Chandigarh June 01 : Dr Akshay Kumar, who is a professor in the English department of the Panjab University here, described the overwhelming mandate given to the BJP-led NDA as a reflection of the aspirations of the poor and the deprived.
Delivering the keynote address on the topic, ”Unprecedented Mandate and its Challenges”, at a seminar organised by the Chandigarh Study Centre of the Panchnad Research Institute he said the people’s verdict in favour of the BJP had many positive aspects including that of the voting by young India on national issues while discarding the usual practice of voting in the name of caste and religion.
Dr Kumar said the narrative that emerged out of the election results had global, national and regional implications, besides being a reflection of Modi’s personal charisma.
According to Prof Akshay the narrative for such a political development was being prepared gradually by the intellectual discourse over the last several years. He listed the challenges facing the newly-installed union Government and said that the big challenges faced by this government included need to maintain harmony between globalism and protectionism or self- restraint. It would urgently require to maintain a fine balance between nationalism and regional aspirations.
Prof Brij Kishare Kuthiala, Director of Panchnad Research Institute in his intervention said that narrative building is a dynamic process and the intellectual class of the society has to consistently contribute to the national narrative thereby helping the political class and governance to remain on the right track.
Ashok Malik, President, National Union of Journalists was of the view that the concept of nation has its roots in culture and not geography or race alone. Ajay Bhardwaj, co-ordinator of the seminar said that the nation has voluntarily breached the barriers of faith and caste that had come to dominate the political discourse in the post-Mandal era.
Dipak Vasishth, Chairman of Chandigarh chapter of Panchnad said that restoring the credibility of media is also a big challenge before the new government. Prof Viney Kapoor, VC, Dr B.R Ambedkar National Law University was the Guest of Honour of the program attended by intellectuals of Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali.
