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.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
State, Judiciary and Khap Panchayat: a discourse on Caste, Class and Gender
Critique Ferozepur Chapter and Philosophical Society: A Students’ Discussion Forum of Dev Samaj College for Women, Ferozepur, Punjab, organized a National Seminar on “State, Judiciary and Khap Panchayat: A Discourse on Caste, Class and Gender in Haryana”.
In the seminar, chaired by college principal Dr. Madhu Prashar, Daljit Ami, assistant editor of Punjabi Tribune News paper from Chandigarh, Punabi film maker Jitendra Mahaur, Theatre activist, Ranjeet, Activist and Phd. Research Scholar from Centre for Social Medicine and Community Health, Jawahar Lal Nehru University from New Delhi, Kuldeep Kaur, actively participated and shared their views with over 300 students and other faculty members of the college on the issue.
Apart from the resourse persons, Seerat, student of B.com III, Isha, Student of B.com. II, Sukhdeep, Student of B.A.II, and Sakshi, Student of B.A.I and Babbal, Student of B.A.I also raised their protest against the ongoing activities of the khap panchayat in Haryana.
Daljeet in his presentation raised questions regarding the nature of State and Judiciary in protecting the rights of the citizens. He said that it is state which guarantees the security and basic minimum dignity to its people. He further said that, the current practices which are being adopted by the Khap Panchayats in Haryana is a big threat and violation of the basic human rights of the individuls who try to exercise their right to marry a person of their choice.
He condemned the recent killing of Ved Pal of Jind and demanded stern actions against the guilty. He further commented on the issue of Honour killings in Haryana and said that the young boys and girls falling in love with each other, deciding to get married without the consent of the parents, breaking the caste endogamy and class exogamy, coming out the dilemma of honour of the family but at the same time these young boys and girls are not accepting other progressive ideas rather they follow all regressive traditions.
He said that families and the caste panchayats are not accepting the marriages, which do not follow the norms of traditional society. There cases where everyday family members are chasing runaway couples, youngsters get active to retrieve the girl and to take barbaric action to revive honour of the family. He said that it the need of the hour that an individual should have a dialogue with one self, family and the society where he or she is living in. he said that there is a lack of communication within the families and patriarchy is another reason for such problems. It can be through collective dialogues between groups and individuals that one can do away with the problems of the society. He also raised the need of state to act against such injustices.
In the last session many important questions were asked by Mrs. Madhu Gautam of Hindi Department, Dr. Sushil Gupta of Zoology Department, Dr. Suman Sharma of Sanskrit Department and Dr. Ambuj Sharma of Philosophy Department.
In the seminar, chaired by college principal Dr. Madhu Prashar, Daljit Ami, assistant editor of Punjabi Tribune News paper from Chandigarh, Punabi film maker Jitendra Mahaur, Theatre activist, Ranjeet, Activist and Phd. Research Scholar from Centre for Social Medicine and Community Health, Jawahar Lal Nehru University from New Delhi, Kuldeep Kaur, actively participated and shared their views with over 300 students and other faculty members of the college on the issue.
Apart from the resourse persons, Seerat, student of B.com III, Isha, Student of B.com. II, Sukhdeep, Student of B.A.II, and Sakshi, Student of B.A.I and Babbal, Student of B.A.I also raised their protest against the ongoing activities of the khap panchayat in Haryana.
Daljeet in his presentation raised questions regarding the nature of State and Judiciary in protecting the rights of the citizens. He said that it is state which guarantees the security and basic minimum dignity to its people. He further said that, the current practices which are being adopted by the Khap Panchayats in Haryana is a big threat and violation of the basic human rights of the individuls who try to exercise their right to marry a person of their choice.
He condemned the recent killing of Ved Pal of Jind and demanded stern actions against the guilty. He further commented on the issue of Honour killings in Haryana and said that the young boys and girls falling in love with each other, deciding to get married without the consent of the parents, breaking the caste endogamy and class exogamy, coming out the dilemma of honour of the family but at the same time these young boys and girls are not accepting other progressive ideas rather they follow all regressive traditions.
He said that families and the caste panchayats are not accepting the marriages, which do not follow the norms of traditional society. There cases where everyday family members are chasing runaway couples, youngsters get active to retrieve the girl and to take barbaric action to revive honour of the family. He said that it the need of the hour that an individual should have a dialogue with one self, family and the society where he or she is living in. he said that there is a lack of communication within the families and patriarchy is another reason for such problems. It can be through collective dialogues between groups and individuals that one can do away with the problems of the society. He also raised the need of state to act against such injustices.
In the last session many important questions were asked by Mrs. Madhu Gautam of Hindi Department, Dr. Sushil Gupta of Zoology Department, Dr. Suman Sharma of Sanskrit Department and Dr. Ambuj Sharma of Philosophy Department.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Higher Education and Yashpal Committee Report: Contradictions and Paradoxes (25 July, 2009)
Philosophical Society: A Students Discussion Forum of the Dev Samaj College for Women, Ferozepur, organized a seminar on the theme “Higher Education and Yashpal Committee Report: Contradictions and Paradoxes”.
In the Seminar, chaired by, college principal, Dr. Madhu Prashar, Navdeep, Amarjeet, Rajbeer of B.A. III Year and Rupinder Kaur of B.A. II Year Expressed their views with over 300 students and other faculty members of the campus.
Highlighting the aim of Higher Education Navdeep and Amarjeet said that Higher education promote and improve high quality, relevant basic education. It is to address the social, environmental and economic knowledge, skills and values inherent to sustainability in a holistic and inter-disciplinary manner In addition it assists in advancing learning and research, serving local and regional communities, as well as national interests at home and abroad. They said that higher education shares a great responsibility in the development of society, nation and the world.
Amarjeet while expressing her concern towards the ‘cubication ‘of Knowledge said that “today, a subject is taught in the parameters of its subject matter. There is very less interdisciplinary approach, with which students are largely taught in the colleges and universities. A student of mathematics takes less interest in philosophy and a student of History is taught in isolation of chemistry.” She stressed on to make teaching more interdisciplinary.
Rupinder affirmed Yashpal’s, worry that the graduate and undergraduate programmes in India are too ‘theoretical’, devoid of ‘practicle’ experience and demanded that new curriculums be designed to cater the future need of the students.
Rajbeer in her presentation said that the tendency to treat teaching and research as separate activities by universities should be abandoned. She demanded that more research oriented programmes be introduced at the undergraduate level. While raising her concern towards the future of higher education in the country, she said that, “there are no new vacancies coming up in colleges and there is a great hype towards privatization of higher education. The state seems to have shed the responsibility towards promoting higher education and providing more grants to sustain quality teaching at the undergraduate level. She demanded more educational financial support from state and centre to cater the budding demand for higher education.
Principal Dr. Madhu Prashar appreciating the effort of Prof. Yashpal in bringing macro and micro problems of higher education to surface lauded the solutions and suggestions given by him. She supported the views of Yashpal to construct more inter-linkages between university and colleges. She stressed that provisions for university faculty to teach in colleges should be given a priority. She was however reluctant to merge U.G.C. with N.C.H.E.R as she thinks that setting up new institutions will not be enough. She said that U.G.C. is actively working very well to strengthen higher education.
Ambuj Sharma of the Department of Philosophy elaborated on the right to education. He said that right to education to all be respected. He raised his dissatisfaction towards the on going Examination system adopted by the university. While supporting Yashpal’s view in assessment of the students, He said that, “An annual examination system cannot enhance the creativity and potentiality of students. There should be amendments in the examination system and more field works, research works and social responsibilities in the form projects should be included to assess the students.
Anirudh Gupta CEO DCM Group of Schools gave a special presentation on the above said issue.
In the last session many significant questions were asked by Karamjeet, Sakshi, and many other students of the campus.
In the Seminar, chaired by, college principal, Dr. Madhu Prashar, Navdeep, Amarjeet, Rajbeer of B.A. III Year and Rupinder Kaur of B.A. II Year Expressed their views with over 300 students and other faculty members of the campus.
Highlighting the aim of Higher Education Navdeep and Amarjeet said that Higher education promote and improve high quality, relevant basic education. It is to address the social, environmental and economic knowledge, skills and values inherent to sustainability in a holistic and inter-disciplinary manner In addition it assists in advancing learning and research, serving local and regional communities, as well as national interests at home and abroad. They said that higher education shares a great responsibility in the development of society, nation and the world.
Amarjeet while expressing her concern towards the ‘cubication ‘of Knowledge said that “today, a subject is taught in the parameters of its subject matter. There is very less interdisciplinary approach, with which students are largely taught in the colleges and universities. A student of mathematics takes less interest in philosophy and a student of History is taught in isolation of chemistry.” She stressed on to make teaching more interdisciplinary.
Rupinder affirmed Yashpal’s, worry that the graduate and undergraduate programmes in India are too ‘theoretical’, devoid of ‘practicle’ experience and demanded that new curriculums be designed to cater the future need of the students.
Rajbeer in her presentation said that the tendency to treat teaching and research as separate activities by universities should be abandoned. She demanded that more research oriented programmes be introduced at the undergraduate level. While raising her concern towards the future of higher education in the country, she said that, “there are no new vacancies coming up in colleges and there is a great hype towards privatization of higher education. The state seems to have shed the responsibility towards promoting higher education and providing more grants to sustain quality teaching at the undergraduate level. She demanded more educational financial support from state and centre to cater the budding demand for higher education.
Principal Dr. Madhu Prashar appreciating the effort of Prof. Yashpal in bringing macro and micro problems of higher education to surface lauded the solutions and suggestions given by him. She supported the views of Yashpal to construct more inter-linkages between university and colleges. She stressed that provisions for university faculty to teach in colleges should be given a priority. She was however reluctant to merge U.G.C. with N.C.H.E.R as she thinks that setting up new institutions will not be enough. She said that U.G.C. is actively working very well to strengthen higher education.
Ambuj Sharma of the Department of Philosophy elaborated on the right to education. He said that right to education to all be respected. He raised his dissatisfaction towards the on going Examination system adopted by the university. While supporting Yashpal’s view in assessment of the students, He said that, “An annual examination system cannot enhance the creativity and potentiality of students. There should be amendments in the examination system and more field works, research works and social responsibilities in the form projects should be included to assess the students.
Anirudh Gupta CEO DCM Group of Schools gave a special presentation on the above said issue.
In the last session many significant questions were asked by Karamjeet, Sakshi, and many other students of the campus.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)