Amity University Haryana organized an International Seminar in collaboration with the Ayodhya Research Institute, Department of Culture, Government of Uttar Pradesh on the theme of “Ramayana in the Contemporary Context: Science, Culture and Art”. The seminar was meant to bring together a cross-section of educationists, teachers, researchers, educational planners and administrators, academicians as well as students who shares the love for Ramkatha.
While addressing the audience, Mr. Akhilesh Mishra(Chief Guest), Director General, Indian Council for Culture Relations (ICCR), New Delhi said, “ICCR organizes ‘International Ramayana Festivals’ in which the delegates from Muslim countries of South East Asia also participates.
Ramayana is a source of inspiration for all people under all conditions of life. The message of Ramayana is timeless which is self sacrifice for upholding of values. Lord Rama is an embodiment of dharma and all must conduct as per their dharma”.
While discussing the importance of the Ramayana, Dr. Yogendra Pratap Singh(Guest of Honour), Director, Ayodhya Research Institute, Department of Culture, Government of Uttar Pradesh, India said, “Rama never said NO in his life, even for his marriage and while going to banvas”.
Dr. Singh further said that having traveled most of the South East Asian countries, he is never asked the question ‘whether Ram was born or it is a myth?”, but in India I face such question’. “Even in Iraq, a sculpture of Lord Rama and Hanuman is found which is four thousand years old. Entirety of human values which are found in Lord Rama are not there in Budha or Krishna”, concluded Dr Singh.
Dr. Saroj Bala, Director, Institute of Scientific Research on Vedas (I-SERVE), Gurugram informed the audience that Valmiki’s Ramayana was first narrated by Love & Kush in Ayodhya, which brought tears to Ayodhyavasis over the fate of Sita. She further added that Valmiki Ramayana is a combination of Science, Arts, and Culture which is the theme of present conference.
Prof P B Sharma, Vice-Chancellor, Amity University Haryana in his address said, “Triumph of truth prevails over untruth. Strength, Discretion, Power and well being of others should be our motives to lead our lives as advised in Ramayana”.
Prof. Shashibala, Dean, Centre for Indology, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Delhi, Prof Ghulam-Sarwar Yousof, Cultural Centre, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Dr. Rachna Bimal, Satyawati College, Delhi University & Free Lance Journalist (Hindi), Prof. S.P. Gautam, Member, M.P. Public Service Commission, Indore, India, Ms. Anita Bose, Artist, Author, & Guide of National Museum, Bangkok, Thailand, Prof. Dipti S. Tripathi, Former Head- Department of Sanskrit, Delhi University & Former Director- National Manuscript Mission, Ministry of Culture, Govt of India, Dr. E.G.W.P. Gunasena, Dept. of Languages, Cultural Studies and Performing Arts, University of Sri-Jayawardenepura, Gangodawila, Colombo, Sri-Lanka, Ms. W.M.A Damayanthi, Faculty, Department of Indian & Asian Dance, University of the Visual and Performing Arts, Colombo, Sri-Lanka, Prof S K Jha, Director, ASLA, Dr. Sanjana Vij, Ass. Prof Ali Tariq and students were also present on the occasion.