While emphasising the basic principles that make the foundation of integral humanism, Rajya Sabha member and eminent journalist Dr Chandan Mitra on Thursday said that ‘duties’ and ‘rights’ are two sides of a triangle if ‘dharma’ is the base. He was delivering the Sardar Patel Memorial lecture at the National Media Centre on the topic ‘Marxism, Socialism and Integral Humanism’.

Through years, topics relating to India, humanity and socio-political affairs have been the highlight of this lecture.In his lecture, Mitra threw light on the essential qualities of humanism and brought out the true essence of the three different ideologies at hand.

In his insightful lecture, Mitra spoke on how Sardar Patel worked and the way he lived. He also gave a deep insight into the struggle between the three ideologies of Marxism, Socialism and Integral humanism. He said that these three ideologies were a blueprint of harmonious and more inclusive society. During his lecture, Dr Mitra also tried to explain concepts of democracy and freedom in the context of Integral humanism. He elaborated on principles of dharma, arth, karma and moksha.

While talking of Sardar Patel, Dr Mitra said, “The map of India is itself a monument of this great Sardar Patel.”He said that it was humbling for him to deliver a lecture that has acquired a coveted status among lectures in the country. He also spoke intensively about Deen Dayal Upadhyay’s geniuses and vision.

The Sardar Patel Memorial lecture was started in 1955 and provides a platform to think and ponder about our society. Every year, the All India Radio organises the lecture to remember India’s first Information & Broadcasting Minister.

Every year, the public broadcaster chooses a topic, which is relevant to the changing society in not only India but the world. Their earlier topic of discussions had been ‘The Good Administrator’, ‘The New Era of Science’, ‘The Unity and Diversity in India’ and so on. Each topic defined political, economic and social scenario of that year.

Mitra’s lecture will be broadcasted on October 31 at 9.30 pm on the national radio network, so that people can benefit from the discussion and use the learning of Sardar Patel to their advantage.