National Webinar on “Relevance of Philosophy in the Times of Pandemic”

The Department of Philosophy, Post Graduate Government College for Girls, Sector 11, Chandigarh organized a national webinar on the theme “Relevance of Philosophy in the Times of Pandemic” on 30th July, 2020 on the Google Meet platform. The webinar was presided over by the College Principal Prof. (Dr.) Anita Kaushal. The Resource Person of the webinar was Prof. Bhagat Oinam, a distinguished scholar of Philosophy and faculty at the Centre for Philosophy, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Prof. (Dr.) Anita Kaushal in her Presidential Address, while welcoming the resource person and the participants, shared her ideas on philosophy of education and ethical life. She said that “Education is a connect which binds us together and provides us opportunities to reflect on the relationship we share as human beings and with our society/environment. Philosophy provides us with questions of our larger goals of life and our initiatives and preparations in achieving them. Philosophy dwells on how to develop an understanding about the issues we engage in? How to see beauty in this life and make the most of it worth living?” She further said that “We do not have definite answers but we should deliberate on them” Prof. Kaushal while making a reference to Rabindra Nath Tagore’s teachings expressed her philosophical ideas on the concept of harmony as sine qua non for a good life. Prof. Bhagat Oinam in his presentation dwelled on the relevance of philosophy in the contemporary times. He said that, “In the times of crises philosophy or philosophical thinking gets a larger attention than the ordinary times”. Philosophy engages reflections on holistic understanding and perspectives on life and society which goes beyond the everyday pursuits of life. Talking about philosophy, he elaborated on the significance and richness of Indian Philosophical thought and highlighted contributions of great philosophers like Guru Nanak, Aurobindo, and Kabir. He reflected on the dichotomies and relations between western and Indian philosophy. He stressed upon exploring the philosophy of religion and philosophy of culture in Indian context as significant for having a holistic understanding of human self. The lecture was followed by thought provoking questions and observations raised by the participants and the ensuing creative philosophical discussion. The webinar was attended by the faculty and students from various colleges of Chandigarh, faculty from different departments of Panjab University as well as from across the country. The session was moderated by Ms Eashani Sharma, student of BA III and a vote of thanks was proposed by Ms Smriti Garg, student of BA II of the Department of Philosophy. Dr. Ambuj Sharma, Head, Department of Philosophy, P.G.G.C.G. 11, Chandigarh was the Coordinator of the Webinar.