Online seminar series: What is the Global South and why it matters - Session 2

Guru-Śiṣya Paramparā: The transformative potential of pedagogical love in fostering inclusiveness, drawing inspiration from Indian culture and tradition

Speaker: Dr Prashant P Dharmadhikari, Assistant Professor in English at the Department of English Studies at Central University of Gujarat, Vadodara Gujarat, India 

Dr Dharmadhikari will focus on transformative potential of pedagogical love in fostering inclusiveness, drawing inspiration from Indian culture and tradition. It explores how ancient scriptures like Vedas, Upanishads and Bhagvadgeeta emphasiaes pedagogical love. The role of 'guru-shishya Parampara' (i.e. teacher-pupil relationship) is highlighted. The talk will also highlight the need of integrating traditional and modern pedagogical practices to create inclusive learning environment.

About the speaker

Dr Prashant P. Dharmadhikari works as assistant professor in English at the Department of English Studies at the Central University of Gujarat, Vadodara Gujarat, India. He is a recognised research supervisor (PhD guide) of Central University of Gujarat and teaches subjects such as literature of the Neo-classical period and Victorina Period of English literature, Indian knowledge system, society and literature. He also teaches western methods of understanding discourses at the Centre for Hindu Studies and Centre for Holistic Education and Personality Development. He is an expert member on the Board of Studies of the Department of Chinese Studies and the Department of German Studies. He is a master trainer of IKS recognised by UGC and IKS Division Govt of India.

Having master's in English and Sanskrit to his credit, he is a creative writer, poet, and translator. He completed his PhD research on the post-millennial Indian mythological fiction in English at Pune University. He is the recipient of the prestigious Vasudevshastri Abhyankar Award for ranking first in MA (Sanskrit) from Tilak Maharashtra University, Pune for the academic year 2009/10. He has completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Comparative Mythology from University of Mumbai. He has also completed an intensive certificate course in French from Ranade Institute, SPPU, Pune. He has published a variety of research papers on Indian English literature and mythological fiction. He is a research associate on the UGC sponsored major research project entitled ‘The Influence of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata on Indian English Literature’ at Bharati Vidyapeeth, Pune.

He participated in an educational visit to Oxford, Cambridge and London organised by Vidya Prasarak Mandal Thane, in 2014, 2016 and 2019. He was invited by Maharashtra Mandal, London to perform a literary event on the Poetic Genius of Veer Sawarkar to mark his 136th birth anniversary on 28 May, 2019. He delivered a lecture on ‘Western Scholars of Upanishads’ at HSS, Edgware, London.

He gave a lecture on Japanese Haikus about India at Kyoto Sangyo University, Japan during a cultural exchange programme to Japan in September 2019. He visited Kyoto Sangyo University and Osaka University Japan. He was course instructor of Conversational English to the Students of Kyoto Sangyo University. He has edited a book entitled Higher Education in India: Retrospect and Prospect. His three entries on Booker Award winning English novels have been published by Marathi Vishwakosh. He was felicitated at the hands of His Holiness Shankaracharya of Shringeri Peetham for Complete Recitation of Bhagavad-Gita with the award of Rs.21, 000 on 20 January 2008. He was interviewed by DD Sahyadri. His five speeches on Communication Skills in Dnyaneshwari were broadcasted by All India Radio, Mumbai.

He was invited by Rashtrapati Bhavan to attend Book Release Function on 14 April 2018 at Darbar Hall. The book titled “Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar: Vyakti Nahi Sankalp” was authored by Hon. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and was released at the hands of Hon. President of India Shri Ramnath Kovind and Hon. Vice President of India Shri. Vainkayya Nayadu. He was invited by the Consular General of India, Brazil and The Swami Vivekanand Cultural Centre, Sau Paulo, Brazil ,The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) to deliver a virtual lecture on “Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj” to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the coronation of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on 6 June 2023.

He knows seven languages (English, Sanskrit, Marathi, Hindi, Gujarati, French and Urdu)

About the seminar series

The series features speakers from across the world, drawn from social science and social work disciplines who explore how concepts related to the Global South impact policy and practice. The series will be of interest to academics, professionals, students, researchers and policy makers eager to diversify their knowledge and make their professional practice more inclusive. It would appeal to those working in the areas of criminal justice including prisons, probation services and policing, education, nursing, psychology, social science, sociology and social work.

The series is set up to encourage discussion and debate with time for a paper and discussion – so please come along and join the debate! The topics can be found on the Eventbrite link.

The seminar series is chaired by Dr Amy Duvenage and Professor Elaine Arnull, Southampton Solent University, who are happy to hear from you if you have any questions/comments:

elaine.arnull@solent.ac.uk

amy.duvenage@solent.ac.uk

Everyone is welcome – whether you are an expert in the area or wanting to hear what the Global South is and what ideas the speakers have about it.