ICSSR Sponsored Seminar on Interpreting Gender-A Psychoanalytical Perspective organised

Amritsar, April 2 (Punjab Post Bureau) – BBK DAV College for Women organised an Interdisciplinary seminar on ‘Interpreting gender-A psychoanalytical perspective’, sponsored by Indian Council of Social Sciences Research. The seminar was aimed at providing an insight about the distinction between sex and gender in terms of social roles, socialization, interpersonal relations, prejudices, stereotypes and contemporary literature. Prof. Dr. R.K. Mahajan, Dean, College Development Council, Guru Nanak Dev University gave away the presidential address while Prof. (Dr.) Gurpal Singh, Department of Punjabi, Panjab University, Chandigarh was the keynote speaker of the seminar.

While welcoming the guests, Principal Dr. Pushpinder Walia gave a brief introduction on the topic of the seminar. She said that gender has always remained a very vibrant and controversial sphere. She highlighted the biological and social domains of gender in our society. She stressed on the idea that social rules are constructed and biological rules are natural. In his Presidential address, Prof. R.K. Mahajan said, its unfortunate that even in 21^st century we are talking about gender issues. He said that in this modern period this topic is relevant only in India. As other cultures have stopped thinking in terms of gender. They talk about being human rather than being a male or female. He stressed upon the role media can play in creating awareness about gender issues.

While giving his key note address, Dr. Gurpal Singh said that even in the post millennial era we are living in male cosmos, where women have to relevant themselves continuously. He exclaimed that gender problem has taken a serious form in present scenario as social cosmology has become more complex. At neuro-cognitive level our society is not ready to accept equality between genders. First technical session of the seminar was chaired by Prof. (Dr.) Davinder Singh, Department of Psychology, GNDU. In this session, scholars from various colleges and universities read their papers on varied issues related to gender like gender stereotypes, gender differences, feminism, women’s financial behaviours etc. Second technical session of the seminar was chaired by Dr. Parminder Singh, Department of English, GNDU. This session witnessed papers on issues like women entrepreneurship, women in Arya Samaj, role of women in evolving society.

In the valedictory address, Prof. (Dr.) N.S. Tung, Dean, Academic Affairs, threw light on Gender identity from psychological perspective and said culture and situations play an important role in gender identification. Sh. Sudershan Kapoor, Chairman, Local Managing Committee, gave vote of thanks to all the dignitaries and congratulated the staff for organising such seminars. Dr. Simardeep, Head, Department of psychology and Convener of the seminar and Members organising committee Dr. Rupinder, Dr. Jiwan Sodi, Dr. Sushma Manocha, Dr. Anita Narendra, Mrs. Rajni Mehra, Mrs. Shaifali & Dr. Nidhi Aggarwal were also present.