Mangaluru: Shraddha 2026 – Educational Symposium Held at Ramakrishna Math
- “With Determination, One Can Achieve Anything” – Govinda Babu Poojary
- Over 600 Postgraduate Students Participate in Shraddha Educational Symposium
Mangaluru: Ramakrishna Math, Mangaluru, organised “Shraddha – An Educational Symposium for Postgraduate Students” with the aim of nurturing values and character among the younger generation. More than 600 postgraduate students from various educational institutions participated in the programme.
Addressing the gathering, Sri Govinda Babu Poojary, Founder and Chairman of Chef Talk Food & Hospitality, said, “However highly educated you may become, never forget your hometown, culture, traditions and values. Have a dream in life and work continuously to transform that dream into reality. Along with achieving your own dreams, strive to help others realise their dreams as well.”
The symposium was organised at the Swami Vivekananda Sabhangana of Ramakrishna Math, Mangaluru, as part of the Math’s efforts to promote value-based education among the younger generation. The programme was inspired by Swami Vivekananda’s historic message at the World’s Parliament of Religions held in Chicago in 1893 and was organised around the theme:
“Educate, Empower, Elevate: Building Lives of Character and Service.”
The chief guest, Prof. P.L. Dharma, Vice-Chancellor of Mangalore University, said that social service should be regarded as service to humanity. He highlighted Swami Vivekananda’s vision that India’s progress should be understood as contributing to the progress of the entire human society.
True development, he said, lies in taking everyone forward together and creating opportunities for all without discrimination based on caste, religion or social status.
He further emphasised the need for the younger generation to develop Shraddha, values and a spirit of service. At a time when values and ideals among students are gradually declining, programmes such as Shraddha play an important role in instilling these noble qualities among young people, he said.
Dr. A. Srinivasa Rao, Chancellor of Srinivas University, also participated in the programme. Swami Jitakamanandaji, Secretary of Ramakrishna Mission, Mangaluru, was present on the occasion.
Special Sessions and Interactive Discussions
After the inaugural session, a series of special sessions and interactive discussions were conducted by eminent resource persons.
Pujya Swami Yukteshanandaji of Ramakrishna Ashrama, Mysuru, conducted the first session.
The second session was addressed by Dr. Raghavendra Holla N., Chairman of Swastika National Business School, Mangaluru.
This was followed by an interactive session on the topic “Beyond Paycheck: What Makes Work Meaningful?” The session featured Dr. Rameela Shekhar, mental health professional and Director of Manashanthi, Mangaluru; Praveen Udupi, Founder and Technical Director of AI Logics, Mangaluru; and Ms. Krithika Saralaya, Head of Human Resources at Inventger Technologies, Mangaluru.
The interactive session was moderated by Dr. Seema S. Shenoy, Director of the SDM Postgraduate Studies Centre, Mangaluru.
Captain Ganesh Karnik, a veteran of the Indian Army, welcomed the gathering, while Dr. Chandru Hegde, Convenor of the Swami Vivekananda Study Centre, Mangalore University, proposed the vote of thanks. Smt. Smita Shenoy compered the programme.
More than 600 postgraduate students from various institutions across Dakshina Kannada district participated in the symposium. The participating institutions included Srinivas University, Pandeshwar; Srinivas University ICS (Computer and Information Science); University College, Hampankatta, Mangaluru; Alva’s College, Moodbidri; Vivekananda College, Puttur; St Aloysius College, Mangaluru; Dr. P. Dayananda Pai–P. Satish Pai Government First Grade College, Car Street; Govinda Dasa College, Surathkal; the School of Social Work, Roshni Nilaya, Mangaluru; Sahyadri College of Management, Adyar; and Government First Grade College, Vamadapadavu, among others.
The second day of the symposium, “Medha 2026,” is scheduled to be held on September 10, 2026, at the Swami Vivekananda Sabhangana, Ramakrishna Math, Mangaluru, for teachers and student teachers.