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

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