SAC DARPAN: Becoming a Nation: Processes and Prospects - 41st Annual Research Seminar of the ACPI at Ranchi

41^st Annual Research Seminar of the Association of Christian Philosophers of India (ACPI) on the theme “Becoming a Nation: Processes and Prospects” was held from 20^th to 23^rd October, 2016 at St. Albert’s College, Ranchi, Jharkhand.

Inaugural Function

The Annual Seminar started by invoking the Almighty through a meaningful Prayer Dance by the students of St. Anne’s High School, Ranchi. This was followed by lighting the lamp by the Chief Guests, dignitaries and Organizers of the event. Fr. Deepak Valerian Tauro, the Rector of St. Albert’s College welcomed the august gathering. Dr. Kieth D’Souza, the President of ACPI welcomed and read the annual report. Most. Rev. Felix Toppo S.J., the Vice-Chancellor of SAC, was the chief guest who gave the inaugural address. This was followed by the release of the latest ACPI book, “Philosophizing the Body”, edited by Prof. Dr. Nishant A. Irudayadason. To begin with the release, the editor introduced the book and thanked all who extended the support and authors. The Chief Guest released the book and gave away the first copy of the book to the Dignitaries in the dais. Prof. Dr. Alexius Ekka S.J., the Director of XISS, delivered the Keynote address. The keynote was entitled, “Becoming a Nation: Processes and Prospects”. In the end, Prof. Dr. Annie Kunnath proposed the Vote of Thanks.

The dignitaries present for the inaugural functions were: Prof. Dr. Johnson Puthenpurackal, OFM Cap., the founding father of ACPI, Dr. A. Pushparajan, Most Rev. Lawrence Pius, the Bishop of Dharmapuri Diocese, Most. Rev. Vincent Aind, the Bishop of Bagdogra, Most Rev. Sr. Linda Mary Vaughan, the Superior General of DSA Congregation, Sr. Kavia SRA, the Provincial of SRA Congregation and many more people.

Paper Presentations

Thursday, 20 October

7.00 am Breakfast

08.30 am Registration

09.00 am Inaugural Function

Prayer Dance: St. Anne’s School children

Lighting of the Lamp

Welcome Address: Fr. Deepak Tauro, Rector, St.Albert’s College, Ranchi

Welcome and Annual Report: Dr. Keith D’Souza, SJ (ACPI President)

Inaugural Address (Chief Guest): Most Rev. Felix Toppo, SJ, Vice-Chancellor of SAC

Dr. Nishant Irudayadason (Ed.) introduces the latest ACPI book: Philosophizing the Body

Book Release by Chief Guest

Keynote Address: Dr. Alexius Ekka, SJ, Director of XISS (introduced by Dr.Selva Raj)

Questions and Interaction

Vote of Thanks: Dr. Annie Kunnath

10.30 am Coffee Break

11.00am Papers 1& 2: “Imagining A Nation: Postcolonial Perspectives” Nishant A. Irudayadason & “Shared, Shifting Sovereign Spaces: Towards A Solidarity of Pluralistic Patriotism” Keith D’Souza [Moderated by Varghese Manimala]

12.30 pm Lunch

03.15 pm Papers 3 & 4: “Whose Nation? Whose State?: Subaltern Readings into Constitutional Trajectories" Jose D. Maliekal & “The Dialectics between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles” Peter Ladis [Moderated by Michael Rosario]

04.35 pm Tea Break and Free Time

06.00 pm Book Release Function: Festschrift for Prof. A. Pushparajan

Welcome Song

Welcome Address by Dr. Suman Ekka, President of the Faculty of Theology

Address by Dr. Keith D’Souza, SJ (ACPI President)

Address by His Eminence Telesphore P. Cardinal Toppo

Introducing the Festschrift: Dr. Johnson Puthenpurackal, OFMCap.

Felicitation by Most Rev. Lawrence Pius, Bishop of Dharmapuri, TN

Release of book by Cardinal Toppo

Address by Prof. Dr. A. Pushparajan

Vote of Thanks: Fr. Raphael Toppo, IMS

07.30 pm Dinner

08.15 pm Gathering for Self-Introduction

Friday, 21 October

06.30 am Holy Mass: Presided by Most Rev. Telesphore Bilung, SVD (Aux. Bp., Ranchi)

07.15 am Breakfast

08.45 am Papers 5 & 6:“The Role of Soft Power and Hard Power in Nation Building” Francis Arackal & “Terrorism, Fundamentalism and Nationalism” Jose Pennaparambil [Moderated by Joe Andrew]

10.05am Coffee Break

10.30 am Papers 7 & 8: “The Role of Intellectuals and the Right to Dissent” Noel D’Costa

& “Hannah Arendt: The Political Function of Thinking” Gayatri Mendanha [Moderated by Joe Tony Previnth]

12.00 noon Paper 9: “Science: Not To Silence “Silence” - Reflections on the Role of Science in Building a Holistic Nation” Stephen Jayard [Moderated by Pratap Chandra Misal]

12.40 pm Lunch

03.15 pm Papers 10 & 11: “Being an Indian Christian” Victor Ferrao & “Reinventing Indigenous Symbols and Metaphors within the Indian Tradition” Vianney Maria Joseph [Moderated by Sebastian Alackapally]

04.35pm Tea break and Free Time

06.15 pm Cultural Programme

07.30 pm Dinner

08.15 pm Business Session – I, followed by Executive Committee Meeting

Saturday, 22 October

06.30 am Holy Mass: Presided by Most Rev. Vincent Aind (Bp. of Bagdogra)

07.15 am Breakfast

08.45am Papers 12 & 13: “The ‘Hind-Swaraj’ that Became the ‘Indian Republic’: An Analysis of the Growth of Gandhian Ideas on our Nationhood” A. Pushparajan & “The Constitution as the Bedrock of a Republic” Bp. Lawrence Pius [Moderated by Johnson Puthenpurackal]

10.05 am Coffee Break

10.30 am Papers 14 & 15: “Sri Aurobindo: From Politics to Poetics in Post-Modern India” Kamaladevi Kunkolienkar & “Indian “Masters of Suspicion” (Periyar, Ambedkar, Narayana Guru, etc.)” James Ponniah [Moderated by Joseph Thathews]

12.00 noon Paper 16: “Nation as an Evolution in Space and Time: An Analysis based on Hegelian Philosophy” Gregory Mathew Malayil [Moderated byJames Purathail]

12. 40 pm Lunch

03.15 pm Papers 17 & 18: “Ushering In A New Dawn: Making Poverty History In India” Ashley Miranda & “Winners and Losers in the Development Game” Anthony Dias [Moderated by Jojo Varakukalayil]

04.35pm Tea & Free Time

06.10 pm Papers 19 & 20: “Politics Governing the Reservation Policy” S. Sekar Sebastian &“Multiculturalism and Recognition in the context of nation building: Western Questions and the Indian Experience” Dolreich Pereira [Moderated by Harry Immanuel]

07.30 pm Dinner

08.15 pm Business Session – II (Finalizing next year’s theme, subthemes, place and date)

Sunday, 23 October

06.30 am Holy Mass

07.30 am Breakfast

08.45 am Papers 21 & 22:“Subaltern Space within the Fabric of Indian Society” James Daniel Chellappa & “Remembering and Forgetting in Becoming a Nation” Annie Kunnath

[Moderated by Henry Crasta]

10.05 Coffee Break

10.30 am Students’ Forum [Moderated by Raju Felix Crasta]

11.30 am Finalizing the ACPI 2016 Seminar Statement

12.15 pm Concluding Session

Presenting Accounts: Dr. Sekar Sebastin

01.00 pm Lunch

Final Statement

ACPI STATEMENT 2016

We, the Association of Christian Philosophers of India (ACPI), met at St. Albert’s College, Ranchi, for our 41^st Annual Research Seminar from 20^th to 23^rd October, 2016. The theme we chose was, “Becoming a Nation: Processes and Prospects.” There were 92 participants in attendance.

1. Our Context

India is a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic, having a Constitution which safeguards the fundamental rights of its citizens.
India’s tradition of plurality and diplomacy, its scientific advancement and tremendous natural and human resources are signs of its immense potentiality.
India’s variegated religious and spiritual traditions and its multi-cultural richness enhance the uniqueness of the process of becoming a nation. We are invited to affirm human dignity and equality in spite of cultural and religious differences.
However, at present, there are unenlightened and dysfunctional attempts made to challenge and subvert many of the above-mentioned strengths and assets of Indian socio-political reality.

2. Seminar Insights and Deliberations

There persists a colonial hangover resulting in religious polarization and politicization, the assertion of cultural supremacy, the homogenizing approach of certain people with vested interests, and the emergence of developmental projects which lack ecological sensitivity, traditional wisdom and popular acceptance.
Current developments seem to lead to a narrow understanding of nationalism, with fundamentalist and anti-secular overtones foregrounded by the politicized use of the media, resulting in unreflective mob violence and terrorist activities.
While dissent is an integral part of democracy, what we are witnessing is the suppression of dissenting voices of intellectuals and the masses.
Numerous challenges to the integrity of the Constitution via anti-democratic and anti-minority policies have emerged, resulting in cultural and economic exclusion which will have severe repercussions on various subaltern communities.

3. Proposals stemming from the Seminar

The process of “becoming a nation” invites us to celebrate differences, to recognize and accept one another, to affirm cultural liberty and plurality, and to appreciate a mutually fecund co-emergence grounded by an ethics of compassionate care.
We affirm socio-political thinking that is in line with the constitution, which employs democratic and rational approaches, and results in constructive activism.
We support an egalitarian momentum which ushers in the welfare of all, especially that of the voiceless, trusting in their capabilities for empowerment and freedom.
We will attempt to adopt methods of sustainable development which recognizes the mutuality of science and religion, and is aimed at integral and holistic growth.
We will combine religious and moral education and enlightenment with relevant social activism.
We will cultivate a spirit of pluralistic patriotism rather than chauvinistic nationalism.
As Indian Christians, we will celebrate and share overlapping socio-cultural spaces with our fellow country men and women at the macro and micro levels.
Our interrelationships and collaboration with diverse communities will be aimed at fostering a spirit of inter-becoming.

One of the salient features of the seminar was the Media coverage. Through Fr. Raju Felix Crasta ACPI received a wide coverage. Frs. Selvaraj and Sijo Kollannur were the local secretaries. The wholehearted cooperation of the brothers and staff made the programme a grand success.