Sri Sri University Celebrates 7th Convocation Virtually
Cuttack: Sri Sri University (SSU) is leading the way in online education as it has converted itself to a digital University in two days’ time starting from 16th March 2020. In an era of physical distancing, when Online Education is going to stay for a long time, such a flexibility to change has given an edge to the institution over others. Being the torchbearer of this new normal SSU hosted its 7th Convocation Ceremony on 25th September 2020 virtually with a lot of appreciation from all quarters.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Founder and the Lifetime President of Sri Sri University presided over and blessed the 7th Convocation with his words of wisdom. He inspired students to make the planet a better place to live and work towards a prosperous, strong, compassionate and celebrating world order. He assured the students that divinity is within them as well as the blessings of humanity. With this confidence the class of 2020 should move forward with the tools and techniques to maintain a calm and serene state of mind imparted during their time at the Sri Sri University.
Mr. Sajjan Jindal, Chairman, JSW Group of Companies graced the virtual Convocation as the Chief Guest. His convocation address was inspirational and he motivated the students to enjoy their work every moment to become self-starters, to convert the challenging time to opportunities like those that Isaac Newton did in 1665. He praised Odisha for being the land of ancient glory to present day achievements and virtues the inhabitants possess. Tough times don’t last but tough people do.
The Leadership and Management Team of Sri Sri University who graced the ceremony were Mrs. Rajita Kulkarni, President, Prof. Ajay Kumar Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Prof. B.R Sharma, Executive Registrar, Mr Narendra Lamba, Director Operations, all Deans, Heads and all the members of the eminent Board of Governors.
A total of 397 students, including 2 Ph.D. scholars, postgraduates, and undergraduates who received their degree certificates on this auspicious day. Ajit Kumar Nanda and Abhipsa Mohanty were given the PhD degrees under the aegis of Faculty of Management Studies. Seventeen students received gold medals for outstanding academic achievements under various specializations of 17 different programmes including overall best student of MBA. Those students namely, Neha Saxena (MBA Best Student of the Batch), Hitesh Shivani (MBA Marketing), Diksha Kumari (MBA Finance), Anshul Sinha (MBA Finance), Arundhati Upadhayay (MBA Human Resources), Akankshya Pattnaik (MBA Agri-Business), Dogga Divya (M.A. Yoga), Priyanka Das (M.A. Journalism and Mass Communication), Surendra Chandra Tripathy (M.A. Sanskrit), Sibasish Sanyal (BBA), Anwesha Pattnaik (B.Com.), Yeligala Abhishek (B.T.T.M.), Pragya Pathak (B.A. Yoga Science), Sasmita Panda (Bachelor of Performing Arts (Odissi), Vishal Kumar Singh (BPA- Hindustani Vocal), Chaitanya Ram Dumbhare (Bachelor of Visual Arts) and , Sushree Subhramaniyam Ayyar (B.Arch).
Generally, students come to University to get a degree. With the help of Senior Art of Living Teachers spread across the country, the university ensured that the Gold Medals and Degrees are delivered along with the blessing of Senior Art of Living Teachers in their respective homes in different locations of the country, which is one of its kind in the history of Higher Education scenario of the country. This is a blend of Virtual Convocation along with the blessings in the face to face mode.
This grand event witnessed a virtual footfall of over 11,000 views including students, parents, academicians, administrative staff members, media persons, civil servants, district administration, police, business persons, trustees, apex body members and the Art of Living teachers, among others.
Mrs Rajita Kulkarni welcomed the virtual gathering and narrated how the team is building the innovative university brick by brick putting their heart and soul, which has enabled it to get so many awards of excellence in a very short span of existence. She said that the incredible achievement of the university is because of the qualities viz., adaptability, agility, resilience and re-building. The Vice Chancellor presented the annual report, which consisted of outstanding achievements of the University and the initiatives taken for integrated health care system with the upcoming Ayurveda College. The Executive Registrar offered a vote of thanks.
The Gold Medalist of MA JMC Priyanka Das said, ‘I feel honoured to receive the token of appreciation and encouragement during the tough time.’ Aviral Khosla, BBA opines, ‘we are the historic batch where the vision of digital India has come true by witnessing a virtual Convocation and I am proud of my alma mater’. Sri Dharmesh Nayak, a parent from Cuttack says, ‘I am happy to see my son, Ashutosh graduating from Sri Sri University and I thank Poojya Gurudev and all the Faculty members for making him a better individual.’ Sri Sri University leads the way with a unique kind of Blended Convocation having a mix of Virtual and Face to Face, this year considering the need of the hour and the physical distancing norms.