( Face2News/Chandigarh
The Women Development Cell and Foreign Students’ Cell of Mehr Chand Mahajan DAV College for Women, Chandigarh, organised a workshop titled ‘Embracing Diversity: Building Inclusive and Respectful Communities’.
The workshop was conducted by Dr. Bindu Dogra, Senior Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology and Dean, Foreign Students’ Cell of the college. The resource person elaborated that diversity promotes empathy and mutual understanding, adding that by interacting with people from different backgrounds, societies can reduce prejudice, break down stereotypes, and create more harmonious communities.
She asserted that the idea of ‘Unity in Diversity’ is central to India’s identity, serving as a symbol of coexistence and collective strength.
Principal Dr. Nisha Bhargava expressed appreciation for the efforts of the organising committees to sensitise the students on such a sensitive and important topic. She highlighted the fact that an understanding of the ‘other’ is extremely important for promoting tolerance and inclusion, which ultimately leads to social cohesion and peace.
Pointing to the fact that failing to be sensitive to social diversity harms marginalised groups and weakens society as a whole, Dr. Dogra shed light on the concept of unconscious bias and micro aggressions taking place in the society due to lack of sensitivity towards diverse identities.
The workshop concluded with an interactive session brainstorming on ways to embrace diversity for creating inclusive and respectful communities. The workshop witnessed enthusiastic participation of around 65 students.
Principal Dr. Nisha Bhargava expressed appreciation for the efforts of the organising committees to sensitise the students on such a sensitive and important topic. She highlighted the fact that an understanding of the ‘other’ is extremely important for promoting tolerance and inclusion, which ultimately leads to social cohesion and peace.