The Diamond Jubilee Conference of All India Philosophy Association (Akhil Bharatiya Darshan Parishad) was inaugurated at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University Katra, today.Minister of State for Education, Culture and Information Priya Sethi was Chief Guest on the occasion.The conference has been organized by the School of Philosophy & Culture (SOPC).The All India Philosophy Association (AIPA) was established by philosophers like Prof. Sangam Lal Pandey and Yashdev Shalya in 1954 for the promotion of study and research in the field of philosophy in Hindi.
While speaking on the occasion, Priya Sethi congratulated the delegates for the Diamond Jubilee and highlighted the need for promotion of philosophy and culture in the State. She said the state has a rich cultural history and some of the earliest philosophical and theology conferences have been held in the state.
“We have left behind the turbulent times and now the state is fully geared up to welcome tourists, entrepreneurs and scholars to come and experience the beauty and serenity of the state,” she added.
The Minister said all out efforts have been launched by the government to project the state as preferred tourist destination in the country, adding that the visiting participants should go back as brand ambassadors of the state and share their experiences with others. She also assured that the government will take necessary steps to nurture philosophy as discipline at higher education level. Her speech was much applauded by the delegates.
The main theme of the conference is ‘Philosophy & Culture’. The session began with a brief welcome note by Dr. V. K. Tripathi, Director SOPC. The Sanskrit Scholars from University of Jammu presented Vedic chanting on the occasion. Dr. Anil Kumar Tewari, the Organizing Secretary presented the theme of the conference. The present President of AIPA Prof. Jata Shankar introduced the AIPA and appreciated the efforts put in by many generations of philosophers for the evolution of AIPA through decades and the service to philosophy extended by AIPA.
The Chairman of the present conference Dr. J. M. Dave delivered the key-note address and reminded the richness of Indian culture by highlighting its spirit of freedom of thought and expression, acceptance and openness for the opposite views and the spirit of interrogation. Prof. V. K. Bhat, Dean Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences highlighted the interdependency of cultural and philosophical activities.
Vice Chancellor of SMVDU Prof. Sudhir K. Jain highlighted that the study of philosophy positively changes the mindset and outlook of people. He also highlighted the importance of karma theory as propounded in Bhagavad-Gita.
Prof. Vishwa Murti Shastri, Prof. Shiv Nirmohi and Prof. Kiran Bakshi were the Guests of Honour on the occasion. Prof. Shastri highlighted on the importance of Sanskrit language for clear understanding of Indian Philosophy as philosophy is not possible without language. Prof. Nirmohi mesmerized the audience by highlighting the unnoticed dimensions of the culture of Jammu & Kashmir. Prof. Bakshi pressed upon the need for introduction of Philosophy as discipline at higher education level in the State of Jammu & Kashmir.
Prof. Ambika Datta Sharma announced the annual prizes of AIPA and conducted the book release ceremony and release of Darshanik Traimasik - the quarterly journal of AIPA. Dr. Anil Kumar Tewari delivered a vote of thanks in the end. More than 300 delegates from all over the country are participating in the conference. The conference will continue till 5th of June with 6 parallel sessions. Prof. V. Verma Dean Faculty of Engineering, Prof. D. Mukhopadhyaya Dean Faculty of Management, Prof. Ram Bahadur Shukla, Prof. Ramji Singh, Prof. R. C. Sinha, Prof. Sohanraj, Prof. R. D. Bhandari and many other distinguished scholars were present on the occasion.