Share your story and shine at JK Monitor!🌟 Welcome to JK Monitor, where every story matters and every achievement is celebrated! We invite you to share the remarkable journey of your life and showcase your accomplishments to the world. Join our exclusive interviews that honor exceptional individuals just like you. JAMMU: The Department of Educational Studies, Central University of Jammu, organised an interactive session on “The Idea of India” under the Shiksha Shastraarth Forum on 31 August 2026. The programme brought together students, scholars and faculty members for an academic dialogue on the idea, identity and civilizational understanding of India.
The programme commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, followed by the welcome and felicitation of the distinguished guests and the key speaker by Prof. Sanjeev Jain, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Central University of Jammu; Prof. J.N. Baliya, Dean, School of Education; and Prof. Ritu Bakshi, Head, Department of Educational Studies. Prof. Asit Mantry, Coordinator of Shiksha Shastraarth Forum, set the context of the session and introduced the distinguished guests and the key speaker Dr. Manmohan Vaidya Ji.
In the key lecture, Dr. Manmohan Vaidya Ji spoke on “The Idea of Bharat.” He began by addressing the contemporary confusion surrounding the question of who we are, and emphasised the need to develop greater clarity about our identity as Bhartiya. His address touched upon India’s historical character as a trade-oriented and spiritually grounded civilization, the idea of unity in diversity, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, and the Indian conception that every soul is potentially divine. He also reflected on the historical idea of spiritual democracy, the contributions of women to wealth creation, and the distinction between India’s traditional conception of social welfare and the modern notion of the welfare state.
Referring to historical instances and speeches, he highlighted how political boundaries and ruling dynasties changed across history while the people retained a deeper sense of civilizational unity. His reflections presented India not only as a modern political nation but as a living civilization, describing its people as ‘trees in the garden named Bharat.’ His address provided an opportunity for the participants to engage with the idea of India and reflect on its broader civilizational and national dimensions. The lecture was followed by an interactive question-and-answer session, where students asked their questions directly to the speaker and gained greater clarity on the issues discussed.
The session was presided by Prof. Sanjeev Jain, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, CUJ, who delivered the presidential address. He highlighted the University’s continued efforts to organise such enriching programmes and emphasised its commitment to strengthening Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) within its academic and research culture. He encouraged students to engage with India’s civilizational knowledge and educational traditions.
Prof. Yashwant Singh, Registrar, CUJ, delivered the vote of thanks. He expressed his sincere gratitude to the distinguished key speaker, Dr. Manmohan Vaidya Ji, for his insightful and enriching address. He then thanked Prof. Sanjeev Jain, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, for his continuous support, encouragement, and guidance. He also expressed his appreciation to all distinguished guests, Deans, HoD, faculty members, research scholars, students, and everyone involved in making the programme meaningful and successful.
The session gave students and research scholars an opportunity to listen to and engage with a deeper understanding of India and to reflect on aspects of India’s identity, civilizational heritage and contemporary relevance. The programme provided a meaningful learning experience and encouraged students and scholars to think more deeply about the relationship between education, society, culture and the nation.