Papers invited on "Shaping of Post-Independence India: Nehruism and the Indian Civilisational Ethos"

The initial years of independence saw the competing ideas seeking to shape the destiny of post- independence India. It was in actuality based on competing vision for shaping the contours of the newly independent Indian republic between Nehruism and the forces which claimed to be more representative of India’s civilisational and cultural ethos. It led to contesting paradigms in the fields of politics, society, economy, culture and education having a decisive impact on the future of the country. Nehruism faced challenges on the emotional issues of the integration of Kashmir, handling of the refugee influx from Pakistan, diplomatic relations with Pakistan in the context of its systematic persecution of minorities, introduction of the Hindu Code Bill, adoption of ‘socialist’ economy with emphasis on public sector heavy industries, etc. This panel would examine the different planes on which the different ideas on all these issues struggled for contention and examine the contours of the debates of the time.

(Session Chair and Principal Investigator: Shri Amba Charan Vashishtha, Political Commentator and Writer)