09/07/2025 11:00
- 12:00
HALL: Seminar Room 07
Proponent:
Dimitrova D.,
Pati G.,
Pintchman T.
Chair:
French W.
Speaker:
Dimitrova D.,
Pati G.,
Pintchman T.
This session focuses on the interface between contemporary Hinduism and socio-cultural change. All three papers explores ways that Hindu beliefs and practices are inspiring such change in contemporary contexts in India and beyond. The first paper, "Socio-Cultural Transformation and the Trees for Life Movement," explores the life and vision of Balbir Mathur, founder of an NGO called Trees for Life International. This paper will focus broadly on Mathur's spiritual autobiography and the role of religion in inspiring him to found Trees for Life, an international movement that works for positive socio-cultural change through not just the planting of trees, but also through education and other forms of humanitarian work. The second paper, "Socio-cultural Transformation and the Public Visibility of Religion in Contemporary Kerala," explores a Hindu festival in Kerala, the Uthra Siveli Festival. The paper highlights tensions between progressive secularization and the increasing public visibility of religion in Kerala. But it also addresses the transformative potential of ritual and ways the Uthra Siveli Festival functions to promote social transformation and the transcendence of caste boundaries. The final paper, "The Brahma Kumari Tradition and Socio-Cultural Transformation," examines the Brahma Kumari tradition and its role in socio-cultural transformations in India and beyond. This paper examines several aspects of the Brahma Kumaris' acts of service to society, including their contributions to the uplifting of women and untouchables and bringing attention to the problems caused by climate change. This paper asks: What is the role of religion as a driving force for positive socio-cultural changes in individuals and in society? Can the belief that change starts from within make a lasting impact on society? Are there other socio-cultural transformations that happen in this way?