St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata sets up centre to honour academic roots

A panel discussion was hosted by Father Verstraeten Centre for Public Policy and Governance of St Xavier’s University Kolkata recently. The theme of the panel discussion was, “Contemporary Issues in Indian Public Policy and Governance”. The panelist comprised Vice Chancellor Rev Dr John Felix Raj, Fr. Xavier Jeyaraj, Registrar, Prof Prabhat Datta, Adjunct Professor, Xavier Law School and others.

“The Centre for Public Policy and Governance emerged as an effective agent in advising the government in various policy matters and would act as an instrument in bringing radical transformation for the well-being of the common man,” said the V-C. He further appraised the audience about the multifarious contributions of late Father Verstraeten. He was not only the first Principal of the St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata but he was also a celebrated physicist and an academic administrator.

Fr Jeyaraj speaking on climate change governance alerted the audience to its imminent challenges and perils. He stressed that to ameliorate the problems and challenges posed by climate change, treating all living beings as equal (ecocentrism) will not be enough but to lay all effort and hopes on theocentrism, considering all living beings divine and interconnected to one another and worshipping them for their sacredness and as centers of conscience. Prof Datta emphasized the importance of grassroots governance for effective collective participation of the citizenry in day-to-day functioning of the government. He spoke about India’s experience with decentralized governance since ancient times till date.