Event Details
Academic Dialogue Series, Lecture 4
FROM 22 Jan 2026 TO 22 Jan 2026
Venue : Research Committee, Centre for Distance and Online Education @
EVENT REPORT
| 1. TITLE OF EVENT | Academic Dialogue Series, Lecture 4 |
| 2. ORGANIZED BY (DEPT./CLUB/BODY ETC.) | Research Committee, Centre for Distance and Online Education |
| 3. UNDER THE BANNER OF (DEPT./OFFICE/CELL ETC.) | Centre for Distance and Online Education |
| 4. COLLABORATION WITH | NA |
| 5. STUDENT EVENT | No |
| 6. EXTERNALLY FUNDED | No |
| 7. IF EXTERNALLY FUNDED, NAME OF FUNDING AGENCY | NA |
| 8. NATURE OF PARTICIPATION | Internal |
| 9. NO. OF PARTICIPANTS | 19 |
| 9A. INTERNAL PARTICIPANTS | Yes |
| 9B. EXTERNAL PARTICIPANTS | No |
| 10. MODE | Offline |
| 10A. IF ONLINE, PROVIDE LINK | Microsoft Teams Meeting Link |
| 11A. DATE FROM | 22nd January 2026 |
| 11B. DATE TO | 22nd January 2026 |
| 12. COORDINATOR | Research Committee, CDOE |
| 13. ATTACH LIST OF PARTICIPANTS | No |
RESOURCE PERSON(S)
| SL. NO. | NAME | AFFILIATION |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dr. Nirvan Pradhan | Assistant Professor, Narasinha Dutt College, University of Calcutta |
BRIEF DESCRIPTION / REPORT WITH GEO-TAGGED PHOTOGRAPH OR SCREENSHOTS
The Research Committee of the Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE) organized the fourth lecture of the Academic Dialogue Series on Thursday, 22nd January 2026, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The lecture was delivered by Dr. Nirvan Pradhan, Assistant Professor at Narasinha Dutt College, University of Calcutta.
In his lecture, Dr. Pradhan explored the timeless question, "What is a good life?" He began with insights from classical political philosophy, where the pursuit of virtue is regarded as the cornerstone of human flourishing, while also examining broader existential considerations. He subsequently introduced the Judeo-Christian worldview, proposing that the essence of the good life lies in knowing God. By delving into the theological dimensions of well-being, he integrated a spiritual perspective that is often overlooked in secular discourses.
Dr. Pradhan further contextualized these ideas within the socio-economic landscape of Sikkim by highlighting the paradox of prosperity and the phenomenon of "deaths of despair", as discussed by Case and Deaton (2020). Although Sikkim is among India's most economically prosperous states, with one of the highest per capita incomes in the country, it continues to face significant challenges such as high rates of suicide, often associated with alcohol and substance abuse, loneliness, and frustration despite material progress. This reality underscored the urgent need for societies, including Sikkim, to redefine the concept of the good life beyond wealth and economic development alone.
In the second half of the lecture, Dr. Pradhan shifted his focus towards practical ways in which individuals can pursue eudaimonia—a life of purpose, virtue, and well-being. He emphasized the importance of meaningful relationships, moral responsibility, and spiritual fulfilment as essential components of a flourishing life.
The lecture concluded with an engaging question-and-answer session, which witnessed active participation from the attendees. The interactive discussion provided participants with an opportunity to reflect critically on the themes presented and further enriched the overall learning experience.
