Seminar at Patna Women's College
The Department of Political Science, Loreto College, was invited to attend a seminar organised by Patna Women's College as part of their Memorial Lecture Series. Five students from Semester V represented the department and participated in this enriching academic session.
The lecture, titled *"From Revival to Counter-Narrative to Governance", was delivered by Prof. Naved Jamal and coincided with the 130th birth anniversary of Prof. Vishwanath Prasad Varma, a key figure in establishing Modern Indian Political Thought as a distinct academic discipline.
Prof. Jamal highlighted how Prof. Varma emphasised the originality of Indian political thinkers, who developed their own metaphysical and ethical foundations rather than merely adopting Western philosophies. Varma's work on Gandhi and Sarvodaya was recognised as a landmark contribution to ethical and revivalist political thinking.
Prof. Jamal provided a comprehensive overview of the evolution of Modern Indian Political Thought, shaped by colonialism, social stagnation, and interactions with Western ideas. He outlined three key intellectual sources:
Ancient Indian philosophical traditions
Western political ideas
Grassroots social struggles such as anti-caste and women's movements
Learning Outcomes for the Students
- Gained an understanding of Prof. V. P. Varma's significant contribution, especially his emphasis on metaphysical and ethical roots of Indian political thought.
- Learned how Indian thinkers blended ancient traditions with modern realities to create a distinct political identity.
- Understood the framework of **Revival -> Counter-Narrative -> Governance** and how philosophical ideas translate into governance practices.
Conclusion
The seminar provided the attending students with a deeper and more integrated understanding of how Modern Indian Political Thought continues to guide contemporary governance. It was an intellectually stimulating session that enriched their academic perspectives and strengthened their grounding in political theory.
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