SIT Tumkur - Sweet Memories

Although Siddaganga Institute of Technology (SIT), Tumkur is not a college that went for engineering or masters, I have profound memories of this institution :). Being inside SIT is a calm and enriching experience. SIT is known for its hospitality and I am happy to say that I have experienced it each and every time I have been there.

My first visit was as part of MSRIT Chess team back in 2008. It was my first university level competition and I was super exited about it. Learnt a lot during those days and was introduced to the genius of Bobby Fischer by Abhishek and Suhas. :) Learnt from awesome game play of Inchara! Made lot of friends :) and, I did manage to win the only match I played :D. Overall, it was very exciting and enriching experience. Later, I revisited for VTU Chess team selection and had a challenging time where I went thru a steep learning curve. :) Each of these two times, we were taken care by the college very well memories still run fresh in my mind!

 After a gap of 4 years and 2 degrees, I revisited SIT for presenting a paper in an International conference. It was professionally organised and I learnt a lot during this 2 day event while staying at the campus itself. I met few other research scholars and professors who were working on various research areas.

Association with SIT did not stop at that. SIT, recently got autonomous status under VTU. As part of their M.Tech curriculum, they introduced a component for evaluation by industry experts so that they get industry perspective and mentoring. I was called upon as one such industry expert and was given task of mentoring and evaluating 7 projects. This evaluation happened in 2 stages; first one was mid-term evaluation and second evaluation was final evaluation. This was the 4th and 5th time when I visited SIT. Last two were by far the most challenging and most important visits for me. :) I always look forward to my next visit to SIT, when ever it may, whatever may be the occasion. It will always remain a place, very close to my heart.

A holistic approach to education

I listened to Dr K V Acharya Sir when I was 16 year old. Those words still reverberate in my ears. He is one of the persons who has sub-consciously shaped my personality and the reason I spend time on national awakening activities.

Sir, also introduced me to Bharatiya Shikshan Mandali - An organisation that works towards ensuring education be a holistic personality development of students in context of national resurgence.  As Value based education is my prime area of interest, I attended several meetings and discussions as part of BSM. Since couple of years or so, I even became a life member in the organisation assuming higher role as well are responsibilities. Early in 2014, we organised a national conference on "Education- A National Mission" to mark 150th Birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. Since then, I personally have thought about it  from different perspectives. Such a meaningful title it is. Yes, education is a national mission. It continues to be.

BSM has been working on an integrated and holistic education policy for our country and an initial draft has been prepared. Mukul Kanitkar ji had come to Bangalore in Febuary this year in order to give a presentation on same. I have been given a task of taking this message to people in our region and gather consensus and feedback. In coming months, I would be doing the same. Hope that one day our education policy ditches Macauleian thought and moves towards a more holistic approach makes us responsible sons and daughters of our nation. :)

Disha - One of the Best things that happened to me recently

Disha - A Guiding light (https://www.facebook.com/DishaBharat , http://dishabharat.org/)

About an year ago, Kshama akka called me up and asked me to attend an orientation session for Disha, an NGO that strives for value based initiatives in education. This has always been topic of my prime interest and without any hesitation, i blocked my calendar for the event. Little did I know that - It was one of the best things that had happened to me in recent past. It is an honor for me to be associated with such motivated, focused, learned scholars, humble souls. Soon after that I was called upon for my duty to council about 20+ final year degree students of a reputed college about values in life. This experience   thought me more than I could ever give back.

 


About a month or so after that, RSS organised a mega event called - Samartha Bharatha. I wanted to participate as a delegate and I did participate in the event. Along with that, as part of Disha, we oriented about 130 delegates - perspective nationalist volunteers about Disha's initiatives.  It is great that several such people joined their hands with Disha following Samartha Bharath event. :)

 
After Samartha Bharatha event, Disha continued its work, But I was not able to attend several events because of work schedule and other commitments. Until, Disha along with a reputed college in Bangalore planned to organised a mega event showcasing Value initiatives in institutions of higher learning - key to youth empowerment. We prepped ourselves to be the foot soldiers and committed to a plan and executed it to best of our capabilities. During this course, I came in contact with several renowned academicians (including Vice Chancellors) from various universities  across the country who are doing amazing and inspiring works. Was fortunate enough to get a chance to serve for this cause as part of org

Below video is a testimonial of one of the the students in Shivamogga district who attending Disha workshop. This is what when inspires us to keep walking. :). Disha still continues its tireless efforts and is now expanding its wings, shining a million times brighter than it ever did before. :-) 

Feedback from students of Sahyadri College Shivamogga
Posted by Disha on Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Importance of ಶ್ರದ್ಧೆ

Was invited a guest for  Navaratri - "Music and Dance Festival" event at Sri Vani Education Centre (https://www.facebook.com/varundesh/po... ) by my teacher. This is the school where I studied from kinder-garden to high school graduation. Felt very honored and humbled that I was considered to be called upon as a guest. During my short talk, I addressed the students who performed on the day and spoke about ಶ್ರದ್ಧೆ . Thanks to Setu for capturing this memorable moment for me. :)

Chalkakruti

Participated and won a prize in McAfee Utsav 2014- Kalakruti event smile emoticon Felt really nice getting back to Chalk art after long gap! This was the day when Rohit Sharma hit 260+ in an ODI. The competition was held in cafeteria and i was unfortunately sitting near the TV screen. :P We were given 90 minutes to complete our art work. Those 90 minutes turned out to be when Rohit was batting! :D So, one one hand, I wanted to see the match, on the other, I had to finish the art work on time. With the mediocre tools that I use (Shaving blade, screw driver and a safety pin), a fraction of an extra stroke could break the entire piece. Especially during the end. It was very challenging and exciting and first time i participated in an "arts competition" -never wanted to participate in any before. Participated in this one for fun and also, as it was long time since I had given it a shot :). Thanks to Poshith for introducing me to the world of chalk art :)