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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:

5th 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

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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.

21st 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

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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.

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8th 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.

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6th 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

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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.

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21st 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

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true to oneself and doing things which makes one happy are very essential for our existence.

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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.

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12th 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.

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18th 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 26th January,

2017. He very beautifully told the students with examples to understand the importance of

Indian culture.

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20th 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.

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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.

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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