The National Biblical Catechetical and Liturgical Centre (NBCLC) off Hutchins Road,
Bangalore, founded in 1967, conducted a two-day National Seminar titled ‘Religion and
Society in India: Contemporary Multi-Disciplinary Explorations’ on the 7th and 8th of August 2023, jointly organised by a collaboration of ten different higher educational and research institutions seeking to discover the meanings of religion and society in order to explore contemporary relevance, adopting a multi-disciplinary approach.
This conglomeration of NBCLC, Christ University, St. Joseph’s University, Sampurna
Montfort College, United Theological College, Christian Institute for the Study of Religion
and Society, Kristu Jyoti College, St. Peter’s Pontifical Institute, Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram, and St. Joseph’s College of Commerce is a first of its kind which witnessed a convergence of Institutes of Higher Education, both religious and secular, seminaries, theological colleges and centers.
The Seminar drew about one hundred and sixty five scholars, experts, heads of institutions,
authors, thinkers, research scholars and students, cutting across religious and institutional
streams with an aim to promote religious harmony, study the prospects and challenges from multiple perspectives, and also open new vistas of learning in the present context of the nation. Several Heads of Institutions brought felicitations, explaining the purpose of the Seminar as the need of the hour.
Lead speakers who delivered the keynote addresses were: Prof. Felix Wilfred on the topic
‘Relating Cultures and Religions-Some Salient Perspectives’, Prof. Ruby Sain on the topic
‘Study of Religion and Society in India: Status, Prospects and Challenges’, Prof. Dr. V.D.
Swaminathan on the topic ‘Religion and Psychology: Exploring the Interface’, and Dr.
Y.T.Vinayraj on the topic ‘Philosophy and Religion- Taking a Cue from Ambedkar.’
Additionally, seventeen other research papers were also presented, followed by enriching
discussions. The Director of NBCLC, along with other eminent personalities representing
various institutions are of the opinion that the positive aspects of religion in a country like
India, which, though secular in fabric, embraces all religions culturally and traditionally, are to be made public, in order to uphold peace in the society. The Seminar concluded with a simple valedictory ceremony, where participants were awarded certificates.