Faculty Development Programme on Revisiting Gandhi Today: Questions of Caste, Class, Gender, Religion and Environment (September 17-23, 2019) Summary of all the sessions Zakir Husain Delhi College (University of Delhi) in collaboration with Mahatma Hansraj Faculty Development Centre (MHRFDC), Hansraj College (University of Delhi) organised a One Week Faculty Development Programme On “Revisiting Gandhi Today: Questions of Caste, Class, Gender, Religion and Environment” from September 17-23, 2019. The FDP was designed to deliberate upon • Questions of Caste, Class, Gender, Religion and Environment from the Gandhian perspective and its contemporary significance. • Gandhi’s legacy of Inclusiveness that underlines Gandhi’s philosophy. • Gandhi’s idea of truth and non-violence and enduring commitment to social justice, normative economics, religious pluralism. The FDP was inaugurated by lighting the lamp. The programme started with a brief introductory remark by Dr. Sanjeev Kumar, Coordinator of the FDP. Dr. Masroor Ahmed Beg, Principal of the college in his welcome speech pinpointed the need for such programmes with specific focus on the need of Gandhian values in today’s world. The inaugural address was delivered by Sri Balmiki Prasad Singh (Former Governor of Sikkim and distinguished scholar). The speaker emphasised on the urgent need to revisit and introspect the principles of Truth and Satyagraha set forth by Mahatma Gandhi. As warned by Mahatma Gandhi, he pointed out that it is also necessary to be aware of the evils associated with machines. He shared the divergent views about Mahatma Gandhi’s attitude towards ‘machines’ and ‘modernization’, particularly the comments of Rabindranath Tagore, and Ernest Fritz Schumacher. The inauguration was followed four technical sessions held on each day from September 17-23, 2019 in which the eminent invited scholars spoke on the legacy of Gandhi and its continued relevance. After the inaugural session (September 17, 2019) Professor Gudavarthy posed few questions to the audience to elaborate the current state of affairs, Indian Right and situate Gandhi by emphasizing on his methods of non-violence and Satyagraha. Session 3 rd was taken by Prof. Anand Kumar. He spoke on the theme Gandhi and his relevance on Nation Building. The 1 Faculty Development Programme on Revisiting Gandhi Today: Questions of Caste, Class, Gender, Religion and Environment (September 17-23, 2019) Summary of all the sessions European thought for Nation does not supported by Gandhi. His vision for India was new and young as a integrated nation. Session 4 th was taken by Dr. Nishikant Kolge. He highlighted that behaviour of Gandhiji never reveal that he was a castist as he started Ashram and allowed people from untouchable community live in it with all rights. On September 18, 2019, Prof. Chandrakala Padia had taken first session and she discussed about Mahatma Gandhi's imagination of the democracy fully encircled with non-violence exists in no nation of the world as up to now. Session 2 rd taken by Prof. Neera Chandhoke set the background to her talk on Gandhi and the question of political violence with a detailed discussion on the relationship between state and violence. She asserted that Thomas Hobbes was the first political philosopher who was confronted with the question of political violence because he was writing in the wake of the revolution of 1648. Session 3 rd was taken by Dr. Anupam Jha. Dr. Jha emphasized the need for making law in the society why law is important for the society?, why do we need the law?, what are the essential functions of law, etc. He underscored the point that if a law emanates from the society, it will become a good law, as it comes out of the need of the people. Session 4th was taken by Mr. Sopan Joshi. He explained Gandhiji's life was simple and yet impactful. Therefore Einstein had once stated that it will be hard for future generation to believe that such a human being lived on earth. On September 19, 2019 first session was devoted for library and group discussions. Session 2rd was taken by Prof. Gita Dharampal. In her talk, Prof. Dharampal said modern society and science has witnessed colonialism and exploitation of masses because of development of technology. Social and economic justice is rampant in the society. Mahatma Gandhi was a major critique of modern industry based civilisation. Session 3 rd taken by Prof. Aakash Singh Rathore. Prof. Rathore spoke about the two great leaders Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar. Around whom the speaker brilliantly wove a comparative study. Session 4 th was taken by Prof. Anand Prakash. He described Gandhi’s experiment with Charkha, or the spinning wheel, transformed it into the symbol of Swadeshi (self-sufficiency) and Swaraj (self-rule). Gandhi also envisioned Charkha as a symbol of interdependence as it connected cotton growers, weavers, distributors, and customers so that he could propagate the message of a feeling of equal among all walks of people in India. For Gandhi, Khadi was the symbol of economic empowerment and simplicity of Indian people. 2 Faculty Development Programme on Revisiting Gandhi Today: Questions of Caste, Class, Gender, Religion and Environment (September 17-23, 2019) Summary of all the sessions Prof. Bindu Puri took the 1 st and 2 nd sessions on September 20, 2019. During the first session, she focused on the Yam and Niyam, the base of the Satyagraha. She also explained the 5 Yam and 5 Niyam. The gist of the lecture is that we should control our Desire. We have to control our unwanted expectations. If it happens, it is the real freedom i.e. Swaraj. Swa means Self and Raj means Control. In the second session, she also described Gandhi’s experiment with diet, aparigraha are very relevant for today world. Pluralism and difference are the principles of modern world and we need to address these. Pluralism is the consequence of liberalism. In his essay Enlightenment, Kant argues that freedom is essential to be enlightened. The most important thing about Gandhian Legacy is about Ahimsa. Gandhi’s response is different from liberal tolerance and violent way of responding to the situation. Dr. Dilip Simeon focused on religion and politics where he highlighted Gandhi’s position on the relationship between religion and politics in the third session. He explained that for Gandhi religion is the source of ethic and philosophical wisdom. Prof Girishwar Misra took the 4 th session. He advocated autonomy of villages. He gave importance to cleanliness. He emphasized character building. He reiterated that education system which does not build character is futile Dr. Chaitra Redkar took the first session on September 21, 2019. Dr. Chetra Redkar delivered a comprehensive lecture on J.C. Kumarappa and Gandhian Critique of Capitalism. In her lecture, she briefly discussed about Kumarappa’s life who was referred to as Gandhian Economist in the literature. In the second session, Prof. Moolakkattu started his lecture with the term Ecology, Environment and environmentalist, he mentioned Gandhi as radical environmentalist. In the third session, Prof. Ashok Acharya discussed the cosmopolitan vision of Gandhi and Kant. Also, he made distinction between cosmopolitanism of Gandhi and Kant. Dr. Gyan Prakash took the fourth session on September 21, 2019. In his talk with the reference to Gandhi’s thought ‘The Earth has enough for everyone’s need but not for everyone’s greed’. He gave stress that sustainable development is not a new concept and is ingrained in our history itself. Rabindranath Tagore in his literary work ‘Muktdhara’ had unveiled the environmental issues, Dr. Bhupen Hazarika in 1930’s by his song ‘Ganga bahati ho kyun’ described the plight of the great river due to its exploitation. On the first session, September 23, 2019 of FDP 14, Prof. Sangit Ragi talked about convergences and divergence both in RSS and Gandhian world view. He explained how the 3 Faculty Development Programme on Revisiting Gandhi Today: Questions of Caste, Class, Gender, Religion and Environment (September 17-23, 2019) Summary of all the sessions RSS has always admired Gandhi’s efforts to broaden the public support for Bharat’s freedom struggle through simple means like the charkha and satyagraha and considered this as his greatness. If one understands Gandhiji’s insistence on constructive programmes like gram swaraj, swadeshi, cow protection and the abolition of untouchability. In the second session, Dr. Ram Chandra Pradhan expressed that people often pose questions on Gandhi’s relations with Dr. Ambedkar, Bhagat Singh and Zinnah. The answer to these questions is that all these new leaders were not antagonistic to Gandhi’s views in politics except in the context time. According to Dr. Pradhan, both Gandhi and Ambedkar had mutual admiration for each other. In the third session, the eminent historian Prof. Sudhir Chandra spoke on the distinct role of Mahatma Gandhi in the last phase of 1948 towards bridging the communal divide in riot stricken streets of Calcutta and Noakhali. The FDP concluded with the Valedictory session on September 23 in which Dr. Rama Devi, Principal, Hansraj College thanked Zakir Husain Delhi College for initiating the FDP on Mahatma Gandhi and being a valuable partner on this occasion. Dr. Harpreet Kaur, Principal, Mata Sundri College for Women who was the chief guest on this occasion spoke on the relevance of Mahatma in the twenty first century. The FDP concluded with the formal vote of thanks by Dr. Masroor Ahmed Beg, Principal, Zakir Husain Delhi College after a brief summarisation of the six day deliberations. 4 Faculty Development Programme on Revisiting Gandhi Today: Questions of Caste, Class, Gender, Religion and Environment (September 17-23, 2019) Summary of all the sessions 1. Date: September 17, 2019 INAUGURAL SESSION Chief Guest: Shri B.