Director’s Message

                MY Salutations to one and all whom are embodiments of divine love and true self.

India i.e. Bharat (that which revels in light of knowledge and wisdom), the land of seekers, enriched by the depth and vastness of diverse sciences and disciplines, is at the cusp of becoming Vishwa Guru (a global teacher) Vikasit Bharat (a developed Nation, a world leader), all over again, after 1100 years of subjugation, annexes, humiliation and wars.

The true Bharat culture which is the core of our wisdom, taught us compassion for all living beings and a sense of oneness with all the nature (Vasudeva Kutumbakam). Bharat today is again a free country due to the sacrifices made by our leaders and freedom fighters. Since the last 79 years, we have learnt the art of standing tall in the midst of many a challenge of building the nation with its rich diversity, cultures and languages.

“Unity in Diversity” is our mantra, as we continue to make our Nation stronger in every sphere. Time has now come for us to revisit our rich cultural heritage, and our traditional knowledge and wisdom, bestowed upon us by Rishis, seers, gurus and Acharyas. Over eons, they have blessed us with the Vedas, the foundational scriptures for humanism (written in hymns and rituals), Upanishads (giving the philosophical content, focusing on ultimate reality and the self), the Puranas (collections of genealogies, legends of kings and deities), and the Itihasas (a collection of epic poems like the Mahabharata and Ramayana narrating moral and spiritual themes).

Under the aegis of renowned GuruKul system of school education, adopting distinctive pedagogy, the students all over the world came to Bharat to study in our world renowned universities such as Taxashila, Nalanda, Vikramashila, Valabhi, Odantapuri, Somapuri, Ujjain, Kanchi and Pushpagiri, the great seats of higher learning.

It has been proven without doubt over centuries, that no Nation has ever risen to the stature of a world leader or a happy nation without educating its people. The role of Universities and Centers of Excellence was never in question. Creativity, innovation and hands on experience were given importance, with nature itself serving as the experimental laboratory to unravel the secrets of the universe.

These Universities rose to international repute not merely because of their endless collection of scriptures, but because   of the value education that they offered. Their true glory lay in the Knowledge on how best a human being can function in this world.  How to use the intelligence that our race possesses in the service of life? Knowledge was transmitted through the famous Guru Shishya Parampara across ages and generations. Students explored a wide range of disciplines, the 64 art forms, through recitation, hands on experience and experiential learning.

This very land of Kurukshetra, also known as Dharma Kshetra, has taught us to be righteous in our conduct, the upholding of values, and the strength to desist any attacks on oneself or upon the vulnerable. The celestial song of Bhagavat Gita teaches us to achieve a 360⁰ development- Physical, Mental, Emotional, Spiritual and Social wellbeing.   It shows us the path to becoming leaders par excellence by imbibing qualities such as adaptability, vision, mindfulness, resilience, focus and gratitude.

The Gita seeks to dispel all our doubts, predicaments, guiding us to explore both the self and the material world outside. A high Spiritual Quotient is a higher dimensional science or intelligence and devotion to God benefits people of every background, age and educational level.  Spirituality is a state of awareness; religion is the means to attain that awareness.

Our new National Education Policy 2020, is rooted in this ethos. It seeks to move beyond western educational models imposed upon us, which while showing the path of material progress through scientific innovations and technological advancement, often ignored deeper human values. The NEP-2020 revives our traditional knowledge and wisdom to save the world by two crucial ways:

1. by developing human excellence, producing individuals who enrich society.
2. By fostering sustainable technologies for safe guarding Mother Earth and the future of the mankind.

Time has proven, that the unchecked pursuit of material wealth has shaken the very ethos of mankind and endangered the sustenance of the world. (as noted in the document on Sustainable Developmental Goals, SDG-17).

Now is the moment to teach “True / Right Education for knowledge which liberates” (Sa Vidya Ya Vimukthaye), alongside the “Right to Education for all” so that growth and sustenance of mankind may be secured. A fine balance of material growth along with spiritual growth will make the world much more sustainable but also a happy space for all mankind practicing “Value based Educational model” over the current “Outcome based educational model.

So, what should be the right setting for a great nation like India – and for NIT Kurukshetra in particular- to tap into the full potentialities of young minds? These students drawn from across the nation through a rigorous process of selection through national level testing, toil tirelessly to reach these portals of learning. It is our responsibility to provide them the right environment for teaching and learning, and to allow them to explore their self and progress not only in advancing technologies but also promoting their innate skills of creativity and innovation.

These very traits must guide them in solving many a societal problems and set an example that universities and center of excellence are not isolated spaces for exploration of knowledge alone but contributors to the growth of the nation- through setting up of incubation centers, promote start up culture and entrepreneurial mindset.

 In this direction, NIT KKR would end the motions of rote learning and changing the setting for critical thinking, enquiry, debate and discussions while promoting experiential learning by connecting these young minds through NIT KKR – Local community link. No education is complete if the scholar is unable to move from levels of learning to achieve knowledge leading to wisdom. If a nation has to become strong and be a role model for others, my children studying at NIT Kurukshetra should aspire to become torch bearers of Bharat innovations, promote sustainable research and develop technologies for the problems of our Nation first and then conquer the world stage. This will solve our twin problems of brain drain and dollar drain and realize the dream of the Nation, to become numero uno by 2047 i.e. Vikasit Bharat.

Having taken over the charge of Director of one of the oldest REC, now transformed as NIT with the status of Institution of National Importance, I along with my teaching, non-teaching faculty and support staff welcome you and are eagerly waiting for all our dear students to come to the campus, leaving no stone unturned in preparing ourselves in welcoming you. Over the last 4 years, many efforts were made to make your stay and your academic journey memorable. As a leader, I assure you that you will be pampered by creating an atmosphere of comfort of a home, spaces much bigger than a home to explore oneself, provide facilities to explore material progress, and self-realization, while allowing you to dream big. I personally wish each one of you become passionate about life and serve the society at large in the form of technocrats, business men, world leaders etc.  National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) and its implementation is our top priority and many a steps are taken in this regard by bringing a sea change in curriculum and its contents, besides changing the pedagogy for bringing transformation in you.

I congratulate all student aspirants and their parents to have made efforts in helping them to enter portals of NIT KKR. I Wish all family members and all stake holders of NIT Kurukshetra, the teachers, the students, the parents, alumni and all academic institutions success in their endeavors.  The logo of NIT KKR, has a Motto which reads as follows, and I wish you to follow this Mantra

“Shramaye Anavarat chesta cha”

which means “Hard work and consistent efforts leads to excellence”

Jai Hind…………. Jai Bharat……………

 

From the Director’s Desk……….

 

Prof. B. V. Ramana Reddy                                                                                                                                 

Director, NIT Kurukshetra