(2010- 2011) English - Indian Council of Philosophical Research
(2010- 2011) English - Indian Council of Philosophical Research
(2010- 2011) English - Indian Council of Philosophical Research
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in organizational association with other institutions. The cost <strong>of</strong> these seminars was borne equally<br />
by the ICPR and these institutions. These inter-collaborative research seminars are not limited to<br />
the participation <strong>of</strong> institutions within the country. The ICPR also took initiative and invited some<br />
philosophical organizations outside the country to conduct common seminars with financial and<br />
other support coming from both the participating institutions.<br />
Among the joint research projects recently concluded is the memorandum <strong>of</strong> understanding between<br />
the ICPR and GITAM University to carry out research on Gandhian ideas and conflict resolution<br />
for a period five years. This project is a joint effort <strong>of</strong> ICPR along with the National <strong>Council</strong> <strong>of</strong> Rural<br />
Institutes, another autonomous institution with the HRD Ministry and GITAM University. It is<br />
agreed that each <strong>of</strong> the three organizations contribute annually 10 lakh rupees for a period <strong>of</strong> five<br />
years to conduct research on Gandhian methods <strong>of</strong> conflict resolution and rural development.<br />
Similar joint projects with lesser monetary commitments are undertaken with Jain Viswa Bharati<br />
University to conduct research on Prasna-vyakarana: A lost Jaina treatise and with somaiya Institute<br />
<strong>of</strong> Buddhist Studies in Mumbai for research on “The Power <strong>of</strong> Word: Socio-<strong>Philosophical</strong> Dimensions<br />
<strong>of</strong> Buddhism.”<br />
Also, ICPR and Rastriya Sanskrit Sansthan, Delhi have joined to organize annual lectures in Delhi<br />
on Advaita and Buddhism. This year these lectures were delivered by Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Richard Gombrich<br />
(Oxford) and Swami Dayananda Saraswati (Coimbatore).<br />
In addition to supporting traditional research in philosophy, the ICPR has attempted to encourage<br />
Applied Philosophy, Cross-Cultural Studies and Interdisciplinary <strong>Research</strong>. A series <strong>of</strong> workshops<br />
were conducted to develop courses in applied philosophy including one at GITAM University and<br />
another at IIT Kharagpur and more recently in Jaipur. Special efforts are being made to promote<br />
cross-cultural research in the backdrop <strong>of</strong> Northeast India and introduce philosophy courses in<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essional colleges and universities.<br />
Life Time Achievement in Philosophy Award<br />
While celebrating the Silver Jubilee <strong>of</strong> the ICPR, the <strong>Council</strong> took the decision to institute an<br />
award to be given annually to an outstanding <strong>Indian</strong> philosopher for his/her contributions for<br />
advancing philosophical knowledge. The award consists <strong>of</strong> a cash prize <strong>of</strong> one lakh rupees and a<br />
citation read at a felicitation function. The Awards were given so far to Pr<strong>of</strong>essors K. Satchidananda<br />
Murty (2006), Daya Krishna (2007) and J.N. Mohanty (2008). The Awards for 2009 and <strong>2010</strong> were<br />
presented by Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime-Minister <strong>of</strong> India on December 22, <strong>2010</strong> to Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
Balasubramanian and Pr<strong>of</strong>essor D.P. Chattopadhyaya respectively. It is hoped that awards such as<br />
these will not only help to recognise the work <strong>of</strong> our distinguished philosophers, also highlight it<br />
for the younger generation <strong>of</strong> scholars who may look up to these icons as role models.<br />
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