The Department of Sociology, University of Rajasthan, organised the Professor Ram Ahuja Memorial Lecture on Wednesday in memory of Professor Ram Ahuja, one of the eminent figures of the university’s distinguished sociological legacy. Held annually since 2003, the lecture not only keeps alive the academic legacy of the noted sociologist but has also emerged as an important intellectual platform for understanding the changing Indian society and reflecting on its future social directions.
The theme of this year’s lecture was “Imagining Indian Society: Theory, Praxis and Possibilities.” The theme focused on the complex structure of Indian society, its continuous transformation and the social relevance of sociological knowledge, providing a significant platform for academic 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 sociological theories must remain dynamic and engage continuously with ground realities to understand the complexities of Indian society. 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.
Professor Jena also discussed emerging discourses on reflexivity, the decolonisation of Indian knowledge systems, digitalisation, technologisation and the hyper-connected society. He highlighted “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 and urged students to become not merely degree-holders but seekers of knowledge, critical thinkers and socially responsible citizens.
He encouraged students to undertake a journey from books to society, from the classroom to the field and from theory to praxis. He also highlighted declining family interaction and changing social relationships as important contemporary social challenges.
On the occasion, Professor Rashmi Jain, Kulguru, Rajasthan Technical University, Jaipur, shared her memories of Professor Ram Ahuja’s academic life. Her reminiscences added warmth and a personal dimension 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 academic circles, Professor Ahuja made efforts to make sociology accessible to students through simple and comprehensible language. He also emphasised continuous publication and the expansion of knowledge.
Dr. Monica Rao, Head of the Department of Sociology, welcomed the distinguished guests and said that preserving the memory of Professor Ram Ahuja, one of the founders of the department, is a matter of pride and honour. She highlighted his academic, scholarly and human qualities and called upon students and faculty members to imbibe his distinctive values.
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 award 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. She said that his academic and research excellence is reflected in his scholarly contributions and research papers and that his outstanding contribution to sociology will continue to be remembered.
At the conclusion of the programme, Dr. Anuja Jain expressed gratitude to all the distinguished guests, speakers and participants. The event brought together remembrance, knowledge and social thought, providing a meaningful platform to connect Professor Ram Ahuja’s intellectual legacy with the present generation and engage in substantive dialogue on the future of sociology.
