World Philosophy Day Celebrated by Department of Philosophy in Collaboration with Department of Sanskrit, French and PG Department of Sociology at PGGCG-11, Chandigarh

The Department of Philosophy in collaboration with Department of Sanskrit, French and Sociology at PGGCG-11, Chandigarh organised the World Philosophy Day on 21st November, 2019 at the College Campus. The event began with welcoming speech given by Ms. Ambika Sharma (BA II) followed by short glimpse of earlier events organised by the Philosophical Society, showcased by the Moderators of the event Ms. Smriti Garg and Ms. Harleen Kaur (BA II). In the inaugural session, the Key Note address was delivered by Mr. Lallan Singh Baghel, Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy, Panjab University, Chandigarh on the theme “Relevance of Socrates and Gandhi’s Public Philosophy” who talked about the relevance of Gandhi and Socrates. Dr. Baghel stressed on their discourse on “truth” and the critical thinking they were attributed with. He observed that though these two were from different socio-cultural backgrounds, their stream of thinking and logic was aimed at public welfare. This was followed by an Interactive Session wherein the faculty members, research scholars and students raised issues of pertinence in the contemporary context. The Department on the occasion also organized a Declamation Competition on the topic "What is education?". The students, not only from the Philosophy Department, but from the other Departments as well showed a very enthusiastic participation. The points were impressively put forward by the students which earned them great appreciation and applause. This was followed by a Poster-making Contest on the theme “Women Philosophers in History and Present” was a kaleidoscope of the creative potential of the students. On the occasion a Paper-writing Competition on “Gandhi and his ideas: Contemporary Relevance” was also organized which displayed the imaginative talent of the students and the deep thinking they have about Gandhi’s ideals. The session came to an extremity with Valedictory Session chaired by Ms Eashani and Ms. Muskaan (BA III). The Guest of Honour were invited to give their views relating to the Department competitions in Which Mr Lallan Singh Baghel, Panjab University, Dr Desh Raj Sirswal, Assistant Professor and Head, Department of Philosophy, PGGC-46, Chandigarh shared their ideas. Dr Ambuj Sharma, Assistant Professor and Head, Department of Philosophy also shared his ideas during the session. The Presidential Address was delivered by Prof. Anita Kaushal, Principal, PGGCG-11, Chandigarh. She launched the Philosophical Society, Department of Philosophy, PGGCG-11 blog: philpggcg11.blogspot.com and encouraged the students with her words of wisdom. Professor Anita Kaushal also felicitated and gave away the prizes to the winning candidates in each competition. The event ended on progressive note, Ms Shereen Khan on the behalf of the students extended their vote of thanks and from the faculty, Dr. Sukhwant Sidhu, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology thanked all the participants and resource persons for the same. The celebration was attended by students and faculty members of the campus. On the occasion Professor Anita Khosla, Vice Principal, PGGCG-11, Professor Gurinder Kaur, Head, Department of English, Professor Madhu Gupta, Head, Department of Political Science, Professor Maninder Sidhu, Dr. Tanuja Pathak, Ms Kamaldeep Kaur, Department of English, Professor Renu Somal, Head, PG Department of Psychology, Dr Prakash Chandra, Head, Department of History, Dr Madhu Gosain, Dr Meena Rani from Department of Hindi, Dr Manoj Kumar, Associate Professor, Dr Komal Sharma, Dr Veenat, Dr Seema Chouhan from Department of Sociology, Dr Karun Lekha, Head, Department of Sanskrit, Dr Arun Lekha, Head, Department of Mathematics, Dr Ajay Sharma, Head, Department of Public Administration, Dr Ritesh Nagpal, Dr Anoop Singh, Department of Public Administration, Dr Nidhi Sharma, Head, Department of French, Dr Chandan Lal Gupta, Department of Sanskrit, Dr Devinderjit Kaur Sewak, Head, Department of Punjabi, Dr Devinder Kaur, Dr Jaspal Singh, Department of Punjabi, Dr O P Parameshwaran, Associate Professor, PG Department of Fine Arts, Dr. Naveen Pandhi, Department of Commerce, encouraged the participants with their presence, observations and thoughts. Poster-making Contest1st: Shivani-B.A.-II; 2nd Vrinda- B.A.-II 3rd: Rakhi Antil- B.A.-III Paper-writing Competition1st: Chuskit-B.A.-I 2nd: Vishnavi Sharma- B.A.-I 3rd: Sheereen- B.A.-I Declamation Competition1st: Anusha-B.A.-III 2nd: Sheereen- B.A.-I 3rd: Eashani Bhargava- B.A.-III Courtesy: Ridam BA I , Ishani BA II Department of Philosophy with inputs from Prof. Ajay Sharma, Head, Dept of Public Administration, PGGCG-11, Chandigarh.

Faculty and Students Attended "Kala Sangam" A Cutural Programme organized by PGGCG-11, Chandigarh at the College Campus

The faculty and students of the Department of Philosophy attended the Kala Samgam, a cultural programme organized by the PGGCG-11 on the 14th of November at the College Auditorium. Mrs. Lippi Parida, wife of Shri. Manoj Kumar Parida, Adviser to the Administrator, U.T, Chandigarh was the Chief Guest of the function. The students performed the various cultural performances showcasing the cultural diversity of our country. On the occasion Dr. Monika Soni from the Music Vocal Department and Dr. Mitika Kanwar from the Psychology Department presented a mesmerizing Indian classical vocal performance. It is important to note that all the winning teams at the Punjab University Zonal and Inter-Zonal Youth Festival from our college also took over the stage with the utmost grace. Prof. Anita Kaushal, Principal, PGGCG-11, Chandigarh extended the welcome address to the chief guest and inspired all the budding artists of the college. Courtesy: Smriti Garg BA II, Ambika Sharma BA II

Invited Extension Lecture on “Psychology, Education and Learning: A Teacher's Perspective” by Professor. Renu Somal, Head, P.G. Department of Psychology, PGGCG-11, Chandigarh, organized by Department of Philosophy at P.G.G.C.G.-11, Chandigarh

More than just a facilitator, a teacher is a harbinger of change, it is though said that students have immense power to facilitate new forms and voice out opinions, education provides the opportunity to reflect and engage various questions associated with life and its goals. . To make education of any importance it is essential to form opinions in regard to critical reasoning and contemplation. To extend this approach to all disciplines in academia the Department of Philosophy P.G.G.C.G - 11, out of an ocean of subjects, chose one of the most vital subjects that can be applied to students like us in our everyday lives —- Psychology. Prof. Renu Somal, Head of the Psychology Department (P.G.G.C.G. -11) delivered the lecture as resource person moderated by Dr. Ambuj Sharma, Head of the Philosophy Department (P.G.G.C.G. - 11). A humble, not-so-fancy dialogue rather quintessential; from a very learned, experienced and an eminent personality progressed. In the contemporary world it’s less about advancing a subject in universities, it’s more about investing in ourselves — the tasks of the teacher is more than just ‘instilling’, it’s ‘grooming’ and ‘learning’. No matter if the teacher has all superlative degrees, no teacher can ever reach to the zenith without a student. From various fields of academics when students come together to study the concepts and step out of their comfort zone to learn and know about a subject then it goes beyound the domains of just cramming to overall growth and development of students. When a problem in an individual is described it is easier to get to a solution. Problems of inhibiting factors, low self-esteem, lack of selfefficacy can be dealt with by concept-clarity, acceptance and empathy. For a student it is best to create a ‘safe-space’ out of their ‘comfort-zone’, one must extend their boundaries through peer-group learning as this is one of the most convenient ways. Talking about psychology as a subject, it not just a theory but an ‘applied science’, the beauty of it lies in the fact that it can be used in our daily lives creatively. The main focus of the lecture-cum-discussion was to inform and engage dialogue about their present conditions and how can a teacher, their relation and an academic subject can help improve our relation with self and others. No knowledge is ever gained if it doesn’t leave you inquisitive. A fruitful, cultured seminar was concluded with this question-answer session and a thank you to all the attendants, for their reverence was paid gratitude with a group photograph. Courtesy: Written by : Charvi B.A.- II Typed by : Smriti Garg B.A.- II

Participation of Faculty and Students at the Chandigarh Literature Festival (CLF) organized by the Adab Foundation in collaboration with Post Graduate Government College for Girls, Sector 11, Chandigarh at PGGCG-11 from 8th -10th November, 2019

"In the end, we all become stories" Beautifully explained by Margaret Atwood, this quote sums up the role of literature in our lives. From one liner quotations to thousands of pages building a beautiful empire, Literature has never failed to prove its aesthetic and ethical value. An opportunity to explore the depths of Literature and Arts, PGGCG 11 in collaboration with Adab Foundation organised the Chandigarh Literature Festival in the college itself for 3 days, from November 8 to November 10. It comprised of events including theatre performances and discussion on books by the authors and critical analysis of the books by the critiques and the audience. The books being discussed were also presented for sale in the college, for the people who want to explore the books in its true essence, in the paperback form. Prominent authors were with their books and stories behind them.*adding the foreign author* It was a very informative event for the students, it expanded their horizons to see the words in a book and also motivated the children to interact and get their minds clear on a specific topic. The event was open for all and students from the schools were also active participants, showing the grassroot level reach of the festival and ultimately literature. Engaging oneself with literature is the best way to reflect on what we think and have faith in old as well new ideas, and such events keep the legacy of literature alive. We thank Professor Maninder Sidhu, Department of English the coordinator of the event and Madam Principal Professor Anita Kaushal, PGGCG-11, Chandigarh for providing so many of us the opportunity to attend and learn from such a creative festival. Courtesy: Ambika Sharma BA II