MNLU Nagpur: International Seminar On “Law And Dharma: Exploring Globularity Of Indic Perspectives”

Under the patronage of Prof. (Dr.) Vijender Kumar, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, MNLU-Nagpur, CSSRL could celebrate Indic Knowledge Systems in the campus of MNLU-Nagpur. Prof. (Dr.) Himanshu Pandey, Professor of Law and Principal Investigator IKS Research Project CSSRL conceived the idea of this International Seminar and ensured smooth functioning of the programme. Ila Sudame, Centre Coordinator, CSSRL and IKS Research Project Associate planned and executed the various events along with the student members and associates of CSSRL. CSSRL launched a one-of-its-kind platform of JusManthan Manchah (Tamaso Ma Jyotirgamaya) in the Shaastrotsav where the Samanvayaks (Student Coordinators) of CSSRL – Chetan Gadiya, Harshada Gaikwad, Rudraksh Pathak, Jeevesh Dubey and Manognya Deverakonda were in an academic conversation with Justice Sharad A. Bobde, the Former Chief Justice of India. CSSRL students Sahil Joshi, Mandar Latpate, Sambhav Mahule, Achyut Shukla, Mrudula Patole, Khushi Gupta, Mubaarakaan Babbar, Poorvi Agrawal and Srishti Parit presented a street play on IKS Awareness. The student associates of CSSRL presented Shaastrakar Zones and competed for the Best Shaastrakar Zone Award which was bagged by Team Panini that was formed by Shravani Gadewar, Shailja Yadav, Harshada Nandeshwar, Rashi Sharma.

Justice Bobde inaugurated the International Seminar and shared the dais with eminent academicians viz., Prof. (Dr.) R. Venkata Rao, Former Vice-Chancellor, NLSIU, Bangalore; Prof. (Dr.) T.V. Subba Rao, Professor Emeritus, VIPS, Delhi. Prof. (Dr.) Vijender Kumar delivered the welcome address and Prof. (Dr.) Himanshu Pandey proposed the formal vote of thanks. The technical sessions of the International Seminar were chaired by Prof. (Dr.) D. Surya Prakasa Rao, MNLU-Nagpur; Prof. (Dr.) Prasad Gokhale, Kavikulaguru Kalidasa Sanskrit University, Ramtek (KKSU, Ramtek); Prof. Srinivas Jammalmadaka, KKSU, Ramtek and Dr. Ragini Khubalkar, MNLU-Nagpur.

The Centre also conducted JusManthan Vaadah (Anishiddham Anumatam) – A Debate Competition on the motion “Media has Played a Constructive Role in Fostering Ideas”. The Best Speaker for the Motion in this competition was Rohan Dharmadhikari, the Best Speaker Against the Motion was Kunjal Sharma. The Best Team award went to Shloka and Anubhuti Tiwari. Prof. Shivender Rahul and Ila Sudame judged this competition. The highlight of this event was the Professor v. Professor round judged by Prof. (Dr.) D. Surya Prakasa Rao in which Prof. Madhukar Sharma, Prof. Sopan Sharma, Prof. Ashwini Kelkar, Prof. Sumit Bamhore, Prof. Nitu Kumari, Prof. Trishla Dubey, Prof. Trisha Mittal and Prof. Anchit Verma; the Assistant Professors of MNLU-Nagpur participated.

A panel discussion on “Dharma as a Means of Social Welfare in a Secular State” was conducted in which Prof. (Dr.) R. Venkata Rao, Prof. (Dr.) Himanshu Pandey, Shri Nithin Sridhar (Chief Curator – Indica Moksha), Adv. Brunda Karanam and Shri Nithin Ramakrishnan were the panelists. Ila Sudame was the moderator of this discussion.

The Valedictory Function of this event was presided over by Justice V.S. Sirpurkar, Former Judge, Supreme Court of India. The Guest of Honor for the function was Sr. Adv. Mrs. Kumkum Sirpurkar. Prof. (Dr.) Himanshu Pandey delivered the welcome address and Dr. Ragini Khubalkar proposed the formal vote of thanks. CSSRL of MNLU-Nagpur is pioneering in the research activities on the interface of study between law and shaastras. This promising endeavour of theirs shall truly benefit the modern discipline of law and also revive our time-tested indigenous knowledge base.