Report on the ICPR Sponsored National Seminar: Re-Learning to be Human for Global Times: The Cross-Cultural Way

December 26-27, 2016

held at

Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ)

Organized by Department of Arts (Philosophy), MUJ, Jaipur

in collaboration with CRVP, Washington DC, USA

A two-day National Seminar on “Re-learning to be Human for Global Times: The Cross-cultural Way,” was held at Manipal University Jaipur, during 26-27 December 2016.  The Seminar was sponsored by Indian Council of Philosophical Research (ICPR), New Delhi, and was organized by Organized by Department of Arts (Philosophy), MUJ, Jaipur, in association with Centre for Research in Values and Philosophy (CRVP), Washington DC, USA.  The seminar was attended by eminent scholars from India and abroad and was inaugurated by Respected Prof. S.R. Bhat, Chairman, ICPR, New Delhi.

The Seminar unfolded with an Inaugural Function, a Valedictory Function and five Technical Sessions in all, over the course of two days. The Inaugural Session was marked by the gracious presence of Prof. S.R. Bhat who was the Chief Guest and delivered the Inaugural Address. The Key Note Address was delivered by Prof. Anthony Carroll, of University of London.  He titled his presentation as “Panentheistic Humanism: The Cross-Cultural Way.” The Presidential address was delivered by Prof. Sandeep Sancheti, President, Manipal University Jaipur, after which the proceedings of the National Seminar was launched. The Theme Note was presented by Prof. Anthony Savari Raj, Convener of the Seminar and the Vote of Thanks was proposed by Prof. Joao Vila-Cha, Professor of Philosophy, Gregorian University, Rome.

A total of 17 papers were presented in the course of two days and in five technical sessions. The first technical session was chaired by Prof. Sharada Jain, and three papers that were presented in the session centred around the theme: “Cross-Cultural Humanity.”   There were two technical sessions after Lunch.  The first was chaired by Prof. R.C. Pradhan, Former Member-Secretary, ICPR, and Retd. Professor of Philosophy, University of Hyderabad.  Two papers were presented during this session and the theme was “Cross-Cultural Foundations.”   The session that followed had the theme: “Cross-Cultural Pathways,” and was chaired by Prof. R.S. Bhatnagar, Retd. Professor, University of Rajasthan.  Three papers were presented during this session.  The session also witnessed the release of the book: Why be Moral? authored by one of the participants of the seminar, Dr. Saral Jhingran from New Delhi.  The book was released by Prof. R.S. Bhatnagar. 

The proceedings of the second day commenced with a recapitulation of the proceedings of the first day.  The day witnessed two technical sessions and a Valedictory Function in the afternoon.  The first session had the theme: “Cross-Cultural Orientations,” and was chaired by Prof. KL Sharma, Retd. Professor of Philosophy, University of Rajasthan.  Around this theme, three papers were presented.  The session that followed was chaired by Prof. Pradeep Kumar Sinha of Ranchi University and three more papers were presented during this session. It had the general theme: “Cross-Cultural Values.”

The valedictory session of the seminar was chaired by Prof. Sandeep Sancheti, President MUJ, and the valedictory address was given by Prof. Thomas Menamparampil.  He addressed the theme: “Re-learning to be Human for Global Times:  The Cross-Cultural Way.”

Being a National Seminar, the seminar had participation of eminent scholars of cross-cultural studies from different parts of the country such as New Delhi, Bombay, Indore, Hyderabad, Ranchi, Lucknow, Gauhati, and so on.  It also attracted scholars from different parts of Rajasthan, besides the philosophy faculty from in and around Jaipur.  The valuable presence of Prof. Kusum Jain, Member, ICPR, and Retd. Professor of Philosophy, University of Rajasthan,  was an appreciable one.

 The seminar offered a wonderful moment to recall and appreciate the life and scholarship of late Prof. George McLean who indeed had devoted his entire life and scholarship towards the collaboration of cultures, and in whose precious name the CRVP scholars had gathered for the Seminar from different parts of the world. A profound gratitude is offered to ICPR for making the seminar possible through its generous sponsorship.