The Hindu : New Delhi News : Managing diversities and much more

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Thursday, Apr 26, 2007
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New Delhi

Managing diversities and much more

One of Canada's main contributions to the discourse on managing diversities was the concept of multiculturalism that it adopted in 1971, said Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh at the 13th "Lester Pearson Memorial Lecture" in Delhi University earlier this week.

Delivering the lecture, Mr. Ramesh observed: "Canada's great contribution to the discourse on managing diversities is the concept of multiculturalism. It is not a coincidence perhaps that two of the founding high priests of multiculturalism are Canadians -- Charles Taylor, a professor of philosophy and political science at McGill University, and Will Kymlicka, a political theorist at Queen's University."

The Minister spoke on "Managing Diversities: The Canadian and Indian Ways", a theme that had "great contemporary relevance to both countries, something in which both countries have something to say to each other ... "

"... Multiculturalism as I read it was originally a response to the grievances of Canada's French speaking population of Quebec province. If I recall it right, the initial thought was to recognise Canada as a bilingual and bicultural society. Indeed, the very name of the committee that went into the issue suggests it. It was called the `Royal Commission on Biculturalism'. The debate that followed the submission of the report by this Commission was extensive..."

Stating that diversity was part of "India's DNA too", the veteran economist noted: "India's approach to managing diversities has been somewhat unique. In fact, even as India's electoral system produces new diversities, it is precisely this approach that has kept the country together. Assimilation has certainly not been on the agenda, while integration has been pursued."

"Uniformity and homogeneity have been eschewed. Individual identities have been preserved and protected. It is true that there is a school of political thought in India that is based on the principle of `One People, One Culture, One Nation'. But I believe that, for the most part, there is a consensus that we are `Many Peoples, Different Cultures, One Nation'."

The Democratic Teachers' Front (DTF) at its executive meeting held earlier this week unanimously elected a new set of office-bearers. Sanjaya Kumar Bohidar is the new president, while Delhi University Teachers' Association president Amar Deo Sharma, Sheo Dutt and Bhupinder Chaudhry are the vice-presidents.

Rajib Ray is the new DTF secretary, while Giriraj Bairwa, Rajeev Kunwar and Renu Bala have been elected joint secretaries. Rudrashish Chakraborty is the new treasurer.

The Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers' Association (JNUTA) recently organised a discussion on "Challenges facing Indian academia" on the campus where, among others, JNU Chancellor Yashpal also expressed his views on the topic.

Initiating the discussion, Prof. Yashpal said it was a strange coincidence that on one side science was getting popular while on the other the number of astrologers had also been increasing steadily. He said science ought to be used for betterment of human conditions. Prof. Yashpal also maintained that education should not concentrate just on creating experts but developing a holistic human personality. JNUTA president Prof. Chaman Lal expressed concern about "desensitisation" of society towards its academia, intelligentsia, writers and creative artists.

School of Business and Communication Studies (SBCS)-Cavendish -- a joint initiative of SBCS and Cavendish College, London -- has invited applications for admission to its diploma in Financial Services Marketing. Those who have finished their Class XII or are pursuing graduation or have already completed it can apply for this six-month diploma.

The prospectus can be obtained from the SBCS-Cavendish education centres in Delhi at Laxmi Nagar, Rohini and Saket.

The last date for submission of application forms is May 18.

-- Parul Sharma

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