INTRODUCTION - Indian Council of Philosophical Research

INTRODUCTIONAmong all different knowledge-systems and academicdisciplines evolved and developed by humankind fromatomic science to zoology, philosophy is the very firstand also the foremost. From the very beginning, philosopherstried to find out answers to all kinds ofquestions concerning whatever subject matter underthe sun which interested themósay from plants to planetsóbutgradually, different special sciences likeastronomy and botany developed and took away manyquestions from philosophy into their own special fields.Yet, several fundamental questions could not be takenaway in this manner and subjects such as nature ofbeing continue to remain exclusively in the domain ofphilosophy. Further, today philosophy is the only trulyinter-disciplinary subject that can still attempt to integrateknowledge for a wholesome understanding ofhumans and their place in the universe and attempt tofind answers to questions like, ìAre there values thatshould be governing human life?î, ìWhat is truth?î,ìWhat is reality?î, ìWhat is virtue?î, ìWhat is beauty?îand so on. These questions have been asked all overthe world, in all cultures and at different times. Indiatoo was no exception and in fact one of the worldísoldest systems of thinking and speculation on suchmatters began more than five thousand years ago evenbefore the Vedas.When it comes to persistently asking the most basicquestions concerning man, his life and goals, the worldand its nature as well as constituents, India has a longand brilliant record. What began many millennia agohas continued up to now in an unbroken chain of tradition.From the heights of skepticism to the depths ofmysticism, every possible shade of philosophizing wasintensely explored, vehemently criticized, or ardentlyaccepted and defended by Indian thinkers. This explo-1

ation was unbelievably holistic and a spirit of synthesispervaded Indian culture, religion and philosophyjust as strongly as a spirit of incisive analysis. Theanalytical rigour as well as the synthetic spirit of classicalIndia have few parallels elsewhere. In Indiaphilosophy is not confined to mere arm-chair speculations;it is intensely practical. Consequently, philosophyand religion went hand in hand, which has had itsadvantages as well as drawbacks. Because of theunique capacity of Indian culture to hold together withinits fold contrary as well as contradictory elements, rigorousphilosophy never really got disconnected fromreligious faith as it happened in the West. On the contrary,philosophical thinking was harmonized withreligion as well as spirituality. Philosophy and spiritualityare seen as just two ends of a continuum in India.As a result, whether it is Vedånta belonging to theorthodox Vedic fold or Buddhism and Jainism belongingto the opposite, heterodox fold, they all are alikeboth philosophies and religions simultaneously, culminatingin sublime spirituality.Another characteristic feature of most schools of Indianphilosophy is their soteriological orientation. Theseschools believe that the ultimate goal of philosophicalpursuit is to enable a person to attain final release orliberation. One needs a higher kind of knowledge to getliberated and such knowledge can be attained onlythrough philosophy. This is the reason why philosophyhas been given the highest place of importance in India.The distinction between higher knowledge and lowerknowledge is as old as the Upanisads themselves.While reason is given a high place in the humanendeavor to discover truth, it is not seen as the onlygateway to realizing truth. Reason, by itself, may notbe able to help anyone attain liberating knowledge butstill it is an invaluable tool assisting in meaningful waysin the process of attaining higher knowledge. Thougha ëlife of reasoní is required, it alone is not enough for2

liberation. This fact has led to a very wide-spread andpersistent belief in the West that in all Indian philosophies,the authority of scriptures has a much higherplace than reason. The fact mentioned earlier that philosophyand religion do not stand separated in theIndian tradition substantially adds to the above misconception.Since most schools of Indian philosophy aimed atliberation, it is not very difficult to see the smooth transitionfrom philosophy to spirituality in the Indiantradition. But, despite this common interest in spirituality,Indian schools of philosophy are still quite radicallydifferent from one another. Goal-oriented thinking hasnot resulted in any kind of uniformity in philosophicalthought. There are just as many kinds of schools asone may find in the West. There are even severalschools which fairly closely resemble schools of Westernthought. It was readily agreed across the board inIndia that even if ultimate reality is the same, it can stillbe viewed and described in radically different ways.Each such way of viewing was a ëdarsanaí and anydarsana was just as good as any other.This diversity of dar‹anas is also rooted in the classicalIndian belief in the diversity of human competenceand understanding which is due to the fact of differentpersons possessing different kinds and levels of abilitiesas well as being constituted differently. There arepeople of a nature basically constituted of faith anddevotion, there are people who, by nature, are men ofaction and there are also people who are by naturevery rational in their outlook. These are radical differencesin temperaments and outlook which will alsocreate differences in the ways of understanding. In fact,it is a well accepted idea in India that there are multiplepaths to liberation and that they fall into threebroad types of paths: the path of action (karma-mårga),the path of devotion (bhakti-mårga) and the path ofknowledge (j¤åna-mårga).3

The range of topics investigated by different Indianphilosophical systems is indeed very vast, very variedas well as very thorough. The dialectical skills of severalIndian philosophers is only to be seen to bebelieved. To put it all in one sentence, the tradition isvery rich and priceless, matching in excellence evenwhen compared with the best in the world.This incomparable philosophical tradition went ondeveloping even when there was foreign occupationof the land because even during the time of the Moghulrulers it continued to flourish. The first setback cameonly when the British took control of a vast region ofthe country and introduced their own system of education.The new system of education not only took nonote of the age old native tradition but tried to replaceit completely. If the traditional ways of philosophizingstill continued to be practiced it was only because ofpatronage by kings big and small, zamindars andnoblemen. The tradition did not die, but became weakand stunted in its growth.The new system of education also brought with it anew philosophy little known to Indians. RegrettablyWestern philosophy became the sole philosophy taughtin the colleges under the new system of educationbecause that was the only philosophy its teachers(mostly Englishmen) knew. Indians took up the studyof Western philosophy without any qualms or inhibitionsand in course of time it became the dominantphilosophy that was taught, studied and researched inthe colleges and universities in British India. Evenseveral decades after independence, it continued toenjoy a privileged position in most departments ofphilosophy in Indian universities. Every newdevelopment in the West is keenly observed and alsoabsorbed by several scholars in India.In this way, India has come to be the home land ofits own native philosophies and it is also a second4

home for many philosophies of the West. In this respect,there is no country in the whole world which islike India in having all the major and sometimes evenminor philosophies of the world in addition to its ownnative philosophies. Current Indian philosophy is trulypluralist. Just as ancient India accommodated withinits space religions of foreign origin like Parsi, Jewish,Muslim and Christian, modern India has accommodatedmost of the philosophies that have originated in theWest. Thus there is room for every conceivable kind ofphilosophy on Indian soil and in Indian minds. This isthe reason why there exists only in Indiaóunlikeanywhere else in the worldóan Indian Council of PhilosophicalResearch fully funded by the Ministry ofHuman Resource Development of the Government ofIndia. This Council very justifiably promotes and fundsresearch in any philosophyóIndian or Western or justany other.5

HISTORY AND OBJECTIVESIndian Council of Philosophical Research (ICPR) wasestablished in 1977 by the Ministry of Education, Governmentof India as an autonomous organizationdesigned to bring back the entire tradition of Indianphilosophy to its pristine and original form and providerequired impetus to nurture and promote new thinkingthrough its intensive programs of research. This wasthe result of the decision of a Committee which hadbeen formed to look into the possibility of raising abody like ICSSR and ICHR exclusively for the disciplineof philosophy, for the preservation of Indiaísprofound, long and living philosophical tradition. Consideringthe uniqueness and importance of the subjectwhich was all comprehensive and holistic, the Committeefelt the need to strongly recommend that in orderto protect the greatest achievements which are recordedin the field of philosophy in India and alsopreserve deep profundities of its culture, there was aneed to evolve a Governmental Institution as ICPR. Anargument crucially advanced was that if there is onesingle factor which would command respect and attentionfrom the contemporary world, it would be noneother than the profound wisdom contained in Indianphilosophy.The authorities of the Government of India were convincedthat more than any other discipline ofknowledge, philosophy in India deserved to have anexclusive and special agency in the country, so conceivedand designed that the entire tradition of Indianphilosophy is brought back to its original vigor andfurther developed through various research programs.The chief objective was to portray the lofty philosophicalideals of the country and utilize their tenets forreawakening of India and empower the entire humanityby extending to it the benefits of the accumulatedwisdom of India by which human bondage could be6

meaningfully addressed and humanity could be helpedto arrive at progressive perfection at an acceleratedpace.It was felt that this important work could be carriedout, not merely through universities alone or throughany other existing learned body designed to promoteNatural and Human Sciences, but through an independentbody that could function as an autonomousorganization fully funded by the Government and freelydeveloped by eminent philosophers of the country. Itwas further envisaged that since philosophy is, by itsvery nature, comprehensive in its approach and sinceit is a study of the world as a whole and of all domainsof existence in their intricate interrelationships, it mustbe inter-disciplinary in character.As a result of mature deliberations, the then PrimeMinister of India, Mrs. Indira Gandhi appreciated andapproved the formation of the Indian Council of PhilosophicalResearch (ICPR). In 1977, therefore, theMinistry of Education formulated the Memorandum ofAssociation (MOA) of the ICPR and the organizationwas formed as a Society registered under the Registrationof Societies Act.The initial years from 1977 to 1981 were marked byvery slow activity on the part of the Government and itwas only in 1981 that the ICPR started functioningwhen Professor D.P. Chattopadhyaya was appointedthe founder Chairman of the Council. The Councilbegan to function from his residence in the initial daystill the office was shifted to an independent accommodationin Vasant Vihar. Later, the office was shifted toGuru Nanak Foundation and subsequently to USOHouse. In 1987, the office was again shifted to RajendraBhavan, where ICPR could be stabilized insofar asbasic, physical accommodation was concerned.It was during this initial period that the Council madegreat efforts to get the authorities allot a piece of land7

for ICPR by the Delhi Development Authority to constructa permanent office for the ICPR. Ultimately, DDAallotted the required land at 36 Tughlakabad InstitutionalArea, where the present building of the ICPRwas built during the years 1990-1996. The building ofthe ICPR was inaugurated in 1999 by the then Ministerof HRD, Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi and the office hasbeen functioning here since then.Along side the head-quarters of Delhi, there werewide consultations to build an Academic Centre with aworld class library in philosophy to cater to the needsof those who are interested in Philosophy. Shri C.P.N.Singh, the then Governor of Uttar Pradesh took theinitiative and came up with a gracious offer to housethe Academic Centre at the Butler Palace in Lucknow.It may be mentioned here that the palace was built in1922 by the Rajah of Mehmoodabad as the residenceof Sir Harcourt Butler, the then Governor. After independence,it remained vacant for a while and wasdeclared as ìenemy propertyî in 1965 and was broughtunder the control of Ministry of Commerce. The UPGovernment used it as the Sales tax office till it wasgiven to ICPR in 1981. The Academic Centre startedfunctioning with Professor T.K. Sarkar as the Directorfrom 1983. With the efforts of the Council, and especiallywith the hard work put in by Professor R.R.Verma, formerly Director at the Academic centre, ButlerPalace became a hub of philosophical activitieswith an up-to-date specialized library containing 32,000volumes and yearly subscription to 110 journals, a guesthouse, well equipped seminar room, exhibition halland an office. The Centre was brimming with activitieswith large number of students and researchers visitingAcademic Centre library apart from regular seminarsbeing organized there. In 2006, because of SupremeCourt judgment against the UP government, the ICPRwas asked to vacate the Butler Palace and wasforced to locate it in PCF Building, Lucknow which8

unfortunatly inadequate in every respect for the academicrequirement of the ICPR. The presentadministration is making all efforts to find a suitableplace to house the library and restart the academicactivities at the Centre.In all these years, ICPR devoted itself to the task offurthering the activities for the development of philosophyin India and laid out its plans for its progressiveactivities. They are as follows:1. Setting up a Journal of the Indian Council ofPhilosophical Research; (JICPR)2. Developing programs to assimilate in condensedform some of the important achievementsof Indian philosophers, and publishing a seriesof books focused on important problems of ontology,epistemology, ethics, social and politicalphilosophy and Indian spirituality, works relatedto living philosophers of India. Also books thatbring out Indian expertise in regard to Westernphilosophy.3. Developing schemes for seminars, workshopsand refresher courses that aim at promoting veryhigh level research in philosophy by the philosophicalcommunity of India on themes relevantto the recovery of ancient classical systems ofIndian philosophy and relevant also to theprogress of contemporary Indian philosophy thatwould find for itself a high place in the contemporaryscene of philosophy in the world at large.This program also envisaged empowerment ofyoung and budding scholars and providing trainingto philosophers, old and new, so that theycould think on new lines on philosophical topicsand issues which would be analytic as wellas synthetic in character.4. Initiating special programs through which teaching-learningmaterial could be produced that9

would facilitate study of philosophy in the countryin a manner that would be pedagogicallysound and academically refreshing.5. Initiating special programs for young scholars inthe country to meet together over an annual essaycompetition followed by a high level seminar.6. Establishing fellowship schemes of differentkinds.7. Establishment of relationships with various organizationsof philosophy in India, in theuniversities and in the colleges.8. Establishment of relationships with eminent philosophersin different parts of the world andfamous institutions of philosophy in the world.9. Preparing exhibitions on philosophical themes,whereby subtle concepts of philosophy couldbe transmitted to students, teachers and thegeneral public through artistic forms that wouldbe at once instructive and aesthetically enjoyable.10. Organization of international conferences onphilosophy, including the one inaugurated bythe then Prime Minister of India, Mrs IndiraGandhi, (October 10, 1984) which brought togetherthe philosophers of East and West for afruitful exchange of ideas and experiences.11. Selection of philosophers of India for participationin international conferences held abroad,resulting in the promotion and propagation ofIndian philosophy in the contemporary philosophicalcommunity.12. Development of a world class library of philosophy,which is located now in Lucknow which isperhaps the best in Asia today.10

13. Establishment of close relationship with the Governmentof India for collaborative projects asalso for promoting interdisciplinary research inthe country.The main aims and objectives of the Council are asfollows:“ Striving for excellence, creativity and originalityin philosophical research within the country.“ Promoting and encouraging indigenous interdisciplinaryresearch and cross-cultural studies.“ Strengthening the teaching of philosophy so asto encourage brilliant students to take up thestudy of philosophy.“ Dovetailing teaching and research by providingimpetus and additional training to philosophyteachers.“ To identify and encourage inter-disciplinary researchespecially on topics that are intellectuallychallenging, especially those that are concernedwith national planning and development.“ To review the progress of research in philosophyfrom time to time.“ To sponsor or assist projects or programs ofresearch in philosophy.“ To give financial support to institutions and organizationsengaged in research activities inphilosophy.“ To provide technical assistance or guidancefor the formulation of research projects andprograms in philosophy, by individuals or institutions,and/or organizing and supportinginstitutional or other arrangements for trainingin research methodology.11

“ To indicate periodically areas in and topics onwhich research in philosophy should be promotedand to adopt special measures for thedevelopment of research in neglected or developingareas in philosophy.“ To co-ordinate research activities in philosophyand to encourage programs of inter-disciplinaryresearch.“ To organize, sponsor and assist seminars, specialcourses, study circles, working groups/unitsand conferences for promoting research in philosophy,and to establish institutes for the samepurpose.“ To give grants for publication of digests, journals,periodicals and scholarly works devotedto research in philosophy and also to undertaketheir publication in select cases.“ To institute and administer fellowships, scholarshipsand awards for research in philosophy bystudents, teachers and others.“ To develop and support documentation services,including maintenance and supply of data,preparation of inventories of current research inphilosophy and compilation of a national registerof philosophers.“ To promote collaboration in research betweenIndian philosophers and philosophical institutionsand those from other countries.“ To take special steps to develop a group of talentedyoung philosophers and to encourageresearch by young philosophers working in universitiesand other institutions.“ To organize academic exchange program withother countries and help scholars with travelgrants to participate in international events inphilosophy organized abroad.12

“ To advise the Government of India on all suchmatters pertaining to teaching and research inphilosophy as may be referred to it by the Governmentfrom time to time.“ To enter into collaborations with other institutions,organizations and agencies, on mutuallyagreed terms, for the promotion of research inphilosophy.Life Time Achievement Award given to Professor Daya Krishnareceived by Dr. Shail Mayaram13

ORGANISATIONAL SET-UPThe Council has a broad-based membership comprisingof distinguished philosophers, social scientists,representatives of the University Grants Commission,Indian Council of Social Science Research, IndianCouncil of Historical Research, Indian National ScienceAcademy, the Central Government and theGovernment of Uttar Pradesh. The Governing Body(GB) and the Research Project Committee (RPC) arethe main implementing agencies of the Council. Thesebodies are vested with well-defined powers and functions.The Governing Body, which consists ofChairman, Member-Secretary, not less than three andnot more than eight members appointed by the Council,a representative each of the Ministry of HumanResource Development and Ministry of Finance andtwo nominees of the Government of Uttar Pradesh,administers, directs and controls the affairs of the Council.The Research Project Committee, which includesthe Chairman, not less than five and not more thannine members appointed by the Council and the Member-Secretary,scrutinizes and sanctions grants-in-aidfor the projects and other proposals received or plannedby the Council. The Finance Committee scrutinizesthe budget estimates and other proposals involvingexpenditure.The Chairman and the Member-Secretary who areappointed by the Central Government are vested withwell-defined powers and duties. Currently, ProfessorK. Ramakrishna Rao is the Chairman, who joined thecouncil on 6 June 2006 and Professor GodabarishaMishra is the Member Secretary who joined on 7thSeptember 2007. The Council has three Directors,1. Administration and Finance, 2. Planning andResearch, 3. Academic. Apart from the above, the14

Council has a Programme officer, and an AccountsOfficer working for ICPR at its Head office.SUCCESSIVE CHAIRMEN OF THE ICPRProfessor D.P. Chattopadhyaya01.07.1981 to 17.07.1990Professor R. Balasubramanian18.07.1990 to 31.03.199415

Professor Mrinal Miri05.04.1994 to 11.04.1997Professor V. Venkatachalam12.04.1997 to 05.06.200016

Professor Kireet Joshi06.06.2000 to 05.06.2006Member Secretary 01.07.1981 to 31.12.1991Professor K. Ramakrishna Rao06.06.200617

SUCCESSIVE MEMBER-SECRETARIES OF ICPRProfessor Bhuvan Chandel1.1992 to 31.12.1994Professor Ashok Vohra28.06.1995 to 26.06.199818

Professor R.C. Pradhan1.06.2000 to 31.05.2003Professor S.R. Vyas09.3.2004 to 05.02.200719

Professor G. Mishra07.09.2007HRD Minister presenting Life Time Achievement Award toProfessor K. Satchidananda Murty recieved by Y.V. Satyanarayana.20

AREAS OF ACTIVITIESSome priority areas in which ICPR has been concentratingall these years are:1. Varieties of abiding experience and their relevanceto philosophy;2. Theories of truth and knowledge;3. Basic values embodied in Indian culture andTheir relevance to national reconstruction;4. Normative inquiries;5. Philosophy, science and technology;6. Interdisciplinary inquiries with philosophy as afocal discipline;7. Philosophy of man and the environment;8. Social and political philosophy and philosophyof law;9. Logic, philosophy of mathematics and philosophyof language;10. Metaphysics;11. Comparative and critical studies in the philosophicalsystems.12. Philosophy of education.ACADEMIC CENTRE, LUCKNOWThe Academic Centre of the ICPR, is presently locatedat the Right Wing of 2 nd Floor of PCF Building, 32Station Road, Lucknow. It houses an up-to-date specializedlibrary in philosophy, and a small office of theCouncil. The total acquisition of books by the library atthe Academic Centre, Lucknow, is about 32000 volumes.It subscribes to 110 philosophical journals andreceives 27 journals on exchange basis.21

The library is in the process of being fully computerizedto extend the services more effectively and tonetwork with other libraries. Online facilities will beprovided so that the books can be accessed from anywherein the country.FELLOWSHIPSThe Fellowship scheme of the Council is one of themain schemes by which research among scholars isencouraged. Under this scheme the Council awardsdifferent categories of fellowships to assist the scholarsto engage in research on full time basis on themesof contemporary relevance and those that fit in with theselected major areas of the Council.“ Theories of truth and knowledge.“ Basic values embodied in Indian culture andtheir relevance to national reconstruction.“ Normative inquiries (ethics and aesthetics).“ Interdisciplinary inquiries (ethics and aesthetics).“ Philosophy, science and technology.“ Philosophy of man and the environment.“ Social and political philosophy and philosophyof law.“ Comparative and critical study in the philosophicalsystems/movements and religion.“ Logic, philosophy of mathematics and philosophyof language.“ Metaphysics.“ Philosophy of education.“ Philosophy of social sciences.The Council invites applications for fellowships(excluding the National Fellowships) through advertisementsin national dailies every year. Copies of the22

advertisements are also sent to the heads of philosophydepartments of all the universities in the country.Details of various categories of fellowships are givenbelow.NATIONAL FELLOWSHIPSNational fellowships are awarded to eminent scholarswho have made outstanding contribution in the field ofphilosophy. The amount of fellowship has been fixedas Rs.25,000/- per month with an annual contingencygrant of Rs.50,000/-. These fellowships are awardedby the Council from among the names suggested to itby the Council members, UGC panel members on thesubject of philosophy, Presidents of Indian PhilosophicalCongress for the past ten years and such membersof the RPC who are not members of the Council,without inviting applications. The selection is purelyon the basis of merit and eminence, regardless of ageand official status of the scholars. The past NationalFellows include Professor Daya Krishna, Professor K.S. Murty, Professor Badrinath Shukla, Professor D.P.Chattopadhyaya, Professor K.J. Shah, Professor S.K.Ookerjee, Professor M.P. Rege, Professor RajendraPrasad, Professor R. Balasubramanian and ProfessorP.K. Mukhopadhyaya.SENIOR FELLOWSHIPSSenior Fellowships are awarded primarily to thosescholars in philosophy and in allied disciplines whohave made a significant contribution in their areas ofresearch as evidenced from their publications such asbooks and research papers published, in philosophicaljournals and periodicals. The Fellowship carriesmonthly emoluments of Rs. 8,000/- p.m. However, salaryis protected in the case of employed scholars. Inaddition, the Senior Fellows are entitled to a contingencygrant of Rs. 36,000/- per annum.23

GENERAL FELLOWSHIPSGeneral Fellowships are awarded to scholars who haveshown significant promise and competence in carryingon independent research. The award of such categoryof fellowship is determined on the basis of the qualityof the candidateís research work in the form of publishedwork, books or articles and in special caseseven as evidenced from their unpublished manuscripts.The Fellowship amount has been fixed as Rs.6,000/-p.m. with an annual contingency grant of Rs.12,000/-.However, in the case of employed teachers/scholars,their salary, including allowances in their parent institutionis protected. Every year 12-15 scholars areawarded general fellowships depending on the budgetany alocations.JUNIOR RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPSJunior Research Fellowships are awarded to scholarswho have good academic record and are pursuing theirresearch on a particular project. The Fellowship carriesa grant of Rs.5,000/- p.m. (Non-NET), Rs.6,000/-p.m. (NET) with an annual contingency grant ofRs.12,000/-. Every year the Council awards Junior ResearchFellowships to 45-50 scholars at an average.SHORT DURATION PROJECTShort Duration Projects are awarded for a period ofninety days to scholars in philosophy and allied disciplinesirrespective of their age and status, to enablethem to engage themselves on whole-time basis inresearch work. The Project cost is within the ceiling ofRs. 20,000/- for a period of 90 days.RESIDENTIAL FELLOWSHIPSThese fellowships are meant to facilitate scholars toconsult the library at ICPRís Academic Centre,24

Lucknow, in connection with their ongoing researchprojects. The selected scholars can avail the fellowshipduring the period of their leave of absence fromtheir place of work or during holidays. The fellowshipsare available for a maximum period of 60 days in afinancial year, either in one stretch or in parts. Theyare provided first-class rail fare from the place of workto the Academic Centre and back, only once. TheCouncil used to pay allowance of Rs. 150/- per day tothe Fellows who make their own arrangements forboarding and lodging and Rs. 120/- to the Fellowswho are provided accommodation in the guesthouseof the Academic Centre. However at present guesthouse facilities are not available at the AcademicCentre at Lucknow.HRD Minister presenting the cheque towards Life Time Achievement Award toRajasthan University, Jaipur received by Professor Kusum Jain.25

AWARDSICPR has instituted the following awards:1. Life Time Achievement AwardA National Award for distinguished work in philosophyin India is awarded to a living Indian philosopher, whichdoes not require any project to be carried out by therecipient of that award.The award carries with it a cash amount ofRs.1,00,000/ - and a citation to be presented at a publicmeeting organized by the ICPR. This award wasinstituted in the year 2007 to commemorate the SilverJubilee of the ICPR. So far the recipients of the LifeTime Achievement Award are ProfessorSatchidananda Murty and Professor Daya Krishna.2. Best Ph.D. Dissertation Award (in Philosophy)This award is given to a scholar on the basis of her/histhesis/dessertation which have been duly adjudged duringthe previous academic year by an Indian University.The award carries an amount of Rs. 50,000/ and acitation and the scholar is selected by a committeenominated the Council.3. Young Philosophers AwardThis award is granted to a scholar who must be in theage group not exceeding 35 years as on 31st March ofthat year. He/she must have publications to his/hercredit. The scholars of the target age group may submittheir bio-data along with 5 copies of their publishedwork in the last 5 years. The award carries with it cashamount of Rs.50,000/- and a citation.4. The Best Book of the Year in Philosophy AwardThis award is given for the Best Philosophy Book publishedin India in Hindi, Sanskrit or English during thepast three years. The book must be original work show-26

ing promise of mature philosophical thinking and isselected by a Committee. It carries an amount of Rs.50,000/- and a citation.SEMINAR/SYMPOSIA WORKSHOPS/DIALOGUEIn order to provide an opportunity for scholars to expresstheir views and interact with other scholars, ICPRorganizes both national and international seminars everyyear on a variety of themes and topics in philosophyand interdisciplinary studies. It also gives grant to philosophydepartments of Indian universities andresearch institutions to organize seminars/ symposia/workshops/dialogues etc. The Council has linked upits publication programmes with the seminars in sucha manner that all important papers presented can bepublished by the Council, if found suitable. It may bementioned that some of the very outstanding papers ofthe seminars are published in the Councilís journalviz., JICPR. Every year the Council receives a largenumber of requests from the universities, research organizationsfor partial assistance for organizingseminars and ICPR supports 25 to 50 such seminarsannually.PERIODICAL LECTURESThe Council organizes Periodical Lectures at differentcolleges and universities for promotion of philosophy.Senior scholars of the local area are requested to deliverthe lectures to the young scholars and teachers,so as to expose them to a wide range of recent developmentin philosophy.NATIONAL LECTURES BY EMINENTINDIAN AND FOREIGN SCHOLARSWith a view to acquaint Indian scholars with thoughtsof contemporary leading philosophers as well as to27

provide opportunities for close interaction with them,the Council invites Indian and foreign scholars everyyear to deliver lectures. Under this scheme, the VisitingProfessors deliver a series of three or more lecturesin at least three different universities in India. TheCouncil extends financial support to the universitiesfor organizing such lectures and also bears travel andhospitality costs of the invited scholars. The universitiesare given a grant of Rs.35,000/- by the Council toinvite the interested scholars from their region to attendthe lectures and participate in the discussions.Besides making travel arrangements as well as providinglocal hospitality to the invited professors, theCouncil pays them a token honorarium of Rs.20,000.REFRESHER COURSESThe Council has been organizing a number of RefresherCourses on different philosophical themes forthe college and university teachers of the country inorder to augment/refresh their knowledge. Some ofthese courses were 3-tier courses, viz. as initial, intermediateand advanced courses. The Council alsoconducts some short-term courses in addition to theRefresher Courses.TRAVEL GRANTSThe Council provides partial travel assistance to Indianscholars in the field of philosophy andinterdisciplinary studies for participating internationalconferences/symposia/seminars etc. Normally, the financialassistance is limited to 50 percent of the totalcost of airfare to and fro. This provision is made forteachers of philosophy in universities and colleges.INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION ANDACADEMIC LINKAGESThe Council is the implementing agency for the bilateralcultural exchange programmes with the foreign28

countries having philosophical content in them. Thisprogamme facilitates to have international collaborationbetween India and overseas nations to encourageexchange of views among scholars in the field of philosophyand other related disciplines.INDO-FRENCH CULTURAL EXCHANGEPROGRAMMEThe Indian Council of Philosophical Research is havinga bilateral Cultural Exchange Programme withFrance. Under this programme, the Council deputeseminent Indian Scholars to France for a month on visitor-ship.During the tenure of the visitor-ship, the scholarremains with the Maison Des Sciences De LíHommeand does academic work, consults libraries and (participatesin academic discussions with the scholars/experts available in France). The Maison Des SciencesDe LíHomme provides 1800 Euros as living expensesin Paris as well as medical insurance. Indian Councilof Philosophical Research will bear the Travel cost ofthe scholar selected for the Visitorship.INTERNATIONAL PHILOSOPHY DAYThe UNESCO had declared every third Thursday inNovember every year as the International PhilosophyDay to commemorate the birthday of Socrates. Accordingly,the Council sends circulars to all Departments ofPhilosophy of the Country to celebrate that day by organizingacademic programmes like symposium,seminar debate, panel discussion etc. A minimal fundingis made to select institutions for the celebration ofthe Philosophy Day.JOURNAL OF INDIAN COUNCIL OFPHILOSOPHICAL RESEARCH (JIPCR)The Council publishes quarterly the Journal of IndianCouncil of Philosophical Research (JICPR). The jour-29

nal contains research papers of high quality in the fieldof philosophy and interdisciplinary studies by scholarsfrom India and abroad. The other featured sections inthe Journal include Discussions and Comments, Notesand Queries, Focus and Agenda for Research, BookReviews, etc. The JICPR had Professor D.P.Chattopadhyaya as its Editor from the inception andProfessor Daya Krishna took over from him during 1990and continued until his death last year. Currently ProfessorG. Mishra is currently in-charge. Professor MrinalMiri with take over as the editor from January 2009.ICPR Library at Lucknow30

NEW INITIATIVESIn the past ICPR launched a variety of projects suchas the Project of History of Indian Scienceí Philosophyand Culture (PHISPC) to publish 100 volumes. TheProject is being continued by the Centre for studies inCivilizations headed by Professor D.P. Chattopadhyaya.In its 11th Plan proposals, the ICPR submitted to thePlanning Commission a major project on Indian Identityand National Integration.NATIONAL INTEGRATION PROJECTThe proposed project is intended to be national initiativeto explore the nuances of national integration andinclusive community and to understand the forces underminingthem. The main objective of the project is toprovide intellectual and fact based insights into theissues, the problems as well as the prospects, for promotingnational consensus for the inclusive communitywe seek and for discouraging the politics of divisivenesswe abhor. In the process we study civil strife anduse of violence, which disturb the stability and orderlyeconomic and social progress of the nation, and theavenues of the stateís legitimate resource to controlwithout tampering on the constitutionally guaranteedfreedoms of its people. All these issues will be studiedwithin the overall ambit of identities, their positive integratingeffects and negative, divisive influences.Besides dividing this into discrete and distinct unitsbasic interdisciplinary studies, in this project, wouldinvolve historical analyses, empirical research andtheoretical work.The time frame for the project is five years. The mainactivities involves literature search, group discussionsof expert in relevant and related areas, organization ofseminars and conferences, precise formulation of studiesto be undertaken in the following years and the31

identification of scholars to be involved in the variousstudied envisaged.Periodic workshops, seminars and conferences willbe organized to discuss the empirical studies, datacollection, analyses and interpretation.The final reports are expected to the published for thebenefits of not only researchers and reports but also policymakers, bureaucrats, judges and religious leaders.REGIONAL CENTRESThe ICPR is rightly located in the nationís capital. ItsAcademic Centre is established in Lucknow with itslibrary. The resources of the ICPR are more readilyaccessible to scholars and students located in the northernand central parts of India than those residing in thesouth. Therefore, it is proposed to explore the possibilityof establishing one or more regional centres. Inaddition to instituting new centres, ICPR wants to extendnecessary recognition and funds to certainestablished Institutions, who are engaged in similaractivities like ICPR. The regional center will have itsown library and administrative staff with facilities forholding conferences, seminars and discussion meetingswith a guest house to lodge the visiting scholars.Fellows Meet- 2008- ICPR Books at Display32

PUBLICATIONSUnder its publication programme, the Council publishes1. Scholarly works of renowned philosophers.2. Monographs, project reports and other works producedby scholars and fellows of the Council.3. Selected proceedings of ICPR seminars and thesponsored ones.4. Re-publication of rare and out-of-print works ofrenowned authors in the field of philosophy andinterdisciplinary studies.5. Publication of documentation series.6. Translations of classical works.The Council has published books on classical IndianPhilosophy, Contemporary Indian Philosophy andcontemporary Indian Philosophers. It also publishesother reading materials and reference books. The followingare the list of publications of the Council inprint:1. Madhusµudana Sarasva t µ i Advaita-siddhi¨Karuna Bhattacharya, 1992, p. 216, HB, Rs. 1252. Gadådharaís Theory of Objectivity Part OneViayatåvåda, 1990, p. 206, HB, Rs. 903. Gadådharaís Theory of Objectivity PartTwo, Sibajiban Bhattacharyya, 1990, p. 100, HB,Rs. 904. Ga∆ge‹aís Theory of Indeterminate PerceptionNirvikalpakavåda, Part One, SibajibanBhattacharyya, 1996, p. 164, HB, Rs. 1505. Ga∆ge‹aís Theory of Indeterminate PerceptionNirvikalpakavåda, Part Two, SibajibanBhattacharyya, 1993, p. 100, HB, Rs. 8033

6. The Mahåbhå§ya of Pata∆jali SurendranathDasgupta, 1991, p. 264, HB, Rs. 1607. Cårvåka Lokåyata: An Anthology of SourceMaterials and Some Recent Studies DebiprasadChattopadhyaya, (Ed.) 2006, (3rd edn.) p. 560,HB, Rs. 5508. A Study of Pata¤jali Second EditionSurendranath Dasgupta, 2001, p. 198, HB, Rs.2259. Natural Science of The Ancient HindusSurendranath Dasgupta, 2001 (3rd edn.), p.108, HB, Rs. 20010. Nyåyakusumå¤jali of Udayanåcårya Volume 1:(Trans. and Explanation) N.S. Dravid, 1996, p.514, HB, Rs. 55011. The Philosophy of The Tamil SiddhasT.N. Ganapathy, 2004 (2nd edn.), p. 250, HB,Rs. 14012. G.W.F. Hegel on The Episode of TheMahåbhårata known by the Name Bhagavad-Gª∂tå by Wilhelm Von Humboldt Herbert Herring(Ed. and trans. into English), 1995, p. 190, HB,Rs. 18513. Indiaís Intellectual Traditions Attempts at ConceptualReconstructions Daya Krishna (Ed.),2003, p. 228, HB, Rs. 42014. Sa§√våda: A Dialogue between Two PhilosophicalTraditions Daya Krishna, M.P. Rege, R.C.Dwivedi and Mukund Lath (Eds.), 1991, p. 276,HB, Rs. 20015. J¤ånagarbhaís Commentary on Just the MaitreyaChapter from The Samdhinirmocanasµutra JohnPowers (Study, Translation and Tibetan Text),1998, p. 168, HB, Rs. 25034

16. KauƒŒa Bha¢¢aís Vaiyåkara§ƒabhµuaƒasåra AnAnalytical Study Sandhya Rathore, 1998, p. 212,HB, Rs. 30017. M∂må√såma¤jar∂ R. Thangaswami Sarma,1996, p. 314, HB, Rs. 37518. ukxktqZud`r e/;ed'kkL= vkSj foxzgO;korZuh ;'knso 'kY;, 1990,p. 124, HB, Rs. 8019. Gautm∂yanyåyadar‹ana with Bhåya ofVåtsyåyana Anantalal Thakur (Ed.), 1997, p.388, HB, Rs. 46020. Nyåyabhåyavårttika of Bhåradvåja UddyotakaraAnantalal Thakur (Ed.), 1997, p. 548, HB, Rs.62521. Nyåyavårttikatåtparyapari‹uddhi of UdayanåcåryaAnantalal Thakur (Ed.), 1996, p. 622,HB, Rs. 68022. Nyåyavårttikatåtparyat∂kå of Våcaspatimi‹raAnantalal Thakur (Ed.), 1996, p. 722, HB, Rs.80023. Prakaraƒapa¤cikå of ›ålikanåtha with an Expositionin English K.T. Pandurangi, 2004, p. 508,HB, Rs. 55024. Man, Meaning and Morality Essays inHonour of Professor Rajendra Prasad, R.Balasubramanian and Ramashanker Misra(Eds.), 1995, p. 308, HB, Rs. 22525. Perspectives in Philosophy, Religion and ArtEssays in Honour of Margaret Chatterjee R.Balasubramanian and V.C. Thomas (Eds.),1993, p. 276, HB, Rs. 17526. Confessions and Commitments S.S. Barlingay,1994, p. 94, HB, Rs. 8027. The Philosophy of K. Satchidananda MurtySibajiban Bhattacharyya and Ashok Vohra(Eds.), 1995, p. 340, HB, Rs. 35035

28. The Philosophy of Daya Krishna BhuvanChandel and K.L. Sharma (Eds.), 1996, p. 362,HB, Rs. 36029. The Philosophy of G.R. Malkani SharadDeshpande (Ed.), 1997, p. 468, HB, Rs. 37530. Ever Unto God Essays on Gandhi and ReligionSushil Kumar Saxena, 1995 (2nd edn), p. 240,HB, Rs. 14031. Freedom, Transcendence and Identity Essaysin Memory of Kalidas Bhattacharyya, PradipKumar Sengupta (Ed.), 1988, p. 228, HB,Rs. 13532. The Philosophy of Nikunja Vihari BanerjeeMargaret Chatterjee (Ed.), 1990, p. 242, HB,Rs. 15033. The Philosophy of J.N. Mohanty Daya Krishnaand K.L. Sharma (Eds.), 1991, p. 274, HB,Rs. 17034. Paramparå Essays in Honour of R.Balasubramanian Srinivasa Rao, GodabarishaMishra (Eds.), 2003, p. 407, HB, Rs. 45035. Narayana Guru Nitya Chaitanya Yati, 2005,p. 320, HB, Rs. 35036. Pravas Jivan Chaudhary on Multi-aspects ofPhilosophy Pradip Kumar Sengupta (Ed.), 2003,p. 411, HB, Rs. 70037. ;’knso ’kY; dk n'kZu Nk;k jk; ,oa MkWñ dsñ ,yñ 'kekZ ¼lEiknd½,2002, p. 364, HB, Rs. 60038. Buddhist Thought and Culture in India and KoreaS.R. Bhatt (Ed.), 2003, p. 365, HB, Rs. 30039. The Philosophy of Suresh Chandra R.C.Pradhan (Ed.), 2004, p. 415, HB, Rs. 40040. Realism Responses and Reactions Essaysin Honour of Pranab Kumar Sen, D.P.36

Chattopadhyaya, Sandhya Basu, MadhabendraNath Mitra and Ranjan Mukhopadhyay (Eds.),2000, p. 626, HB, Rs. 85041. Facets of Recent Indian Philosophy: The Metaphysicsof the Spirit Volume 1 R.Balasubramanian (General Ed.), 1994, p. 372,HB, Rs. 15042. Indian Philosophy and History Volume 2: R.Balasubramanian (General Ed.), 1996, p. 384,HB, Rs. 27543. Problems of Indian Philosophy Volume 3: R.Balasubramanian (General Ed.), 1996, p. 350,HB, Rs. 27544. The Philosophy of Life Volume 4: R.Balasubramanian (General Ed.), 1998, p. 384,HB, Rs. 40045. Doubt, Belief and Knowledge SibajibanBhattacharyya, 1987, p. 318, HB, Rs. 15046. Towards a Critique of Cultural Reason R.Sundara Rajan, 2004 (2nd edn), p. 156, HB,Rs. 22546. Social Action and Non-violence R.K. Gupta,1995, p. 138, HB, Rs. 12547. Philosophical Reflections G.C. Nayak, 2002(2nd edn), p. 174, HB, Rs. 30048. Reference and Truth Pranab Kumar Sen, 1991,p. 258, HB, Rs. 17549. lŸkkfo"k;d vUoh{kk ;'knso 'kY;, 2004 (2nd edn), p. 248,HB, Rs. 25050. Studies in Phenomenology Hermeneutics andDeconstruction R. Sundara Rajan, 1991, p. 358,HB, Rs. 19051. The Primacy of The Political R. Sundara Rajan,2001 (2nd edn), p. 222, HB, Rs. 25037

52. Language, Knowledge and Ontology K.K.Banerjee, 1995, p. 420, HB, Rs. 22553. The Art of The Conceptual Explorations in aConceptual Maze Over Three Decades DayaKrishna, 1989, p. 360, HB, Rs. 20054. Philosophy and Religion Essays in InterpretationJ.L. Mehta, 2004 (2nd edn), p. 306, HB, Rs.36055. Karma, Causation and Retributive Morality ConceptualEssays in Ethics and Metaethics,Rajendra Prasad, 2004 (Reprint), p. 442, HB,Rs. 40056. Antarvyåpti (With Sanskrit Text and EnglishTranslation) Arun Mishra, 2002, p. 214, HB, Rs.35057. Ga∆ge‹a on The Upådhi The ìInferential UndercuttingConditionî Stephen H. Phillips andN.S. Ramanuja Tatacharya (Introduction, Translationand Explanation), 2002, p. 170, HB, Rs.25058. Mådhyamika ›µunyatå A Reappraisal G.C.Nayak, 2001, p. 104, HB, Rs. 25059. Discussion and Debate in Indian PhilosophyIssues in Vedånta, M∂må≈så and Nyåya, DayaKrishna (Ed.), 2004, p. 434, HB, Rs. 45060. Tolerance in Indian Culture R. Balasubramanian(Ed.), 2004 (Reprinted), p. 150, PB, Rs. 15061. A Critical Survey of Phenomenology and ExistentialismMrinal Kanti Bhadra, 2004 (2nd edn),p. 548, HB, Rs. 42562. Language, Testimony and Meaning SibajibanBhattacharyya, 1998, p. 204, HB, Rs. 25063. Phenomenology and Indian Philosophy D.P.Chattopadhyaya, Lester Embree and38

Jitendranath Mohanty, (Ed.) 2004 (2nd edn),p. 384, HB, Rs. 38064. Essays in Social and Political PhilosophyKrishna Roy and Chhanda Gupta (Ed.), 1989,p. 710, PB, Rs. 9065. A Short Moral Lexicon R.K. Gupta, 1996, p. 82,HB, Rs. 10066. Author and Subject Index of The PhilosophicalQuarterly Daya Krishna (Ed.), 1986, p. 126, PB,Rs. 2867. Author and Subject Index Philosophical AnnualVolumes I-XXXVIII Daya Krishna (Ed.), 1987,p. 60, PB, Rs. 1468. Select Bibliography of Journal Articles on philosophyReligion, Science and Related Aspectsof Indian Culture Debiprasad Chattopadhyaya(Ed.), 1988, p. 166, PB, Rs. 4069. A Union Catalogue of Philosophical PeriodicalsSubhas C. Biswas (Ed.), 1989, p. 188, PB,Rs. 5570. Author and Subject Index of The Journal of TheIndian Academy of Philosophy Volumes I-XVIIDaya Krishna (Ed.), 1990, p. 72, PB, Rs. 2071. Whoís Who of Teachers and Scholars in Philosophyin India Daya Krishna (Compiled), 1991,p. 64, PB, Rs. 2072. Author and Subject Index of The Journal ofIndian Council of Philosophical Research VolumesI-X Daya Krishna (Ed.), 1994, p. 138, PB,Rs. 3573. Author and Subject Index of The Journal ofIndian Council of Philosophical Research VolumesXI-XV Daya Krishna (Ed.), 2000, p. 117,PB, Rs. 5039

74. A Glossary of Technical Terms in the Commentariesof ›a∆kara, Råmånuja and Madhva onThe Brahma Sµutras Parts One and Two, K.Jayammal, Part One 1997 168 HB 265 Part two1998, p. 330, HB, Rs. 40075. Philosophy in India (Traditions, Teaching &Research) K. Satchidananda Murty, 1991 (2ndedn), p. 250, HB, Rs. 9076. Recent Developments in Analytical PhilosophyR.C. Pradhan, 2001, p. 530, HB, Rs. 65077. Art and Philosophy Seven Aestheticians SushilKumar Saxena, 1994, p. 372, HB, Rs. 24078. The Philosophy of P.F. Strawson Pranab KumarSen and Roop Rekha Verma (Eds.), 1995, p.460, HB, Rs. 42579. Fundamentals of Logic Arindama Singh andChinmoy Goswami, 1998, p. 326, HB, Rs. 45080. Insights into Inward Consciousness G.Srinivasan, 1994, p. 136, HB, Rs. 12581. History of Indian Philosophy A Russian ViewpointMarietta Stepanyants (Ed.), 1993, p. 246,HB, Rs. 15082. Ramana Maharshi a Bibliography Compiled byK. Subramaniyam, 1994, p. 198, HB, Rs. 12583. yqMfox foV~xsULVkbu dYpj ,.M oSY;w v’kksd oksgjk ¼vuqoknd½,1998, p. 304, HB, Rs. 40084. yqMfox foV~xsULVkbu v‚u lVsZfUV v'kksd oksgjk ¼vuqoknd½, 1998,p. 304, HB, Rs. 30085. yqMfox foB~xsULVkbu fQ+ykslkWfQ+dy bUosfLVxs'kal v'kksd oksgjk¼vuqoknd½, 1996, p. 306, HB, Rs. 30086. Wittgenstein New Perspectives Suresh Chandra,2002, p. 165, HB, Rs. 30087. Heteroclitic Fragments and Heretical CommentsA.P. Rao, 2004, p. 216, HB, Rs. 25040

88. Philosophy of Value-oriented Education Theoryand Practice Kireet Joshi (Ed.), 2002, p. 768,HB, Rs. 32589. Philosophy of Science Phenomenology andOther Essays D.P. Chattopadhyaya, 2003,p. 630, HB, Rs. 80090. Circularity Definition and Truth André Chapuisand Anil Gupta (Ed.), 2000, p. 408, HB, Rs. 56091. Bhakti Daya Krishna, Mukund Lath, Francine E.Krishna (Eds.), 2000, p. 263, PB, Rs. 30092. Mystery and Excellence of The Human BodyKireet Joshi (Ed.), 2003, p. 713, Rs. 120093. vPNk f’k{kd vkSj vPNk Nk=, 2002, p. 576, PB, Rs. 60094. Nala and Damayanti, p. 92, PB, Rs. 17095. Parvatiís Tapasya, p. 50, PB, Rs. 12096. The Siege of Troy, p. 79, PB, Rs. 15097. Alexander The Great, p. 93, PB, Rs. 16098. Catherine The Great, p. 71, PB, Rs. 13099. Homer and The Iliad, p. 78, PB, Rs. 150100. Knowledge Truth and Realism Essays in PhilosophicalAnalysis by Pranab Kumar SenManidipa Sen, Madhucchanda Sen, NirmalyaNarayan Chakraborty (Ed.), 2007, p. 167, HB,Rs. 250101. Paksatå the Nature of The Inferential Locus N.S.Dravid, 2007, p. 174, HB, Rs. 350102. The Paradox of Being Human Ramakant Sinari,2007, p. 254, HB, Rs. 350103. Intercivilizational Dialogue on Peace MadhuriSantanam Sondhi, p. 432, HB, Rs. 435104. Author and Subject Index of the Journal ofthe Indian Council of Philosophical ResearchVolume I-XX R.S. Bhatnagar, p. 326, HB41

105. The Central Problems of Bhartæhariís PhilosophyDevendra Nath Tiwari, p. 453, HB, Rs. 530106. Philosophy Culture and Value Essays onthe Thoughts of G.C. Pande (Ed.), R.C. Pradhan,p. 214, HB, Rs. 280BOOK EXHIBITIONIn order to promote its publications, the Council participatesin various Book exhibitions/fairs in different partsof the Country.Life Time Achievement Award Function.42