University of Jammu in collaboration with Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas organized a Public Lecture on the “Relevance of Integral Humanism of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya in the Contemporary World: An Indian Perspective.”

The Department of Philosophy, University of Jammu in collaboration with Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas, today organized a public lecture titled “Relevance of Integral Humanism of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya in the Contemporary World: An Indian Perspective.” The lecture was delivered by Prof. Jasbir Singh, the Chair Professor, Pt . Deendayal Upadhyaya UGC – Chair, University of Jammu.

In his lecture, Prof. Jasbir Singh threw light on the key aspects of the doctrine of Integral Humanism as propounded by Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya. In India, after independence, no attempt was made to develop a common political ideology rather attempts were made to take control of the political power to run the country. Most of the development initiatives and policies that were followed for development purposes were either copied or imposed from the outside. Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya seems to be never convinced by these ideologies followed for development in India. To him, an independent nation cannot progress if it relies upon Western concepts like individualism, democracy, socialism, communism, capitalism, etc. At the same time, he hailed modern technology and Western science but wanted to adapt blended to the conditions best suited to Indians, he said.

Upadhyaya ji was of the view that Western science might help us to move forward but thoughtless imitation of the Western way of life and value system may harm the socio-economic and moral value system embedded in our rich traditions and ancient culture. His main thrust was on nationalism and value-based politics. 

According to Panditji, an individual occupies a pivotal position in our system. To him, material wealth is a means to one's happiness, but not an end in itself. Broadly, the system around us is based on the assumption of a material man which fails to take into account the individual characteristics of a man as a composition of body, mind, intelligence, and soul thereby losing the human touch in the process of development. For him, the ideal integral man is one, who has the potential to share the outcomes of his efforts for the welfare of society. Therefore, Integral Humanism is a foundation upon which our entire system needs to be built.

According to Prof. Singh, for the development of an individual and society, Panditji recommended ‘swadeshi’ and decentralization as vehicles for progress. Panditji affirms the need for reforms, the replacement of outdated institutions and practices in favour of the new, even if it causes some pain, though he cautions against mindless disregard for tradition, he said. He ambitiously proposes:

“to reconcile nationalism, democracy, socialism, and world peace with the traditional values of Bharatiya Culture and think of all these ideals in an integrated form.”

The lecture was followed by a question-answer session in which students and faculty showed keen interest. The lecture was attended by the students and faculty of the Department of Philosophy and the Department of Economics, University of Jammu.