Panjab University and CIT, SSM, NITI Aayog Hold Panel Discussion on Social Safety & Protection through Universal Human Values

Chandigarh, September 15, 2026: The Universal Human Values (UHV) Cell, Panjab University, in collaboration with the Chandigarh Institute for Transformation (CIT) and SSM, NITI Aayog, organised a panel discussion on “Social Safety & Protection through Universal Human Values (UHV)” at Panjab University, Chandigarh.
The panel discussion was attended by 20 delegates, including keynote speaker M. S. Kang, NITI Aayog; Prof. Shankar Sehgal, Coordinator, UHV Cell, Panjab University; Jitender Narula, AICTE UHV Resource Person; Prof. Munshi Yadav, AICTE UHV Regional Coordinator; Prof. Latika Sharma, Dean Alumni, PU; Prof. Upasna Joshi Sethi, Director, ICSSR; Prof. Manu Sharma, Director, CIIPP; Prof. Jatinder Kumar, PGIMER; Ashwani Kundal, Govt. of UT Ladakh; Adv. Sahil Kumar, Punjab and Haryana High Court, among others.
M. S. Kang, NITI Aayog, emphasised that the UT Administration, Chandigarh, is undertaking several social welfare and public-oriented activities aimed at improving the well-being of citizens. He observed that such initiatives, when complemented with an understanding and practice of human values, can contribute significantly to inculcating responsibility, empathy, trust, cooperation and a sense of social responsibility among citizens, thereby strengthening the foundations of good governance.
Kang highlighted the potential for collaboration between the Chandigarh Institute for Transformation, UT Administration and the UHV Cell of Panjab University in the future to spread the message and understanding of Universal Human Values across different sections of society. Such collaboration can help integrate value-based awareness with existing welfare and governance initiatives, enabling citizens and public functionaries to approach social issues with greater sensitivity, responsibility and mutual trust. This, in turn, can contribute to creating a more inclusive, harmonious and secure social environment, thereby strengthening Social Security and Protection in Chandigarh.
The AICTE UHV team, including Jitender Narula and Prof. Munshi Yadav, along with Prof. Latika Sharma, Prof. Upasna Joshi Sethi and Prof. Manu Sharma, shared their perspectives on the role of UHV in promoting responsible citizenship, ethical conduct, harmonious relationships, mutual trust and social well-being. The speakers emphasised that social safety is not limited to institutional mechanisms alone but is also strengthened when individuals develop the right understanding of relationships, responsibility and coexistence. It was also proposed that the Chandigarh Institute for Transformation, UT Administration, Chandigarh, and the UHV Cell of Panjab University work together in the future to take UHV-based awareness and educational initiatives to a wider section of society.
Earlier, Prof. Shankar Sehgal, Coordinator of the event, welcomed the participants and shared how the Universal Human Values based education can help in transforming the existing societal system to a safer, secure and justified social system. He informed that UHV Cell intends to collaborate with UT administration in holding UHV related programmes in Chandigarh region.
The proposed collaboration can include awareness programmes, faculty and capacity-building initiatives, orientation programmes for stakeholders, and value-based community outreach activities, thereby complementing existing social welfare and governance efforts.
The participants appreciated the initiative and expressed their commitment to further strengthening collaborative efforts for promoting Universal Human Values, social responsibility, harmonious living and good governance. The discussion concluded with the shared understanding that sustained efforts towards value-based education and social engagement can play an important role in building a society that is safe, responsible, harmonious and mutually supportive.