AMRITSAR:  The thoughts, ideology and the characters portrayed in Valmiki's Ramayana are assumed to be analyzed in the present context. Ram has both potential and kinetic energy in his character. But in today's world it is Ravan who is burning another Ravan.

These views were expressed by Dr. Vachaspati Upadhyaya, Vice-Chancellor, S.L.B.S. Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth, Delhi while delivering his inaugural address at the 2-Day International seminar on "Life and Ideology of Maharshi Valmiki Ji". This seminar was organized by the Guru Nanak Dev University under the aegis of its Department of Sanskrit, Pali & Prakrit in collaboration with the Central Valmiki Shabha International, U.K., here today.

Swami Tirath Nath from Peer Nigahen, Una, Himachal Pradesh also graced the occasion. Dr. Vachaspati said that the philosophy of Maharishi Valmiki ji is the complete guide for the welfare of mankind.

Dr. Vachaspati said the need of hour is to evaluate the immortal characters of Ramayana in today's context. He said Dushehra was celebrated as the victory of good over evil and Ravan is burnt every year. But today, one Rawan is burning another Rawan without introspecting the human values, he added.

Dr. Ramakant Angiras in his keynote address said that the political, social, ethical, family and psychological problems can be solved through the teachings of Maharishi Valmiki as mentioned in the Valmiki Ramayan and Yog Vashishth. He emphasized that the social norms established since long are being violated. These could be restored through the teachings of Valmiki.

Dr. F.C. Sahota, President, Central Valmiki Sabha, UK while speaking on this occasion said that their organization in UK is promoting and spreading the teachings of Maharishi Valmiki. He said that the thoughts of Valmiki ji are still relevent in this materialistic era. He hoped that the deliberations of this two-day seminar would be helpful for researchers and be a torch bearer for young generation.

Dr. Ramakant Angiras, a distinguished Sanskrit scholar from Chandigarh delivered the key-note address while Mr. Sardool Singh Bandala, Ex-MLA, Dr.Manjula Sachdeva from Patiala, Dr.Gangadhar Pande from  Banaras, Dr. Rajinder Sharma from Hoshiarpur, Dr. Raghbir Singh from Hoshiarpur. Dr. Ved Kumari Ghai, Dr. Ram Partap, Dr. Ram Bhadur Shukla from Jammu and Dr. F.C. Sahota, President, Central Valmiki Sabha, UK also expressed their views on this occasion.

On this occasion, Dr. Vachaspati Upadhyaya and Mr. Sardool Singh Bandala released a book edited by Dr.Manjula Sachdeva on the life and thought of Maharshi Valmiki Ji.