NIT Raipur hosts lecture on “Living a Purposeful Life”

Raipur (Team Newsbuddy):National Institute of Technology (NIT), Raipur, organized an expert lecture session on enlightenment, under ‘Prabodhan’ program . The event was graced by the sagacious presence of Swami Atmavidyananda Giri, Vice President, Kriya Yoga Institute, as the keynote speaker. Dr. Samir Bajpai, Director (I/C), NIT Raipur, Dr. Nitin Jain, Dean (Student Welfare), Prakash Mishra, Coordinator, Dr. Manju Shukla, Suraj Nishad, Renowned Alumni’s, faculty members, PhD scholars and students were also present at this event.

The event commenced with a soulful rendition of Vande Mataram, setting a patriotic tone for the gathering. This was followed by a warm welcome to Swamiji by presenting sapling and memento as a token of appreciation. Dr. Samir Bajpai highlighted the vision behind Prabodhan, which aims to invite scholars for sharing knowledge, fostering “Gyan Vardhana” (knowledge enhancement) and “Vivek Vardhana” (wisdom enrichment).

In his address, Swamiji began with a shloka, paying homage to the omnipresent divine. He spoke about life as a journey of continuous learning and self-discovery, addressing the common confusion of the human mind in finding true purpose. Citing a verse from the Mahabharata, Swamiji explained that intellect distinguishes humans from animals, enabling them to discern right from wrong. He elaborated on the essence of life, stating that noble individuals dedicate themselves to a higher purpose, setting them apart from those who live without a moral compass. Through a story, he emphasized on the importance of investing time wisely and making meaningful contributions to society, ultimately becoming a “Yogi” through thoughts and actions.

Swamiji accentuated the need to reflect on personal passions, recognizing strengths and weaknesses, while trusting on one’s path. He emphasized volunteering and giving back to the community, cultivating gratitude and staying content. Swamiji shared a shloka, explaining the connection between breath and mental tranquility. He shared that controlling one’s breath leads to a calm mind. He stated the idea behind Kriya Yoga – Kri (activity) and Ya (divinity) – a practice that connects breath and action with the soul, which is an ancient and scientific meditation technique. Swamiji highlighted the numerous advantages of practicing Kriya Yoga, as it enhances physical, mental, intellectual and spiritual wellbeing, while deepening self-awareness which helps attain liberation.

This was followed by a practical session in which participants engaged in deep breathing exercises and meditation. The session concluded with an interactive Q&A, where Swamiji addressed queries from the audience, followed by the recitation of the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana, marking a thoughtful and enriching conclusion to the event.