(2010- 2011) English - Indian Council of Philosophical Research

Lucknow, Academic Centre
The ICPR in its new Academic Centre not only revived some of the old activities, but also revitalized
and rejuvenated the centre with new inputs and programmes. In addition to regular meetings
and conference, several workshops are conducted to tool and train the upcoming scholars and the
ICPR fellows in research methodologies and some obscure but profoundly important philosophical
problems, contemporary and classical, through discussion and dialogue between subject experts
and the inquisitive students. Also plans are underway to promote local study circles and encourage
regular roundtable discussions on topics of current interest.
Indian Institute of Philosophy
As mentioned in Chairman’s Introduction, another important initiative taken is to make plans
for establishing the Indian Institute of Philosophy under the auspice of the ICPR. The Council
appointed three different committees to advise it on the structure and modalities of establishing
the Institute. A detailed proposal was prepared and submitted to the HRD Ministry for approval
and support. The proposed Institute is envisaged to have a virtual campus and a floating faculty. It
would be autonomous in its functioning, but fully supported by the ICPR. The proposal is under
active consideration of the HRD Ministry. This flagship institute of the ICPR will obviously be
the home and will have necessary wherewithal and infrastructure for carrying out the mega projects
like Indian Identity and National Integration Project
Regional Centres
Again, as described in detail in the Introduction, India with its cultural and linguistic diversity is
home of a variety of thought systems. Some of them are little known beyond a small region. Indian
culture is not monolithic, but a mosaic of an array of composite cultures with their own distinctive
identities. Their colourful co-existence is the beauty of our nation. Indeed it is our country’s strength.
This can be best preserved by recognizing the due place of each of these cultures in our national ethos.
Cross-regional circulation of ideas is an important step in ensuring enduring national integration.
With this objective and in accordance with the recommendations of the Committee constituted
to advise us on this, the ICPR prepared a blue print to have a network of regional centres. The
proposal is under the consideration of the HRD Minister.
Inter-Institutional Synergy, Inter-disciplinary and Cross-Cultural Studies
Another new initiative is to work with other institutions to promote philosophical activity in the
country. What began as a combined effort to conduct joint seminars designed by ICPR grew to be
an important undertaking to involve other institutions to develop long term research strategies and
projects. ICPR conducted several national seminars/conferences with financial support from and
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