Mangaluru: Social development need to reach common man - Dr Bindeshwar

Bellevision Media Network

Mangaluru, 12 Feb 2016: Mangalore Sociology Association, Mangaluru with the department of sociology and humanities Association of St Aloysius College (Autonomous), Mangaluru organized a UGC sponsored 2-day National Conference on ‘Social Science and Social Development’ at Eric Mathias Hall in the campus, here from February 12 to February 13 at 10.00am.

 

The chief guest and guest of honor for the occasion were Dr Bindeshwar Pathak, founder, Sulab International Social Service Organization, New Delhi and Professor Nil Ratan, A N Sinha Institute of Social Studies, Patna.

 

 

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Bindeshwar Pathak encouraged the audience to intervene in problems of society as it is the job of a true sociologist to intervene and find a solution to the problem. He urged the masses to think about the people who are lagging about in society and find ways to show light for complete social development. Continuing on the topic of Social Development he said, ‘Without every person of the society, you cannot have social development.’ He spoke about restoring the human rights and values to the untouchables and bringing them to the center of society. He advised the students to always build a good rapport with the communities with which you want to work. He then told the listeners that there are black holes and dark spots in the society which makes it difficult to intervene into their social problems.

 

Professor Nil Ratan, the guest for the occasion, said that in the hype of economic development, empowerment and development somewhere a large part of the society has been left behind. Concerning social development he said, ‘The paradigm of social development is challenged.’  He also said, ‘The political, social and economic deprivation is just making the rich, richer and the poor, poorer and it is due to this that the social development today is in fragments.’ Professor Ratan brought to light that this fragmentation was a global problem and that these were issues that were challenging social minds.

 

In his presidential address, Fr Denzel Lobo SJ, Rector of St Aloysius Institutions conveyed that the Jesuits in their 500 years strive to educate the masses have effectively upheld their motto in transforming men and women for others. He told the audience that we are a diverse nation but it is our duty as elements of the society to unify it. He said, ‘Education is the most powerful weapon for change.’ He urged the students to replace consumption with sacrifice, greed with generosity and wastefulness with sharing.

 

The two-day national level conference was inaugurated by Dr Bindeshwar Pathak along with the guests, Professor Nil Ratan and Professor G K Karanth, former faculty, ISEC, Bengaluru; Dr Richard Pais, founder of the Mangalore Sociology Association with Dr Vinay Rajath, president of the Mangalore Sociology Association and Vijay Alva, secretary of the Mangalore Sociology Association along with Fr Denzel Lobo SJ, rector of St Aloysius Institutions; Fr Swebert D’Silva SJ, principal of St Aloysius College;  Dr Alwyn D’Sa, dean, faculty of arts and Fr Alphonse Fernandes SJ, head of department of sociology.

 

The launch of the book ‘Society and Culture in Karnataka’ by Professor G K Karanth was introduced by the Dr Richard Pais.

 

The 25th issue of the ‘Samaja Shodhana’ edited by Dr Richard Pais was also released at the conference by the guest for the occasion, Professor Nil Ratan and this launch also commemorated the Silver Jubilee of the Mangalore Sociology Association.

 

The past presidents of Association were also honored at the conference by Dr Bindeshwar Pathak, Dr Vinay Rajath, president of the Mangalore Sociology Association, briefed the audience on the theme of the conference.

 

Fr Swebert D’Silva SJ, principal of St Aloysius College welcomed the gathering and Fr Alphonse Fernandes SJ delivered the vote of thanks.