The Awardee of ‘2019 Humanist Lifetime Achievement Award’, Asiriyar Dr.K.Veeramani dedicated the Award to Thanthai Periyar and acknowledged the support of the Black Shirt cadres of Periyar Movement – Silver Springs, Maryland, USA – 22nd September 2019
As part of globalising Periyar Mission, it was planned to convene International Conference once in two years. The first of its kind was convened in 2017 at Cologne University, Germany and the next was, ‘International Conference on Humanism and Self Respect’ held on 21-22 September 2019 at Silver Springs, Maryland, U.S.A. The Conference was jointly organised by Periyar International, USA (PI) and American Humanist Association (AHA).
The two day proceedings were conducted at the Cultural Art Centre, Montgomery College, Silver Springs, Maryland. Delegates from various countries, India (Tamil Nadu), Malaysia, England, Holland, Germany and multitude from various regions of the United States of America attended the conference and participated in the proceedings with much involvement. Apart from them many observers from different walks of life attended the Conference. The proceedings were contributed by the enriched compliments through the lectures delivered by people representatives in the US, scholars, intellectuals and activists of various Humanist Movements.
First day Proceedings:
The first day programme commenced with a formal Welcome Address by Dr. Soma. Ilangovan, Director, Periyar International, the United States of America and Roy Speckhardt, Executive Director, American Humanist Association. The plenary session was started by a brief introduction by Prof. Dr. Kannabiran Ravishankar, Holland.
Book Release : Two books, published by the Periyar Self Respect Propaganda Institution were released at the plenary session of the Conference.
- The German version of the book, ‘Why Were Women Enslaved?’, compiling the speeches and writings of Periyar on Women Liberation was released. The German version was translated by Prof. Dr. Ulrike Niklas.
- ‘Periyar’s Foot-Prints and His Disciple – Asiriyar’ the transcreation work of the Tamil book ‘Viyappin Marupeyar Veeramani’ written by the rationalist writer, Manjai Vasanthan was released. The transcreation work in English was done by the late Prof. A. Ayyasamy, during his life-time.
Apart from the above books, another set of two books were released commemorating the International Conference on Humanism and Self Respect.
- ‘Ten Blooms of Humanism’ (A Collection of Essays on Global Humanism by renowned Academic Scholars & Global Humanists) was released.
- ‘Humanism & the Dravidian Movement – A Success Story’ written by Dr. Kannabiran Ravishankar was released.
The humanist – stalwarts who rendered their services to organize and conduct the Conferencefelicitated by Asiriyar Dr. K.Veeramani
Philipp Moller, a best-selling author and advisory board member of Giordano Bruno Foundation, Germany delivered a lecture on the topic, ‘Better without Religion’. It was followed by a special, ‘Welcome Address’ by Rep. Jamie Raskin, Congressional Representative, US Home of Representatives from the State of Maryland. The speech welcomed the humanist fraternity all around the world. Later, a speech on Feminism from a Humanist Perspective was by Toni Van Pelt, a feminist and humanist activist, Florida. A presentation on comparative study of ‘Periyar EVR and Martin Luther King Jr.’ was given by V. Kumaresan, Research Scholar for Doctorate from the Department of Management Studies of Periyar Maniammai Institute of Science and Technology (PMIST), Deemed University, Vallam, Thanjavur. This was followed by a lecture on, ‘How to Involve Youth in Humanism’ delivered by Ryan Bell of Secular Student Alliance and Humanist Chaplin at University of Southern California.
After tea-break, a panel discussion was organised by Periyar Ambedkar Study Circle on the topic, ‘Humanism and Self Respect in the US Diaspora’. The panel discussion was co-ordinated by Kanimozhi M.V. of Periyar Ambedkar Study Circle. The participants in the discussion spoke as cited here below:
Vinodh Chander spoke on ‘Caste at US educational institutions’, Sudhakar Sivasamy on ‘Perception on Indians needs a change’, Vino Priya on ‘Caste at Indian Regional Associations at US’ and Sivakumar on ‘Need for Periyar and Ambedkar at US’.
Prior to the lunch-break, a cultural programme with the participation of children and youth was held. The little children wore the attire of Humanist women leaders.
‘The Fancy Dress’ participants: Jessica Reyban as Rosa Parks (Civil Right Movement), Iniya Ezhil Vadivan as EVR Nagammaiar and Ilakkia Ezhil Vadivan as EVR Maniammaiar (Self Respect Movement) and Joy as Rosa Parks.
The post-lunch session started, with a lecture on ‘Global Humanism’ by Prof. Dr. Ulrike Niklas, Chairperson, Periyar International, Germany Chapter. After a short break a session started with a talk on ‘Caste system & DNA Testing’ by Dr. Madhavi Potluri and on ‘Social Justice & the Marginalised’ by Norm R. Allen Jr. Kavya Kumaran and Clara Arthur. The session was co-ordinated by G. Karunanidhy, Secretary-External Relations, Dravidar Kazhagam with a brief note on ‘Challenges to Social Justices’.
After tea break, Dr. R. Prabhakaran delivered a speech on ‘Humanism in Thirukkural’ and Debbies Allan, Acting Executive Director, Secular Coalition for America delivered a speech on ‘Responsibilities of Humanists’.
Simultaneously, a parallel programme, ‘Donate Your Labour and Package- 10000 Meals to Hungry Children’ was held to emphaise the menace of poverty and hunger and associate with the mission to eradicate hunger from the poverty-stricken people in the world.
Rise Against Hunger: An organization that sends millions of food packets to needy children around the world. The conference participants including Asiriyar Veeramani, AHA Roy Speckhardt and all others worked with the team to arrange packets of nutritious food to be sent to Zambia. This is a donation of Labour of Love and a sum of $ 3500. This was a new experience for a lot and the kids enjoyed very much.
Conferment of ‘K. Veeramani Award for Social Justice’
Periyar International, United States of America, has instituted the ‘K. Veeramani Award for Social Justice’ and it is being conferred on persons of eminence who have contributed significantly and globally for the cause of Social Justice. For the year 2019 the honour of, ‘K. Veeramani Award for Social Justice’ was bestowed on Prof. Dr. Ulrike Niklas, Chairperson of Periyar International, Germany Chapter. Dr. Soma. Ilangovan, Director PI, United States of America welcomed the audience. Dr. Lakshman Tamil, the President of the Award Selection Committee presented a brief introduction about the Award and the present year’s Awardee’.
The magazine ‘Common Sense’, published by Periyar Ambedkar Study Circle was released by Asiriyar Dr.K.Veeramani
‘2019- K. Veeramani Award for Social Justice’ was formally conferred on Dr. Ulrike Niklas by Dr. V. Srinivasan. The honour constitutes a citation and a cash award of Rs. 1 lakh. The Award was conferred in the presence of Asiriyar Dr. K. Veeramani. Dr. Ulrike Niklas delivered the acceptance address after being conferred with the Award.
The first day proceedings concluded with a programme of music and entertainment. The programme was versatile composed of many arts and cultures coupled with technological advancement for the fuller participation by all sections of people. The programme was entertaining with Spanish Jazz music, Tamil songs, entertainment by Karthik Muthukumar, you-tube contest videos by Jeremiah Rayban, Bharathanatyam by Darshini and Tamil Folk Music & Dance by Vijay & Mano groups.
Second day Proceedings
Prof. Dr. Arasu Chelliah welcomed the delegates and observers for the second day proceedings of the Conference. The first lecture was delivered by Tamil and Sanskrit scholar Prof. Dr. George L Hart on ‘Humanism in Classical Tamil’.
Honour of ‘2019 Humanist Life Time Achievement Award’
American Humanist Association has been conferring Humanist Lifetime Achievement Award on many humanist stalwarts including the cosmologist, Carl Sagan who strove for the cause of humanism. For the year 2019, American Humanist Association has choosen Asiriyar Dr. K. Veeramani, President, Dravidar Kazhagam for the Award. Roy Speckhardt, Executive Director, American Humanist Association presented a brief profile of the Awardee. ‘2019 Humanist Lifetime Achievement Award’ was conferred on Asiriyar Dr. K. Veeramani. After having accepted the honour, Asiriyar Dr. K. Veeramani dedicated the Award to Thanthai Periyar to whom he continues to be a lifelong disciple. Asiriyar thanked the multitude of Black-Shirt cadres of Periyar Movement who are responsible and supportive for his public life. Asiriyar delivered the Key Note Address and gave a thought-provoking speech on ‘Periyar Applied Humanism – Self Respective Humanism’.
Asiriyar Dr.K.Veeramani addressed the session co-ordinated by Periyar Ambedkar Study Circle
Prof. Dr. Kannabiran Ravishankar explained ‘Humanism and Dravidian Movement’ in his speech. Pa. Thirumavelan, Chief Editor of Kalaignar T.V., Tamil Nadu, spoke on ‘Humanism and Periyar’. Dr. Sven Wortman, Department of the South and the South Asian Studies, Cologne University, Germany delivered a lecture on ‘Evolutionary Humanism’, followed by Debbie Goddard, Acting Executive Director of the Secular Coalition for America who spoke on the topic, ‘The Science of Change: Evidence based Humanism’.
After lunch, there were two sessions – during which deliberations took place in Tamil and English, The session in Tamil was on the topic: ‘Humanism and Self Respect in Tamil Nadu’. Poet Kali Poongundran, Vice-President, Dravidar Kazhagam presented the introductory Address on the topic which was followed by a group discussion chaired by Pa. Thirumavelan and co-ordinated by Naanjil Peter & the Team. Dr. Thol. Thirumavalavan, Member of Parliament, India, addressed on the topic, ‘Humanism and Social Justice’ followed by the lecture on ‘Tamil Nationalism and Periyar’ delivered by Pa. Thirumavelan. To conclude the session in Tamil, the Group Activity was emphasised by Asiriyar Dr. K. Veeramani. Besides, Poet Kali Poongundran, Vice president, V. Kumaresan, Treasurer, Dr. Durai Chandrasekaran, General Secretary, S. Inbakkani, Deputy General Secretary, and G. Karunanidhy, Secretary-External Relations of Dravidar Kazhagam, spoke on the significance and distinct features of the conference.
In the afternoon’s parallel session in english, Ms Sonijaha Davis, a nurse and social worker talked on “The Oppression of the Patriarchy”. She identified the oppression of women and explained feminism and a shocking form of oppression on women of color! What black women have to undergo in education and employment and everyday life was more oppressive! She explained the ways to overcome that.
Dr Gary Berg-Cross, a board member of the Paul Kurtz Institute for Science and Human Values, explained “Life Problems and Humanist Solutions”. He suggested practical ways of handling the problems in secular rationalist ways and overcoming such situations.
Mr. Fred Edwards of AHA spoke on the various modes of overcoming difficult situations in life at various levels and how to handle them in a humanist way.
The next session started with Ms Amanda Poppei, of Washington Ethical Society, who spoke on “Building Humanist Communities” She has much experience in Washington DC with the humanists. She explained how they have to cope with all others. We need a collective organized way of living to enhance values of life and spread it to others, according to her.
The concluding session of the conference was commenced with the Address on ‘Live a Happier Life with a Free Mind’ by Fred Edwords, former Executive Director of American Humanist Association and former editor of the magazine, ‘The Humanist’.
The concluding Address was delivered by Asiriyar Dr. K. Veeramani, President, Dravidar Kazhagam on the topic, ‘The Future’.
The closing remarks were summarised with the vote of thanks by Dr. Soma. Ilangovan, Director, Periyar International, USA and Roy Speckhardt, Executive Director, American Humanist Association.
The entire proceedings of the conference were conducted with appropriate compartmentalisation and introduction of the speakers. The comperers and the introducers were: Akila Selvaraj, Abhi Nagaraja, Kanimozhi M.V., Kanmani, Anbu Durai Kkannan, Dr. Jayanthi Sankar, Kulandavel Ramasamy, Pushparani Williams, John Benedict, Dr. Dhandapani Kuppuswamy, Dr. Bala Swaminathan, Dr. Sornam Sankar, Brody Armstrang and Arul Veeramani.
The reception of the delegates and their registration were organised and well attended with the overall co-ordination of Periyar-Ambedkar Study Circle under the lead of Arul Veeramani and the functionaries of Periyar International, USA and American Humanist Association.
The delegates and observers of the conference bade farewell to one another, charged with revigour and rededication to serve for the cause of Humanism and Self Respect which is the hope for the peace and prosperity of humanity.
Compiled: Ingersoll
