SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Nov 8: Texas A&M University professor Dr Srikanta Mishra said that Vedic advice is still relevant in the 21st century.
Dr Mishra while addressing IIT ISM Dhanbad students and faculty members on the topic of ‘Vedic Graduation Advice and its Relevance in 21st Century’, said that he finds himself drawn towards timeless Vedic words of wisdom found in ‘Shikshavali’ of Taittiriya.
Dr Mishra, a US-based alumnus of IIT ISM B.Tech Petroleum Engineering Department 1981 batch, explained about values, responsibilities, charity and respect as enshrined in the Vedic scripture.
Dr Mishra retired from Battele last month and joined Texas A&M University.
The programme was organized by the Corporate Communication Office of IIT ISM at Penman Auditorium as part of Vikshit Bharat @ 2047 Talk Series. On the occasion, Prof MK Singh, dean (academic cum officiating director) was also present.
Dr Srikanta Mishra, who has over 30 years of experience in communication data and modern drive insights for geo-energy resource problems while shedding light on Vedic Graduation Advice said, “The Dikshanta Upadesha of graduation advice was traditionally offered by Acharya to residents of Gurukul”.
“Acharya’s advice was on different values of life including Satyam (truthfulness), Dharma (duty of righteous conduct), and self-study,” said Dr Mishra. He explained the pieces of advice and said Satyam calls upon everyone to be truthful in speech. Dharma asks people to perform their duties properly while Swadhyay says that learning should be a lifelong process.
About the responsibilities mentioned in the Vedic scripture, Dr Mishra explained that it calls upon everyone to look after their physical and mental well-being, be productive members of society, and take pride in their cultural and spiritual heritage.
“The charity part as mentioned in our Vedic Script prescribes one to give those who are less fortunate and also give with respect and modesty,” he said.
Earlier, Prof JK Pattanayak (officiating director) and Prof Dheeraj Kumar (deputy director) felicitated Dr Mishra with the ‘Research and Academic Excellence’ Award 2022.