Special lecture on ‘Sri Aurobindo and the problem of Self-determination’ 

Chandigarh, October 15, 2024: Centre for Human Rights and Duties, Panjab University in collaboration with the Department cum Centre for Women Studies and Development, Panjab University organized a special lecture on ‘Sri Aurobindo and the problem of Self-determination’. Former Vice Chancellor of Central University Odisha, Prof. Sachidananda Mohanty delivered the lecture. 

Prof. Namita Gupta, Chairperson, Centre for Human Rights and Duties, Panjab University, Chandigarh welcomed Prof. Mohanty, who holds the prestigious Sri Aurobindo Chair, Panjab University. 

Prof. Mohanty detailed the construct of self-determination, which was instrumental in India gaining independence and spoke passionately about Sri Aurobindo’s pivotal role in it, who is also hailed as the champion of Human Rights. Prof. Mohanty, further elaborated Ghosh’s vision for India’s freedom manifesting in 5 dreams – ‘Freedom for India; Freedom for a Federation; Rise of Asia; Union of the World’ and an ‘Individual’s Super Mind’ and emphatically mentioned that Sri Aurobindo, being a philosopher, was at first, a man of thought who followed and committed to consequent action. 

The talk was well attended by Students, Research Scholars and Guest Faculties of both departments and followed up by a vibrant interactive discussion where Prof. Mohanty quoted the prolific literary works of George Bernard Shaw, D.H Lawrence, George Orwell, and Psychologist Ivan Pavlov by drawing ironical analogies of ‘Patrarchial Women’ and ‘Feminist Men’.

The Vote of Thanks, was given by Dr. Rajesh Chandra, Assistant Professor, Women Studies and Development. Prof. Manvinder Kaur, Chairperson, Department cum Centre for Women Studies and Development, Panjab University precisely concluded the academic-session insights while also affirming a future follow up lecture series with Prof. Mohanty.