VSK TN
Acharya
Abhinavagupta millennium celebrations conclude
Scholars, RSS leaders come together
to change discourse
on Jammu
Kashmir
Abhinavagupta millennium celebrations conclude
Scholars, RSS leaders come together
to change discourse
on Jammu
Kashmir
Bangalore: The two-day brainstorming sessions on issues related to
Jammu Kashmir concluded today with the resolve to change the discourse, by
presenting and propagating the cultural legacy of Kashmir in the right
perspective.
Jammu Kashmir concluded today with the resolve to change the discourse, by
presenting and propagating the cultural legacy of Kashmir in the right
perspective.
A
strategic gathering of academic & legal experts, senior RSS functionaries
and political leadership discussed the road map to correct the discourse on
Jammu Kashmir, which has been distorted by forces inimical to India’s
interests.
strategic gathering of academic & legal experts, senior RSS functionaries
and political leadership discussed the road map to correct the discourse on
Jammu Kashmir, which has been distorted by forces inimical to India’s
interests.
The
National Confluence of Scholars was organized to mark the conclusion of
millennium year celebrations of Kashmir’s great philosopher Acharya
Abhinavagupta. Art of Living Foundation hosted the 40-session scholars meet.
Sri Sri Ravishankar has presided over the year-long celebrations of Acharya
Abhinavagupta.
National Confluence of Scholars was organized to mark the conclusion of
millennium year celebrations of Kashmir’s great philosopher Acharya
Abhinavagupta. Art of Living Foundation hosted the 40-session scholars meet.
Sri Sri Ravishankar has presided over the year-long celebrations of Acharya
Abhinavagupta.
Chief
Guest Shri Prakash Javadekar,
Union Minister for Human Resource Development, termed Acharya Abhinavagupta as
the “greatest philosopher on earth”. Addressing the gathering of over 300
scholars, strategists and legal luminaries, he said Acharya Abhinavagupta was
the embodiment of Indian thought, which has always questioned established norms
and created positive change.
Guest Shri Prakash Javadekar,
Union Minister for Human Resource Development, termed Acharya Abhinavagupta as
the “greatest philosopher on earth”. Addressing the gathering of over 300
scholars, strategists and legal luminaries, he said Acharya Abhinavagupta was
the embodiment of Indian thought, which has always questioned established norms
and created positive change.
“We
have been the knowledge destination of the world, even thousands of years ago.
Had there been a system of international ranking those days, Indian thinkers
would have certainly bagged all the positions from 1st to 10th,” he said, to
resounding applause.
have been the knowledge destination of the world, even thousands of years ago.
Had there been a system of international ranking those days, Indian thinkers
would have certainly bagged all the positions from 1st to 10th,” he said, to
resounding applause.
The
Union Minister also promised every possible support for research and studies on
Acharya Abhinavagupta’s works.
Union Minister also promised every possible support for research and studies on
Acharya Abhinavagupta’s works.
Shri
Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi, RSS All India General Secretary, said there’s been a dedicated effort to present a
distorted image of Kashmir to the world. “When we say Jammu Kashmir is an
integral part of India, it is not a political statement at all. It has been an
intrinsic part of India in every way since thousands of years. We are
celebrating thousand years of Acharya Abhinavagupta, who was instrumental in
propagating the basic principles of Bharatiya thought through Shaiv philosophy
– from Kashmir in the north to the southern most areas of Bharat,” he said.
Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi, RSS All India General Secretary, said there’s been a dedicated effort to present a
distorted image of Kashmir to the world. “When we say Jammu Kashmir is an
integral part of India, it is not a political statement at all. It has been an
intrinsic part of India in every way since thousands of years. We are
celebrating thousand years of Acharya Abhinavagupta, who was instrumental in
propagating the basic principles of Bharatiya thought through Shaiv philosophy
– from Kashmir in the north to the southern most areas of Bharat,” he said.
“Jammu
Kashmir is the land of Shakti, of Ma Vaishnodevi temple, Kheer Bhawani
temple… It has been the land from where teachings on cultural values have
emanated. We have to work towards making Kashmir the same land of knowledge,
peace and awakening that it was,” Bhaiyyaji told the august gathering.
Kashmir is the land of Shakti, of Ma Vaishnodevi temple, Kheer Bhawani
temple… It has been the land from where teachings on cultural values have
emanated. We have to work towards making Kashmir the same land of knowledge,
peace and awakening that it was,” Bhaiyyaji told the august gathering.
Acharya
Abhinavagupta is a world-renowned philosopher and the greatest exponent of
Shaivism. Exactly a thousand years ago, it is said, he along with 1200
disciples walked into a cave in Bheerwah, Kashmir, and became one with Shiva.
Today, over 50 universities across the world are conducting research on
Abhinavagupta’s works.
Abhinavagupta is a world-renowned philosopher and the greatest exponent of
Shaivism. Exactly a thousand years ago, it is said, he along with 1200
disciples walked into a cave in Bheerwah, Kashmir, and became one with Shiva.
Today, over 50 universities across the world are conducting research on
Abhinavagupta’s works.
Art
of Living Founder Sri Sri Ravishankar
of Living Founder Sri Sri Ravishankar
In
his address, Sri Sri Ravishankar said true intellectuals are celebrated beyond
centuries and Acharya Abhinavagupta was such an amazing thinker and
philosopher. Remembering that his first-ever discourses were based on Shiv
Sutras, he said ‘Om Namah Shivay” is a chant that connects India from Kashmir
till Rameshwaram. “Today’s program is only the conclusion of year-long
celebrations, but Acharya Abhinavagupta’s message has to be taken to everyone
across India and the world,” Guruji said.
his address, Sri Sri Ravishankar said true intellectuals are celebrated beyond
centuries and Acharya Abhinavagupta was such an amazing thinker and
philosopher. Remembering that his first-ever discourses were based on Shiv
Sutras, he said ‘Om Namah Shivay” is a chant that connects India from Kashmir
till Rameshwaram. “Today’s program is only the conclusion of year-long
celebrations, but Acharya Abhinavagupta’s message has to be taken to everyone
across India and the world,” Guruji said.
“The basic purpose of two-day National Scholar’s Confluence on Jammu Kashmir at
Bangalore is to ensure that the issues discussed here become the discourse of
the entire nation. The intellectuals, academia, media, decision and policy
making institutes should have the issues discussed in these sessions as part of
their discourse. We will make efforts to take the conclusions, arrived at by
experts at the National Scholar’s Confluence, across the country. We firmly
believe that whatever problems are present in Jammu & Kashmir the root
cause of them are only two: Misinformation in Jammu & Kashmir and lack of
information in rest of India. So, when there is a lack of information then
perception is wrong and these wrong perception leads to wrong decisions. And
when decisions are wrong then implementation cannot be right. Now, if we aim to
change the basic perspective about Jammu & Kashmir within the state and
across the country then we need to usher change at the basic information level
itself. For this to happen, correct information needs to reach every corner of
the country and based on this a correct discourse should develop about Jammu
& Kashmir, and this is the necessity of today,” said Arun Kumar, RSS
Pracharak and member of the All India Executive Council of the RSS.
“Those
who had ruled this country till now had had first set up a discourse and based
on this discourse they established certain academia and the arguments put forth
by this academia are not based on any research, rather those arguments only
worked to cement their discourse. Unfortunately, after country’s independence
the discourse that should have been established based on facts and evidence
could not be established. I feel that the country should free itself from all
kinds of “isms” and should also free itself from the Left or Right Wing camps
and set up a discourse based on facts, correct information and evidence. This
discourse will be in national interest, integrates the society and will be in
our country’s interest,” Arun Kumar said.
who had ruled this country till now had had first set up a discourse and based
on this discourse they established certain academia and the arguments put forth
by this academia are not based on any research, rather those arguments only
worked to cement their discourse. Unfortunately, after country’s independence
the discourse that should have been established based on facts and evidence
could not be established. I feel that the country should free itself from all
kinds of “isms” and should also free itself from the Left or Right Wing camps
and set up a discourse based on facts, correct information and evidence. This
discourse will be in national interest, integrates the society and will be in
our country’s interest,” Arun Kumar said.
It
was indeed a strategic group of experts who came together to discuss the issue
of Jammu Kashmir at the sprawling campus of world renowned spiritual guru Sri
Sri Ravishankar. The inaugural session was addressed by J&K Deputy Chief
Minister Dr Nirmal Singh and RSS all-India executive committee member
Seh-Prachar Pramukh J. Nandkumar with the active participation of pan-India
scholars.
was indeed a strategic group of experts who came together to discuss the issue
of Jammu Kashmir at the sprawling campus of world renowned spiritual guru Sri
Sri Ravishankar. The inaugural session was addressed by J&K Deputy Chief
Minister Dr Nirmal Singh and RSS all-India executive committee member
Seh-Prachar Pramukh J. Nandkumar with the active participation of pan-India
scholars.
The
National Scholars Confluence (Vidvat Sangam) was inaugurated on 6th January
2016 at the Art of Living International Centre, Bengaluru in the presence Sri
Sri Ravishankar.
National Scholars Confluence (Vidvat Sangam) was inaugurated on 6th January
2016 at the Art of Living International Centre, Bengaluru in the presence Sri
Sri Ravishankar.
J&K
Dy. CM Dr Nirmal Singh
Dy. CM Dr Nirmal Singh
Dr
Nirmal Singh while addressing the inaugural ceremony said: “There is a
concerted effort by anti-India forces to polarize the people of Kashmir,
especially the youth. Religious factors have nothing to do with this
polarization. The recent turmoil is a case in point. The last three generations
of Jammu Kashmir’s leadership have also continually misled the people of
Kashmir. Nevertheless, there is still a lot of scope for creating a positive
atmosphere in Kashmir.” “Acharya Abhinavagupta’s philosophy and his works
constitute the cultural legacy of Kashmir. It has to be researched, understood
and popularized in the proper context. His work is as relevant today as it was
a thousand years ago. When the youth get in touch with their roots, they will
be empowered to thwart the negative forces,” Dr Nirmal Singh said.
Nirmal Singh while addressing the inaugural ceremony said: “There is a
concerted effort by anti-India forces to polarize the people of Kashmir,
especially the youth. Religious factors have nothing to do with this
polarization. The recent turmoil is a case in point. The last three generations
of Jammu Kashmir’s leadership have also continually misled the people of
Kashmir. Nevertheless, there is still a lot of scope for creating a positive
atmosphere in Kashmir.” “Acharya Abhinavagupta’s philosophy and his works
constitute the cultural legacy of Kashmir. It has to be researched, understood
and popularized in the proper context. His work is as relevant today as it was
a thousand years ago. When the youth get in touch with their roots, they will
be empowered to thwart the negative forces,” Dr Nirmal Singh said.
RSS
Pracharak J. Nandkumar
Pracharak J. Nandkumar
RSS
Pracharak Akhil Bharatiya Seh-Prachar Pramukh J. Nandakumar in his keynote
address on Friday said Acharya Abhinavagupta embodied the greatness of Bharat’s
saints. “Bharat’s history has been one of constant renaissance. A lot of great
people have contributed to our culture, values and ethos. Acharya Abhinavagupta
was amongst the greatest such philosophers,” he said. Referring to the constant
efforts to sideline and eclipse the evolved Indian philosophies and traditions,
Nandakumar said it was understandable when the British strategically undermined
everything Indian in order to effectively colonize. However, it has been tragic
that even the leadership of independent India has towed the same lines, he said.
“Acharya Abhinavagupta has still not been discussed and researched upon as much
as it should have been. There’s an imperative need to learn the true
characteristics of our history and our philosophies. India’s sanskriti, its
culture is a confluence of the triveni of Veda-Tantra-Yoga. Abhinavagupta is an
essential part of this,” he said.
Pracharak Akhil Bharatiya Seh-Prachar Pramukh J. Nandakumar in his keynote
address on Friday said Acharya Abhinavagupta embodied the greatness of Bharat’s
saints. “Bharat’s history has been one of constant renaissance. A lot of great
people have contributed to our culture, values and ethos. Acharya Abhinavagupta
was amongst the greatest such philosophers,” he said. Referring to the constant
efforts to sideline and eclipse the evolved Indian philosophies and traditions,
Nandakumar said it was understandable when the British strategically undermined
everything Indian in order to effectively colonize. However, it has been tragic
that even the leadership of independent India has towed the same lines, he said.
“Acharya Abhinavagupta has still not been discussed and researched upon as much
as it should have been. There’s an imperative need to learn the true
characteristics of our history and our philosophies. India’s sanskriti, its
culture is a confluence of the triveni of Veda-Tantra-Yoga. Abhinavagupta is an
essential part of this,” he said.
8
dialogue sessions
dialogue sessions
The
National Scholars Confluence included eight simultaneous dialogue sessions on
different aspects of Abhinavagupta’s works as also current issues – issues
having far-reaching implications vis-à-vis Jammu Kashmir state. This mega-event
is being attended by several Vice Chancellors, former defence personnel of
Indian Armed Forces, professors, columnists, legal luminaries, senior
advocates, former judges and other eminent members of the civil society.
National Scholars Confluence included eight simultaneous dialogue sessions on
different aspects of Abhinavagupta’s works as also current issues – issues
having far-reaching implications vis-à-vis Jammu Kashmir state. This mega-event
is being attended by several Vice Chancellors, former defence personnel of
Indian Armed Forces, professors, columnists, legal luminaries, senior
advocates, former judges and other eminent members of the civil society.
The
two-day scholars’ meet involved parallel seminars on different disciplines on
following themes.
two-day scholars’ meet involved parallel seminars on different disciplines on
following themes.
•
Abhinavagupta and Indian Literature: Classical and Folk
Abhinavagupta and Indian Literature: Classical and Folk
•
Abhinavagupta and Cultural Studies
Abhinavagupta and Cultural Studies
•
Abhinavagupta and Civilizational Studies
Abhinavagupta and Civilizational Studies
•
Abhinavagupta and Philosophy, Spirituality and Sadhna
Abhinavagupta and Philosophy, Spirituality and Sadhna
•
Abhinavagupta and Communication and Media
Abhinavagupta and Communication and Media
•
Geo-Polity of Himalayan Region
Geo-Polity of Himalayan Region
•
Jammu Kashmir in History
Jammu Kashmir in History
•
Legal and Constitutional Status of Jammu Kashmir
Legal and Constitutional Status of Jammu Kashmir
Each
of these eight themes had five sub-themes discussed in separate sessions. So, a
total of 40 sessions were organized in the two-day meet.
of these eight themes had five sub-themes discussed in separate sessions. So, a
total of 40 sessions were organized in the two-day meet.
Ashutosh
Bhatnagar, Director JKSC said that the session on “Geo-polity of Himalayan
Region” had vibrant discussions by strategic experts and former defence
personnel on PoJK (Pak-occupied Jammu Kashmir), CoJK (China-occupied Jammu
Kashmir) and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Bhatnagar, Director JKSC said that the session on “Geo-polity of Himalayan
Region” had vibrant discussions by strategic experts and former defence
personnel on PoJK (Pak-occupied Jammu Kashmir), CoJK (China-occupied Jammu
Kashmir) and Gilgit-Baltistan.
The
dialogue session on “Legal and Constitutional Status of Jammu Kashmir” involved
legal luminaries who discussed the relevance and misuse of Article 370 and
Article 35A in the light of recent Supreme Court decisions where the apex court
had pulled up the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir for overreaching their ambit
on Article 370.
dialogue session on “Legal and Constitutional Status of Jammu Kashmir” involved
legal luminaries who discussed the relevance and misuse of Article 370 and
Article 35A in the light of recent Supreme Court decisions where the apex court
had pulled up the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir for overreaching their ambit
on Article 370.
Millennium
Year Celebrations
Year Celebrations
The
Acharya Abhinavagupta Millennium Year Celebrations Committee headed by Sri Sri
Ravi Shankar ji has been celebrating thousand years of Acharya Abhinavagupta
since January 2016.
Acharya Abhinavagupta Millennium Year Celebrations Committee headed by Sri Sri
Ravi Shankar ji has been celebrating thousand years of Acharya Abhinavagupta
since January 2016.
Sri
Sri Ravishankar was convinced of the relevance of Abhinavagupta’s teachings and
consented to preside over the Celebrations Committee. Renowned journalist Sh.
Jawahar Lal Kaul is the Executive President of this Millennium Year Celebration
Committee. The celebrations were started on 4th January 2016 as a thousand
lights were lit as homage to the Acharya. Many academic and cultural programmes
were organized across India in 2016 as part of the celebrations.
Sri Ravishankar was convinced of the relevance of Abhinavagupta’s teachings and
consented to preside over the Celebrations Committee. Renowned journalist Sh.
Jawahar Lal Kaul is the Executive President of this Millennium Year Celebration
Committee. The celebrations were started on 4th January 2016 as a thousand
lights were lit as homage to the Acharya. Many academic and cultural programmes
were organized across India in 2016 as part of the celebrations.
“The
yearlong Millennium celebrations of Acharya Abhinavagupta, the genius of Kashmir
has evoked tremendous interest and enthusiastic response, not only among
scholars and students but also among common people all across India. More than
a dozen universities and institutions of art and culture have participated in
these celebrations generating a great debate on relevance of his philosophy to
modern India. It is therefore natural that the concluding event of the
year-long celebrations should be celebrated as a multidimensional conference
involving hundreds of university teachers and scholars in various fields to
meet in Bangalore and exchange ideas and experiences about this great
philosopher and also discuss various aspects of Jammu and Kashmir,” said
Jawaharlal Kaul, Working Chairman of the Acharya Abhinavagupta Millennium
Celebrations Committee and President of the Jammu Kashmir Study Centre.
yearlong Millennium celebrations of Acharya Abhinavagupta, the genius of Kashmir
has evoked tremendous interest and enthusiastic response, not only among
scholars and students but also among common people all across India. More than
a dozen universities and institutions of art and culture have participated in
these celebrations generating a great debate on relevance of his philosophy to
modern India. It is therefore natural that the concluding event of the
year-long celebrations should be celebrated as a multidimensional conference
involving hundreds of university teachers and scholars in various fields to
meet in Bangalore and exchange ideas and experiences about this great
philosopher and also discuss various aspects of Jammu and Kashmir,” said
Jawaharlal Kaul, Working Chairman of the Acharya Abhinavagupta Millennium
Celebrations Committee and President of the Jammu Kashmir Study Centre.
Organizing
organizations
organizations
Jammu
Kashmir Study Centre (JKSC) is an independent and objective think-tank
dedicated to the study of Jammu Kashmir in its totality. The aim of JKSC is to
dispel misinformation and create awareness about facts relating to Jammu
Kashmir. JKSC was established in 2011 to undertake policy relevant studies on
all aspects
of this strategically important Indian state and disseminate the outcome of
these studies in a right perspective in the public domain.
Kashmir Study Centre (JKSC) is an independent and objective think-tank
dedicated to the study of Jammu Kashmir in its totality. The aim of JKSC is to
dispel misinformation and create awareness about facts relating to Jammu
Kashmir. JKSC was established in 2011 to undertake policy relevant studies on
all aspects
of this strategically important Indian state and disseminate the outcome of
these studies in a right perspective in the public domain.
The
partner institutions of JKSC for this programme include Sri Sri Ravishankar
University, Bhubaneshwar; Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, New Delhi;
Indian Council for Philosophical Research, New Delhi and the Makhanlal
Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication, Bhopal.
partner institutions of JKSC for this programme include Sri Sri Ravishankar
University, Bhubaneshwar; Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, New Delhi;
Indian Council for Philosophical Research, New Delhi and the Makhanlal
Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication, Bhopal.