian history and appealed that these should be adopted in consonance and coordination for the economic stability. These are useful in the process of our nation building. Our nation by adhering to them can lead the whole world in showing the path of ultimate solace and economic stability in the present time especially when the entire globe is coping with the challenge of Covid-19 which has led to global economic instability.
Earlier,Professor Anju Suri, Chairperson of Department of History, the Director of the event apprised the audience of the credentials of the eminent speaker, who is an Engineer by formal education. Speaking in chaste Hindi, in which the entire event was organised, Dr Suri delved on various aspects of Indian culture in a nutshell. Shri Shankarananda who has devoted his life to the service of the nation and Mother India is actively engaged in education reforms in India. He is of the belief that the Indianisation of education is important to liberate Indian academia from intellectual colonial dependency of the west.
Professor Devendra Singh Thakur, Co-ordinator, Ambedkar Centre, Panjab University, Chandigarh and Co-ordinator, Bhartiya Shikshan Mandal delivered the Vote of Thanks and congratulated the Department of History and ICSVS for having conducted a series of webinars featuring such distinguished speakers, who have been able to shed light on many known and unknown aspects of history, culture, science, education etc. He remarked that the moral values and ethics may be included in the syllabi of the University as the effective tools for practically following the message of Shri Shankarananda ji.
The highly incisive and informative lecture was co-organised by Dr. Priyatosh Sharma, the Associate Professor of the Department of History who partnered Professor Anju Suri and Professor Renu Thakur in organising the Web Lecture. The lecture was joined by experts from academic, scientists, researchers, students and faculty members from various diverse Departments.
