NEISSR, Peace Channel in collaboration with Mahatma Gandhi Centre for Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies Lady Keane College, Shillong, Meghalaya and St. Xavier College, Jalukie jointly organized an international webinar on “Spirituality, Satyagraha, Pragmatism: New Dimensions in Gandhian Philosophy” on September 18.
Delivering key note address, Prof. Rakesh Chandra, HoD, Philosophy Department, Lucknow University talked on the diverse perspectives on Gandhian philosophy ranging from Utopian vision to Anarchism while highlighting ‘decentralized economy and sarvodaya’ as central theme that has sustained overtime being relevant to the contemporary context.
He described Satyagraha as a ‘force of truth’ that was non-coercive inward conversion of person and a sacrifice of life more than violence does. He compared Gandhian philosophy with feminism and passivity demanding reciprocity as against the oppression of imperialism or colonization.
Dr Ravi Chandramoorthy, University of Kebangsaan, Malaysia, who chaired the academic session, laid out his opening statement by stating that Gandhian philosophy was not only political but moral and religious at the same time – a synthesis of philosophies from diverse faith traditions.
Dr. Michael Myers, Prof Emeritus, Washington State University, Pullman, USA, spoke on “Gandhi, Jainism and Ahimsa”. He spoke about the origin of Ahimsa from Jainism and Yoga as purification of mind, ethics from God and stressed of relativism in Gandhian philosophy as against absolutism. He described Gandhian philosophy as hallmark of reconciliation between two extremes as ‘non-one-sidedness’. Dr. Prasanjit Biswas, Dept of Philosophy, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong spoke on “Gandhigiri as a way of life”.
Speaking on the theme, he mentioned about rationalization between Indian and western philosophies. He concluded his deliberation by making path-breaking statement: non-violent state is possible.
Earlier, Dr.Saji Varghese, coordinator, Mahatma Gandhi Center for Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies, Lady Keane College, Meghalaya gave an introductory note followed by a short welcome address by R. Decruse, principal, Lady Keane College.
Academic session of the webinar was chaired by Dr. Ravi Chandramoorthy, University of Kebangsaan, Malaysia.
The webinar was attended by more than 100 persons including Gandhian scholars, teachers and students from America, Malaysia and India.
The webinar which ran into three hours came to a close with vote of thanks from Dr. Deben Bachaspatimayum, Asst. Prof. NEISSR, Dimapur.