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

sponsored joint seminars. The last such joint seminar was on “Road Map of Reform of Higher
Education in India,”. where the Chairman made a major presentation.
ICPR sent a large delegation to attend the World Philosophy Congress held in Seoul. Also, ICPR
delegates attend International Vedanta Conferences held in USA. Every year ICPR has invited
two scholars from abroad to visit India and give lectures at different universities. The most recent
to be so invited are Prof. Max Velmans, (author of Explaining Consciousness) from Goldsmith
College of London University and Prof. Anand Paranjpe, (author of Self and Identity in Modern
Psychology and Indian Thought), Simon Fraser University in Canada. Further, ICPR is involved in
cooperative projects in a small way with Canada under Indo-Canada Sastri Foundation project.
© The ICPR also participated in the UNESCO sponsored World Philosophy Day Conferences
held in different countries. The Chairman was invited to give a plenary address on the “Relevance
of Gandhi in Today’s Troubled World” at the last one held in Moscow. Also, the Chairman gave
the valedictory address at the World Philosophy Day Conferences held in Tehran in 2010.
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HIGHLIGHTS
During the year under report, the Council continued its activities and programmes for the promotion
of philosophical research in the country. Under its scheme for the award of Fellowships under
different categories, a total of 65 fellowships were awarded. Currently there are 106 fellows supported
by the ICPR researching on a wide range of philosophical topics. In accordance with the Council’s
objective to train young philosophy teachers of the country, one Refresher Course was organized.
The Council funded fully or partially 42 seminars, workshops and conferences at different
Universities and Institutions. The ICPR published two books, and brought out four issues of the
JICPR ( Journal of Indian Council of Philosophical Research). The Council helped 32 Universities
and Institutions in the country to celebrate International Philosophy Day. The Council provided
book grants in the form of ICPR publications to 41 Departments/Institutes. Besides this, there
were 38 Colleges which were provided Grants to organize periodical lectures. The Council had
also provided grants to 4 professional institutions to start philosophy for promoting teaching and
research in philosophy.
Clearly, the most important highlights of the year include the presentation of Life Time Achievement
Awards to Prof. D.P. Chattopadhyaya and Prof. R. Balasubramanian by Dr. Manmohan Singh. This
is the first time that the Prime Minister of the counry participated in a function organized by the
ICPR. Another highlight is the address of Shri Kapil Sibal, Union Minister of HRD to the Fellows
of the ICPR and the release of the book Cognitive Anamolies, Consciousness and Yoga authored by
our Chairman, Prof. K Ramakrishna Rao by the HRD Minister Shri Kapil Sibal.
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