Mangaluru: St Agnes College (Autonomous), Mangaluru, organised a one-day national seminar on ‘Rethinking Mahatma Gandhi- Issues and Challenges’ on Monday, September 23.
The seminar was held as a commemoration of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Honourable Justice V Gopala Gowda, former judge, Supreme Court of India, Professor Valerian Rodrigues, former professor Political Science, JNU Delhi, Raghuveer, district coordinator Nehru Yuva Kendra, Sr Dr M Jeswina AC, Principal St. Agnes College, Mangaluru inaugurated the event by lighting the lamp.
As a sign of remembering Gandhiji on his 150th birth anniversary, Justice Gowda rotated the ‘Charaka’ thereby commencing the sessions.
During his inaugural address, Justice Gowda spoke on the Gandhian ideologies and stressed on issues like economic justice, extremism, the need for Hindu-Muslim friendship and India as a multi-religion country. “Current political leaders and the government must inculcate the ideologies of M K Gandhi for better governance,” he said.
“Strength does not come from physical capacity, but from indomitable will,” he quoted Gandhi.
Professor Valerian Rodrigues, former professor Political Science, JNU Delhi, delivered the keynote address.
The first session was by two speakers. Professor Rajaram Tholapady, retired professor Department of Political Science, Mangalore University spoke on the topic ‘Religion and Politics in Gandhi’. Dr Mohammed Musthafa, assistant professor, Political Science, GFGC, Sri Rangapattana spoke on ‘Gandhian Idea of Swaraj and Pluralism’.
The second session was on ‘Politico Economic Thought an Ageless Wonder’ by Dr M Rajesh, regional director, IGNOU, Vadakara. Dr Ramadas Prabhu, assistant professor, Department of History, Dr G Shankar Government Woman’s First Grade College and PG Centre, Ajjarakadu, Udupi took up the session on ‘Gandhi and Confronting Colonialism’.
A panel discussion on ‘Remembering Gandhi’ was also held on the occasion. Mohan Chandra Nambiar, journalist, Manipal, P V Mohan, social activist, Mangaluru, M.G Hegde, director, MIFT College, Mangaluru were the panelists for the session. Dr Rosveera D’Souza, assistant professor, St Aloysius College, Mangaluru was the moderator.
The seminar was organised by the departments of History, Economics and Political Science.
Tiffany, faculty member at St Agnes College, compered the programme. Meera Devi B, faculty at the Department of History proposed a vote of thanks. Sr Dr M Venissa AC, vice principal of the College, introduced the guests.
