REPORT

Vichar Vibhag Seminars

AICC Vichar Vibhag seminar held recently in the Capital. (From L to R) Dr. Dheerendra Tyagi, Mr. Ashwani Kumar, Dr. Manmohan Singh, Mr. Vinod Mehta and Dr. Prabha Thakur are seen in the picture .

NEW DELHI : A seminar on "Academic Freedom, Intellectual integrity and Democratic Traditions" was organised by the AICC Vichar Vibhag at India International Centre, New Delhi, on 11 August, 2001. The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Ashish Nandi and it was presided over by Mr. Dilip Padgaonkar, noted journalist, as moderator. The Seminar was attended by prominent professionals and intellectuals from different streams. The Seminar was addressed by Mr. Ashwani Kumar, Chairman, Dr. Prabha Thakur, Co-Chairman and Mr. Dheerendra Tyagi, Secretary, AICC Vichar Vibhag. Mr. Ram Niwas Mirdha, senior Congress leader, made valuable contribution in the proceedings. A lively discussion took place on the subject.

The Vichar Vibhag organised another seminar on "Towards clean and Transparent Governance : Role of Political Parties" at the India International Centre Auditorium on 22 September, 2001. The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Man Mohan Singh and it was chaired and moderated by Mr. Vinod Mehta, Editor, Outlook. Mr. Ashwani Kumar, Dr. Prabha Thakur and Mr. Dheerendra Tyagi contributed to the proceedings. University professors, doctors, civil servants, ambassadors, advocates, media persons, social workers and intellectuals attended the seminar.

Present on the occasion also included Mr. Anand Sharma, ex-MP and Congress party spokesman, Mr. Daljit Singh, Secretary AICC, Mr. A.N. Verma, senior civil servant and former Advisor to Prime Minister, Mr. Ashwani Kumar (I.P.S.), former DGP, Punjab, Mr. Ranjit Singh, former Ambassador, Col. Wahi, ex-Chairman of Indian Oil and Mr. Rakesh Bhan, advisor to Chief Minister Chattisgarh, Mr. Ajit Jogi.

From L to R : Mr. Ashwani Kumar, Dr. Dilip Padgaonkar, Prof. Ashish Nandi, Dr. Prabha Thakur and Mr. Ram Niwas Mirdha at a Vichar Vibhag seminar held in New Delhi.

Sonia Gandhi Stresses on Good Governance

Following is the message of the Congress president, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, sent to the AICC Vichar Vibhag seminar on "Towards clean and Transparent governance : Role of Political Parties" held on 22 September, 2001, in New Delhi :

Good governance is the urgent need of the hour in our country. In the broadest sense, it means strengthening the pillars of our democracy - the executive, the legislature and the judiciary - and enabling them to effectively fulfil the roles envisaged for them in our magnificent Constitution. In recent years, we have taken significant steps to make our democracy and its institutions at all levels more representative. This process must continue. But at the same time, these institutions must serve the needs of the people in a more substantial manner, must be sensitive to the concerns of ordinary citizens in greater measure and must be seen to be functioning in a transparent manner with only the public interest as their sole guiding principle.

I am glad that the AICC Vichar Vibhag is organising a seminar on this subject with special reference to the role of political parties in spreading the culture of clean and ethical governance. I hope that the seminar will succeed in brining out the Congress’s commitment, in or out of power, to fundamental values and basic principles that place the uppermost priority to the interests of the country and have paramount concern for the welfare and well-being of the weaker sections of society.