Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, May 06 –
The Amrit Kaal Lecture Series- 2024 under the theme “Dissolving Boundaries Evolving Education,” was inaugurated at Brig. Rajinder Singh Auditorium, University of Jammu this morning . At the outset, Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor University of Jammu delivered a welcome address. Speaking on the theme of the Lecture Series, “Dissolving Boundaries, Evolving Education,” Prof. Rai, emphasized the importance of adopting a multidisciplinary approach in academia. By encouraging students to explore diverse fields of study, he advocated for breaking down traditional boundaries that confine learning within rigid disciplinary lines. This approach, he noted, not only provides students with the freedom to choose their educational path but also equips them with essential skills for both personal and national advancement. Prof. Rai highlighted the necessity of creating flexible and adaptable educational programs that cater to the evolving needs of students and society. In doing so, he emphasized the role of education in dissolving boundaries between academic disciplines, thereby fostering innovation, collaboration, and holistic learning experiences. Prof Rai also expressed gratitude to the organizing committee and all the members involved for the organization of this event.
Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor, JKUT, in his Presidential Address, commended Prof. Dinesh Singh for delivering a thought-provoking lecture and extended appreciation to the University of Jammu for organizing the Amrit Kaal lecture series. He emphasized the need for a holistic approach in finding solutions, reminiscing about India’s illustrious past as a knowledge society and world leader. Recognizing the shift towards a knowledge- and technology-based society, he urged the audience to acknowledge India’s abundant talent and heritage rather than constantly looking to the West.. Addressing the concept of boundaries, he pondered whether they are self-imposed or externally imposed, challenging the audience to break free from perceived limitations. Encouraging students to embrace their potential and the opportunities before them, he emphasized the importance of integrity, dedication, and confidence in achieving personal and national goals. He expressed hope that the lecture series would inspire forward-thinking and urged everyone to step out of their comfort zones.
Recognizing the pivotal role of teachers in shaping students’ futures, he encouraged continued efforts towards positive change within oneself and the broader ecosystem. He concluded by highlighting the abundance of opportunities available and the potential for success through sincere effort and determination.
A highlight of the event was the felicitation of Prof. Dinesh Singh, Vice Chairman of the Higher Education Council, UT of J&K, and Formerly Vice-Chancellor of the University of Delhi. Prof. Singh was honored with the prestigious “Bhartiya Pragya Bhushan Samman” in recognition of his exemplary contributions to the field of education.
The citation was read by Prof. Anju Bhasin, Dean Academic Affairs, University of Jammu, and Formerly Vice Chancellor of Cluster University of Jammu.
The keynote address was delivered by Padmashree Prof. Dinesh Singh, Vice Chairman, Higher Education Council, Government of Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory who captivated the audience with his enlightening discourse titled “From the Indus Valley Civilization to Srinivas Ramanujan: The Fascinating History of Indian Mathematics,” shedding light on the rich heritage of Indian mathematics.
During his lecture Prof Dinesh Singh delved into the architectural marvels of Mohenjo-Daro, showcasing ancient India’s proficiency in architecture and technology through structures like public baths and dockyards. Transitioning to the Vedic civilization, he highlighted mathematical luminaries such as Boudhayan, Panini, and Pingal, whose contributions predated Western presentations of concepts like the Pythagorean theorem, algorithmic grammar, and binomial coefficients. Prof Singh also discussed the contributions of Aryabhatta, Bhaskara, and Brahmagupta in astronomy and mathematics, from discovering the Earth’s shape to determining the value of Pi and advancing modern trigonometry. He underscored the remarkable journey of Indian prodigy Srinivas Ramanujan, who, despite hailing from a humble background, amassed around 5000 patents and achieved global recognition. Professor Singh aimed to inspire the audience to break boundaries and contribute to restoring India’s past glory.
From the ancient marvels of the Indus Valley Civilization to the contributions of mathematical genius Srinivas Ramanujan, Prof. Singh underscored the profound impact of Indian mathematical insights on global knowledge systems, highlighting their enduring relevance in contemporary academia. Through engaging narratives and insightful analyses, he unveiled the lesser-known facets of Indian mathematical prowess, inspiring scholars and enthusiasts alike to delve deeper into this rich legacy.
The Guest of Honour, Prof. Sudhish Pachauri, Formerly Pro Vice-Chancellor of Delhi University, delivered an insightful address that enriched the gathering. Reflecting on the theme of the lecture series, he praised its uniqueness, emphasizing the multitude of boundaries present in India, ranging from religious and ego-driven boundaries to those in subjects and knowledge. He noted that for the past two centuries, society has been constrained by such boundaries, despite the evolving nature of the world. Prof. Pachauri found the theme to be profoundly challenging, particularly in the context of literature, which he described as boundless and limitless, encompassing all aspects of human experience. He discussed the similarities among different literatures such as Urdu, Hindi, English, and Sanskrit, suggesting that they share common elements. Prof. Pichauri specifically addressed how language segmentation can create barriers between people and emphasized the need to break down these boundaries through a collective spirit of unity across various fields of study.
Speaking on the occasion, Director ISTRAC Sh. B. N. Ramakrishna emphasized the importance of aligning education with purposeful objectives. He emphasized the need to stay informed about global events and to deeply comprehend our actions in order to effectively address challenges, a responsibility he entrusted to future generations. Stressing that success cannot be solely measured by grades, he urged students to approach their pursuits with passion and to actively engage with day to day issues. He articulated a vision of limitless possibilities for discovery across all fields, commending the well-crafted theme that encapsulated this potential.
The inaugural session concluded with a formal vote of thanks by Prof. S. K. Pandita, Director, MMTTC, University of Jammu. The proceedings of the inaugural session were conducted by Prof. Sarika Manhas, Co-chairperson, Campus Cultural Committee.
In the afternoon session Director ISTRAC Sh. B. N. Ramakrishna delivered a lecture on the Topic, “Space: Endless Opportunities and Infinite Possibilities” introduced by Dr. Sandeep Arya, Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, University of Jammu. Prof. Naresh Padha was the chairperson of the session. Dr. Ramakrishna outlined ISRO’s evolution, lauding past achievements and present initiatives like the Roadmap 2030 and ISP-2023. He emphasized collaboration with the private sector via initiatives like IN-SPACe and encouraged student innovation. Dr. Ramakrishna showcased ISRO’s facilities, highlighted projects like GAGANYAAN and Chandrayaan-3, and discussed lunar resource utilization. He concluded by thanking the organizers and engaging in a Q&A session, receiving applause for his insights and response.
This was followed by the lecture by Prof. Sudhish Pachauri , Formerly Pro Vice Chancellor, DU on the topic, “Rethinking about the role of Literature”. The session was chaired by Prof. Sucheta Pathania and introduced by Prof. Rajni Bala,. Prof. Pachauri emphasized the ubiquity of knowledge and the importance of embracing it from various sources. He shared insights on the impact of digitization on communication, highlighting the evolving nature of language and emphasized that texts can be interpreted in multiple ways. Prof. Pachauri advocated for breaking boundaries by seeking new perspectives and meanings beyond the obvious. He addressed societal divisions and ‘othering,’ emphasizing the importance of identity politics in understanding social dynamics. Furthermore, he underscored the unifying power of literature and the need for decolonization in thought and action. Critically, he discussed the shift in cognitive engagement from hands to digital devices, lamenting the diminishing use of personal expression in favor of technological convenience. Prof. Pachauri also touched on the growing isolation and egoism in society, leading to the decline of meaningful interpersonal communication.
A cultural evening was also organized which showcased the Kathak Performance by Shivam Shukla, “Lear”, a devised performance based on William Shakespeare’s “King Lear”, designed and Directed by Ifra Mushtaq Kak and a Mashup of Popular Dogri songs by the students of Music Club and Literary club and Geetru, folk songs and dances of Jammu by Ram Ditta and Party Courtesy, J&K Academy of Art Culture & Languages.
Among others present on the occasion included, Prof. Bechan Lal, Vice Chancellor, Cluster University of Jammu, Prof. Pragati Kumar, Vice Chancellor, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Prof. Anand Prakash,former Dean, International Relations, DU, Prof. Reetesh singh, former Head & Dean, Department of Commerce, Delhi School of Economics, Mr. T. Subramanya Ganesh, Deputy Director, ISRO, Ms. Neelanjana Singh, Dietician/ Nutritionist , Prof. Neelu Rohmetra, Dean Research Studies, Prof. Naresh Padha, Prof. Pankaj K. Srivastava, Director DD&OE, Prof. Prakash C. Antahal, Dean Students Welfare, heads of teaching departments, officers, staff, scholars and students.
