Gandhi Had an Unparallel Influence on the Moral, Political and Social Development of India

Concept Note

Gandhi had an unparallel influence on the moral, political and social development of India and the world. He had an abiding faith in the unfailing power of non-violence and the ultimate victory of truth. It was out of this faith that Gandhi evolved his "Satyagraha (the exercise of soul force) against all injustice and exploitation. His mission in life was attainment of "Swaraj". Swaraj for Gandhi reflects attainment of true democracy. Gandhi's "Swaraj" meant more than mere political independence. It meant Indian spiritual liberation through a fundamental change in each individual's moral perception.

Essentially, Gandhi was a moral prophet who had declared an unequivocal resistance to all concentrations of power, force and violence. He viewed the modern liberal democratic state as technocratic and exploitative which not only curtailed individual freedom, but also failed to bring about any lasting social harmony.

Gandhi took a holistic view of human life and wanted all aspects of life -social, economic, and political -to be dovetailed for the creation of a harmonious and exploitation free society. But the modern industrial civilization has made the task arduous. The challenges have increased and come from the new threat of greater technological superiority of industrial power over the financial and economic institutions of world through the policies of globalization. Forces of globalization and marketization have intruded every sphere of human life. Worsening inequality is the hallmark of the new world brought by forces of globalization. In vital spheres, the capacity of the state to act in the interests of citizens is also shrinking.

The task before the developing societies is not merely one of growth or development to catch up with the material standard of the industrialized west but of self- reliance, equity, justice and dignity and the concern for entire humanity regardless of distinctions of caste, race, religion or region. Today, there is also a global threat of resource exhaustion and ozone depletion, the problem of rising population, and the impoverishment of vast masses of people. The world is also besieged with array of ethnic, religious, national antagonism.

All the problems posed above require a critical understanding and reflection. At a time when Marxism is embattled and Market Liberalism has gained credence, return to Gandhi allows us to introspect the today's beleaguered society with a different vantage point. The primary objective of this two day conference is to provide a platform for constructive dialogue and deliberation for academicians, researchers, policy makers, and students on some of the issues and problems posed above. Many eminent scholars from across the world as well from India will deliberate on the above themes. Some of the prominent speakers include Prof. Dennis Dalton from Columbia University, Prof. Antony Copley, University of Kent, Prof. Douglas Allen, University of Maine, USA, Prof. Thomas Pantham and Prof. Anthony J Parel. The conference will be a two-day event starting from 24th Feb, 2016.The conference will be held in the Conference Centre, University of Delhi.

The broader themes to be discussed include:

Gandhi's Non-violence and Swaraj

Gandhi and Nation Building

Gandhi and modernity

Gandhi and religion/ethics

Gandhi and market

Gandhi and social justice

Gandhi and environment

Gandhi and the Twenty-First Century

Convener

Dr. Sanjeev Kumar

Gandhi Study Circle

Zakir Husain Delhi College,

University of Delhi