Psychology department of Punjabi university organize virtual national seminar; eminent scholars participated
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in/ Chandigarh
The Dept. of Psychology, Punjabi University, Patiala organized Online one-day National Seminar dedicated to the 400th Prakash Utsav of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji on the theme “ Religious Tolerance and National Integration: Expanding Mental Boundries”. The seminar saw a galaxy of eminent scholars present their valuable views and opinions on the diversity of India and significance of National Integration. In his presidential remarks, Dr. HS Gill, Professor Emeritus, JNU, New Delhi talked about the caste system prevalent in India since ancient times and how it has impeded the overall growth of India. He stressed on revamping the rigid cultural barriers that are holding India to ransom and effecting its endeavours to realise its full potential.
Eminent historian Dr. Ishwar Dayal Gaur from Panjab University, Chandigarh highlighted the glorious Indian diversity and traced the concept of Indian-ness through ages. India being the land of Guru Nanak have always supported religious tolerance and the very social fabric of India stands guard to its religious harmony.
Neeraj Kumar, former Delhi Police Commissioner stressed on the very nature of the Indian State and how the under currents of religious strife’s sometime tore apart the society. He was persistent on the very fact that religious fundamentalism remains a threat to our society and the nation needs to stand united against any such divisive forces.
Dr. Vandana Sharma, Professor of Eminence, Akal University expressed in detail the meaning of religion and how one can awaken one’s inner strengths to make society better. She said that India happens to be the best example of religious pluralism. She said that every religion focuses on practicing rituals, no one tries to imbibe the essence and teachings of religious scriptures.
The Vice-Chancellor of Punjabi University, Patiala Dr. B S Ghuman underlined the martyrdom by Guru Teg Bahadur Ji for the cause of social harmony of India and stressed the fact that modern India stand as a shining testimony of Guru’s secular vision. He highlighted the fact that National Integration has to grow silently in the minds and hearts of the country-men.
The National Seminar was conducted under the guidance of Dr. Mamta Sharma, Head, Dept. of Psychology, Punjabi University, Patiala. She welcomed all the participants. Dr. Inderpreet Sandhu, as the organizing secretary, conducted the proceedings of the entire seminar and she was philosophical and persistent in her opinion that the basic essence of human life should be to embrace humanity as one big family irrespective of its religion, caste or colour. Why can’t we give up the skeptic cynicism that we harbor about our fellow human beings. Dr. Sandhu emphasized the very fact that all religions are distinct and unique in themselves and life is basically a journey to appreciate our religious and cultural differences. All religions preach love, compassion and peaceful co-existence of mankind, the problem starts when one starts asserting supremacy and dominance of his faith over the others, making it inherently contradictory and conflicting.
August,23,2020
