Two Day National Conference on
DR. B. R. AMBEDKAR’S PERSPECTIVES ON STATE, SOCIETY AND
ECONOMY: REVISITING HIS VISION AND MISSION
22nd -23rd February – 2017
Organized by Dr. B.R Ambedkar 125th Year Birth Anniversary Celebrations Committee,
University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad-500046. Sponsored by University for Potential Excellence
(UPE) - University of Hyderabad & ICSSR, New Delhi.
Concept Note
Dr. B.R Ambedkar is one of the key architects of modern India. He played a vital role in the making of the independent Indian nation-state. His visionary outlook on building multiple modern institutional ideas such as secular democratic polity, socialist economy, social transformation and gender equality are guiding principles the Indian constitution, mainly drafted by him. The unique position enjoyed by India as the biggest democracy in the world today and its persistence as a flourishing, free and successful democracy is primarily because of the spirit and practice of the Indian Constitution carefully crafted and instilled by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The transformation of the country from being a feudal society into a progressive modern nation is mainly attributed to the foresightedness of Ambedkar’s visionary outlook.
The state and civil society across the globe in general and India in particular is celebrating the 125 years of Dr BR Ambedkar birth anniversary. Though his father worked for the British Indian Army, young Ambedkar was subjected to multiple forms of discrimination and humiliation in school and society on everyday basis. Despite of the odds he topped the matriculation examination. After completing his college education, he went to London and to the United States to pursue his higher education. He had obtained his doctoral degree in economics. Though he was a student of economics, he grappled with the philosophy and sociology of caste, theoretical and methodological foundations
of graded inequalities in the Indian society. Perhaps, it is not an exaggeration to say that he is the only leader in modern India who achieved highest educational qualifications despite his low social ranking and humble economic background.
As we are in the era of globalization of capital and culture, Indian political economy and cultural diversity is undergoing a fundamental transformation. Most of the marginal social groups are experiencing further exclusion from multiple social, political and economic institutions. At this critical historical juncture, it is important to re-visit some of the postulates and propositions within
Ambedkar’s social, economic and political philosophies.
Dalit society, political parties and civil society organizations across India, starting from Punjab to Kerala, started incorporating his ideological perspectives and are owning his image and imagination to understand and address most complex issues of the contemporary Indian society. The main reason for growing popularity of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar lies in stresses on scientific-rational approach towards analyzing and finding solutions to caste based social hierarchies and other graded social systems of inequality in the Indian society. The ultimate goal he wished to achieve through his vision and mission is to 1Dr BR Ambedkar was born on 14th April 1891in a Dalit family in a town named MHOW (Military Headquarters of War) in present day Madhya Pradesh transform Indian society into a social democracy with economic egalitarianism.
Further, Dr.B.R. Ambedkar has been the only undisputed leader and icon who championed the cause of Dalits, who were historically subjected to multiple forms of oppression and discrimination in diverse spheres of life. Dr. B R Ambedkar, who inspired millions of the oppressed communities across the globe in general and India in particular, deserves fitting academic tribute through convergence of scholars to understand his life, times and works in a comprehensive manner. The University of Hyderabad, one of the leading public universities in India, joins the Nation in celebrating 125 years of Dr. B R Ambedkar’s legacy by organizing a two day national conference on 22-23 February 2017.
The following sub-themes are proposed for deliberation in the conference:
1. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar’s social philosophy, methodological approach and critical reflections2. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar's perspective on Caste
3. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar's perspective on Religion
4. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar's approach towards the idea of nation-state
5. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar's vision on Indian economy
6. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar's ideas on Education
7. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar's ideas on Gender
8. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar's ideas on Minorities
9. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar's ideas on Adivasi
10. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar's views on Science and Technology
Call for Paper:
Academicians and research scholars are invited to contribute a paper covering the above themes.
The paper should be in a standard format with 8000 word limit. The abstract of the paper should
be limited to 300 words. Name of the Author and institutional affiliation should be mentioned in
the abstract page.4
Soft copies of abstracts on the conference theme should be e-mailed to gnrajuhcu@gmail.com
on or before 10th January, 2017. The authors will be intimated about the status of abstract by email. Full length paper should be submitted on or before 10th February, 2017.
Timeline:
Last Date for submission of Abstract: 10th January 2017
Acceptance of Abstract: 15th January 2017
Last Date for submission of Full Paper: 10th February 2017
Date of conference: 22-23rd February 2017
Outcome of the conference: The ultimate aim of the conference is to deliberate on the themes
and perspectives of Dr. B R Ambedkar and publish three volumes based on the conference
proceedings.
Accommodation & Travel Allowances: Accommodation will be provided to the out station
participants. Travel Allowance will be reimbursed according to the University of Hyderabad
norms.
Conference Coordinator:
Dr. Nagaraju Gundemeda
Associate Professor
Department of Sociology
School of Social Sciences
Hyderabad Central University
Hyderabad -500046
E-mail: gnrajuhcu@gmail.com or ngss@uohyd.ernet.in
Mobile: +91-8332814204
