Friday, September 18, 2009
Nuclear Energy: Development, National Security and Hegemony
Critique Ferozepur Chapter and Philosophical Society: A students’ Discussion forum of the Dev Samaj College for Women organized a seminar on the theme “Nuclear Energy: Development, National Security and Hegemony”. In the seminar Sapanpreet, Ramanpreet, Amandeep, Rajkushwant and Kulwider shared their views with over three hundred students of the campus.
In the first session Sapanpreet and Ramanpreet raised their concern on the Indo-US nuclear deal. They said that, “the nuclear deal would affect the sovereignty of the country regarding its foreign policy and other issues. They stressed that the issues of development should not be centered to the nuclear deal as it would not cater the interests of the common people, as held by the government.” It would not only strengthen America’s supremacy over the weak and developing nations but also weaken India’s self reliant approach towards development.
In the second session, Kulwinder and Amandeep laying emphasis on the issue of nuclear disarmament outwardly criticized the nuclear power nations for making nuclear bombs, a threat to humanity. The participants collectively raised their dissatisfaction, disappointment and protest over the countries, in race to be nuclear power nations along with the ones which possess it. They said that it is the hegemonic character of the nations to rule the other that has resulted in the tragedy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. “Time has come to shed these dangerous weapons of mass destruction,” Said Rajkushwant. The participants appealed the nuclear power nations to eradicate these bombs forever and follow the path of non-violence and live and let live the humanity.
In the last session Gurmeet, Amarjeet, Harpriya, Sakshi, Pushpinderjeet, Amrit, Kuldeep, Rupinder, Rashpinder Singh, Swinder and Ambuj raised important questions.
In the first session Sapanpreet and Ramanpreet raised their concern on the Indo-US nuclear deal. They said that, “the nuclear deal would affect the sovereignty of the country regarding its foreign policy and other issues. They stressed that the issues of development should not be centered to the nuclear deal as it would not cater the interests of the common people, as held by the government.” It would not only strengthen America’s supremacy over the weak and developing nations but also weaken India’s self reliant approach towards development.
In the second session, Kulwinder and Amandeep laying emphasis on the issue of nuclear disarmament outwardly criticized the nuclear power nations for making nuclear bombs, a threat to humanity. The participants collectively raised their dissatisfaction, disappointment and protest over the countries, in race to be nuclear power nations along with the ones which possess it. They said that it is the hegemonic character of the nations to rule the other that has resulted in the tragedy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. “Time has come to shed these dangerous weapons of mass destruction,” Said Rajkushwant. The participants appealed the nuclear power nations to eradicate these bombs forever and follow the path of non-violence and live and let live the humanity.
In the last session Gurmeet, Amarjeet, Harpriya, Sakshi, Pushpinderjeet, Amrit, Kuldeep, Rupinder, Rashpinder Singh, Swinder and Ambuj raised important questions.
Friday, September 11, 2009
‘Reading Gandhi’s Hind Swaraj in the Times of Global Violence and Modernity’
“Violence and the products of modernity have added to the growth of ‘hegemony’, ‘consumerism’ and ‘hedonistic pleasures of Individuals’. There is a need to revitalize the moral, social and political philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi,” Said, Babbaldeep in the seminar on ‘Reading Gandhi’s Hind Swaraj in the Times of Global Violence and Modernity’ organized by Critique Ferozepur Chapter and Philosophical society: A students’ Discussion forum of the Dev Samaj College for Women, Ferozepur
In the first session Babbal and Komal in their presentation shared their views on the concepts of Civilization, Swaraj as stated by Gandhi in the Hind Swaraj. They agreed with Gandhi that true Swaraj does not mean political independence but freedom from the mean and other vicious thoughts that corrupts the mind of individuals.
They further added that Gandhi’s swaraj represents a genuine attempt to regain control of the 'self' - our self-respect, self-responsibility, and capacities for self-realization - from institutions of dehumanization. As Gandhi states, "It is swaraj when we learn to rule ourselves." The real goal of the freedom struggle was not only to secure political azadi (independence) from Britain, but rather to gain true swaraj (liberation and self-rule).
They said that today we are enslaved by the products of modernity. People have sidelined the ethical values and minds have become more money and body comfort centric. Education is also largely affected. The need is to shun the modernity offered by the colonialists and think about the philosophy, Gandhi taught.
In the second session, Focusing on the current Global violence which is apparent in the forms of terrorism, fight for territory, and other forms of exploitations Atinder and Mahi called for the Gandhian view of non-violence and civilization for its rescue. They said that Gandhi is a fine example of the activist who actually followed what he preached. The seminar was followed by the discussion in which Amarjeet, Navdeep, Daljeet, Gurmeet asked relevant questions.
In the first session Babbal and Komal in their presentation shared their views on the concepts of Civilization, Swaraj as stated by Gandhi in the Hind Swaraj. They agreed with Gandhi that true Swaraj does not mean political independence but freedom from the mean and other vicious thoughts that corrupts the mind of individuals.
They further added that Gandhi’s swaraj represents a genuine attempt to regain control of the 'self' - our self-respect, self-responsibility, and capacities for self-realization - from institutions of dehumanization. As Gandhi states, "It is swaraj when we learn to rule ourselves." The real goal of the freedom struggle was not only to secure political azadi (independence) from Britain, but rather to gain true swaraj (liberation and self-rule).
They said that today we are enslaved by the products of modernity. People have sidelined the ethical values and minds have become more money and body comfort centric. Education is also largely affected. The need is to shun the modernity offered by the colonialists and think about the philosophy, Gandhi taught.
In the second session, Focusing on the current Global violence which is apparent in the forms of terrorism, fight for territory, and other forms of exploitations Atinder and Mahi called for the Gandhian view of non-violence and civilization for its rescue. They said that Gandhi is a fine example of the activist who actually followed what he preached. The seminar was followed by the discussion in which Amarjeet, Navdeep, Daljeet, Gurmeet asked relevant questions.
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