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Prof Devinder Singh Chahal, PhD


INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE UNIQUENESS OF GURU NANAK’S PHILOSOPHY

February 23-25, 2011
Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
Institute for Understanding Sikhism
4418 Rue Martin-Plouffe, Laval, Quebec, Canada
BRIEF REPORT BY DR TEJINDER SINGH LAMBA, NEW DELHI

The Institute for Understanding Sikhism (IUS), Canada in collaboration with the Department of Guru Nanak Studies, Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Amritsar held a successful International Conference: Uniqueness of Guru Nanak's Philosophy from the 22nd through the 25th February, 2011. Welcome Address was presented by Porf Dr Ajaib Singh Brar, Vice Chancellor, GNDU, Amritsar, An Introduction to the Department of Guru Nanak Studies and objectives of International Conference were presented by the Dean of Faculty, Prof Dr Shashi Bala, Dean Faculty. Some universally acceptable principles of Guru Nanak’s philosophy were presented by Dr Jaspal Singh, Vice Chancellor, Punjabi University, Patiala. The Keynote Address was presented by Prof Dr Devinder Singh Chahal, President, IUS. The Vote of Thanks was given by Dr Gursharanjit Singh, Head, Department of Guru Nanak Studies.

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Prof Dr Devinder Singh Chahal, President of the IUS and Dr Avtar Singh Dhaliwal, Co-editor of Understanding Sikhism – The Research Journal of the IUS were honoured with saropas and some books published by the GNDU by the Prof Dr Ajaib Singh Brar, Vice Chancellor, GNDU, Amritsar.

Thirty presentations were made by as many scholars in three days of hectic Schedule. Eight scholars from UK, USA, Canada & Malaysia, and the rest from eight different states of India, including Amritsar actively participated. The highlight of participants was that perhaps for the first time, participants/Paper Readers gathered, hailed from different inter-disciplinary fields: academics, medical, law, literature, politics, researchers, students, interfaith, Sikh Scholars and some members of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Amritsar.

The participants enjoyed a rich program enlightening the ideas on Uniqueness of Guru Nanak's Philosophy in a peaceful atmosphere. The visit to The Darbar Sahib (The Golden Temple) was arranged by Prof Balwant Singh Dhillon, Sikh Scholar from GNDU, where in the presence of SGPC Member Sardar Jaswinder Singh Advocate and Sardar Simarjit Singh, the Editor of Gurmat Parkash, extended remarkable hospitality and the participants were honored with Siropas (Robes of Honor) and some publications of the SGPC on 23rd February in the evening. Later all the participant took the Lanagar at the Langar Hall of the Darbar Sahib.

The Guided Tour of Wagha Border was arranged by the office of the Inspector General Police, Sardar A S Rai, IPS, which was equally exciting and a wonderful scene to watch the Lowering of National Flags Ceremony on both sides of the India-Pakistan Boarder on the evening of the 24th February.

The managing team of Prof Dr Devinder Singh Chahal, President IUS, Dr Avtar Singh Dhaliwal, IUS, Prof Dr Shashi Bala, Dean of Faculty, GNDU, Prof Jaswinder Kaur Dhillon, Dr Gursharanjit Singh, Head, Department of Guru Nanak Studies, and his staff made perfect and excellent arrangements. A lot of credit goes to the Research Scholars and Graduate Students to make this International Conference a great success.
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Department of Guru Nanak Studies and objectives of International Conference


Prof Dr Shashi Bala, PhD
Dean of Faculty, Coordinator (Conference)
Department of Guru Nanak Studies, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amrtisar

Respected Prof Dr Ajaib Singh Brar, Vice Chancellor, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar; Dr Jaswant Singh Neki, Ex- Director, P.G.I. Chandigarh and Secretary of Bhai Vir Singh Sadan, New Delhi, Prof Jaspal Singh, Vice Chancellor, Punjabi University, Patiala; Prof Dr Devinder Singh Chahal, President, Institute for Understanding Sikhism (IUS), Canada; Dr Avtar Singh Dhaliwal, IUS; Distinguished Guests and dear Students, I, myself, and on behalf of the Department of Guru Nanak Studies welcome you all in the Inaugural Session of this three-day International Conference: Uniqueness of Guru Nanak’s Philosophy.



The Department of Guru Nanak Studies was established in accordance with Article IV of the University Act with the main objective to study and research on the Life and Teachings of Guru Nanak and their cultural and religious impact in the context of Indian and Western civilizations. Keeping this objective in mind, the department had initiated different research projects besides teaching in four courses i.e. MA (Religious Studies), MA (Philosophy), M Phil (Religious Studies) and M Phil (Philosophy). Two referred research journals: Journal of Sikh Studies (since 1974) and (2003) are the regular Journals of this department. Guru Nanak Studies Centre and DRS -1 (SAP) are the UGC sponsored programs of the department. The department has to its credit about hundred books, five hundred research papers and thirty two issues of Journal of Sikh Studies. More than fifty students have completed PhDs and about twenty students got registered for the doctorate degree. Besides twenty-five Annual Seminars on the Life and Teachings of Guru Nanak Dev since 1986, the department has also organized eight International Conferences on the contemporary issues.

This three-day International Conference on the theme ‘Uniqueness of Guru Nanak’s Philosophy’ has been organized by the Department of Guru Nanak Studies in collaboration with the Institute for Understanding Sikhism, Canada. As we all know, the rising trend towards science and technology and industrial development has brought a paradigm shift in the standards of living with new value patterns, affecting our ways of thinking, modes of living and social etiquettes and has alienated us from our socio-cultural and spiritual heritage. The inquisitive spirit of modern youth seeks rational and scientific explanation for everything and therefore puts a query about the rationale behind religious concepts, beliefs and values of different religious traditions. Nevertheless, there are many questions which we need to ponder over such as:
Why religion in the present days is proving fatal for mankind?
Why does the negativity of man finds expression through the medium of religion?
Are we not inflating our ego by mere possession of religion as status symbol?

We need to analyze and reinterpret our religious traditions to meet the challenges of present times and to instill the significance of religion in our life and to inculcate value-oriented life for the posterity.

In this three-day conference, scholars from the interdisciplinary fields specialized in scientific, philosophical, religious, literary, historical, sociological and allied disciplines have come from India and abroad to present their papers on the distinctive aspects of Guru Nanak’s philosophy; and his unique and pragmatic approach towards the phenomenal world, condemnation of external formalism, dogmatism, fundamentalism and his way of communication through interfaith dialogue. We have compiled the papers without making any changes keeping in view the originality of the author and differences in approach due to different backgrounds may be sorted out during discussion and before publication of these proceedings.

The faculty members of the department feel honored to welcome the distinguished dignitaries on the dais, and all those esteemed scholars associated with the Institute for Understanding Sikhism, Canada who have come from Canada, U.K., U.S.A., and Malaysia to participate in the conference. We also welcome the eminent scholars from different Universities and Institutions of India who have come from Mumbai, Varanasi, Pune, Madurai, New Delhi, Mohali, Malout, Patiala, Beas and from different colleges of Punjab to participate in the conference. We also welcome the Deans of various faculties, Heads and faculty members of various departments, administrative officers, staff, students of Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. We feel confident that the deliberations and discussions here will provide innovative direction to the researchers for understanding the teachings of Guru Nanak and their relevance in the modern context. Once again we welcome you all and seek your blessings for the success of this conference.
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INAUGURAL ADDRESS


Prof Dr Ajaib Singh Brar
Vice Chancellor, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar

It is a matter of great pleasure for me that the Department of Guru Nanak Studies in collaboration with the Institute for Understanding Sikhism, Canada, has taken the initiative to invite scientists, philosophers and scholars from allied fields to concentrate on the divine sayings of the great Guru, Nanak, and one of the leading prophets of India who is well-known in the East and the West for his deep concern for alleviating human beings from mental slavery, dogmatism, superstitions, external formalism by enunciating the philosophy of One God, universal brotherhood and truthful conduct.



I welcome Prof Jaspal Singh, Vice Chancellor, Punjabi University, Patiala, Prof Dr Devinder Singh Chahal, President, Institute for Understanding Sikhism, Canada, Dr Jaswant Singh Neki, New Delhi and all scholars and participants who have come from India and abroad to participate in the three day International Conference on the most significant theme ‘Uniqueness of Guru Nanak’s Philosophy’ and its relevance in the modern scientific age. Such attempts are most imperative for the guidance of the modern youth, for integration of personality, for keeping balance between the intellectual pursuits and spiritual needs. We need to follow an innovative approach to bring change not only in the scientific fields but also in our attitude to life to bring peace and harmony in our relation to the whole cosmos.

I am informed that more than two dozen scholars from interdisciplinary fields, and most of them from scientific background, have come to participate in this three-day international conference. I hope that this gathering of scientists with philosophical approach and philosophers with scientific and religious vision would help a lot in presenting the pragmatic philosophy of the Great Guru in the true spirit and for the benefit of whole mankind.

I welcome you all in the holy city of Amritsar and especially in the campus of Guru Nanak Dev University. I congratulate the Department of Guru Nanak Studies and the Institute for Understanding Sikhism for organizing this conference. I wish for the success of the conference and express my thanks to all the scholars who have come all the way from India and abroad to participate in this international conference.