On September 20, 2025, two major gatherings in India—one in the Kashmir Valley and another in Andhra Pradesh—brought together scholars, legal minds, and cultural leaders to reflect on the enduring significance of ancient spiritual and philosophical traditions. While separated by geography and focus, both events underscored a shared conviction: that the wisdom of the past holds vital lessons for navigating the complexities of the present.
In Srinagar, the Institute of Kashmir Studies (IKS) at the University of Kashmir (KU) hosted a two-day seminar titled ‘Reshi and Sufi Tradition in Kashmir: A Historical and Philosophical Perspective.’ Sponsored by the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), New Delhi, the seminar drew leading scholars from across India to examine the historical, philosophical, and sociological dimensions of the Reshi and Sufi traditions that have long shaped Kashmir’s spiritual and cultural landscape.
According to a statement issued by KU, the seminar aimed to reaffirm the enduring contribution of these traditions to Kashmir’s composite culture, interfaith harmony, and the values of peaceful coexistence—ideals that, in the words of Vice-Chancellor Prof Nilofer Khan, “remain profoundly relevant in contemporary times, offering lessons of tolerance, compassion, and peace.” Addressing the valedictory session, Prof Khan stressed the responsibility of academic institutions to preserve this heritage and pass it on to future generations. “It is the responsibility of academic institutions to preserve this heritage and pass it on to future generations,” she said, highlighting the urgent need for such efforts in today’s fractured world.
Director of IKS, Prof Aaliya Ahmed, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that academic forums like the seminar serve as vital bridges between past traditions and present-day discourse. “By revisiting the wisdom of Reshi and Sufi saints, we strengthen the spirit of mutual respect and coexistence that is essential for our times,” she remarked. The event included deep dives into the evolution of saints and shrines in Kashmir, the philosophical essence of Sufi thought, and the sociological significance of Reshi traditions in nurturing the region’s centuries-old syncretic ethos.
Muhammad Ibrahim Wani, faculty at IKS and coordinator of the seminar, provided a comprehensive report on the two-day proceedings. He highlighted the deliberations on how the teachings and lives of saints have influenced Kashmir’s social fabric, shaping a culture that values inclusivity and harmony. According to Wani, participants explored the philosophical underpinnings of Sufi thought and discussed the ways in which Reshi traditions have contributed to the composite identity of Kashmir—a place where diverse faiths and philosophies have historically coexisted, sometimes against the odds.
Meanwhile, hundreds of kilometers to the south, the Valmiki Research Centre of Sri Ramanarayanam temple in Andhra Pradesh organized a one-day legal conclave focused on the Ramayana, one of India’s most revered epics. The event brought together government officials, judges, legal scholars, and advocates to discuss how the Ramayana continues to shape ideas about governance, justice, and morality in Indian society.
Minister for MSME and NRI Affairs Kondapalli Srinivas, along with Telangana High Court Judges Justice T. Madhavi Devi and Justice Surepalli Nanda, spoke about the Ramayana’s enduring relevance as a guide to Dharma—the moral and ethical code central to Indian philosophy. According to The Hindu, they urged parents to encourage children to read the Ramayana, emphasizing that Lord Rama’s administrative skills and virtues could help them grow into responsible citizens. “The epic Ramayana would remain a guiding force for generations as it underscores the importance of following the path of Dharma in everyday life,” said Minister Srinivas.
Justice Madhavi Devi and Justice Nanda highlighted the importance of inspiring youngsters to follow the principles enunciated in the epic to lead meaningful lives. Their remarks were supported by former Andhra Pradesh High Court judges Justice G. Yethirajulu and Justice U. Durga Prasad, who noted that the Ramayana continues to provide guidance on governance, public administration, justice, morality, and rights. In their view, the epic is not just a spiritual text, but also a manual for ethical leadership and civic responsibility.
NCS Charitable Trust Chairman N. Nageswara Rao, along with managing trustees Narayanam Srinivas and Narayanam Murali, described their family’s efforts to fulfill the vision of their father, Narayanam Narasimha Murthy. The elder Murthy, they explained, wanted to spread Lord Rama’s philosophy and virtues across the country—a mission that the Trust continues to pursue through events like the conclave and the establishment of the Valmiki Research Centre.
Damodram Sanjivayya National Law University Vice Chancellor D. Surya Prakash weighed in on the academic value of such gatherings, stating that the legal conclave would enable young advocates to study epics and understand the law and administration in those days. “The legal conclave would enable young advocates to study epics and understand the law and administration in those days,” Prakash noted, suggesting that the lessons gleaned from ancient texts can inform contemporary legal practice and public policy.
Adding to the momentum, Valmiki Research Centre Director Hanumanthu Lajapathirai announced that the centre would soon offer research courses in collaboration with the National Sanskrit University, Tirupati. The conclave also saw participation from Thavasmi Ramayana Academy Director R. Sri Rama Chakradhar, NCS Charitable Trust members N. Neerajavalli and Nirthya Narayanam, research scholars A. Sarada Deepthi and K. Jahnavi Reddy, as well as several retired judges and advocates from across India—demonstrating the broad appeal and relevance of the Ramayana in both legal and cultural spheres.
While the settings and traditions explored at these two events differed, both gatherings shared a commitment to using the wisdom of the past as a compass for the present. In Kashmir, the focus was on the Reshi and Sufi traditions—movements known for their emphasis on tolerance, compassion, and the blending of spiritual paths. In Andhra Pradesh, the spotlight was on the Ramayana, with its timeless lessons on duty, leadership, and justice.
It’s striking, too, how both events highlighted the role of academic and cultural institutions in safeguarding and transmitting these traditions. Whether through seminars, research centers, or collaborative courses, the message was clear: the values embedded in these ancient teachings are not relics of a bygone era, but living legacies that can inspire new generations to build more just, peaceful, and harmonious societies.
In a world often divided by ideology, politics, and faith, the gatherings in Srinagar and Andhra Pradesh offered a quiet but powerful reminder that the search for meaning, justice, and harmony is a universal endeavor—one that draws on the wisdom of saints, sages, and storytellers from every corner of India’s rich and diverse heritage.
