Centre for Holistic Development (CHD) Report 2016-2017 SLC is very sensitive towards societal changes and thus, under the leadership of its Principal, Dr. Rabi Narayan Kar, the College has established a Centre for Holistic Development (CHD) for ensuring a balanced development of our students. The Principal felt a strong need to establish this Centre because in today's scenario, where one is witness to a widespread degeneration of human values (principles, standards, convictions, and beliefs), it is our moral duty to groom these young scholars, enriching them with empathy and moral consciousness so that they become the torch bearers of the "Human Values" movement. This Centre focuses on developing and imparting holistic education to our students to make them ethically strong. This would make them responsible citizens. The important events organized and initiatives taken by this Centre evidently helps in opening up of the minds of the students to newer ways of thinking. Going a step ahead, through CHD, the College has entered into collaboration with Academy of Value Management, a unit of Integrating Spirituality and Organisational Leadership Foundation (ISOL). This knowledge sharing collaboration organises monthly lectures delivered by eminent speakers from diverse fields of life on topics which help people in getting connected to our ancient culture and heritage. These interactive sessions with the students help in fulfilling the need to imbibe moral and social values that will make them the model citizens of the country. The Centre has organised the following Eight powerful lectures since its inception in June 2016: 5 th June 2016: Doctrine of Yoga by Mr. Krishna Kumar MB Brief CV of the Key Speaker:Mr. Krishna Kumar MB, consultant on Corporate Planning, Policy Formulations & Logistics, Governing Board Committee (ISOL Foundation), as the key speaker. Mr. Krishna Kumar MB is a dynamic professional with rich experience in Broadcast Industry and Corporate Communications, Journalism, Crisis Management, Editorial Operations, Strategic Planning and Management. Summary of the Lecture:YoGa is the most advanced science for the development and advancement of the human faculties with psycho-physical characteristics in synchronisation with the cosmic systems. Doctrine of Yoga or YoGa Anusaasanam popularly known as Yoga Sootra (sutra) is an extensive application of the Principles of Jyotishmati of Skanda together with its branches of Astronomy, human structure and functions in reciprocation to nature. Posture and regulation of breathe skeleto- muscular and organ systems are only a part of the YoGa Sootra. The extensive application of the YoGa Sootra underlies in the positioning in consonance with Astrophysical principles and delinking the impact of chronological progression of time, to create a self defined, self determining Faculties and Physique with absolute control of 1
involuntary and voluntary functions. Thus System of YoGa is fundamental to futuristic course of learning and skill development to create absolute mastery over the subject streams pursued. 21 st June 2016: Seminar on Yoga and Sustainable Goals by Prof. Emma Juaneda Ayensa,Sh. S. N. Sahu, Prof. Sunita Singh Sengupta and Dr. Rabi Narayan Kar Brief CV of the Speakers: Prof. Emma Juaneda Ayensa teaches in the Department of Economics and Business University of LaRioja, Spain. Additionally, she has professional experience in sectors of social services and private higher education (as a quality expert). She is focused on the research and promotion of human rights approach and sustainable development in higher education programs. Sh. S. N. Sahu is Joint Secretary, Rajya Sabha Secretariat, Government of India. Prof. Sunita Singh Sengupta, Chief Mentor, Academy of Value Based Management, has been working towards spirituality since last two decades. Dr. Rabi Narayan Kar is Principal of the College. Summary of the Lecture: The College organised a Yoga Camp from 16th to 21st June, 2016 as part of International Yoga Day Celebrations, 21st June, 2016. As the College Principal firmly 2
believes that in addition to Yoga Asanas and breathing exercises, it is essential to understand its foundational principles. A Seminar was, thus, organised in collaboration with Academy of Value Based Management (A Unit of ISOL Foundation) on 21st June 2016. Prof. Emma Juaneda Ayensa shared her thoughts about the critical role played by educational institutions in achieving sustainable development goals. She stressed on the importance of Tolerance for our younger generations. Sh. S. N. Sahu helped in understanding the Tenets of Yoga. Additionally, Prof. Sunita Singh Sengupta shared her thoughts about Yoga and Spirituality drawing from her experience of about two decades in this area. The College Principal, Dr. Rabi Narayan Kar, shared his reflections, about the importance of YOGA. 3
8 th July 2016: Universal Business Excellence Model by Dr. Balvir Talwar Brief CV of the Key Speaker: Dr. Balvir Talwar is General Manager, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limted. Dr. Talwar is working in BHEL since 1983 and has experience in diversified fields like Strategic Planning, Business Excellence, CSR, Quality, Productivity and Industrial Engineering etc. Summary of the Lecture:Vedic philosophy derives infinite creativity, actions and power from the universal laws of Nature. Rig-Veda explains that physical as well as moral laws govern the entire universe. Universal Business Excellence Model (UBEM) is an attempt to integrate philosophy of the East with excellent practices of the West. Universal Business Excellence Model (UBEM) has been evolved by integrating contemporary business excellence models with universal laws to facilitate multi-dimensional business growth. UBEM stresses that profit is not the ultimate objective of the business, but a means to achieve the sustainable success. It identifies the Values & Process Flow and measurement of Multiple Bottom-lines as key to the success for any organisation. 4
6 th August 2016: The Flow, The Zone and Yog Darshan by Mr. Rakesh Kumar Brief CV of the Key Speaker:GM and Chief Vigilance Officer, OICL Summary of the Lecture: The lecture aimed at exploring "YOG DARSHAN" or Patanjali Yog Sutra, with respect to working in the zone or flow as envisaged by Mihály Csíkszentmihályi. Mihály Csíkszentmihályi defined, flow as completely focused motivation, according to him it leads to ultimate, experience by harnessing the emotions. Flow is so named because during Csíkszentmihályi's 1975 interviews several people described their "flow" experiences using the metaphor of a water current carrying them along.some of the challenges to staying in flow include states of apathy, boredom, and anxiety. Being in a state of apathy is characterized when challenges are low and one's skill level is low producing a general lack of interest in the task at hand. Boredom is a slightly different state in that it occurs when challenges are low, but one's skill level exceeds those challenges causing one to seek higher challenges. Lastly, a state of anxiety occurs when challenges are so high that they exceed one's perceived skill level causing one great distress and uneasiness. These states in general differ from being in a state of flow, in that flow occurs when challenges match one's skill level. Consequently, Csíkszentmihályi has 5
said, "If challenges are too low, one gets back to flow by increasing them. If challenges are too great, one can return to the flow state by learning new skills." Yog Darshan provides simple yet effective method for improving learning and performance. The only handicap it has is its practice based technique which needs teacher who have mastered the art themselves and they teach by example. 6
21 st October 2016: THE POWER WITHIN: A Transformational Journey by Mr. Krishna Kumar MB Brief CV of the Key Speaker:Mr. Krishna Kumar MB, consultant on Corporate Planning, Policy Formulations & Logistics, Governing Board Committee (ISOL Foundation), as the key speaker. Mr. Krishna Kumar MB is a dynamic professional with rich experience in Broadcast Industry and Corporate Communications, Journalism, Crisis Management, Editorial Operations, Strategic Planning and Management. Summary of the Lecture: He elucidated the Astronomical derivations of Gayatri and its applications to derive the information content of the Vedas. According to him, the inner power of a person and the fact that it can be used to strengthen the soul of a person and spread the positivity around. This power influences the thought process and if used in a positive way, it can enlighten the life of a person and also the lives of people around him/ her. Further, he explained the power of Introspection.He spoke about the role played by positive thinking in transforming oneself into a better person and in turn, making the surroundings blissful. He stressed upon the fact that being 7
true to oneself and doing things which makes one happy are very essential for our existence. 8
MHRD s Digital Economy Project Vittiya Saksharata Abhiyan (VISAKA) The Principal fully understands the crucial role to be played by an educational institute in MHRD's Digital Economy Project Vittiya Saksharata Abhiyan (VISAKA). We are actively engaged in this project on various fronts with the invaluable support of our students as we firmly believe they are the real change agents.we have been religiously following the deadlines given by MHRD, starting from Training of the Teachers, Registration of Student Volunteers, Training of Volunteers, Making the Campus Cash Free, Adoption of Shahdara Mandi, Regular follow up visits to the Shahdara Mandi to Feedback Sessions taken by the Principal of the College along with three Faculty trainers.we have been able to convert 1000 households and about 200 vendors to adopt digital modes of payment. Though, it was a herculean task, our perseverance has been rewarded. CHD Volunteers are additionally working on converting households into less cash households. 9
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12 th January 2017 : Reflections on Swami Vivekananda by Sh. S. N. Sahu Brief CV of the Key Speaker: Sh. S. N. Sahu is Joint Secretary, Rajya Sabha Secretariat, Government of India. He is a great scholar and well read about Swami Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi. Summary of the Lecture: The speaker enlightened the august gathering by explaining Swamiji's teachings in the simplest way possible. He spoke about Swami Vivekananda's speech, which took place at World Parliament of Religion, on 15th September, 1893. He told the students that Swami Vivekananda addressed the gathering by saying ' Dear Sisters and Brothers of America' and used 'Yes We Can And Yes Will Do!' as a slogan (Nara). He also focused on Swami Vivekananda's quote: Arise! Awake! And don't stop until the goal is reached. 14
18 th January 2017: Army Day Celebrations Brief CV of the Key Speaker: Shri Shri Niwas is National Joint Organising Secretary (Delhi). Summary of the Lecture: He reinforced the equality of girls in Indian society. He talked about the importance of armed forces in India and made the students realise that all of us are living such a comfortable life because of the hard lives lived by out Army. He mentioned about Havlidar Hangpan Dada who has been posthumously awarded Ashoka Chakra on 26 th January, 2017. He very beautifully told the students with examples to understand the importance of Indian culture. 15
20 th January 2017 : Ethics and Values : A Reinforcement by Prof. K. Ramakrishnan Brief CV of the Key Speaker: Prof. K. Ramakrishnan earned a doctorate in management from IIM Calcutta. He has about two-and-a-half decades of professional experience across industry and academics. His areas of study and research are ethics, values and spirituality based on the Indian scriptures. Summary of the Lecture: He was invited to address the students and make them realise that only reading and hearing is not important, one should develop oneself as a human being and imbibe ethics through character building, which he did in the simplest way possible. He started the session by asking some questions which created ethical dilemma in the minds of students. He focused on: True meaning of ethics, values and knowledge. The power of introspection & self awareness. 'The difficulty of being good', written by Gurucharan Das. Sayings of Greek Socrates and Aristotle regarding ethics and virtues. Difference between a religious and a spiritual person. 16
The Karma theory. He told the students that people always throw rocks at things that shine but one should never stop shining and being the good person that he/she actually is. If ego becomes zero, the spiritual character turns out to be infinite. He also suggested the students to write one Shloka of Bhagwat Geeta everyday. 17
It has been a very meaningful journey for CHD this year. We look forward to many more such powerful lectures and other developmental projects in helping our students to become the change agents in the society. Dr. Ruchika Ramakrishnan CHD Convenor 18