Grand International Seminar Held at D.A.V. Centenary College, Faridabad

Faridabad : D.A.V. Centenary College, Faridabad, successfully organized a one-day International Seminar in hybrid mode (both offline and online) under the aegis of its Department of Sanskrit and Indian Knowledge System (IKS) Cell, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Philosophical Research (ICPR), New Delhi. The seminar was themed “Multidisciplinary Philosophical Reconstruction of Indian Dharmabodha: Tradition, Reason, Ethics, and Contemporary Socio-Political Perspectives.”

The seminar witnessed enthusiastic participation from scholars, academicians, and research scholars from across India and abroad. The event was held under the patronage of Padma Shri Dr. Poonam Suri and under the guidance of offg. Principal Dr. Narendra Kumar. The Department of Sanskrit and Pali, Punjabi University, Patiala, extended support as the Knowledge Partner.

The programme commenced with the invocation of Goddess Saraswati followed by the DAV Anthem. In the inaugural session, Padma Shri Prof. Harmohinder Singh Bedi described Dharma as a rational and ethical framework that guides society towards harmony and progress. Prof. Surendra Kumar of Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, elaborated on various interpretations of Dharma based on the six classical schools of Indian philosophy.

Prof. Virendra Alankar emphasized the need for a balanced and peaceful life rooted in Indian philosophical traditions, while former Indian Ambassador Shri Akhilesh Mishra highlighted the importance of self-reflection and the global relevance of India’s cultural diversity.

In the second session, Dr. Ravi Prabhat discussed various dimensions of Dharmabodha within the Indian knowledge tradition. Shri Vishwanand Putiya from Mauritius explained the concept of Dharma as presented in the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. Chairing the session, Prof. Sudhir Kumar Arya from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) illustrated, with references from the Mahabharata, that charity (Dana) is regarded as the highest form of Dharma.

During the third session, Dr. Geetish Nirban from the University of Delhi analyzed the concept of Stri-Dharma through characters of the Mahabharata. Acharya Vishal Prasad Bhatt from Bali (Indonesia) highlighted the contemporary relevance of the ten characteristics of Dharma as described in the Manusmriti.

The seminar included seven technical sessions, featuring a total of 118 research paper presentations—94 online and 24 offline. The discussions covered philosophical, ethical, social, cultural, and contemporary aspects of Dharma in depth.

In the valedictory session, Prof. R.C. Bhardwaj, former Vice-Chancellor of Maharshi Valmiki Sanskrit University, Kaithal, explained the distinction between ‘Dharma’ and ‘Religion,’ emphasizing Dharma as the foundation of human welfare. Prof. Virendra Alankar and Prof. Murli Manohar Pathak, Vice-Chancellor of Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri National Sanskrit University, New Delhi, also shared their valuable insights.

Organizing Secretary Dr. Jitendra Dhull and Convener Dr. Amit Sharma expressed their gratitude to all the distinguished guests and participants. The programme concluded with the National Anthem.

The seminar emerged as a significant academic initiative in exploring the multidimensional nature of Indian Dharmabodha and reaffirming its relevance in the contemporary world.