The book titled ‘Vishvasanskritiya Mahayana – Volume 2’ written byformer Chief Minister M. Veerappa Moily was released at a function at Alva’s College in Moodbidri on Sunday, January 12. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Former Chief Minister M. Veerappa Moily lamented on Sunday that meaningful dialogue in academic circles is eroding.
Speaking at a function organised at Alva’s College in Moodbidri to release his latest literary work ‘Vishvasanskritiya Mahayana – Volume 2’, Mr. Moily highlighted the book’s unique question-and-answer format, aimed at rekindling the tradition of intellectual discourse in higher education. “Today’s students must master the art of questioning,” he said.
Mr. Moily also stressed on the need for promoting humanity and culture in the contemporary times. “We must become cultured through literature,” he said, adding that a synthesis of culture and literature could unify global traditions and eradicate social evils.
The book was released under the auspices of Alva’s Education Foundation and Sapna Book House, Bengaluru.
A retired professor of English from the University of Mysore C. Naganna, who released the book described it as a work of monumental significance. Comparing it to American historian Will Durant’s The Story of Civilization he said: “Moily has mirrored Durant’s intellectual rigour, crafting his volumes with exceptional care and responsibility.”
B. A. Vivek Rai, a former Vice-Chancellor of Kannada University, Hampi and also Karnataka State Open University said that the book is a “seminal treatise on multidisciplinary knowledge.” It weaved a “network of ideas that fosters both intellectual and cultural awareness,” he said.
M. Mohan Alva, chairman, Alva’s Education Foundation, presiding over the programme said that Mr. Moily had inclusive approach.
Charukeerthi Bhattaraka, seer of Jain Mutt, Moodbidri said that the mutt has plans to set up four centres in Karnataka dedicated to the study of philosophy, with one being in Moodbidri.
Published – January 12, 2025 07:13 pm IST
