Dr. Avnish Jolly, Chandigarh, 7th January, 2009 :Dr. V.K. Kool, Professor of Psychology, State University of New York UTICA , NY . USA delivered Special Lecture on “Non-Violence, Spandrels and Building Peace Cultures” at ICSSR Complex, P.U. Campus here today. Professor Raj K. Gupta, Chairperson, Department of Education, Panjab University welcomed the guest-speaker and audience. – She highlighted the achievements of Professor Kool who started his career in BHU, then IIT Bombay, University of Wisconsin and University of New York .
Dr. V.K. Kool, Professor of Psychology, State University of New York , USA . Spoke that U.N. has adopted year 2008 as a year of Culture of Peace. He stressed that the peace should be a way of life and talked about three basic conceptual frame-works of peace keeping, peace making and peace building. Peace is to be developed as an institution. He also talked on scripting and priming and the need of model stories from Mahabharta and Panchtantras.
Professor Kool emphasized that priming is activation of thought process which is very important. If we are primed for violent thought process; we become violent and if it is non-violence thought process, it is non-violence. As per Post- Darwinian Concept the spandrels are important for peace and violence. Talking about building peace cultures, he gave examples of his research experience in non-violence, cultures and society. He concluded by saying that self control is the key factor of both peace and non-violence.
Professor Bupinder Brar, Honorary Director, ICSSR North-Western Regional Centre Chaired the Lecture.
Shri P.K. Saini, Deputy Director, ICSSR North-Western Regional Centre while proposing vote of thanks observed that with violence we can not achieve any sustainable change. History has proven that clearly, it can be achieved only without violence and only with higher consciousness of the majority of the people on the earth.