Silchar : Assam University’s Department of Philosophy, in association with the Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems, hosted a two-day national seminar on July 28–29 to commemorate Indian Philosophers’ Day 2025. Titled “Revisiting the Upanishads: Classical and Contemporary Approaches,” the seminar was jointly sponsored by the Indian Council of Philosophical Research (ICPR) and the Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems, Assam University.

The inaugural ceremony began with the traditional lighting of the lamp by a distinguished panel, including Prof. Asoke Kumar Sen, Vice-Chancellor in-charge of Assam University; keynote speaker Prof. Nirmalya Narayan Chakraborty, Vice-Chancellor of Presidency University, Kolkata; Guest of Honour Prof. Tapodhir Bhattacharjee, former Vice-Chancellor of Assam University; Prof. Jayati Bhattacharjee, Dean of the S.R. School of Philosophical Studies; Prof. Gangabhushan M. Molankal, Director of the Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems; Dr. Pius V. Thomas, Head of the Department of Philosophy; and Dr. Munmun Chakraborty, seminar coordinator.

Welcoming the gathering, Dr. Pius V. Thomas set the tone for the event. Prof. Gangabhushan Molankal and Prof. Jayati Bhattacharjee shared their perspectives, followed by Dr. Munmun Chakraborty’s introduction to the seminar theme, highlighting the continued relevance of the Upanishads in the context of present-day philosophical discourse.

Prof. Asoke Kumar Sen delivered the inaugural address, stressing the importance of Indian philosophical traditions in shaping intellectual thought. The keynote lecture by Prof. Nirmalya Chakraborty offered a deep dive into the Pañcākośa doctrine from the Taittirīya Upanishad, alongside a reflective exploration of the “three superpowers of Brahman” in classical philosophy.

Adding to the scholarly dialogue, Prof. Tapodhir Bhattacharjee spoke on the interpretive traditions of Śaṅkarācārya and Madhvācārya, examining their philosophical contributions to Upanishadic texts.

The event continued with technical sessions featuring thought-provoking presentations by noted scholars, including Dr. Preetam Ghosal (Jadavpur University), Dr. Shakuntala Bora (Gauhati University), Dr. Sindhu Poudyal (Tripura University), Prof. Subhra Nag, Prof. Nirmali Barman, Prof. Shanti Pokhrel, Dr. Govind Sharma, and Dr. Joydeep Chakraborty (Assam University).

The inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Chongtham Nonglen Meitei, deputy coordinator of the seminar.

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