India, also known as Aryavarta, has been renowned for its profound Vedic knowledge, amazing cultural traditions and spiritual heritage for centuries. The Vedas are not only the oldest texts of India, but the knowledge accumulated in them guides the universal well-being of humanity. With the aim of sharing these ideals and sentiments globally, PCM S.D. College for Women, Jalandhar, organized a three-day online international conference from 9th May to 11th May 2020. The theme of the conference was ‘Vedic Knowledge: Aryavarta’s Supreme Contribution to the World,’ which was not only relevant but also inspiring as per the need of the hour.
Conference Opening: Introduction to the Importance of Vedic Knowledge
The first day of this three-day conference was started by the principal of the institute, Dr. Kiran Arora, who warmly welcomed all the dignitaries and introduced the purpose of the conference and the role of the institute. The inaugural session was presided over by the All India Executive Member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Honorable Indresh Kumar Ji. He explained that Vedas and Vedic knowledge are eternal and divine, which is most needed in today’s age. He also explained that this knowledge equips us with qualities like compassion, patience, empathy and humility, which can unite and empower society in any crisis like a pandemic.
He also emphasized that the world is looking at India at a time of global crisis like COVID-19 because, with our resilience, self-control and prudence, we can make better use of our resources and move towards global leadership. This inaugural address not only set the mood of the conference but also reminded us of the ancient spiritual power of India.
Keynote Address: Explaining Vedic Philosophy
The keynote speaker of the inaugural session was Dr. Kapil Kapoor, Chairman, Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, Shimla. He explained the basic structure of the Vedas, their socio-cultural contribution and the difference between “Sanatan Dharma” and “Hindu Dharma.” He explained through the Brahmani perspective how Vedic ideology helps us to understand the subtlest elements of life in depth. His views attracted the audience towards the immense possibilities of Vedic knowledge and its contemporary relevance.
Technical Session: Role of Vedic Education in Modern Life
The afternoon technical session was chaired by Professor (Dr.) Roop Kishore Shastri, Vice Chancellor, Gurukul Kangri Vishwavidyalaya, Haridwar. In his address, he highlighted the potential of India to emerge as a global leader and showed that Vedas are not mere scriptures but sciences of life.
The first speaker of this session was Dr. Sudhir Jain, Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He described the Vedas as an ocean of knowledge and said that the “Gayatri Mantra” is a powerful mantra that purifies mind, body and soul. He also said that the power of ‘Om’ and yoga has attracted the whole world today and more than 176 countries have included yoga in their academic curriculum.
The second speaker was Dr. Deepti Dharmani from CDL University, Sirsa. He described self-discipline and selflessness as the means of true achievement in life. He explained how Vedas and Upanishads help us to recognize good and evil and understand the complexities of life.
The third speaker was Mrs. Nirmal Pandhi, OSD, GNDU Constituent College, Kishankot, Gurdaspur. She highlighted the role of Arya Samaj in the current context and explained how Vedic traditions like Havan and Yagya are effective in purifying the environment. She said that if these traditions are adopted scientifically, balance and purity can be brought into the society.
The last speaker was Dr. Jai Singh from English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad. He described self-consciousness as the key to self-realization. He clarified that unless we awaken our consciousness, we will not be able to use any Vedic principle properly.
Conference Concluded: Vote of Thanks and Vision for the Future
The first day of this three-day conference concluded with the vote of thanks by Dr. Kiran Arora. Expressing gratitude to all the speakers, audience and the technical team, he emphasized that such programs are not only a medium of exchange of knowledge but also a means of passing on our cultural heritage to the next generation. He also said that unless we imbibe our basic knowledge, we will not be able to find solutions to global problems.
Conclusion: Vedic Knowledge—India’s Unique Gift to the World
This conference made it clear that the Vedic tradition of India is not limited to only religion or mythology, but it is a set of science, logic, medicine, self-knowledge and social harmony. The knowledge contained in the Vedas is not for any one class, religion or region, but for the welfare of the entire humanity. Today, when the world is facing many challenges, Vedic knowledge shows us the path of introspection, patience and balance.
PCM S.D. This international conference organized by the College for Women, Jalandhar, not only became a platform to reiterate the importance of Vedic knowledge but also gave the message to the new generation that India’s cultural and spiritual power is its biggest strength, which is now being acknowledged by the whole world.
