Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)

Mangaluru, Sep 1: The three day youth-centric seminar on the topic 'Education for self reliance' was inaugurated on Monday September 1 at Ramakrishna Math, Mangaladevi. The seminar will conclude on Saturday September 3.

The seminar, for post graduate students, was inaugurated by the chancellor of Nitte University, Dr N Vinay Hegde. The MLC captain Ganesh Karnik, welcomed the gathering.

Addressing the gathering, Swami Jitakamanandaji Maharaj, the president of Ramakrishna Math said, "We have been organising this seminar for nine years. We have named today's programme Shraddha, which is most suitable. Shraddha means concentration; which is very important. To believe in oneself is very important. Keeping this in mind we have invited people who have excelled in the field of education. I request the students to be present here not just physically but mentally as well and thereby, make the best of this opportunity."

Dr N Vinay Hegde said, "Sadly, three words put here -- shraddha, prajna and medha -- are lacking in us. I want to tell the youth here that if you really want to pursue a post-graduation degree, you should believe in yourself. Knowledge must be put to practice. Knowledge for the sake of degree is a worthless exercise. Personally I feel young minds have the strength and ability to make a mark for themselves. Degree alone will not help you achieve great things. So it is very important to believe and have the urge to achieve great things," said Dr Hegde.

"Fear should not overtake you. What if you fail? Heaven will not cave in. I have failed, but that did not deter me from moving forward. You must understand that life is larger than what some of us think it to be. What is important is hard work, concentration and belief in yourself."

Swami Nikleshwaranandaji Maharaj, president of Vadodara Math, Swami Bodmanandaji, Dr Vivek Modi, proffessor Raghuttam Rao and others were present at the seminar.