The Department of History at the University of Jammu hosted a captivating lecture on Viksit Bharat @2047

The esteemed speaker of the event was Dr. Amitash Ojha, a renowned IITian and professor of cognitive science, who imparted his wisdom on the behavioural updates that citizens can adopt to contribute to the development of Viksit Bharat.

The lecture was inaugurated by Prof. Suman Jamwal, the Head of the Department, who eloquently presented the conceptual framework of the Viksit Bharat and delineated the department's engagement in propagating the idea at various levels and the programme that the department has envisaged for the same. She also mentioned the department's initiatives, such as organising a poster-making contest, displaying a short documentary by students, conducting lectures, and facilitating popular discussions among students.

Dr. Ojha commenced his enlightening lecture by narrating a remarkable incident in Italy, which revealed a societal practice where tanned skin denoted affluence, while pale skin indicated a lower economic status. Drawing parallels to India, he stimulated the students to reflect on their own cultural norms.

Addressing the curious students, Dr. Ojha posed the intriguing question of how they can partake in the vision of a developed India. He recalled a powerful response from a 5th-grade student in Mumbai, who vowed not to use ballpoint pens to curtail plastic waste and proposed serving guests half a glass of water to preserve this invaluable resource.

Deliberating on the significance of ownership, Dr. Ojha accentuated the need for active participation and a change in language. He exhorted for a transition from cultural passivity to a proactive stance, cultivating empathy over sympathy as a vital ingredient for national development.

Touching upon individualism, Dr. Ojha underscored the necessity of differentiating between competence and competition. He advocated for a concentration on skill development along with education, making education a preference rather than a compulsion.

The lecture was graced by the presence of faculty members, research scholars, and students.

The formal vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Jasleen Kaur.

The students expressed their appreciation for this approach and opined that the university should organise more lectures like this in the future. The lecture left an indelible impression on the audience, igniting reflection on actionable steps towards building a more empowered and empathetic nation.