Peace Congress 2023 – “Conflict analysis and conflict resolution” conducted at state level conference held on September 19th 2023

Peace Congress 2023 – “Conflict analysis and conflict resolution” conducted at state level conference held on September 19^th 2023

the “Peace Congress” held at WCC

Peace Conference in Chennai at WCC: The Women Christian College (WCC) conducted a Peace Congress 2023 on 19^th September, 2023 at their college campus. It was organized by the department of Advanced Zoology and Biotechnology and sponsored by the United Board for Christian Higher Education in India (UBCHEA). It was about “Conflict analysis and conflict resolution” conducted at state level. UBCHEA claims that it, “is committed to education that develops the whole person – intellectually, spiritually, and ethically. They claim[1] that the draw strength from our Christian identity and values and our collaboration with Asian colleges and universities. Together we prepare individuals for lives of professional and personal fulfillment and meaningful service in community with others. The United Board is a nongovernmental organization. We are registered as a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization in the United States and as a public charity in Hong Kong”. They have Chennai Consultancy Office within the WCC campus[2].

the program of conference…..

21-09-2023 – International peace Day[3]: Each year the International Day of Peace (IDP) is observed around the world on 21 September. The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire. Never has our world needed peace more. This year’s – 2023 – theme is Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for the #GlobalGoals. It is a call to action that recognizes our individual and collective responsibility to foster peace. Fostering peace contributes to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals will create a culture of peace for all. Perhaps, coinciding with that day, the organizers might have decided to conduct such programmes. 2023 marks the mid-point in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. The 2023 observance of the International Day of Peace coincides with the SDG summit (18 – 19 September) to mark the mid-point milestone. The SDGs aim to bring us closer to having more peaceful, just, and inclusive societies, free from fear and violence. But without the buy-in and contribution of a wide range of actors including the 1.2 billion young people alive, the goals will not be achieved.

Invited speakers – Dr Mallika Joseph….

Mallika Joseph presenting her paper…………………..

Rev John Prasad…………..

John Prasad presenting his paper……………………………………..

Karthikeyan presenting his paper………………

Varieties of programmes in one day: It is evident that the programmes had been mainly targeted students. In one day congress, they had –

• Paper presentation (students)
• Paper presentation (staff)
• Mime
• Role play

However, as they had sent circulars to perhaps all Universities and colleges, perhaps, “staff” also participated. No list of papers, and other details were given to the paper presenters. As they (the events) were held simultaneously at different places, all could not attend the programmes taken place.

History of UBCHEA[4]: Founded in 1922, the United Board’s work in its first three decades focused on 13 Christian colleges and universities in China: Fukien Christian University, Ginling College, Hangchow University, Huachung University, Hwa Nan College, Lingnan University, Nanking University, St. John’s University, University of Shanghai, Shantung Christian University, Soochow University, West China Union University, and Yenching University. The United Board took its name from the union of the governing boards of these institutions, which recognized the benefits of combining their efforts to create and sustain higher education institutions. United Board support came in the form of raising funds and coordinating their use to support capital construction, library collections, student scholarships and other critical educational functions, including sponsoring visiting American faculty and staff. The United Board suspended its work in China in 1951 and shifted its efforts to other places, becoming the largest single source of funding support of Tunghai University in Taiwan and providing major support to Chung Chi College in Hong Kong in its early years. Elsewhere in Asia, the United Board provided critical assistance to International Christian University in Japan, Yonsei University in Korea, and Silliman University in the Philippines. Later decades brought expansion of the United Board’s work to additional institutions in Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. The United Board was formally invited to return to mainland China in 1980, and has provided extensive support there for faculty development, new academic disciplines, and programs to improve teaching and learning. Today our network continues to thrive and grow. In recent years, we have worked with more than 80 institutions of higher education, from 15 countries and regions, providing scholarships, fellowships, training, professional development, project grants, and general support to promote whole person education in Asia.

Invited speakers speak: Dr Mallika Joseph, Rev Dr John Prasad and Dr T. C. Karthikeyan talked from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm and there was no discussion. Though Mallika raised some questions, there was no discussion and she did not answer also. When John Prasad started his topic on “Science to hurt, Science to heal,” the power went off. Perhaps conflict started in the deliberations. The speeches appeared to have addressed students and they carried on their discourses. Particularly, the last speaker Karthikeyan took about one hour and went on to explain all his slides. Even after finishing his speech, there was no rapporteur or sectional head. Perhaps, he could utilize the time to exhaust. Though, they delved upon – positive peace and negative peace theoretically, they could not come to any practical solution. Their expressions used – positive peace and negative peace have been intriguing. Then, one may think about neutral peace, zero peace, peaceful peace, peaceless peace and so on with verbose. 

Conflict resolution is required or solution for peace?: When people are getting affected, then, definitely solution has to be given immediately. The root cause of malice that affects peace has to be recognized and eradicated straight away. It is not managing conflict, as such condition naturally allows conflict and then, resolution is sought to control and contain. Why the Sri Lankan issue was given importance now, is not known. In the case of Sri Lanka conflict, Tamils, Buddhists, Muslims, Christians” were mentioned repeatedly by the speakers, but, how and why certain people groups is identified with languages, whereas, other with religion is not known. It is well-known that all Tamil-speaking people are identified by their religion as mentioned or all Sri Lankan Buddhists, Muslims, Christians may not be speaking Tamil or speaking other languages also. Particularly, when their speeches are addressed to students, the speakers should not feed or thrust their ideas on them. Therefore, such bias would in fact create conflict among the researchers. The importance given to “Manipur incidence” has also been intriguing. Every speaker seems to mention it one way or the other, though, all the issues connected with it were not analyzed, discussed or debated. About the emphasis given to LTTE, Sri Lanka issue, etc., already pointed out.

from Stella Maris College…

Paper presentation – staff

Paper presentation (staff): As no list of papers to be presented was given, one had to follow what was presented. There were only six paper presenters and time given was five minutes each and some discussion allowed. Rev Dr John Prasad presided over. Ironically, the first paper presenter went away after presenting paper. This is just like what has been going on in other seminars, conferences and workshops. So just imagine the position of the last paper presenter, he / she and the sectional head would be there with empty chairs.  As no details were given, the papers presented were in the following order:

1. Assistant Professor from …..Stella Maris College.
2. J. Soundararajan HOD, Ancient History and Archaeology, University of Madras.
3. K. V. Ramakrishna Rao, Guest Faculty, Ancient History and Archaeology, University of Madras.
4. Assistant Professor from Fatima College, Madurai.
5. Assistant Professor from Fatima College, Madurai.
6. Thanga Rajesh, Asst.Prof, Defence & Strategic Studies Guru Nanak College. …

Based on Tamil novels, social media and other such sources, they started presenting papers, particularly from Fatima college.  The paper, “A Critical Study of Conflict analysis and conflict resolution,” was presented jointly by J. Soundararajan and K. V. Ramakrishna Rao and I presented my paper, “Afflicting issues, Inflicting problems and Conflicting zones.”

from Fatima College, Madurai……

Last paper presenter………

Students’ paper presentation: It was held at a different place. As there was no PPT provision, they were asked to present their papers.

Valedictory function: Dr Bernard D’ Sami, Dr. Bernard D’ Sami served as an Associate Professor in History and former Head of the Department of History at Loyola College, Chennai. He recently concluded his tenure as Dean of the School of Excellence (SHE) and is the Senior Fellow at LISSTAR (Loyola Institute of Social Science Training and Research) at Loyola College, Chennai. The other rituals were carried on as per their schedule.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

20-09-2023.

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[1] UBCHEA, https://unitedboard.org/about-us/about-united-board/mission-vision/ In the brochure, a brief about UBCHEA has been given.

[2] UBCHEA, Chennai Consultancy Office, Riverlands Hostel Building, Women’s Christian College, 51, College Road, Nungampakam, Chennai – 600 006, India, Phone: (91)44-29819718

[3] 2023 Theme -Actions for peace: Our ambition for the #GlobalGoals;  https://www.un.org/en/observances/international-day-peace

[4] In the brochure, a brief about UBCHEA has been given.

Recent Advances in South Indian Archaeology – The 2nd International Symposium in memory of Iravatham Mahadevan – Dravidian – known and unknown (2)

Recent Advances in South Indian Archaeology – The 2^nd International Symposium in memory of Iravatham Mahadevan – Dravidian – known and unknown (2)

10-03-2023 – Friday – Continuance of paper reading session: After the Minister’s visit, Appasamy Murugaiyan delved upon the nuances of syntax, grammar, linguistics, prosody, etc. With Sangam literature, he was explaining such linguistic traces, glosses and interpretations. Next, Pitchappan while presenting his views on the “Evolution of Dravidian – known and unknown” mainly repeating already published matter “out of Africa” hypothesis and theory and maintaining his stand that Dravidians came from Africa. He also claimed that “Dravidian is inclusive of language, culture and gene code”  Men originated from Africa and by 60,000 YBP spread out from Africa, unidirectionally, the Y-chromosome was spreading. Polymorphism – first man appeared in Veerumandi, near Madura, in Tamilnadu. In other words, the African primate, hominid came here to settle and evolve into a Dravidian. All the Sangam tribes Kadan, Kurumban etc., of all categories came from Africa. He undertook the 1-million-dollar project in 20006-2015 on the “Genography” project 10,000 Indian samples taken and research conducted to arrive at such results. Three unidirectional migrations represent Dravidian at different periods.  Neolithic people came from outside. How the migrated were mixed, languages cannot be determined. Root words spread occurred by 15,000 YBP. Murugan is considered as “Tamil god” Neolithic god, but, it was known in Gandhara before Sangam period. Caste system in Sangam period is noted with male domination. With chromosomes and their connection with the language speaking people are pointed out. Yet, nothing can be said definitely. Even asper the dating c.6^th cent.BCE does not help this chronology.

He was arguing that “Dravidian” evolved at different periods………………………..

For the questions asked, he maintained that humanity originated only from Africa: He claimed that he worked with the “Genographic project” and the DNA results show that humanity originated in Africa and spread to other continents. Was there any origin of man from South India and such questions were asked, but, he maintained that that humanity originated in Africa and spread to other continents. This is studied after 2500-3500 YBP, thus, much of miscegenation could have taken place. It is believed that man originated from Africa and spread to other parts of the world. He sticks to the theory, as obviously, he has been working for the project. Europeans do not accept that they originated from Europe and therefore, if they originated from India, then, evidences have to be produced.

He was stressing how humanity originated from Africa and spread……..

Tamil monkey or Dravidian monkey?: TH CM was reacting euphemistically, “Our minds become energized and happy when we say Tamil Nadu Tirunal. Nevertheless, some people tease us by saying the first monkey born in the world was the Tamil monkey. However, we are not concerned about that. Whatever we say, it is scientifically based,” he said[1]. TH CM was telling that “the first monkey on the earth was a “Tamil” monkey and such claim is scientifically based”[2], but, he (Pitchappan) says, it was a Dravidian monkey. Thus, the Tamil-Dravidian wrangle has been there linguistically and scientifically among the DNA-scientists and the Dravidian experts. As the Europeans try to have their own “Neanderthal,” Dravidians want their “Tamil counterpart.” Therefore, the hypothesized monogenetic or multi-genetic origin of hominid, homoerectus, monkey, ape, chimpanzee etc., would continue with scientific research.

Aryan invasion and Dravidan invasion or migration?: Indian history has been with the Aryan race, invasion and then, migration (through invasion and various means) hypotheses and theories. Thus, whenever the word “Arya, Aryan, Ariyan”, etc., was read, Indians think about some nomadic race coming from Central Asia entering India through the northwest and defeating the Dravidian people of the area, particularly, the Indus Valley. Though, initially, “Dravida, Dravidians, Dravidar” were not thought of, after the advent of Caldwell, such hypotheses and theories have also become popular. Thus, the Aryan-Dravidian hypotheses and theories have been part and parcel of the history books taught for the last 100 hears. As for as the Tamilnadu is concerned, such hypotheses and theories have become not only history, but also, art, archaeology, dance, drama, cinema etc., at one side and politics, political party, political ideology and so on., at the other side. Now, if the DNA research claims that Dravidian also came from Africa, then, what exactly happened in history?

Rakhigarhi or Africa? – how the archaeologists decide?: According to recent reports, with the latest works (archaeological and genetic) in and around Rakhigarhi, Sinauli, etc, the Aryan invasion hypothesis surely died its deserved death. But another theory became prevalent that said that Homo sapiens first emerged in Africa and by around some 70-50,000 years ago, a small group (possibly as few as 150 to 1,000 people), crossed the Red Sea. They travelled along the coastal route around the coast of Arabia and Persia until reaching India. This proposition was popularly called the Post Toba Theory. As per the existing models, the modern human dispersals are primarily based on lithic assemblages, a few fossils remains and genetics. According to the most popular model (MIS 5), the modern humans left Africa around 120,000 years ago and colonised the rest of the whole world by 40,000 years ago. But the recent studies tell us that as per the fossil evidence from Apidima Cave in Greece (Harvati et al., 2019[3]) and Misiliya cave in Israel[4] (Hershkovitz et al., 2018) the modern human existence outside Africa goes older than 210,000 years ago.

Pre-Toba models and other claims about the origin: However, these findings do not yet ascertain the dispersal to South Asia earlier than 120,000 years ago. The scholars of the field attribute the Middle Palaeolithic technologies’ presence in India and the rest of South Asia to the modern humans that arrived from Africa between 120,000 and 70,000 years ago (Petraglia et al., 2007). This conclusion came from a very interesting finding from the 74,000-year-old Toba Tuff deposits at the Jwalapuram site. These were the Middle Palaeolithic artefacts and resembled almost the African Middle Stone Age artefacts (Petraglia et al., 2007; Haslam et al., 2012). And that is how the Pre-Toba model (Petraglia et al., 2007) became popular to explain the initial modern human colonisation of India.

Toba, pre-Toba etc.,: Next the luminescence age testing was further carried out in various sites, and they further reinforced the pre-Toba model. The Middle Palaeolithic assemblages from Katoti in Rajasthan and Sandhav in Kutch, were found to be around 96 ± 13 and 114 ±12 thousand years old respectively (Blinkhorn et al., 2013; Blinkhorn et al., 2019). Even the research from a site in the middle of the Son Valley called Dhaba showed out middle Palaeolithic assemblages dating to around 80,000 years, thereby bringing more buttresses for pre-Toba model (Clarkson et al., 2020). These studies utilising reliable chronometric ages of Middle Palaeolithic assemblages ranging from 120 to 40 thousand years ago, hint to the notion that the South Asian Middle Palaeolithic expertise was familiarised by the modern humans as a part of the Eurasian colonisation after having branched out of Africa. Then we have the studies which show that the youngest age for the Late Acheulean assemblages from Patpara going to 137 ± 10 thousand years ago and 131 ± 9 thousand years ago in Bamburi respectively (Haslam et al., 2011). These studies corroborate the notion about the existence of archaic hominins just before the appearance of modern humans in South Asia, as understood by the Out of Africa theory.

Why not Attirampakkam?: But there is something beyond those studies which somehow has not been taken into academic consideration. At Attirampakkam Middle Palaeolithic assemblages were found which dated to around 385 thousand years ago (Akhilesh et al., 2018). As per the latest studies, it has been understood that Middle Palaeolithic technology in South Asia goes way older than academic consensus on the footprint of modern humans outside Africa (Devara et al., 2022). But just the presence of Middle Palaeolithic assemblages is not enough to decide for the existence of Homo sapiens in India a lot before the alleged dispersal around 75,000 years ago from Africa and at least simultaneous existence.

Africa or Europe?: Stringer, Chris, and Lucile Crété conclude carefully[5], “Recent progress in the recovery of environmental DNA from cave sediments promises to revolutionize our under­standing of population relationships on the ground as H. sapiens and H. neanderthalensis groups interacted with each other. Few European sites in the time period between 40–60 ka contain human fossils, but many more of them could contain traces of human presence in the form of mitochon­drial and nuclear genomic material. Research so far dem­onstrates that sediment DNA can identify humans at the species and individual levels, and this could potentially map the co-existence of different populations, their sex, their kinship relations, and the extent of intermixture be­tween the different populations (Vernot et al. 2021; Zavala et al. 2021). Such breakthroughs could not have been an­ticipated even a few years ago, and no doubt there will be many more surprises to come. There is still much to learn about the ancient encounters that we have discussed in this paper, which left an indelible genetic mark on humanity today, and which makes their study so intriguing”.

10-03-2023 – Friday – Continuance of paper reading session: Last session was chaired by Ravi Korisettar and Exavation officers of the state archaeological department presented papers.

• Ramesh – Keeladi
• J. Baskar – Excavation at the settlement site of Adichanallur (2019-20 and 2020-21)
• Prabhakaran – Sivagalai
• J. Ranjith – Kodumanal excavation -2019-21
• Rangadurai  – Korkai excavation

And the details of their papers have been available in the public domain and internet, as such information has been well publicized by the TN Government.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

12-03-2023.

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[1] Indian Express, Tamil Nadu Day: CM MK Stalin recalls DMK’s role in naming State, Published: 19th July 2022 03:19 AM  |   Last Updated: 19th July 2022 03:19 AM.

https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2022/jul/19/tamil-nadu-day-cm-mkstalin-recalls-dmks-role-in-naming-state-2478079.html

[2] The dailies and media translated his speech as, “At that time, some people would tease us saying, “The first monkey born in the world was the Tamil monkey”. We are not worried about that. Whatever we say, we say it scientifically. Isn’t it a shame? The day that shame was wiped away, this 18th of July!”.

[3] Harvati, Katerina, et al. “Apidima Cave fossils provide earliest evidence of Homo sapiens in Eurasia.” Nature 571.7766 (2019): 500-504.

[4] Harney, É., May, H., Shalem, D., Rohland, N., Mallick, S., Lazaridis, I., Sarig, R., Stewardson, K., Nordenfelt,

S., Patterson, N., Hershkovitz, I. and Reich, D. (2018). Ancient DNA from Chalcolithic Israel reveals the

role of population mixture in cultural transformation. Nature Communication 9(1): 3336, DOI:

10.1038/s41467-018-05649-9

[5] Stringer, Chris, and Lucile Crété. “Mapping Interactions of H. neanderthalensis and Homo sapiens from the Fossil and Genetic Records.” PaleoAnthropology 2022.2 (2022).

Social Reform Movement In India and Women Education from 19th Century – UGC seminar held at the Ongole campus of the Sri Acharya Nagarjuna University [2]

Social Reform Movement In India and Women Education from 19^th Century – UGC seminar held at the Ongole campus of the Sri Acharya Nagarjuna University [2]

Mahima Dharma / movement and its misinterpretation suppressing other facts: In the second session headed by Prof Naidu, three papers were presented – Anjaiah, Pareswar Sahu and …..Anjaiah talked about the women education of the local AP areas. Pareswar Sahu dwelt upon the Mahima Dharma that teaches belief in a single God (parambrahma or the supreme-soul who is formless and omnipresent) named Alekha. Mahima Dharma became a powerful force for liberation in India because, as a traditional Indian religion, it stood uncompromising in its rejection of the caste system. Sri Bhima Bhoi, an initiate and ardent disciple of Mahima Swami who collected, disseminated and created bhajans from the teachings of Mahima Swamy, was a Khond from Odisha. The distinct and original teachings of Mahima Dharma are often conveyed using terms that may have an unrelated meaning in other Indian religious traditions. This has led scholars to see similarities between Mahima Dharma and, variously, the traditions of “crypto-Buddhism”, Panchashakas, Jainism and Tantra . Adherents reject idol worship as well as the Advaita tradition of Vaishnavism. Charity through the provision of food for those in need is an essential part of Mahima Dharma.

Why Mahima cult should oppose Idol-worship?: However, when I asked how “Idol worship” could solve the problem or opposed for the purpose, he could not explain, but was repeating general points of the Mahima Dharma. I pointed out that had the idil-worship been so bad or sinned, more and more idols and temples would not have come up in India and as well as in other countries. He was arguing that the Orissa tribals were not idol-worshippers. When I started giving examples, he kept quiet. I do not know why he was presenting details partially, suppressing some and pointing out others. There should be consistency in arguing through the facts presented. One cannot take two or different stands at different occasions, just for argument. In fact, there have been many papers and books published on the subject[1]. Incidentally, he avoided many important points about the movement that worked against the Puri Jagannath temple aiding and abetting the colonial forces and also turning against them, at another stage. Researchers have pointed out that many counter traditions and critiques like the Mahima Dharma did emerge, but ultimately these were absorbed into the broad fold of the Jagannath cult[2].

Pandita Ramabai and the Christian Missionaries: The third session was chaired by Dr Gangaiah and Prof Naidu and Reddy presented their papers. Of course, Gangaiah also presented his paper briefly. He wondered for Europe the modern period starts from 1483, whereas, for India, It starts from 1857. As he is going to attend one international conference at Eluru, he wanted to share some of the points here. In 1852, the Hunter Commission opened education to women. Zenana Missionary played a key role in educating Indian women. Though T. B. Macaulay was blamed for his attempt to create slaves in the form oof clerks by giving English education, he is responsible for opening up an avenue for education in India in 1835.

Prof Naidu presented a paper on “Pandita Ramabai,” claiming based on the rare documents that he found at the United Theological College, Bangalore, but most of the details have already been available in the public domain.  In fact, many research papers are available in the internet sites as could be noted from “Google scholar.” About “why she was not excommunicated while Rajaram Mohan Roy was” and “Inculturation,” he responded with the single word answer “no”. Gangaiah also raised the issue that the Christian missionaries did not do much for education. But, Naidu was differentiating the different denominations. I wanted to talk with Dr Gangaiah, but, he had gone already. The morning I saw him at a house when the car went there to pick up, but, he was not ready. The Orissa researcher had also already left, with whom also, I wanted to discuss about the “Mahima dharma”. I wondered though only 40 registered and there were 14 paper presenters, most of them had been in a hurry in presenting a paper, getting a certificate and leaving immediately. I do not want as to why they could not listen to others, but, expect others to listen to their papers!

The second-day proceedings – 20-02-2020: On 20^th second day, in the first session, headed by Dr B. Ramachandra Reddy, K. V. Ramakrishna Rao, Dr Samba Siva Reddy and Alladi Mahalakshmi, presented their papers. I presented my paper, “The Myth and Reality of Social Reform Movement in India and Women Education from the 19^th Century,” wit PPT. Generally, about the social reformation of colonial India, historians and researchers have been repeating the points that the British banned Sati, child-marriage, etc., introduced the Widow Remarriage Act etc., and so on, without going to the details of the other side.

I concluded with the following points:

• The subject matter has been subjective, though aimed at an objective, however, objectivity also affects historians.
• The “Social Reform Movement in India and Women Education from 19^th Century” cannot be analyzed exclusively based on the colonial documents, as they have been one-sided, biased and prejudiced, and therefore, the other evidences of Indians have to be taken into account to get a balanced, realistic and objective view.
• With the cause and effect and other logical processes, from the results, the facts could be assessed, determined and judged.
• The East India Company and the British Indian rulers, administrators and the British Government may or may not open up with all their documents, so that Indian researchers could come out with 100% perfect factual report about the issue.
• Indian intellectuals had responded to social reform by all means, by changing their pattern. Associations, conferences and meeting were conducted to create awareness among the Indian women[3]. Their immediate response through such activities prove the awareness among them.
• Annie Besant[4] urged Indians should compete with westerners in the aspects of education to women, going to other countries and so on.
• However, in spite of all efforts and modernization, even today, the highly scientific and technical atmosphere, the exploitation of women has reached, different arena.
• As pointed out about the contradictions of worshipping and exploiting womanhood in India[5], the modernism, snobbery, gadgets, IT jobs, luxury life etc., has led to the lopsided social reform leading to new types of exploitations and crimes meted against girl-children and women.
• Among the modernized women themselves, to what extent the “modernism” could be applied when they walk on the roads, mingling with the opposite sex and interact with many exigencies.[6] Therefore, the “Social reform movement,” has to be re-oriented, revamped and recondition to suit the changed conditions.

 

The next session was chaired by Dr Sudharshan with the three paper presenters – Prof Venkateswarara Rao presented a paper on Social movements of Nellore Districts, ….. and a lady on Durgabhai Deshmukh.

Old Guru was honoured: The valedictory function was also carried on as a formality as only 10 delegates were there. As already mentioned, dozen paper presenters had already left. After that, the valedictory function was held. Prof A. R. Rammachandra Reddy gave an emotional talk about his association with many scholars, colleagues and students who became professors and HOD now. Prof A. R. Ramachandra Reddy was honoured by their collogues and students.  Thus, the seminar was over. As my train was at 6.00 pm, I returned to the room, packed up and checked out. Sri Madhusudhana Rao was also there, we caught an auto and went to the railway station, he proceeded to the bus-stand. I went to the platform no.3 and waited for the “Jansathabthi.” Here, for the convenience of the passengers, an elevator and a lift have been provided so that the elders and others who have leg/knee problem can conveniently use them, without climbing steps. This has been an important development by the railways to bring facility to the public. Thus, my visit to Ongole was over and expecting another to come again and meet all the friends!

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

23-02-2020

[1] Beltz, Johannes. Contested Authorities, Disputed Centres and Rejected Norms: Situating Mahima Dharma in its Regional Diversity, in Periphery and centre: studies in Orissan history, religion and anthropology, 2002.

[2] A Eschmann, Mahima Dharma: An Autochthonous Hindu Reform Movement’ in A Eschmann et al (eds), The Cult of Jagannath, op cit. Also see Subhakanta Behera (1997): ‘Jagannath and Alekh: A Study in Juxtaposition’, Economic and Political Weekly, Vol XXXII, Nos 33 and 34, August 16-23, pp 2096-97.

[3] Chintamani, Chirravoori Yajneswara, ed. Indian Social Reform: Being a Collection of Essays, Addresses, Speeches, &c., with an Appendix. Minerva Press, 1901

[4] Annie Besant, Wake up India – A Plea for Social Reform, TheosophicalPublishing House, Madras, 1913.

[5] Mazumdar, Vina. Social Reform Movement in India from Ranade to Nehru. Indian Women: From Purdah to Modernity, Vikas, Delhi, t976, pp. 41-66.

[6] What to dress or not to dress, how much they expose or not, the difference between the nudity of the poor and filthy rich and such other issues cannot be discussed or debated in terms rights, freedom of thought, expression and so on.

 

Social Reform Movement In India and Women Education from 19th Century – UGC seminar held at the Ongole campus of the Sri Acharya Nagarjuna University [1]

Social Reform Movement In India and Women Education from 19^th Century – UGC seminar held at the Ongole campus of the Sri Acharya Nagarjuna University [1]

PG Campus of Acharya Nagarjuna University (ANU) has become the Andhra Kesari Tanguturi Prakasam University: The U.G.C. sponsored National Seminar on Social Reform Movement In India and Women Education from 19^th Century was held at the Ongole campus of the Sri Acharya Nagarjuna University from 19^th and 20^th February 2020. The government has upgraded the erstwhile PG Campus of Acharya Nagarjuna University (ANU) into a new university named as the Andhra Kesari Tanguturi Prakasam University [AKTP University]. The Ongole-AKTP University is fortunate in this regard, as it had an advantage of owning 100 acres of land at Pernamitta village within the Ongole city limits. The university is set up over 114 acres of land allotted for the Ongole PG Centre. It is currently running with 10 postgraduate courses and has 137 private un-aided colleges affiliated to it. Around 48 staff are working in the PG Centre and withe the upgradation, the number is likely to increase. As for as  Ongole is concerned, I have come here several times to attend seminars in 2013[1], 2014[2], 2016[3], 2018[4] etc., and it is not a new place and I have covered and posted in my blogs also [the links are given below]. Thus, I used to meet our friends again and again. It would be very nice to meet elders and get blessings, meet colleagues to share ideas and youngsters to understand the present times, as we have still been in learning processes from others. From 2013 to 2020, I have to note the changes taking place there.

The Theme of the Seminar[5]: Nineteenth-Century of British India is a milestone for the social reform movement in India. In the course of century, the social reformers of Indian and Christian Missionaries adapted several initiations for the uplift of women as well as depressed classes. The reformers, as well as Missionaries in India, have studied the caste system of India. They observed the role of women down through the ages. For instance, in the Vedic period, women were in high esteem. Women shared education along with men. Since the 8^th Century, gradually women life became very seclude in Sub-continent. No refreshing streams flowed back, into the life of women in their homes and as centuries passed, the Brahmanical code. The decline of women education was so marked and rapid by the beginning of 19^th Century, hardly one woman in a hundred could read in Madras Presidency and Malwa. It may, therefore, be stated that at the advent of British rule, female education had practically disappeared from Hindu Community, nay, it was regarded as a source of moral danger, if not as an actual vice, since only dancing girls could normally read and write. In their families, the old tradition to teach reading & writing to the new generations was continued. However, from the second decade of the 19^th century with the initiation of East India Company, Missionaries and social reformers the importance of education of women and upliftment and elevation of depressed classes were started. In this way, the Indian renaissance started in nineteenth-century and several reforms transformed the Indian society in addition to the upliftment of woman status. Further, it also elevated the status of depressed classes.

The Sub-themes of the seminar: The following these were also identified as sub-themes for the seminar and paper presentation:

1. Role of Reformers
2. Upliftment of Dalits
3. Indian Renaissance in the 19th Century
4. Uplift of women
5. Role of Press in the Social Reform Movement
6. Role of Christian Missionaries
7. Status of women Education
8. Any other issue related to the Seminar theme

The seminar hall at the second floor had a facelift, but without lift and wash-room: About the seminar hall, I have already recorded in my earlier blog as, “The seminar was held at the auditorium situated at the second floor of the building. Here, there is no lift, in other words, the building has not changed like Ongole. Nowadays, lifts can be provided with 4 to 8 lakh budget and it is not at all a big amount for Universities, as they get funds. ” And still, no provision has been made for urinal/toilet/restroom facility, though, the seminar has been modernized with chairs, stage and AC facilities. The difference can be noted from the photos of mine included in my blogs covering the earlier seminars attended. Nowadays, people give facelift only forgetting the other parts and it happens everywhere. Many times, we talk about principles, lecture about code of conduct and advocate all sorts of moral values and all, but, when anything comes to practice, most of us want to avoid, evader even started arguing against apologetically.

Ongole, where I get varieties of pickles: Earlier, daily, I used to go for walking up to the junction where there is a church and statues for the former CM and the bodyguard that got killed in the air accidence. But, this year, because of my health condition, I could not go. In fact, here in the Hotel Abhilash, I was accommodated in the first floor Room no.215 along with Prof Madhusudhana Rao, Tirupati, where there is no lift. Thus, from 2013, except the hall, nothing has changed as for as the lift and urinal. Definitely, it has been difficult and inconvenience for the aged and as well as sugar patents, they might relax once in three hours or so. Incidentally, Ongole has been famous for food in the sense that they sell side-dishes separately in packets. When I had meals first time in 2013, I was about to complete the taking meal and get up, but, suddenly, the server came and pointed out that I did not taste the other side-dishes showing kept on the other side of the table. In fact, there were nearly 35 items, but, I could not taste all. They sell different varieties of pickles also. Last time, I purchased seven varieties of pickles that we cannot get in Chennai. This time, I could get only five varieties. Thanks to Prof Madhusudhana Rao, who only informed about this and got also!

The inauguration of the National seminar 19-02-2020: The moment, we reached the Campus, there was registration. Only 40 registered and 14 with papers. After registration, we went to the seminar hall on the second floor. I had great difficulty to reach the second floor, as I was not feeling well with the raising BP coupled with a breathing problem. The seminar appeared with a new look modified with new chairs and airconditioned. From my postings, you can note the difference between the old hall and the present one. The seminar was inaugurated on 19^th morning 11.00 hours by their officials and it was some sort of family affair with the routines of lamp lighting etc.. The chief guest was Sri V. Rangaraju, Director, AP State Archives. The theme of the seminar was explained by the convener, Dr G. Rajmohan Rao. The inaugural address was by Dr I. Thirumali and the key-note address by Prof Adapa Satyanarayana. The guests, invitees were honoured and they talked about the subject matter and issues of the seminar.

The paper presentation sessions: After the inaugural, there was lunch and after lunch, the paper reading session started.  Sudarshan, Madhusudhana Rao,…. and a lady presented papers. Dr Anjaiah presided over and presented his paper also. There was an audience of 20 only.  Madhusudhana Rao presented the paper, “Colonial Prostitution of Whites and Blacks: How White and Black prostitutions were considered, treated and controlled,” was a joint paper co-authored by K. V. Ramakrishna Rao. Perhaps, for the first time, this aspect has been raked up fr research and facts brought out about the British exploitation of Indian women during the colonial period, when much raise was heaped upon them for their great role involved in the upliftment of Indian women. V. Sudarshan read a paper on Durgabai Deshmukh, and such details are already available[6]. In fact, in Chennai, the hospital started by her working under the banner of  “Andhra Mahila Sabha” has been well known to serve the poor and the middle-class people of Chennai. The lady-paper presenter was blaming Brahmins for their exclusion, treating menstrual women kept in rooms, “too much untouchability” followed among themselves etc, but, in between, she was reading about other issues that are not connected with what he was trying to point out. Though Anjaiah and others discussed about Andhra women who worked for the upliftment of women, they never mentioned that those women were Brahmins. Thus, her bias in the paper presentation was revealed and it was questioned by Anjaiah, Sudarshan and others. The sectional president also advised her to take the points and change the paper suitably.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

23-02-2020

[1] National Seminar on Migration Movements and Indian Diaspora in Modern Period was held on April 3^rd and 4^th 2013 at the ANU Ongole campus. My coverage of the proceedings can be read here:

https://kvramakrishnarao.wordpress.com/2013/04/05/national-seminar-on-migration-movements-and-indian-diaspora-in-modern-period/

[2]  National Seminar on “Historicity of Ramayana” held at Ongole, Andhrapradesh on November 8^th and 9^th 2014. My coverage of the proceedings can be read here:

https://kvramakrishnarao.wordpress.com/2014/11/11/national-seminar-on-historicity-of-ramayana-held-at-ongole-andhrapradesh-on-november-8th-and-9th-2014/

[3]  Social Justice and the Marginalized in South India: Experiences and Challenges” – National seminar held at C. S. R. Sarma College, Ongole on July 30^th and 31^st, 2016. My coverage of the proceedings can be read here:

https://kvramakrishnarao.wordpress.com/2016/08/15/social-justice-and-the-marginalized-in-south-india-experiences-and-challenges-national-seminar-held-at-c-s-r-sarma-college-ongole-on-july-30th-and-31st-2016/

[4] Indian press and Socio-cultural and Religious Transformation in Colonial Rule of 19^th and 20^th Centuries: A New Perspective – National Seminar held at Nsgarjuna University, Ongole Campus. My coverage of the proceedings can be read here in three parts:

Part-I – https://kvramakrishnarao.wordpress.com/2018/09/24/indian-press-and-socio-cultural-and-religious-transformation-in-colonial-rule-of-19th-and-20th-centuries-a-1/

Part-II – https://kvramakrishnarao.wordpress.com/2018/09/28/indian-press-and-socio-cultural-and-religious-transformation-in-colonial-rule-of-19th-and-20th-centuries-a-new-perspective-national-seminar/

Part-II – https://kvramakrishnarao.wordpress.com/2018/09/29/indian-press-and-socio-cultural-and-religious-transformation-in-colonial-rule-of-19th-and-20th-centuries-a-new-perspective-national-seminar-held-at-nagarjuna-university-ongole-campus-3/

[5] Based on the circular of the seminar of the orgainizers issued this year 2020. However, I have a feeling that these sentences, I could remember of heard or read somewhere in some conference. I am not able to recollect immediately now.

[6] https://ddms.co.in/ – and https://ddms.co.in/founder/here about the institutional details can be found; https://ddms.co.in/milestones/ – here, the achievements of Durgabhai Deshmukh with details and photos can be seen.

Formative Facades of Folklore – The Proceedings of two day National on Conference held at Madras University on July 4th and 5th 2019 [1]

Formative Facades of Folklore  – The Proceedings of two day National on Conference held at Madras University on July 4^th and 5^th 2019 [1]

The banner put-up at the entrance

The same F-50 hall, I would have come there for hundred times during 40 years listening to many………………

Formative Facades of Folklore: Two Day National Conference on “Formative Facades of Folklore,” was held on July 4^th and 5^th 2019, at the F-50 hall of the University of Madras. It was jointly organized by the  University of Madras, Department of Anthropology, Chepauk Campus, Chennai- 600 005 and Vanamaa Art, Cultural and Educational Trust, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 The Conference expected a participation of experts including academicians, researchers, activists, social workers, and students. Indeed, there was such a gathering with interaction taking place among them. Dr. M.P. Damodaran, Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology University of Madras, had been the Conference Director and Convener and Prabhu Kumari Vanama, Assistant Professor, Department of Historical Studies, Bharathi Women’s College (A), organizing secretary.

A good rangoli inviting the delegates to the Folklore conference…….

Registration done…..

Department of Anthropology[1]: The Department of Anthropology was established in 1945. It is the second oldest academic department of anthropology in India. Since 1975, the department offers the two-year M.A. Course, and M. Phil. and Ph.D. programs. Fieldwork and Tribal Studies are regarded as uniqueness of the Department. The number of sponsored research projects completed in the Department is not only remarkable in terms of diversity of areas researched but also the sheer number of projects completed with funding from both national and international agencies. The Faculty of the department is involved in teaching, research, and guiding the students. The faculty also carryout extension activities, and being associated as consultants to various national and international bodies. The department students come from a different disciplinary backgrounds and professions. The department has students also from different states of India and from abroad. The students are encouraged to have an interdisciplinary approach in their research, and studies. An opportunity is given to the students to work in funded projects and internship works whereby they get hands-on experience. The department also organizes seminars regularly.

Inauguration, Damodaran inviting all…..

Folklore conference 2019 – inauguration.audience sitting on the RHS from the podium

Vanamaa Art Educational and Cultural Trust[2]: It was established in 2005 by Lionade V.J. Prasuna, Lion. V.S.D.P. Pulla Rao and Dr. Prabhu Kumari Vanama with the underlying objective of promoting, developing, creating, sustaining and improving the art and cultural heritage of India. The prime aim behind the constitution of this Trust is to promote research for the advancement of knowledge, skill based and vocational training and education of every kind to the youth as well as to the elders. This Trust is actively indulging in encouraging the young students with awards and prizes and a befitting example for this is the instituting of rolling shields at the Loyola Institute of Vocational Education at Loyola College, Loyola College, Chennai. The primordial motto of this Trust is to promote the poor and the indigent human folk of all ages and of all communities without any distinction of caste, creed, community, religion etc., mainly through its academic activities and the outcome of this genuine effort is the publication of the International Standard Serial Numbered (ISSN) Bi-Annual Journal of Art, Culture, Heritage and Tourism free of cost to the researchers of various disciplines which is now of immense help to the researchers as well as the academicians throughout India from past one decade. This Journal has been enlisted in the popular journals list of the Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Madhya Pradesh. Besides, it is also furthering the immortal art forms of Indian classical dances and music by organizing cultural programmes in India as well as abroad. A landmark in the history of this Trust is the organizing of a Book Release Function at Raj Bhavan, Chennai on 29^th August 2016.

Folklore conference 2019 – inauguration. view from the RHS of the auditorium

Folklore conference 2019 – inauguration. view from the LHS of the podium

About the Conference[3]: India is well known for her customs, and practices. They are unique, and fascinating too. Time immemorial, many people including foreigners, traders, travelers, hunters, adventurers, administrators, army personals, academics, researchers, and even tourists got attracted by the chanting beauty of Indian culture, and practices. They are often mesmerized by India, its folks, and her inexhaustible diversity. Folklore is one such spectacle of India.Folklore is a verbal, non-verbal, and visual composition of human history, culture, and life itself. We have rich treasures of folk-tradition, which manifest many volumes of glories, and agonies of our struggle, survival, and existence. These practices include numerous forms, especially performances. Some are closely associated with our sacred, and remaining stand independently. A few need single individual effort, and the others need group effort. All are part, and parcel of our life. Folklore naturally and necessarily, expresses the pulse, every walk of our life. It helps us to reorient, and reconstruct the by-gone past.

Folklore conference 2019- Indian Express news dated 05-07-2019

Folklore conference 2019 – inauguration. CMK Reddy, former member senate and surgeon spoke about Sushruta, Caraka etc.

The myth, rituals, and customs allied with it exemplify our values, ethics, morals, manners, and isms. It is the ‘creative expression’ of ourselves, and anthropologically speaking’ reflect culture’ . So, the seminar is aimed to explore our folk-traditions, and folk-knowledge for a better understanding of us since, it mirrors human life. Further, the conference also aimed to offer a worthwhile attempt to look at the folk-tradition through a multi-disciplinary, as well as inter-disciplinary viewpoint, in fact, a ‘holistic’ and ‘humanitarian’ perspective. And finally, the conference also aimed to provide a common platform for scholars to express their ideas, and experiences, who are expertise in the same field. So, it will give a great opportunity to the scholars as well to the students of University, and Colleges across subjects, and also persons who are interested in folklore, and anthropology. Since, folklore is an area of knowledge that is associated and interlinked with A to Z of any and every subject and even sky is not the limit to describe its ecstasy. The conference also has the following sub-themes.

Sub-themes for paper presentation[4]: The following sub-themes were also given for paper presentstion.

1. Anthropology and Folklore 2. Business and Folklore 3. Crime and Folklore 4. Economics and Folklore 5. Family and Folklore 6. Festivals and Folklore 7. Film and Folklore 8. Education and Folklore 9. Food and Folklore 10. Geography and Folklore 11. History and Folklore 12. Human Excellence and Folklore	13. Language and Folklore 14. Media and Folklore 15. Management and Folklore 16. Performing Arts and Folklore 17. Public Administration and Folklore 18. Religion and Folklore 19. Rights and Folklore 20. Science and Folklore 21. Tourism and Folklore 22. Travel and Folklore 23. Visuals and Folklore

“About these topics, anybody can talk …even people outside the curriculum also speak……: Prof. P. Duraisami, Vice-Chancellor, University of Madras Chepauk, Chennai – 600 005 inaugurated the conference[5], spoke few words and left immediately, as he was having some other work. While speaking, he pointed out that “about these topics, anybody can talk …even people outside the curriculum also speak……Tamil Nadu is rich in folklore but little has been done to document it. Academicians need to document what is happening and it has to be disseminated,’’ said Duraisamy. He pointed out that Ramayana, Mahabharata, Panchatantra and Jataka tales have kept the oral tradition alive”.

Folklore conference 2019 – paper presentation

Rites and rituals conducted from birth to death are important: Prof. S. Sumathi, Professor and Head, Department of Anthropology stressed the importance of culture and emphacized that the principles of Vedas, Itihasas and Puranas should be useful to day-to-day problems[6]. The rituals conducted from birth to death have significance. Now, the family members coming together and living together is important, as the joint-family system has been broken. In research also, truth should be told. In research, case study and enthnography are important. In India, 4635 communities have been identified. In Tamil Nadu alone, 36 tribes have been listed. The tribes have endogamy system, though, such practice reduces fertility and thus they preserve their identity. In Andaman and Nicobar islands, the birth of child is seen by the entire community. The child bearing woman would sit on the lap of her husband and she delivers baby. In certain tribe, there has been a practice of “Kosuvamma kuttu,” dance performed after drinking toddy like / home-brewn drink. After drinking and dancing, they choose their partner. The anthropologists have duty of idetifying the “tribal” nature of people by the government for notifying them so and issuing ST certificate.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

07-07-2019

[1] Based on the brochure issued by the organizers.

[2] Based on the brochure issued by the organizers.

[3] Based on the brochure issued by the organizers.

[4] Based on the brochure issued by the organizers.

[5] Indian Express ‘Folklore can promote literacy, curb addiction’, Published: 05th July 2019 06:04 AM | Last Updated: 05th July 2019 06:04 AM

[6] http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2019/jul/05/folklore-can-promote-literacy-curb-addiction-1999640.html