Professor Ram Ahuja Memorial Lecture Deliberates on Theory, Praxis and Social Possibilities
Jaipur, September 2026 : The Department of Sociology, University of Rajasthan, organised the Professor Ram Ahuja Memorial Lecture in memory of Professor Ram Ahuja, one of the eminent pillars of the University’s distinguished sociological legacy on Wednesday. Held annually since 2003, the lecture not only keeps alive the academic memory of a distinguished sociologist but has also emerged as an important intellectual platform for understanding the changing Indian society and reflecting on future social directions.
The theme of this year’s lecture was “Imagining Indian Society: Theory, Praxis and Possibilities.” The theme placed the complex structure of Indian society, its continuous transformation, and the social relevance of sociological knowledge at the centre of the academic discourse, providing a new direction to sociological reflection.
Professor Manoj Kumar Jena, Chairperson, Centre for the Study of Social Systems, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, was the keynote speaker. He emphasised that academic study must move beyond the confines of books and classrooms and connect with actual social transformation, policymaking and practical implementation. He stressed that, to understand the complexities of Indian social structure, sociological theories must remain dynamic through continuous dialogue with ground realities. He identified interdisciplinarity, methodological pluralism, historical specificity, multiple identities, social justice, gender justice and structural inequalities as important dimensions in the study of Indian society. He also discussed emerging discourses around reflexivity, the decolonisation of Indian knowledge systems, digitalisation, technologisation and the hyper-connected society, highlighting “Theory + Praxis = Possibility” as an important formulation for advancing social transformation.
The programme was presided over by Professor Bhagwati Prasad Saraswat, Kulguru, University of Rajasthan. He paid tribute to the contribution of Professor Ram Ahuja to the Department of Sociology. He urged students to become not merely degree-holders, but seekers of knowledge, critical thinkers and socially responsible citizens. He encouraged them to undertake a journey from books to society, from the classroom to the field, and from theory to praxis. He also highlighted the decline of family interaction and the changing nature of social relationships as important contemporary social challenges.
On the occasion, Professor Rashmi Jain, Kulguru, Rajasthan Technical University, Jaipur, shared her memories associated with the academic life of Professor Ram Ahuja. Her reminiscences added warmth and a sense of personal remembrance to the event. Members of Professor Ram Ahuja’s family also shared memories of his life and personality. They recalled that at a time when reference books had a strong influence in the academic sphere, Professor Ahuja made efforts to make sociology accessible to students through simple and comprehensible language, while emphasising continuous publication and the expansion of knowledge.
Dr. Monica Rao, Head of the Department of Sociology, welcomed the distinguished guests and stated that preserving the memories of Professor Ram Ahuja, one of the founders of the department, is a matter of pride and honour for the department. She highlighted his academic, scholarly and human dimensions and called upon students and faculty to imbibe his distinctive qualities.
During the programme, the Ram Ahuja Memorial Gold Medal was presented by members of Professor Ram Ahuja’s family to Ms. Payal Vijayvargiya, who secured the highest marks in the postgraduate programme in Sociology during the academic session 2025–26. The honour symbolises the tradition of academic excellence that Professor Ram Ahuja established through his knowledge, research and teaching.
Dr. Neelam Joshi, Coordinator of the programme, described Professor Ram Ahuja as an embodiment of dedication and knowledge and stated that his academic and research excellence is clearly reflected in his scholarly contributions and research papers. She noted that his outstanding contribution to the field of sociology will continue to be remembered.
At the conclusion of the programme, Dr. Anuja Jain expressed her gratitude to all the distinguished guests, speakers and participants. Thus, the event, bringing together remembrance, knowledge and social thought, served as a meaningful platform for connecting Professor Ram Ahuja’s intellectual legacy with the present generation and for engaging in a substantive dialogue on the future possibilities of sociology.
