Academicians brainstorm ways to build a harmonious, peaceful and prudent society 

In order to build a prosperous society, not only we need prudent citizens but also ensure they live peacefully and happily. Keeping in mind the vision and mission of man-making and nation-building, Apeejay Stya University (ASU) also aims at building a harmonious, peaceful and prudent society, in which all sections of society, irrespective of their socio-economic background, live peacefully with prudent and prosperity. 

Hoping to accomplish the goal of peace, prudence and prosperity, School of Education, Center for Liberal Arts and IQAC in collaboration with International Center of Gandhian Studies and Research, Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti, Ministry of Culture, Government of India recently organised an International Conference. Held at Apeejay Stya University (ASU) campus in an hybrid mode, the conference was themed – ‘Peace, Prudence and Prosperity’. 

The event was graced by Guest of Honour Shri Sushil Kumar, Director of Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti and Vedabhyas Kundu, Program Officer at Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti, Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Other dignitaries present during the conference were Prof. (Dr.) Raj S. Dhankar, Vice Chancellor, Apeejay Stya University, Dr. Vimala Veeraraghavan, Dean Academics and Emeritus Professor, Center for Liberal Arts, Apeejay Stya University, Prof. Ananda Padhan, Professor and Head of School of Education, ASU alongwith guests including the Prof. Joel Rodney, Advisor, Apeejay Stya University & Ex Chancellor Penn State York, Pennsylvania, USA; Dr. Christian Bartolf, Head at Gandhi Information Center, Berlin as well as Prof. B.K. Kuthiala, Chairman, Haryana State, Higher Education Council, Government of Haryana.

The conference commenced with an opening speech by Dr. Sonam Raheja, Faculty from School of Engineering and Technology, ASU, followed by invoking the blessings of the Almighty amidst soulful rendition of the Saraswati Vandana. The dignitaries present also paid tribute to Dr Stya Paul, the Founder Chairman of Apeejay Education and Apeejay Stya Group. A short film was played in memory of Dr Paul.

Addressing a galaxy of academicians, Ms. Sushma Paul Berlia, Co-Founder and Chancellor, Apeejay Stya virtually graced the occasion with her encouraging words. Madam Chancellor strongly believes that Peace is associated with Freedom – Freedom to live a decent life having all basic necessities like food, shelter, good health, healthy and clean environment which perhaps are entitlement of every human being. 

She also feels that Peace requires freedom from fear, which can be external fear or internal fear. She advised, “Let us not make the mistake that for seeking peace, we have to be weak. We have to have the courage to march forward and make the difference.” She concluded her speech with a strong message, “When there is Peace inside us as well as outside, Prosperity can happen.”

The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Joel Rodney, Advisor, Apeejay Stya University & Ex Chancellor Penn State York, Pennsylvania, USA. He discussed examining the growing trends of the conflicts of the last seventy-five years while touching on the concept of the “Just War,” which has been used to rationalise several conflicts around the world.

Subsequently, the Vice Chancellor Dr Raj S. Dhankar in his speech beautifully explained the connectivity between Peace, Prudence and Prosperity.  “The theme of the conference is very relevant in today’s turbulent times that we witness around the world. Prosperity, Peace and Prudence are highly interlinked. You can’t have prosperity without peace and peace can be achieved only with prudence.”

Dr Christian Bartolf, Head, Gandhi Information Center, Berlin presided over the plenary session of the conference.  He spoke about war and its consequences while quoting the anti-war writings of Desiderius Erasmus which said, “War is sweet to those who have no experience of it”

During this two-day conference, there were nine technical sessions held and each of them had sub-themes. Some of the themes were: Global Perspectives on Peace, Prudence and Prosperity, Interrelationship amongst Peace, Prudence and Prosperity, Peace and Communal Harmony, Role of Education, Science and Technology in Peace, Peace – Physical and Psychological, Peace and Happiness, Role of Yoga and Sports in maintaining Peace, and so on.

More than 100 research papers were received by the organisers from across the country. The two-day conference concluded with an award distribution ceremony. The Best Paper Award went to Dr. Maria Choudhury of Department of Psychology, Assam Don Bosco University Guwahati and Dr. Banani Basistha from Department of Applied Psychology, NERIM Group of Institutions, Guwahati for their paper titled ‘Subjective happiness among Emerging Adults: A Cross Sectional Study’. The duo researchers also received a cash price of Rs. 5000.

The Young Scientist Award went to Ms Pooja Bogra, Ph.D. Research scholar (Psychology), Desh Bhagat University, Punjab for her paper titled ‘Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on the People of Tricity in relation to Peace and Psychological Well-Being’. She also received a cash price of Rs. 3000.