A two-day National Seminar themed 'Indian Knowledge System: A Multidimensional Legacy' was successfully held by the Hindi Department at Guru Nanak Dev University in collaboration with the Central Directorate of Hindi, Ministry of Education (Higher Education Department), Government of India, New Delhi.
The inaugural session was presided over by the Vice-Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University, Prof. (Dr.) Karamjeet Singh. Padmashri Prof. (Dr.) Harmahender Singh Bedi, Chancellor of Himachal Pradesh Central University was the chief guest and Prof. (Dr.) Kuldeep Agnihotri, Vice President of the Haryana Literature and Culture Academy, as a special guest.
The seminar convenor, Prof. (Dr.) Sunil Kumar, Head of the Hindi Department and Dean of the Faculty of Languages, introduced the theme and extended a warm welcome to attendees. The event commenced with a street play performed by students from the Hindi Department of Hansraj Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Jalandhar.
In his address, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Karamjeet Singh noted the rich literary heritage of Punjab, emphasizing that the world’s oldest text, the Rigveda, was composed in this region, along with other foundational texts of Indian culture such as the Mahabharata and the Gita. He acknowledged Punjab’s invaluable contribution to Hindi literature and expressed gratitude for its enduring legacy.
Convenor Prof. Sunil Kumar emphasized that Hindi is the lifeline of the country, linking culture and identity. He advocated for the responsibility of promoting Hindi as a language of peace and unity. Padmashri Prof. (Dr.) Harmahendra Singh Bedi, articulated the connection between a nation’s literature and its prosperity, asserting that richer literature fosters a more powerful nation.
He highlighted the significance of literature in promoting knowledge, understanding, and creativity throughout history. Prof. (Dr.) Sunil Baburao Kulkarni, Director of the Central Hindi Directorate, pointed out that Indian traditions of knowledge encompass various aspects of life, facilitating connections between individuals and their communities.
He described the Indian knowledge system as a treasure trove of wisdom found in diverse fields such as literature, philosophy, and science. Prof. (Dr.) Kuldeep Agnihotri shared insights on the importance of the Indian knowledge tradition, including the vital role of literature and historical texts like the Vedas, Upanishads, and Puranas.
Dr. Sukhwinder Kaur Bath from Punjabi University, Patiala Patiala, Dr. Ashok Kumar from Punjabi University, Chandigarh, Dr. Sudhir Partap Singh from JNU,New Delhi, Dr. Nirja from DBHPS, Chennai, Dr. Manoj Pandey from Nagpur, Dr. Alangbam Vijaya Laxmi from Manipur University, Imphal, Dr. Shashikant Mishra from Central University of Jammu, Dr. Reena Talwar, Principal, S.N. College, Amritsar, Dr. Vinod Kumar Taneja From GNDU, Amritsar, Dr. Vinod Kumar from LPU, Phagwara, Dr. Ajay Sharma from Jalandhar, Dr. Poonam Mahajan from Pathankot, Dr. Pawan Kumar Sharma from Dhariwal, Dr. Sanjay Chauhan from S.R. Govt. College, Amritsar, Dr. Deepti from Hindu College, Amritsar, Dr. Anupal Bhardwaj from DAV College, Abohar, Dr. Ajay Pal Singh from DBU, Mandi Gobindgarh, Dr. Manjinder Singh, Head, School of Punjabi Studies, GNDU, Dr. Rajesh Sharma, Head, Department of visual & Performing arts, GNDU, Dr. Anupam Mathur, Assistant Director (Language), Central Hindi Directorate, Mrs. Ridhima Arora & Sahil Arora from RVS Hub, Punit Sachdeva, MYL director, Shri Naresh Modgil, Chairman, Permanent Lok Adalat (PUS), Amritsar, Dr. Jyoti Gogia from HMV, Jalandhar, Ravi Pathania, Dr. Vishal Bhardwaj, Darshanacharya Sagar Muni Shashtri etc were invited in the two days national seminar.