GANDHIRAMA-2016
Center
for Gandhian Studies, GITAM Institute of Management, GITAM University in
association with Andhra University hosted ‘GANDHIRAMA 2016’ and ‘SECOND ASIAN
PHILOSOPHY CONGRESS’. The two events were scheduled from 16th
January- 21st January, 2016.
The
inauguration of the Second International Convention on Gandhi ‘Gandhirama 2016’,
took place in Shivaji auditorium, GITAM University at 11 A.M on 16th
January, 2016. The chief guest for the inauguration was Sri M. Venkaiah Naidu,
Hon’ble Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Urban Development. In his
motivating address, he spoke of the various schemes of the central government
that were aimed at practical application of Gandhian ideas in national life. The
guests of honour were Dr. Kambhampati Haribabu, Member of Parliament, Visakhapatnam
and Dr. Y. Lakshmi Prasad, Member, Central Hindi Committee. Dr. M.V.V.S.Murthi,
President, GITAM and Member of Legislative Council, A.P., Prof. G.
Subrahmanyam, Vice-Chancellor, GITAM University, Prof. G.S.N. Raju, Vice
Chancellor, Andhra University and Prof. K. Siva Rama Krishna, Dean and
Principal, GITAM Institute of Management, also graced the occasion. Prof. K. Ramakrishna Rao, Hon’ble Chancellor,
GITAM University and the President of the convention delivered his highly
inspirational address “From Gandhirama to Gandhi Mandir in Visakhapatnam”. He outlined
his grand vision of a Gandhi Memorial atop Kailasagiri in Vizag and also
thanked the other collaborators for this event such as Indira Gandhi Center for
National Art, Mahatma Gandhi Museum and Library, Adi Kavi Nannaya University
and a host of other organizations.
On
16th January, 2016 there was a plenary session on “Religious
Fundamentalism, Political Extremism and Gandhi’s Nonviolence” in Shivaji
Auditorium, GITAM University. The chairperson for this plenary session was Sri
P.S. Rama Mohan Rao, Former Governor of Tamil Nadu & former DGP Andhra
Pradesh. The participants in this session were Sri. K. Padmanabaiah, Chairman,
Court of Governors, ASCI and Sri H.J Dora, Former Director General of Police, A.P.
The session was followed by paper presentations. A cultural program was held in
the evening in Andhra University which included a performance by renowned
Bharat Natyam dancer Ms. Gita Chandran and her team from New Delhi.
On
17th January, 2016 there was a plenary special lecture - “Gandhi left a Blue Print of a Sustainable
World Civilization through his Will” by Dr. T. Karunakaran, Former VC,
Chitrakoot & Gandhigram University and Former Director, Mahatma Gandhi
Institute for Rural Industrialisation. A plenary presentation on “Mahatma
Gandhi Mandir in Visakhapatnam” was given by Dr. Savita Singh, Former Director,
Gandhi Smriti. There was also a plenary panel discussion chaired by Prof.
Douglas Allen, University of Maine on “Gandhi’s Approach to his favourite
Bhagvad-Gita: Hermeneutical Disaster, Profoundly Insightful, or Invitation for
our Creative Reconstruction of its significance today”. Another plenary
presentation was on “Gandhi’s innovation in Ethics: Satyagraha as a Method of
Rational Proof” by Prof. J. Gray Cox, College of the Atlantic, Bar Harbor,
Maine. There were paper presentations in GITAM Institute of Management which
was followed by a Cultural Program in the evening.
On
18th January, 2016 there was a plenary session in Mother Teresa
Auditorium, GITAM University on “Swachch Bharat & Smart Cities”. The
speakers in this session were Prof. S.S. Rama Rao Pappu, Miami University, Sri.
A. Annamalai, Director, National Gandhi Museum and Prof.G.Vedaparayana, Sri
Venkateswara University. This was followed by paper presentations held in GITAM
Institute of Management and a cultural program in the evening.
A
Khadi and Book Exhibition, Exhibition and sale of handloom and handicraft and
rural small scale industries products with artisans coming from all over the
country, a unique photo expo on the life of Gandhi, screening of movies and
documentaries on the life of Gandhi, display of priceless artefacts at the
Centre for Gandhian Studies Museum – were among the other highlights of the
mega event. A large number of students and academicians from all over India and
abroad attended the event. The Valedictory Session was held on 21st
January 2016 with Sri C. Rajendiran, renowned Thirukkural scholar and Principal
Commissioner of Customs, Vizag as the Chief Guest.