The Institute ended the first year with the second FREEDOM WORKSHOP which was again held at the Leslie Sawhny Centre at Devlali, from March 10 to 13, 1997. Its highlight was the stimulating inaugural lecture by Prof.Julian Simon of  University of Maryland, USA, on  "More People, Greater Wealth, More Resources, Cleaner Environment". He concluded "more people do cause problems in the short term, but people are also the means to solve these problems. The ultimate resource is people--especially skilled, spirited, hopeful, young people--who will exert their wills and imaginations for their own benefit, and so, inevitably, benefit the rest of us as well."

This time the Workshop attracted over 40 from different parts of the country. The participation of Mr. Nizam Ahmad, a commentator on economic affairs, from Bangladesh, gave the gathering a South Asian flavour.

Other speakers added substance and significantly enriched the proceedings. Mr.Kumar Ketkar, Editor of `Maharashtra Times', a leading Marathi language daily, spoke on the politics of economic liberalization as it evolved since the 1950s.

Mr. Sharad Joshi, the farmers'  leader, first discussed the process of liberalization of politics in India, and later analysed the prospects for liberalism.

Prof.Rita Simon of the American University, spoke on the evolution of the women's movement in the US.

Dr.Parth Shah of the University of Michigan, in his two talks elaborated on the role of knowledge in society,  and  the  distinction  between  political  markets  and private markets.

Prof.R.K. Amin, former Member of Parliament, dwelt on the debate over entry of MNCs and efficacy of private money, and recounted the experience of the Swatantra party in the late 1950s to early 1970s.

Prof.Sunanda Sanyal, noted educationist, shared his experience on the state of primary education; Mr.Ashoke Sen, writer and critic, discoursed on liberal tradition in India.

Dr.Anil Patel, head of Action Research in Community Health and Development (ARCH), a NGO in Gujarat, spoke on problems  of  health care, and the environment-development debate concerning rehabilitation of people affected by the Sardar Sarovar Dam.

Dr.Shreekant Gupta, environmental and resource economist,  discussed the role of fiscal incentives to deal with environmental problems.

Dr.(Mrs.)Kannamma Raman of Bombay University  traced the evolution of positive and  negative rights.

Prof.Supriyo Bhattacharya of Kalyani  University drew on the lessons from economies in transition in Central and Eastern Europe.

Dr.Ajay Kakar, a dental surgeon, spoke on ways of efficient thinking and the need for a rational philosophy.

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