“Humanism will be the only ‘ism’ in the future. That is what we are training for.”
These were among the opening words at the international Humanism & Self-Respect conference held at the Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center in Silver Spring, Maryland, last weekend. They were spoken by Dr. Sam Ilangovan, president of the hosting organization, Periyar International, a group dedicated to the teachings and legacy of the twentieth-century Indian civil rights leader “Periyar” E.V. Ramasamy. Commonly referred to by his nickname, Periyar is revered in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu for championing humanism and challenging the caste system. Read the full article.