Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 23: Governor N. N. Vohra today observed that sustaining peace, normalcy and stability are imperative for the rapid progress and prosperity of the South Asian region.
The Governor, said this in his Presidential remarks at the lecture by Prof. Pratap Bhanu Mehta, President, Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi, organized by the UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Institute of Kashmir Studies, University of Kashmir, here today. The topic of the lecture was “Embattled Liberalism in South Asia”.
Usha Vohra, First Lady; Prof. Talat Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, Kashmir University; Deans, Heads of Departments, Faculty members of the University, scholars and students of the Institute participated in the seminar.
Prof. Pratap Bhanu Mehta spoke extensively about the many serious consequences which arise from the “tyranny of compulsory identity”, the “conflicts and sufferings which Kashmir had gone through” and the “cycle of militancy and militarization” which had been witnessed in parts of India and the South Asian countries.
He also spoke at length about the “governance deficit” in South Asian countries and the need to replace the inherited “architecture of governance” which also impacted the political system in all the countries of the region. He also spoke about issues of diversity, governance, accountability, need for greater cooperation and deeper understandings among the countries of South Asia and varied other aspects which have a great bearing on the rapid progress and prosperity of this region.
The Governor, who is the Chancellor of the Kashmir University and Chairman of the Governing Body of this Institute, suggested to Prof. Gull Mohammad Wani, Director of the Institute, to consider starting two academic projects at the Institute which would relate to issues of “Identity” and “Governance”, under the overall guidance of Prof. Mehta, as the issues involved have a vital bearing on the future growth, development and stability of South Asia.
He added that these projects could add great value as they would involve scholars from each of the SAARC countries who would be pursuing their research projects at this Institute. The Governor observed that the theme of Prof. Mehta’s talk was of high relevance and desired that a public lecture by him could be organized in the University in the coming time so that a much larger number of scholars, students and members of the civil society could benefit from it.
Prof. Talat Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, Kashmir University, dwelt on the initiatives being taken for the growth and development of UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Institute of Kashmir Studies.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Prof. Gull Mohammad Wani, Director of the Institute, gave a resume of the establishment, growth, history, aims and objects of this Institute.
Prof. Zafar Ahmad Reshi, Registrar, Kashmir University, presented a Vote of Thanks.
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