National Seminar on ‘Women in Indian Thought’ Organized in Udaipur

Udaipur. A one-day national seminar on “Women in Indian Thought” was organized on Sunday at the IT Auditorium, Pratapnagar, under the joint aegis of Janardan Rai Nagar Rajasthan Vidyapeeth University and Pragya Pravah. The event brought together eminent academicians, scholars, jurists, and social thinkers to deliberate on the role of women in Indian philosophy, history, and contemporary challenges.

Speaking as Chief Guest at the inaugural session, Rajasthan’s Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari emphasized that Indian culture has always revered women as not only worship-worthy but also as creative and intellectual forces. She noted that India’s history is filled with illustrious women whose wisdom and talents were recognized nationally and globally. However, she expressed concern that today’s younger generation, influenced by modernity and external ideologies, is drifting away from cultural roots. She called for renewed efforts to acquaint the youth with India’s glorious traditions, values, and spiritual heritage, while also appreciating their scientific relevance. She praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his initiatives in promoting and preserving Sanatan culture and spirituality.

Welcoming the guests, Vice-Chancellor Prof. S.S. Sarangdevot highlighted that Indian philosophy has always viewed women as symbols of knowledge, intellect, leadership, and creativity. He said women in India have played vital roles in education, politics, healthcare, social service, and spirituality throughout history. He stressed the need to revive this proud tradition and bring women’s historical contributions to the forefront.

Main speaker J. Nanda Kumar, National Convenor of Pragya Pravah, said that despite centuries of invasions and distortions, Indian cultural consciousness assimilated challenges but preserved the centrality of women in thought. He pointed out that Western ideologies have attempted to misrepresent women’s roles in Indian culture. In contrast, Indian philosophy regards women as sources of creation, knowledge, and consciousness, fostering complementarity rather than division between men and women.

Other speakers, including Dr. Kamlesh Sharma, emphasized that Indian thought perceives creation with an integrated vision, respecting nature as ‘mother,’ unlike Western materialistic approaches that separate and exploit resources.

Chancellor Bhanwarlal Gurjar, presiding over the seminar, illustrated through examples of Mirabai, Pannadhay, Rani Lakshmibai, Kasturba Gandhi, Sarojini Naidu, and Indira Gandhi that Indian traditions have always recognized the leadership and sacrifice of women in devotion, service, and nation-building.

Organizing Secretary Dr. Yuvaraj Singh Rathore informed that the seminar was conducted in hybrid mode, with 150 participants attending offline and over 250 joining online.

The technical sessions featured noted academicians, jurists, and writers including Prof. Bhagwati Lal Sharma, Dr. Hanuman Singh Rathore, Dr. Monika Arora (Advocate, Delhi High Court), Dr. Praveen Khandelwal (Additional Advocate General, Rajasthan High Court), Dr. Arpita Jain, Dr. Khushboo Charan, Dr. Meghani Rathore and others. They spoke on themes such as Women in Indian Historical Perspective, Women in Cultural Contexts, Women and Contemporary Challenges, Indian Knowledge Tradition and Motherhood, Women in Indian Medical Texts, Women in Law and Justice, Women in Politics and Administration, Women and Human Rights in Indian Thought, and Motherhood in Rajasthan’s Heritage.

A special book release also took place during the ceremony. The book “Python Programming” authored by Vice-Chancellor Prof. S.S. Sarangdevot and Dr. Chandresh Chhatlani was launched.

The seminar concluded with a vote of thanks by Organizing Secretary Dr. Yuvaraj Singh Rathore. The event was attended by dignitaries including Prof. Mahendra Singh Agariya, Dr. Alka Mundada, poet Ajat Shatru, Registrar Dr. Tarun Shrimali, Controller of Examinations Dr. Paras Jain, and many academicians, lawyers, and intellectuals of the city.