Srinagar, Oct 13: The two-day international conference on ‘whither the global Village: Is Globalization in retreat?’ organised by the Department of Politics and Governance, Central University of Kashmir (CUK) began at Nowgam-I academic block of the varsity here.

Vice-Chancellor, Goa University, Prof. Varun Sahni, Vice-Chancellor, CUK, Prof. Mehraj Ud Din Mir, Dean School of Social Sciences, Prof. Noor Ahmad Baba, Registrar, Prof. M Afzal Zargar, conference Convener and Coordinator Politics and Governance department, Dr. Abhiruchi Ojha, Deans of various Schools, Heads and Coordinators of different departments and students were also present on the occasion.

In his keynote address, Prof. Varun Sahni, who was the chief guest on the occasion and has expertise in the field of politics, international relations and governance, deliberated upon the conference topic in depth through a Power Point Presentation. He said that “neither the globalization is in bloom nor is it in retreat. The answer for the question lies in between yes and No.” He further explained, how the hegemonic globalisation is taking place at the world stage stating said that the key driver in the contemporary world politics is not Globalisation but the hegemony, which implies the concentration of power. He further added that the elements of disintegration like, the extremism, nationalism etc makes the globalisation in retreat and the elements of integration keeps it at place. He said that all over the world, the people were turning back to their cultural roots and increased religiosity is often linked to generational change. “The fact of the matter is the generation next is more religious than their parents and it’s a global phenomenon,” he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mehraj ud Din Mir said the basic problem in globalisation is power concentration, especially with respect to the States. Prof. Mir said that one-way globalisation has penetrated in every sphere whether it is culture, education and business. He said that now people are retreating to their cultural roots and ethos.

He further elaborated as to how globalisation has generated conflicts around the world.

CUK Vice-Chancellor, said that as a true researcher, Prof. Varun Sahni in a scientific way has given a comparative analysis of the defense expenditure of countries, which they are incurring. He said there is mad rush among the countries vis-à-vis defense expenditures.

Registrar, Prof. M Afzal Zargar, said the boom of globalisation started just after nineties and it helped in exchange of technologies and created people-to-people contact. “But after sometime, the rise of protectionism has reversed its effect,” he added. Prof. Zargar said the world order is changing and we are seeing conflict-ridden societies. He said the seminar would dwelt on different aspects of the theme and would prepare a paper regarding the same.

Prof. Noor Ahmad Baba in his inaugural remarks reiterated the importance of globalization in today’s world saying that global village is a phenomenon weather people like it or not.

“With more improvement in technology, this world is continuing to shrink further,” he said.

Prof. Baba said it is premature to make any judgment regarding this issue at this stage to where it is going. He further said it would be clear in few years where the globalisation is heading.

Coordinator Politics and Governance department, Dr. Abhiruchi Ojha, conducted the programme proceedings and introduced the conference theme. She also deliberated upon the purpose of holding the conference said that it was an effort to reach out to the different centres of knowledge and to gather them at one place to discuss the issue threadbare.

After the inaugural session, four technical sessions on the themes of Transnational Social and Labour Movements: Present and Future, International Security: Back to Realpolitik, Introspecting globalisation and beyond and Global Economy: Is protectionism the future were held during which the experts from the field presented their views.