New Delhi, Feb 7: Scholars and statesmen/politicians and representatives of the governments of the Central Asian Region had gathered here to participate in the 3rd International Conference of the Himalaya-Hind Mahasagar Rashtra Samuh on India and Central Asia: Historical, Cultural and Economic Connectivity.

 

 

 

 

The conference was organized by the School of Language, Literature and Cultural Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, in collaboration with Forum for Awareness of National Security (FANS) at the Convention Centre, JNU. The co-partners of the conference were Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), Power grid, NTPC, Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), and Nishpaksh Pratidin.

 

 

 

 

Approximately 500 delegates including dignitaries from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Iran, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Mongolia, Afghanistan and Kazakhstan, along with representatives of the Indian Defense Services and Indian Civil Services, academicians, researchers, scholars and social thinkers from India and abroad participated in the conference. 

 

 

The objective of the conference was to discuss the longstanding historical, cultural, political and economic relationship between India and Central Asia. The conference shed new light on the deep cultural linkages between the two regions, in terms of people-to-people contact, historical linkages, trade and commerce, among other topics.

Presenting a keynote address at the inaugural session of the conference, Indresh Kumar, RSS National Executive member and Patron of FANS shared his views on the importance of diversity and tolerant nature of Bharatiya society. Deliberating on the philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutmbakam’ in the present context, he said that Bharat never wanted to invade any nation or subjugate people. On the other hand, the Bharatiya people, wherever they went, enhanced and value added the local culture and traditions.

 

 

 

 

 

Appealing to the people to strive for peace and non-violence, he said Bharat can be the best leader of the world in this mission of propagating peace and universal brotherhood. Unfolding the beauty of different names Indresh Kumar said that these names like Aryavarta, Hindustan, Hind and Bharat are based on the quality and character of the nation and not merely on its geographical entity or expanse. He strongly remarked that the title of Vishwaguru belongs to India because India has shown remarkable characteristics to lead the world on principles of peace, brotherhood and development. He concluded his address with the promising motto of “Jai Bharat, Jai Asia, Jai Jagat.”

 

 

In his introductory remarks, Prof. M. Mahtab Alam Rizvi observed that India has played a significant role in the Central Asian region since time immemorial. He also focused on the standard foreign policies of India in the last few years. According to Prof. Rizvi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made a significant observation about India and Central Asia relationship by deliberating on three important points: mutual cooperation with Central Asian countries for security, creation of effective strategies of cooperation, and charting a road map for future cooperation.

Mahesh Chandra Sharma (Director, RDFIH) delivered a poignant speech on the nuances of the concept of nation-state. According to him, there should be a serious academic discourse on ‘geo-cultural nationalism.’ 

 

 

Lt. Gen. (Retd.) R. N. Singh, National President of FANS, in his address, highlighted the role of India in establishing mutual cooperation among central Asian countries. Maj Gen (Retd) Souresh Bhattacharya, President of the Delhi chapter of FANS also cast light on the role of HHRS conference in creating an academic platform for discussion on key issues related to India and Central Asia.

 

 

 

 

Golok Behari Rai, National General Secretary of FANS, in his address, observed that the Bharatiya culture spread in the Central Asian region without the use of weapons and deployment of armies because traders, artists and scholars were the cultural ambassadors of Bharatiya Parampara.

 

 

At the opening of the session, Prof. Mazhar Asif, the Coordinator of the conference delivered his welcome speech. Besides Indresh Kumar, the Inaugural Session was graced by the presence of Mahesh Chandra Sharma (Director, RDFIH), Golok Behari Rai (National General Secretary, FANS), Lt. Gen. (Retd.) R. N. Singh (National President, FANS), Maj. Gen. (Retd.) S. Bhattacharya (President, FANS, Delhi Chapter), Prof. Mazhar Asif (Dean, SLL&CS, JNU), Prof. M. Mahtab Alam Rizvi (Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi) and other dignitaries. 

 

 

Scholars of repute from various central Asian nations including Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Iran, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Mongolia, Afghanistan and Kazakhstan, and also from India, presented research papers during the six business sessions that followed on the various topics of the mutual cooperation and trust underlining the need for a peaceful and violence-free world order.

 

 

Taking the thread of the discussions at the business sessions further, Indresh Kumar in his valedictory address stressed that nobody is a kaffir in this world because we are all believers, though in different gods and spiritual principles.

 

 

He urged the world to strongly condemn the terror activities, which, according to him, are the enemies of peace and progress in the world. The world should be free of terrorism. We must ensure a world free of war and riots. He further said that division and discrimination based on religion and caste are the biggest obstacles in achieving a riot-free world. He appealed to everyone to respect all religions, sects and communities for establishing brotherhood and mutual respect in the society. He envisioned an ‘untouchability-free world’ that would lead to mutual respect, cooperation and enhanced communication.