Kasauli, Oct 19:
The second day started with classical melodies of Belabahar and jugalbandi with tabla by Pandit Navin Gandharv.
A scintillating session on Indo-China relations resonated with the note that it
is high time India should mend fences with China diplomatically and script a new chapter of amity and growth.was underlined emphatically in the session on the topic< India's China Challenge' which had Kanti Bajpai, Ananth Krishnan and Alex Travelli in conversation with Suhasini Haidar.
There was near unanimity on the fact that India must develop a new relationship with China which can be a combination of renewal and resilience on both sides. Mistakes might have happened from both sides but it is time to let go of something and gain something out of the present stalemate.
In the session on "Democracy in The Times of Conflict"
Renowned scholar Radha Kumar delivered a thought-provoking lecture on "Democracy in the Times of Conflict" harped on the evolution of nationalism from the era of Independence to the present day.
Dr. Kumar drew stark comparisons between the nationalism of the past and the present. She expressed concern over the rise of divisive rhetoric and the erosion of democratic values in contemporary India. She condemned instances of "bulldozer justice," mob lynchings, and the disturbing trend of rapists being glorified outside of jail.
Dr. Kumar further lamented the dysfunction of India's democratic pillars, emphasizing the urgent need for their revival. She shed light on the pervasive influence of media, highlighting its role in disseminating false information and propaganda. While acknowledging the shortcomings of the Indian media, she praised the American media for its greater degree of freedom and objectivity.
The scholar also raised concerns about the proposed changes to the electoral system and the contentious idea of a national language in a diverse country like India. Dr. Kumar's lecture served as a timely reminder of the challenges facing Indian democracy and the imperative to uphold its core values in the face of adversity.
Women power to the fore
The session on the topic "Women Who Wield the Words," featured two renowned voices, Arundhati Subramaniam and Rakshanda Jalil,exploring women's voices in literature, spirituality, and identity.
Arundhati Subramaniam a celebrated Indian poet and author, opened the session with a striking quote by the 14th-century Dalit poet, Soyarabai: "If menstrual blood makes me impure, tell me who was not born from this blood." This set the tone for an insightful and thought-provoking discussion on the role of women in literature, spirituality, and society.
Subramaniam, known for her writings on culture and spirituality, has won numerous awards, including the Raza Award for Poetry, Zee Women's Award for Literature International Piero Bigongiari Prize in Italy, Khushwant Singh Memorial Prize and the Mystic Kalinga Literary Award. During the session, she delved into her latest book, Wild Women, which she began conceptualizing six years ago. The book explores the portrayal of women in different phases of life—from "Buddhists" and "Bhakts" to "nuns" and "tantricas."