Swami Rama Himalayan University (SRHU) in collaboration with Pranab Mukherjee Foundation (PMF), New Delhi and Centre for Research in Rural & Industrial Development (CRRID), Chandigarh organized a regional conference titled “Towards Peace, Harmony and Happiness: Transition to Transformation.”
In a multi-ethnic, multi-linguistic and plural society like India, the civilizational balance of unity in diversity demands that the society must constantly work towards resetting the compass for a peaceful, harmonious and happy environment.
The conference was organized at SRHU with an objective to discuss and deliberate transition to transformation through spiritual, scientific and technological, economic, political, environmental and social and cultural upliftment to attain peace, harmony and happiness.
Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Shri Trivendra Singh Rawat was the Chief Guest for the inaugural session on 28th December. The session was presided over by Hon’ble Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi, Member Lok Sabha and former Union Minister. Post lamp lighting session and guru vandana, a welcome address was delivered by the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, SRHU, Dr. Vijay Dhasmana. A background of the program was given to the audience by Prof. R.S. Ghuman, Program Coordinator CRRID.
Prof. Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi in his presidential address at the inaugural session said that for constructive transformation in society, focus should be on improving social and ethical values, human welfare, environmental protection and correcting the shortcomings. “Today scientific and technological change has had a profound effect on the social relations and emotional status of the youth. We are living more in the virtual world. There is loss of human sensibilities in communication in today’s generation and it has become more dependent on the digital and virtual. We also need to understand the mutual dependence on humans and the environment and take environmental protection seriously. Focus has to be not only GDP increase but should also be on overall human development.”
In the first session titled Spiritualism and Transformation, Dr. Vijay Dhasmana, VC, SRHU and Col. (Retd.) Subash Bakshi, CRRID shared their insights on the subject. The session was chaired by Dr. Pranav Pandya, Head, All India Gayatri Pariwar, who also inaugurated the two statues of Charak, Indian father of medicine and Sushruta, founding father of surgery at Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, SRHU.
The second session, Science and Technology and Transformation, chaired by Dr. Ravi Kant, Director, AIIMS, Rishikesh, had Dr. S.K. Mangal, Sr. Vice Chairman, CRRID and Dr. Rajendra Dobhal, Director General, UCOST enlighten the participants with their knowledge and wisdom.
Shri Prakash Pant, Hon’ble Finance Minister of Uttarakhand while chairing the session Economic Development and Transformation said that regular changes are made in the schemes for societal development. Prof. S.R. Hashim, Former Member Secretary, Planning Commission, Dr. Vijendra Chauhan, Pro VC, SRHU and Prof. A.K. Nanda, CRRID, Chandigarh were the other speakers.
The fourth session of the conference was titled Political Transformation. Prof. Mohammand Khalid, P.U., Chandigarh shared insights and the political milestones achieved by the country thus far.
In the session Social & Cultural Transformation Prof. (Retd.) R.S. Sandhu, GNDU, Amritsar and Prof. Kumool Abbi, P.U., Chandigarh were the speakers while Prof. (Retd.) Partha S. Ghosh, JNU, New Delhi chaired the session. In all earnest, they emphasized that traditional practices and modern relevance conflict is healthy as it brings about revolutionary changes for the betterment of the society.
The valedictory address was delivered by Dr. C.S. Nautiyal, Vice Chancellor, Doon University and presided by Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Member of Parliament and Former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand. The conference concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Rashpal Malhotra, Executive Vice-Chairman CRRID.
The conference proved to be a great success as the participants discovered multiple facets of peace, happiness and harmony.
