Associate professor of Political Science, Dr Yog Raj Sharma, lecturers, Kuldeep Raj Sharma and Dr Kishor Sharma from the Department of Education, government of J&K and administrators from JU, namely, Om Ji, Pundit Darshan Lal Sharma and Karan Bir Sharma were also present on the occasion. Undergraduate and post-graduate students along with a few members of civil society of Jammu also took active part in the interactive sessions of the symposium. There were dignitaries like Shalendra Kumar who came to this symposium from as distant a place as Dablair near the international border with Pakistan in the R S Pura sector. Dr Malvinder Kaur from the department of Library Science, JU and Dr Bharat Bhushan Anand, Senior Lecturer, Government Degree College, Palora, also contributed to the academic interaction.

The main speakers at the symposium from the foregoing academics highlighted a number of concerns about Gandhian Studies and related matters:

2. Despite this Gandhian view, education through modern and existing universities and educational institutions is necessary. Otherwise, modern lifestyles and materialism will never remember Gandhi and his stress on the highly practical aspects of values, morals and ethics. Philosophical fundamentals, courage of conviction, commitment to principles and values provide the real practical basis, upon which every individual and comity of nations stands alike. No practicable task is ever possible without such a strong base. Wherever this moral and philosophical foundation is seen missing, success becomes demoralising and destabilising.

3. Another aspect that came up for discussion related to the status of Gandhian Studies in North India and South India. Interestingly, South India is much ahead in this area of studies and research. Otherwise, in other parts of India, the practical part of Gandhian philosophy is generally regarded to be an anomaly in the world today.

4. The context of ‘marketability’ of Gandhian philosophy also emerged during discussions. Here, three major ideas were floated. First, why at all Gandhian ideas should ever be brought down to the level of their being ‘marketable’? Secondly, Gandhian principles of truth and non-violence are modern and relevant to the corporate world. The question of high mobility of human resources, the impact of wok-related stress upon corporate work ethos and workers and officers and the values of truth and commitment were also found to be of great value in the task of management of the modern technological corporate world. As such, Gandhi could be regarded ’a management Guru as well’.

5. The election review at Jammu was highly suggestive of a coalition government again coming up comprised mainly of PDP, NC and Congress.

This symposium started with presentation of mementos and ended with a vote of thanks to the guests from Tamil Nadu, participants and the chair.