The Centre for Human Sciences, Rishihood University, inaugurated an Indian Council of Philosophical Research (ICPR)-sponsored series of lectures on ‘Sri Aurobindo’s Political and Cultural Philosophy: Nationalism and Swaraj’ at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, New Delhi, to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Sri Aurobindo. It was a grand event that also marked ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ in India’s 75th year of Independence.

The occasion was graced by Minister of State for Culture and External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi as the Chief Guest; Dr Sachidananda Mishra, member-secretary of the ICPR was the special guest; Dr Makarand Paranjape, professor at JNU and former director, IIAS, was the chief speaker and Dr Sampadananda Mishra, director, Centre for Human Sciences at Rishihood University, was the convener. The message of Dr Ashok Pradhan, director, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, New Delhi, was read out by Professor Shashibala, Dean, Centre for Indology, BVB, New Delhi. RK Mishra, Registrar, BVB, New Delhi, also spoke on the occasion.

The speakers set the context by emphasising the need for achieving independence of mind and thought as a prerequisite for being truly independent and explained how Sri Aurobindo’s philosophy leads us in that direction.