STATE TIMES NEWS
KATRA: The Diamond Jubilee Conference of All India Philosophy Association (AIPA) (Akhil Bharatiya Darshan Parishad) was inaugurated at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University Katra on Wednesday.
The conference was organised by the School of Philosophy and Culture (SOPC). Priya Sethi, the Minister of State for Education was the Chief Guest on the auspicious occasion.
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 philosophy in Hindi. The main theme of the conference is ‘Philosophy and 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 Organising 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. Prof. Sudhir K. Jain, Vice Chancellor of SMVDU 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.
Priya Sethi, the Minister speaking on the occasion congratulated the delegates for the Diamond Jubilee and highlighted the need for promotion of philosophy and culture in the State.
Prof. Vishwa Murti Shastri, Prof. Shiv Nirmohi and Prof. Kiran Bakshi were the Guests of Honour on the occasion.
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 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 six 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.
