International Conference on "Bhagavad Gita and Ramayana as Perennial Sources of Leadership" at SMS Varanasi
Two-day 8th International Conference on "Bhagavad Gita and Ramayana as Perennial Sources of Leadership" began at School of Management Sciences, Varanasi.
More than three hundred participants from different parts of India and abroad participated in this conference. Academic scholars and students from different quarters of the world including Zimbabwe, Fizi, Bangaladesh, Mauritius, Russia, Thailand, Japan and England also actively participated in the conference. More than 250 Research Papers were presented in the two-day conference.
Addressing the august audience in the Inaugural Session, the Chief Guest of the function Mr. Manoj Shrivastava, Additional Chief Secretary, Govt. of Madhya Pradesh, said that Bhagavad Gita is the oxygen of Indian life and is eternal and perennial. At present success is demeriting the tools that make it possible. Therefore, a leader is needed who shows the real path and not the material things. He stressed that culture progresses, when you carve heart even in stones and the culture decays when you make even your heart a stone.
Presiding the Inaugural Session, Dean, Faculty of SVDV BHU, Varanasi Prof. R. C. Panda expressed pleasure that we are fortunate enough to have with us the treasure of Vedas, Ramayana, Gita and various other Shastras. He asked not to think too much, not to become miserable in times of difficulties and this lesson can only be taught by a good leader.
Guest of Honor, H.G. SuraDas Prabhu, President and Trustee, ISKCON Mumbai divulged that Bhagavad Gita is the only Epic that has been enunciated by the almighty himself. Mr. Suradas said that a Leader is one and only one who can be exemplary in his domain. He was of the view that if one wants to imbibe the teachings and lessons from Gita and Ramayana, one has to first learn the art to control the mind. Those who aspire to enter into the stream of management should first have a peaceful mind and a sharp intellect. He implored everyone to remain careful from the harmful effects of modern communication technology.
Distinguished guest of honor, Vice-Chancellor, Dakshin Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha, Chennai Prof. Ram Mohan Pathak illustrated the importance of communication and dialogue in todays time. He laid emphasis on the importance of management by citing examples of Lord Krisha and Lord Rama as exemplary communication experts. How to communicate and connect with your audience can be better understood through the verses of Bhagavad Geeta. Prof. Pathak was of the view that disputes between languages in particular between Tamil and Sanskrit can be overcome by laying emphasis on the commonality between both languages.
In his discourse, Chief Operating Officer, ESDS Software Solutions, Mumbai Mr. Rajeev Papneja stressed upon the qualities of a Good Leader. He was of the view that any common man can become a good leader if he is more focussed on personal leadership rather than public leadership. Citing the example of Swami Prabhupad, Rajeev called the audience that one of the major attributes of a good leader is to serve not only to demand. Giving the example of Bhagavad Geeta, he said that it is the only epic that lays importance on self-development rather than others development.
Chairman, Delhi School of Professional Studies and Research, Prof. B. P. Singh said that the main theme and message of Geeta and Ramayan is to know oneself, to be committed towards ones aim, to realize ones potential and to harness maximum usage of resources. Todays management needs managers who dont carry high ego and only that manager who can raise his deep consciousness can be a good leader.
Welcoming the dignitaries and guests, the Director of the Institute, Prof. P. N. Jha explained the academic achievements of the Institute. He said that this NAAC "A" grade accreditated Institute, provides a creative platform not only for students and academicians but also to policymakers and the relevant stakeholders of the Institute.
The Executive Secretary of the Institute, Dr. M. P. Singh welcomed and felicitated the guests. Thereafter the Souvenir of the Conference and Coffee Table Book of the Silver Jubilee year were released by the august guests.
The convenor of the conference, Prof. Sandeep Singh gave the Vote of Thanks. Dr. Sofia Khan conducted the function. On this occasion, Registrar Shri Sanjay Gupta, along with other faculty members were also present in this program.
Speaking as the Chief Guest in the Valedictory Session of the two-day International Conference organised by School of Management Sciences, the Vice-Chancellor, Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith, Prof. T. N. Singh, Vice-Chancellor, said that nowadays,
everyone wants to become a leader but that is possible only when one imbibes inclusive form of management based on our Upanishads. The teachings of Gita and Ramayana still hold validity in todays time. Prof. Singh further said that in spite of thinking to change the society one should try to change himself. Citing the example of Mahatama Gandhi, he said that a good leader is one who can change the thinking process of people around him.
The Guest of Honour, Swami Dr. Varishthanand from Ramkrishan Mission of Services, Varanasi said that leaders after leaders in various fields have acknowledged the greatness of Gita and Ramayana worldwide. Swamiji called on that one should be more concerned about his inner state rather than the outer world. Citing examples of Ratan Tata, Ansuyabai and Sarabai as exemplary business persons, Swamiji said that in business and economy both legal as well as ethical aspects need to be assimilated.
The President of the valedictory session, Shri H.G. Suradas (President, ISKCON Mumbai) stressed upon the need to have control over our senses and asked the students to learn the lessons of self-confidence and hard work from Bhagavad Gita.
The Valedictory session started with the welcome and felicitation of the participants and guests by the Director of the Institue, Prof. P. N. Jha. He expressed his pleasure that the startups and venture capitals are now dominating the Indian business market. He implored that Ramayana and Bhagavad Gita are eternal sources of knowledge that should be used for public welfare and should not be exhausted.
Earlier, the Plenary session of the conference started with the deliberation of key-note speaker Prof. H.P. Adhikari (HOD, Comparative Religion and Philosophy Department, Sampurnanad Sanskrit University). Prof. Adhikari said that Bhagwad Gita quells the fear of death existing in our minds. According to Prof. Adhikari only a peaceful mind can become a good leader. Nothing is more valuable than knowledge. He further reiterated that whenever we feel depressed and hopeless, we should take the shelter of Bhagavad Gita.
The second key-note speaker of the session, Swami Prabhudhanand Puri (General Secretary, International Vedant Society) said that Bhagavad Gita is not only for Hindus, but has inspired worldwide sects. Even the French revolution was inspired by the lessons from Bhagavad Gita. The sorrow and misery in this life can be mitigated through the knowledge mentioned in Bhagavad Gita. Swami in his discourse discussed explicitly about spirituality and karmayoga.
The Plenary session was followed by a series of technical sessions. The sessions included participants from India and abroad. Academicians, research scholars and students presented more than 170 research papers. The different sessions were chaired by H.G. Suradas Prabhu (ISKCON, Mumbai), Dr. Purnima Awasthi (Associate Professor, BHU), Dr. Har Govind Mishra (Associate Professor, Srimata Vaishno Devi University, Jammu), Prof. B. P. Singh (Chairman, D.S.P.S.R, Delhi), Prof. Kamal Sheel Mishra and Prof. Sanjay Saxena (SMS).
The Executive Secretary of the Institute, Dr. M. P. Singh welcomed and felicitated the guests. The convenor of the conference, Prof. Sandeep Singh gave the Vote of Thanks. Dr. Sofia Khan conducted the function. On this occasion, Registrar Shri Sanjay Gupta, along with other faculty members were graced the function.
