SNRI
Satya Nilayam Research Institute of Philosophy and Culture, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, has maintained a steady record of growth and excellence and has several intellectual connections with the city of Chennai and others. Founded in October 1986 by the members of the Society of Jesus, commonly known as Jesuits, the institute is located in a sprawling lush and green campus amidst plenty of trees and gardens. The serenity and peace-filled ambience on the campus is the right place to conduct serious philosophical research.
The vision of this institute is to seek truth, discover forgotten wisdom, evolve new paradigms, and challenge established ideas in philosophy and culture—for the sake of a world of harmony. The promotion of harmony can be achieved through profound philosophical insights which are deeply embedded in our culture. In a world struggling to maintain its sanity and sanctity—because of the manifold influences of science and technology, shallow-mindedness and superficial relationships with oneself, others, nature and God—philosophy can effectively assist humanity to achieve harmony.
The institute seeks to collaborate with every like-minded agent in this noble task of rebuilding a new humanity, treading on the philosophical path. With renewed vision and clear objectives, the institute values this opportunity of the inspection to introspect and be reinvigorated to move towards the future. It aims to contribute to research, not for its own sake, but for a better world.
The reality of diverse cultures beckons us to interculturality, the presence of indigenous knowledge and wisdom invites us to delve deep into its richness and savour its taste, and the fact of archaic and fossilized outdated ideas summons us to search for new insights so that we can live as meaning-seeking humans. Based on these ideals, the institute forges ahead.
We remain thankful to the University of Madras for its continued support and recognition of our work. Drawing inspiration from the motto of the University: “Learning promotes (one’s) natural (innate) talent” (Doctrina Vim Promovet Insitam), we too seek to promote philosophical reasoning and the pursuit of truth and wisdom, which is innate in all of us.
Administration
Rev Dr Jerome Stanislaus D’Souza, SJ
PATRON President, Jesuit Conference of South Asia
Rev Dr Boniface Panna, SJ
RECTOR
Rev Dr Valerian Mendonca, SJ
DIRECTOR OF SNRI
Rev Fr Lindsay Lobo, SJ
Assistant Director for Programmes
Mr James Thomas
Administrative Secretary
Vision
Mission
Objectives
Vision
Enlivening Wisdom through philosophical research for a better world
Mission
Research service in Philosophy and related disciplines, for seeking truths, discovering forgotten wisdom, evolving new paradigms, challenging established ideas in philosophy and culture, towards a better world of justice and reconciliation, in the spirit of Jesuit intellectual traditions.
Objectives
- To Facilitate an earnest search for truth and to promote human values through research, reflection and writing, individually and in collaboration with others.
- To serve as a centre for dialogue between the philosophies of East and West and for Interaction among the philosophies of different religions and cultures, to promote the evolution and appreciation of a coherent perspective even amidst divergent views of humans, the world and God.
- To Encourage serious and scholarly efforts to discover and understand the earthly struggles of men and women and offer if possible, ways and means for the integral liberation not only of every human being but also of human society as a whole.
- To make the problems and anxieties of the people of contemporary India a special concern of this Institute and through research, seminars and collective reflection, to discover new and fresh outlooks, attitudes and values that will foster national Integration and evolve structural changes culminating in a better social order.
- To give new thrust to the treasures of India’s glorious past—its philosophy, culture, traditions, and values—and to propose meaningful and necessary adaptations and reinterpretations or even offer critical re-evaluations so that these may become relevant and acceptable today.
- To train and guide scholars in M.Phil, and Ph.D courses in Philosophy.
- To organize Seminars, Workshops, Conferences and Meetings dealing with Philosophy and Culture and to cooperate with other Institutions in organising such programmes.
- To publish the results of research (in Philosophy and Culture ) through monographs and periodicals.
- To undertake all other activities to promote research in Philosophy and Culture.
Seminars and Conferences
Seminar hall
There is an exclusive round table seminar hall for seminars and conferences in the Mezzanine floor of the Library building. Simple in style but elegant in its looks, this hall has a total seating capacity of 50 persons. It is well equipped with a projector, a round table and a board for writing. There are two rest rooms attached to this hall as well as purified drinking water facilities within the hall. The hall is also wi-fi accessible.
Auditorium
Manresa Hall is a large hall with a huge professional stage and has a seating capacity of around 200 people at a given time. Well-lit and ventilated, this hall serves for many gatherings, including social and spiritual gatherings. Although there is no fixed projector in the hall, the facilities to use projectors are there. The audio system in the hall is truly good and so is the stage. There are two green rooms on either side of the stage with attached rest rooms. There are also separate rest rooms in the portico area.
Multipurpose Dining Hall
Apart from both these halls, there is also a multipurpose hall which is used for smaller gatherings and get togethers. The place can accommodate around 100 people and there is also a dish washing place next to it.
Gallery
