PANAJI: The spirit of 18th June 1946, remains very valid today in the context of need for rejuvenation of the national spirit and consolidation of democratic forces today, said Prof. Anand Kumar, an eminent sociologist and scholar on Dr Ram Manohar Lohia.
Speaking at an online panel discussion on ‘Remembering Lohia, 18th June and what it means today’ organised by the D.D. Kosambi School of Social Sciences, Goa University; Prof. Anand Kumar pointed out that Lohia has often been misunderstood as an anarchist without a vision for development. On the contrary, Dr Lohia’s ideas can best be understood through people’s power and participatory democracy under the rubric of democratic socialism and time is now right for us to go deeper into his vision.
Prof. Sushila Mendes, historian, focussing on essence of 18th June movement, highlighted that the core issue then was civil liberties for which thousands of Goans came on streets. Issues of civil liberties and freedom of expression do find a striking relevance today in view of the curbs which are often put on citizens when they express an opinion not to the liking of the political class. The celebration of ‘Goa Revolution Day’ every year should go beyond the symbolic rituals and should emphasise on the core values that the freedom fighters actually stood for, asserted Prof. Sushila Mendes.
The event was chaired by Prof. Ganesha Somayaji, Dean, DDK School of Social Sciences and was attended by a number of students, faculty and researchers from Goa and abroad.
