The second day of the 11th Amritsar Literature Festival, hosted by the research organisation Naad Pargaas and coordinated by the scholars of Khalsa College for Women, saw a vibrant turnout as the event delved into a series of rigorous academic debates. The day was defined by a sophisticated blend of seminars and panel discussions that drew together students and experts from across northern India, including Delhi, Haryana, and Jammu & Kashmir.
The morning session was initiated with the exploration of the nuances of the field of religious studies. In the presence of experts from Jamia Millia Islamia and the Central University of Kashmir, the session was set aflame by the presentation made by Dr Sukhwinder Singh on the inherent challenges within the academic field of the study of religion. The chairperson of the session was Dr Gaganjot Kaur, who to the participants emphasised the need to study religion and the need to move beyond the conventional dry approach to the study of religion and explore unique approaches to the same field of study.
As the day progressed, the topic shifted to the present digital world. Another session dealt with the link between popular culture, artificial intelligence, and the conventional academia. Panellists for this session included Divyani Jyoti from the Economic and Political Weekly, among other panellists. They discussed the information dissemination currently in a world where technology is progressing at a tremendous pace. Dr Lalan Baghel, the chairperson of the panel, raised critical questions regarding digital ethics and the present popular culture’s redefining nature with regards to history.
The final major event of the afternoon turned towards the philosophy of science. Experts moved beyond the usual talk of gadgets and material gains to discuss the broader conceptual shifts in modern scientific thought. According to Dr Gurvinder Singh of Chandigarh University, science tends to be defined in terms of technological progress alone. He advocated a change in the local curriculum, suggesting that students in Punjab need to be encouraged to think more about the philosophical aspects of scientific research rather than the results of that research.
Besides the debates, the festival also saw the launch of a new book edited by Dr Sukhwinder Singh. It was a celebration of the intellectually vibrant scene in the region, bringing together the old with the new.
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