Prof.Valerian Rodrigues delivers Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
Memorial Lecture at UoH

Hyderabad|India|August'2009: Prof. Valerian Rodrigues, Chairman,
Centre for Political Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
delivered lecture titled ‘Ambedkar on Modernity and Religion’ at the IX
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Memorial Lecture organized by University of Hyderabad on
21 August 2009 at Sir C V Raman Auditorium in the University campus.
Prof. Valerian Rodrigues discussed several variants of modernity with
respect to various religions. He felt that Modernity in India spelt
distinct perspectives to share and relation between Modernity and Religion
is complimentary rather than contradictory.
Prof. Valerian in his lecture quoted Dr. Ambedkar’s philosophy on Religion
that Dr. Ambedkar differed Religion as a Private affair and Religion
provides ample opportunities to interact with others and added that every
religion has its wisdom to evaluate certain principles on its own.
He further added that Dr. Ambedkar made historical forays into Hinduism
and Buddhism and in his quest towards fulfillment, Ambedkar switched to
Buddhism and added that Hinduism is plural and diverse and several streams
fed into it.
Earlier, Mr. Arjun Kumar, Dy. Registrar, Registrar Cell, University of
Hyderabad welcomed the packed audience and Prof. Seyed E. Hasnain, Vice
Chancellor, presided over the lecture. Mr. C.P. Mohan Kumar, Registrar,
proposed the vote of thanks.
Dr. Valerian Rodrigues, Chairman, Centre for Political Studies, JNU, New
Delhi has published extensively on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
Reachout's News Bureau
August' 2009