Banasthali Vidyapith Dean Prof Preeti Sharma Talks on Gandhi and Technology at Birla Shishu Vihar Pilani Rajasthan

It is well known that Banasthali as an institution is a jewel in the crown among the women’s universities not only in India today but across the globe. Pilani considered as Oasis in the desert state of Rajasthan is well known in India today for top ranking institutions like Birla Institute of Technology and Science - BITS Pilani as well as CSIR Laboratory CEERI, L.N. Birla Naturopathy & Yoga Kendra and globally renowned Birla Science Centre.

Birla Science Centre Pilani Innovation Hub & Skill Development Centre organised an Expert Lecture at Birla Shishu Vihar Pilani on Gandhi and Technology on 30 Jan 2019 Martyrs’ day by Prof Preeti Sharma Dean Faculty of Social Sciences & HoD History & Indian Culture Banasthali Vidyapith which is World’s largest fully residential Women’s University.

With 20 plus years of teaching experience Prof Preeti Sharma specialization is in Ancient Indian History, Art , and rock-cut temple architecture. Her current research areas include philosophy of history, feminine representation in arts and literature; gender history & folkloric studies. She has authored more than thirty publications in national and international journals, Written two books namely ‘Rock Cut Temples of South India: Architectural Dimension’ and other ‘Cultural Heritage of Rajasthan’. She has also been associated with Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, Shimla as a UGC Research Associate. She has delivered talks at various professional forums and universities, both within India and abroad, including Cambridge (UK), Barcelona (Spain), Shanghai (China), Italy, Athens (Greece). To her credit, she has seventy seminars, conferences and workshops. Her articles have also been published in several reference books. She also coordinated the National Council of Rural Institutes (NCRI), Ministry of Human Resource Development; Government of India sponsored Major Extension Project ‘Empowering Unemployed Rural Women through Training, in Khadi.

Talk began with Dr Preeti Sharma and other dignitaries offering floral trinutes to father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi who was killed on this very date in 1948. A group of students rendered the most favorite bhajan of Mahatma Gandhi “`Vaishnav Jan to Tene Kahiye” in a soul stirring way. Prof Preeti Sharma in her talk put across to the students her views on Gandhi and Technology. Gandhiji wanted development at all levels with particular focus on rural folks and agriculture. It is wrong to say that Gandhi was anti technology. He wanted technology to create jobs and not end jobs. Gandhi was against the de-humanising aspect of machinery. Louis Fischer wrote that a meeting with Gandhi probably influenced Charlie Chaplin to make ‘Modern Times’, a film on that theme.

Gandhi was also worried about the inequality that mechanization could create. He wanted the concentration of wealth, not in the hands of few, but in hands of all. Gandhiji was for machines that could reach the masses, and make their lives better. Gandhi was not opposed to technology per se but to technologism, which was a condition that created a hierarchical relationship between those who possess technology and those who do not, and man and nature. When the talk ended, there was a thunderous round of applause and Dr Preeti Sharma was honoured with a glittering memento and shawl by the organizers.

The dignitaries who graced the occasion included Dr VN Dhaulakhandi Director Birla Science Centre and Sri KK Pareek Deputy Director (Finance) Birla Education Trust. Mr Pavan Vashishtha Principal Birla Shishu Vihar thanked Dr Preeti Sharma for the thought provoking talk and Mr Vikramjeet Singh Arora Curator (Exhibits & Programmes) anchored the proceedings.

For more details about Banasthali see http://www.banasthali.org/

About Banasthali: Established in 1935, the Institution which is also the largest fully residential women’s university in the world has played a big role in revolutionizing women’s education and empowerment in India for the last eight decades. Banasthali has scripted numerous success stories in a wide range of fields, and stands tall among the citadels of learning in India today. Proud to be Banasthali alumni who call themselves as Banasthalites can be found in all latitudes, longitudes and altitudes in all walks of life across the globe. Banasthali has the pride of being chosen as a Faculty Development Centre under the MHRD Govt of India Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya National Mission on Teachers and Teaching (PMMMNMTT) as well as for hosting Atal Incubation Centre (AIC) by NITI Aayog Apart from various National Rankings which include India Today #2, FICCI University of the year 2015, NAAC A grade, MHRD NIRF 29, in recent past, Banasthali has been in national and international media attention for getting Quacquarelli Symonds QS Asia University Ranking, QS BRICS Ranking, Diamond status under QS i-Gauge Indian University Rating and the overall Four Star Ranking in - QS Stars Rated for Excellence with 5 Stars for each for Teaching, Employability, Facilities, Arts & Culture and Inclusiveness.

Banasthali Vidyapith
Banasthali Rajasthan – 304022
Phone 91 1438 228456 / 228341
Email: info@banasthali.ac.in
Website: http://www.banasthali.org
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This release was published on openPR.