Delegates at the valedictory session of the seminar at AN Sinha Institute of Social Sciences on Thursday. Picture by Nagendra Kumar Singh

Tradition and modernity are important in equal measure, said Shyamal Kishor, the organising secretary of a two-day seminar on live-in relationships on Thursday.

“We cannot ignore tradition nor keep aside modernisation. We shall have to find a middle ground,” said Kishor, addressing the valedictory session of the seminar with the theme: “Live-in relationships in the Indian context: social, ethical and legal perspectives”.

The University Grants Commission-sponsored seminar was organised by the department of philosophy of the TPS College in collaboration with the faculty of law of the College of Commerce at AN Sinha Institute of Social Sciences.

Kishor also said: “As teachers, it is our responsibility to not only take classes but also to tell society about new developments. When we were planning the seminar, the principal of TPS College, Dr Baban Singh, instructed me to select a theme that would be pan-India.”

He added: “While the institution of marriage has been questioned in the course of the seminar, live-in relationships have also been under fire.”

The speakers on the final day were Nilanjana Sen from the department of women studies, Jadavpur University, Calcutta, and Dinesh Kumar, associate psychology professor, College of Commerce.

The chief guest was Sita Ram Singh, director, higher education.