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IIAS organized its 25th Radhakrishanan Memorial Lecture

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The Himachal Herald, Shimla

The Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Rashtrapati Niwas, Shimla organized its 25th Radhakrishanan Memorial Lecture (RKML) as per annual series on 14th October 2022 at the Library Hall, today. More than 300 dignitaries from the state administration, central government and from different walks of life took part in this prestigious event.

The program started with lamp lighting and welcome address by Professor Nageshwar Rao, Director IIAS and Vice-Chancellor IGNOU. The introduction of the chief guest and the program was done by the chairperson of the Institute Prof. ShashiPrabha Kumar and then the chief guest Hon’ble Mr. Justice P.S.Narasimha, Judge, Supreme Court of India, delivered 25th RKM Lecture on “Constitutional Fraternity (Bandhutwam in the working of our constitution)”. He spoke about the working of constitution, how does it work and how do we understand our rights. There are two problems which clashes to each other’s the first is exercises of powers and second is about understanding our fundamental rights. The constitution has widely protected us from the conflict between exercises of powers of the state and fundamental rights and freedom which were contrasted with the society. State exercise of powers naturally comes with conflict because it limits individuals to very limited and this conflict is resolved only by the constitution. This conflict can also be resolved with public good at one hand and independence on the other. This also can be resolved with another method which is called fraternity. To understand fraternity it is closely associated with a bonding or brotherhood and a relationship with other with presence and identity, only then you gets dignity. He also talked about the commonalities of the India during colonialism and how the political parties and freedom fighters united Indians, brought all together with different identities, diversities and cultural values which largely affected our livings and existence. National Unity, Khadi, upliftment schemes for Scheduled castes are some of the constitutional faces. Joint entrepreneurships with community, fundamental rights, feeling of oneness and tolerance brought Indian minds together and got ideas and lessons. These are the values that we incorporate in the constitution. All the presidents of the constituent assembly also felt that living jointly is extremely important. Constitutional debates also talk about our identity and there is a need for it. Governance, Guarantee along with fundamental rights is also provided by the constitution. We can remove all these fundamental defects with spiritual bonds. Civilization is a thought of spirituality which is not external is internal aspiration. Constitution is adocument which distributes powers and rights and declare the fundamental rights absolute in nature with its limits. It provides organs to the state like legislature, judiciary and right to equality etc. It is an organic system which resolves Exercise of the powers by the state and individuals with fundamental rights, nature and attitude of human beings. So the constitution is a living document.

And the Fraternity is not enforceable but by human nature it relates to selflessness with integral part. There is a psychological feature of selflessness at the bottom and a feature of selflessness exists in souls with everyone with intellect, knowledge and freedom of equality for everyone which makes godhood in everyone. Limits of the power of the state cannot proceed constitution but limits of individual will enable everyone to achieve their rights. There is saying that how do we treat others? And the answer is that there is no other.

RKML@IIAS The vision of Former President of India Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, the remarkable philosopher-statesman, led to the foundation of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS) in the year 1965. In order to pay tribute to the great philosopher President and founder of the Institute, the IIAS started an annual lecture in 1991. Twenty-four Radhakrishnan Memorial Lectures have been organized so far which were delivered by eminent educationalists, academics, and policy leaders of the country.