A two-day seminar and exhibition began on Saturday at the NDMC Convention Centre in New Delhi to mark the 60th anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya’s speeches on Integral Humanism, a philosophy that continues to influence India’s development.
The event was inaugurated by Arun Kumar, Seh Sarkaryawah of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), who paid floral tributes to Pandit Deendayal’s statue before officially opening the exhibition organised by the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Foundation and PPRC.
Arun Kumar lit the ceremonial lamp alongside Mahesh Chandra Sharma of the Integral Humanism Institute, signaling the start of the seminar.
The seminar attracted a distinguished gathering of intellectuals and political leaders from across India, including BJP National General Secretary (Organisation) BL Santosh, Joint General Secretary Shiv Prakash, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Bhupender Yadav, and several other prominent figures.
The exhibition, curated by Rajeev Babbar, was presented in a digital format for the first time and drew over 10,000 visitors. It highlighted Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya’s life and contributions, emphasising themes such as rural development, India’s foreign policy and the country’s global message, alongside a display of books authored about his legacy.
The seminar featured multiple thematic sessions. Dr Mahesh Chandra Sharma and Shiv Prakash spoke in the second session, followed by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the third.
Dr MS Chaitra also addressed the attendees before Union Minister Bhupender Yadav delivered insights into Pandit Deendayal’s life and philosophy. The final session was chaired by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.
In his opening remarks, Arun Kumar noted the significance of this seminar as part of a nationwide series commemorating 60 years of Integral Humanism alongside India’s 75th year of independence, termed the “Amrit Kaal.”
He reflected on the ideological challenges India faced post-independence, emphasising that the vision behind the Jan Sangh and later the BJP was not just organisational growth but societal transformation.
Arun Kumar highlighted that Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya’s philosophy was rooted in India’s own traditions and values, particularly Dharma, which he called the sustaining principle of national development. He stressed that Integral Humanism provides India’s unique “answer sheet” to growth, advocating self-awareness and confidence rather than copying foreign models.
Concluding his address, Arun Kumar emphasised that Integral Humanism remains the core mantra for India’s future development, underscoring the need to understand and embrace India’s distinctive cultural and philosophical heritage.