Professor Sachidananda Mohanty's insightful lectures at Panjab University

Chandigarh, October 7, 2024: The Department of Philosophy, Panjab University, Chandigarh, hosted two intellectually stimulating lectures by Professor Sachidananda Mohanty, Member of the University Grants Commission (UGC), Government of India, and current holder of the Sri Aurobindo Chair at Panjab University. Prof. Mohanty, a distinguished academic, shared his extensive knowledge on topics closely connected to the philosophies of Sri Aurobindo and other critical Indian thinkers.

In the first lecture, "Sri Aurobindo’s - The Foundation of Indian Culture", Prof. Mohanty discussed the core ideas from Sri Aurobindo’s celebrated book by the same name. He explored the profound philosophical underpinnings of Indian culture, focusing on how consciousness and spirituality form its foundation. Central to his lecture was the concept of different levels of mind, with Sri Aurobindo’s hierarchy of mind and supermind playing a pivotal role in shaping cultural and intellectual thought. Prof. Mohanty also reflected on the importance of India’s rich architectural heritage, citing examples from Ajanta and Ellora and presenting a thought-provoking PowerPoint presentation on ancient Indian monuments.

In the second lecture, “Colonization of the Mind”, Prof. Mohanty spoke about how, even though India gained political independence, the mental colonization of Indian citizens continues to prevail. Drawing parallels with K.C. Bhattacharyya’s concept of ‘Swaraj in Ideas’, he argued that true freedom can only be achieved when we free ourselves from the remnants of colonial thinking.

The audience, comprising 90 to 95 attendees, was deeply engaged throughout the session, with Prof. Mohanty’s immersive and interactive style sparking a lively discussion. The lectures were well-received, leaving students and faculty with much to reflect on in terms of the evolution of Indian culture and thought.

Prof. Mohanty’s vast academic background, having been associated with institutions such as the University of Hyderabad, Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education, IIT Kanpur, Yale University, and University of Texas at Austin, among others, added further depth to the topics discussed.

The event concluded with an enriching question-and-answer session, marking another successful academic exchange at Panjab University.