The Great Dictator, (1940) A film by Charlie Chaplin ( 9 Oct, 2010 )

The Great Dictator (1940) a film by Charlie Chaplin was screened today by Critique Ferozepur Chapter and Philosophical Society in the Dev Samaj College for Women Campus at Ferozepur. The movie was followed by discussion in which issues of Fascisms, and dictatorial violence was discussed at large between 400 students and other teachers of the college.
Amandeep, student of B.A. First year, appreciated Charlie Chaplin’s act in the movie and said that despite comedy Chaplin could well portrayed the agony, anguish, fear a Dictator creates in his thrust of power and control. Jagdeesh Kaur, another student said that the dictator in the movie shares his appearance with that of Hitler and in a very satirical way unfolds the fantasy and brutish character of the dictator. Rashpinder Singh and Kuldeep Singh from Punjabi Department also expressed their perceptions of the movie and said that Chaplin initially raised many questions about hegemony, control, war, common citizens, and resistance. Among others who addressed were Harpal Kaur of Sociolgy Department, Paramveer of Punjabi Department and Ambuj Sharma from Philosophy Department

MODERNITY AND CHANGING SOCIAL FABRIC OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA ( 27-29 September, 2010)

Ambuj Sharma of Critique Ferozepur Chapter and Philosophical Society participated and presented a paper on Honour Killings: A Study on Honour Predicament in the Seminar on MODERNITY AND CHANGING SOCIAL FABRIC OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA organized by Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Rashtrapati Nivas, Shimla (India) on 27-28 September 2010.
His presentation explored the philosophical dimensions of the concept of honour. He extensively discussed the development of morality while questioning the honour predicament and also the notion of patriarchy which most of the times governs the moral judgment. He also discussed the concept of gender while analyzing honour killing. He also questioned the role and responsibility of state as an entity in safeguarding the lives of its citizens particularly those who are in constant threat for choosing their life partners. Citing examples of the honour killing, he questioned the role of society and state and appealed for complete cessation of such acts.
He expressed that there is a dire need of dialogue among young group of students regarding issues pertaining to their lives and the society they live in. A critical rationality has to be developed. Young ones have to create a dialogue with their elders about the changing norms and the tradition they have been living in. the tradition of questioning the tradition. It is absolutely important that the universities and colleges have to play a crucial role in bringing up the questions pertaining to marriages and honour killing.