University of Mysore Convocation Address

In Chapter 26 Dr Singhvi address in the convocation of University of Mysore. In his address, Dr Singhvi says that universities are important because knowledge is important. Universities engage in the systematic quest, compilation, and transmission of knowledge. It is knowledge of life and knowledge for life, which together sustain civilizations, ensure their survival and facilitate their progress and prosperity. Knowledge enlightens, emancipates, empowers, and transforms. He asks the students to utilize their knowledge for the nation-building process.

The World Conference of Jains

Jainism is quintessentially a world religion, not because it has the strength of numbers in the form of a massive worldwide following but because its core philosophy transcends all ethnic, ritual, and national frontiers and articulates the rational, compassionate, global, and humanitarian ethos of our times. In that sense, as per Dr Singhvi, it is a tradition which is as old as the earliest primordial reflections in the history of human civilization and is at the same time as new as the perennial tomorrow and the day-after-tomorrow.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

Dr Singhvi had played a key role in instituting the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in India during the tenure of NDA government headed by Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Dr Singhvi states that, ‘the Indian diaspora is a rainbow, and if I may say so, my head soars with a fond aspiration and my heart leaps with boundless joy when I behold the rainbow of India and Indians over the globe. I also behold and hope for the globalization of India in the right perspective and Indianization of the globe in the right proportion, with our Indian diaspora as the catalyst for cross-fertilisation.’

Kashmir in the Changing International Environment

Dr Singhvi’s views on Kashmir keeping in view the international challenges to the Kashmir problem. He says that the so called demand for independent Kashmir and the so-called third option is historically and legally without any basis, and politically it would be a source of endless intrigue, perpetual unrest, and calculated destabilization of one or the other country, and the exploitation of J&K as a pawn on the international chessboard. Dr Singhvi asserts that those who speak for the third option on the basis of principle of self-determination do not appear to understand the concept which is confined in international law to decolonization and cannot be used as a tool for disintegrating multicultural sovereign, democratic states.

Global Dialogue

Dr Singhvi’s views about global dialogue have been presented. Global dialogue is a must for a healthy and viable global democratic order, argues Dr Singhvi. He argues that dialogue of civilizations and cultures is the alternative to alienation and clash of civilizations and cultures. Alienation and clash are not inevitable or inexorable; they are certainly preventable. The haunting spectre of alienation and clash and of war and violence can be exorcised by a meaningful and sustained dialogue based on responsive reciprocity. A true dialogue promises to take us to a measured and holistic response to the challenges which humanity faces today, Dr Singhvi states in his oration on global dialogue.

Challenges to Indian Professionals in the United Kingdom

Dr Singhvi’s views about Indian professionals working in the United Kingdom are mentioned in this chapter. He argues that United Kingdom provides many challenging tasks for Indian professionals. He sees a better future for Indian professionals working in the United Kingdom keeping in view the historical connection between the two countries.

Public Governance and Decentralization of Powers

This chapter presents Dr Singhvi’s views on public governance and decentralization wherein the learned author has appreciated the role of Panchayati Raj institutions to strengthen the democratic fabric in the country. He has followed Gandhiji’s line of Gram Swaraj in his thoughts. He was a great supporter of decentralization of powers. Dr Singhvi’s opportunity for a renewed demarche on decentralization and Panchayati Raj came when Shri Rajiv Gandhi became the prime minister. He wrote to him to suggest that he should concentrate on nation-building through institution-building and that he should take a bold initiative to revive and revitalize Panchayati Raj which had fallen by the wayside and was in the process of decay and disintegration. Shri Rajiv Gandhi listened to him with rapt attention. He was receptive and was exceptionally quick on the uptake. He said he would like him to head a Committee and prepare a Concept Paper.

Educational Reforms in India

Dr Singhvi’s views reflected on the occasion of Delhi University convocation on educational reforms are presented in this chapter. He states that the Indian universities need to address the basic issue of what they are expected to achieve and what they are actually producing. Universities and the teaching communities have to be judged by the quality of their product; they have to be judged by the quality of their research. Quality has become increasingly marginal and that is not merely because of the resource crunch. Sometimes I feel that Indian universities today are really neither competitive nor creative. They seem to have lost their way because they have lost their vitality of the universal ethos of all educational systems.

Islamic Heritage in the Contemporary Dialogue among Civilizations

Dr Singhvi opines that the Islamic civilizational contribution to dialogue among civilizations is large, momentous, and versatile. He states that to restore to Islam and the people of Islam the dignity of their civilizational glory, it is necessary to delve into its heritage and history and to reinvigorate that sense of heritage, humanitarian ethos, and the rich legacy of science, art, philosophy, law, astronomy, and statecraft. Obviously, a few self-appointed fanatics and terrorists who claim to speak or act in the name of Islam cannot be taken to represent Islam, its message and its heritage, states Dr Singhvi.

Statement at the Regional Meeting for Asia for the World Conference on Human Rights

Dr Singhvi argues that Asia has shared cultural heritage going back to many centuries and rooted in basic human values which should inspire a passionate striving for peace and a compassionate commitment to human rights and human obligations. These values have a profound contemporary relevance and they have a significant and enduring contribution to make in advancing the cause of human dignity and happiness everywhere and in building a new world order. The Asian human rights perspective must reflect the universality of human rights norms as well as the particular perceptions and aspirations of Asia which is home to more than half the population of the world, states Dr Singhvi.