A three-day international seminar on “The Role of Tilak in National Integration” commenced at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Rashtrapati Niwas, with scholars from India and abroad deliberating on Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s vision of Swaraj, Karmayoga, cultural nationalism and national integration.
Welcoming the participants, IIAS Director Prof. Himanshu Kumar Chaturvedi said Tilak’s ideas on cultural consciousness, self-respect and national unity continue to inspire the nation. Seminar Convener Prof. R.C. Sinha highlighted Tilak’s Gita Rahasya as a philosophical foundation for India’s freedom movement.
Delivering the inaugural address, Prof. Kuldip Chand Agnihotri said Tilak viewed Swaraj as the basis of India’s cultural and intellectual self-reliance, while IIAS Chairperson Prof. Shashi Prabha Kumar described his philosophy as a guiding force for contemporary India.
The inaugural session also highlighted Tilak’s role in transforming Ganesh Utsav and Shivaji Utsav into platforms for national awakening. Technical sessions on the opening day explored themes including cultural nationalism, Gita Rahasya, Swadeshi, Karmayoga and civilisational consciousness, reaffirming the continuing relevance of Tilak’s ideas in modern India.
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