Special lecture on “Governance in India: Then and Now”
The Department of Public Administration, Panjab University, Chandigarh, today organised a special lecture on “Governance in India: Then and Now” in the Seminar Room of the Department. The lecture was delivered by Prof. (Retd.) Pardeep Sahni, School of Social Sciences, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi.
City Air News
Nov 13, 2025 07:11
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Chandigarh, November 13, 2025: The Department of Public Administration, Panjab University, Chandigarh, today organised a special lecture on “Governance in India: Then and Now” in the Seminar Room of the Department. The lecture was delivered by Prof. (Retd.) Pardeep Sahni, School of Social Sciences, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi.
The session commenced with a warm welcome and introduction of the distinguished speaker by Dr. Bhawna Gupta, Chairperson of the Department. The lecture was attended by faculty members, research scholars, and postgraduate students.
In his erudite lecture, Prof. Sahni traced the evolution of governance from ancient times to the contemporary period, highlighting the deep roots of governance principles in India’s civilisational and cultural heritage. Drawing from ancient Indian texts such as the Vedas, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Arthashastra, Bhagavad Gita, and Guru Granth Sahib, he underscored how Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) emphasized dharma (righteousness), participatory decision-making, accountability, justice, and welfare for all.
Prof. Sahni contrasted these indigenous principles with Western notions of governance that emerged during colonial and globalised eras. He argued that modern governance in India must balance efficiency and ethics while remaining rooted in cultural and spiritual values. He also discussed the contemporary relevance of initiatives such as Mission Karmayogi and proposed a vision for Mission Dharamyogi, aimed at integrating moral and ethical dimensions into political and administrative leadership for citizen-centric governance.
The lecture concluded with an engaging interactive session where participants reflected on the applicability of ancient wisdom in addressing modern governance challenges. Dr. Bhawna Gupta extended a formal vote of thanks, appreciating Prof. Sahni’s profound insights and his call for harmonising traditional wisdom with modern governance practices.
