 EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, June 18: Model Institute of Engineering and Technology (MIET) organized the Dr. Arun K. Gupta Memorial Lecture at its Kot Bhalwal campus. Prof. Arvind Jasrotia, Registrar University of Jammu delivered a lecture on "The Quest for Spiritual Humanism", which was much appreciated by the audience comprising 175 faculty and staff members. Prof. Ankur Gupta, Director MIET welcomed Prof. Arvind Jasrotia and described him as a luminary in the domain of Law. He placed on record deep gratitude for the mentoring and encouragement received from Prof. Jasrotia over the years. The Dr. Arun K. Gupta memorial lecture series serves to recognize the lifetime contributions of the founder of MIET, Dr. Arun K. Gupta, who was a role-model teacher, an educator, a researcher par excellence and a karma-yogi in the truest sense.
Delivering the lecture, Prof. Jasrotia spoke at length about the concept of human spiritualism and its application in mitigating suffering, anxiety stress and moving towards contentment, bliss and true happiness. The spiritual heritage of India lies in the Great Upanishads. The subject matter of the Upanishads is Brahman, the Ultimate Reality, and Atman, the Individual self. But it is intensely fascinating to see how the same subject is dealt within each Upanishad in such a manner that the feeling of sameness never arises. Quoting Dr. S Radhakrsihnan, he said that the "Real" which is at the heart of the universe is reflected in the infinite depths of the self. Brahman, the Ultimate, as discovered objectively, is the Atman, the Ultimate as discovered introspectively. These sublime truths of the Vedanta also find resonance in the life and teachings of Swami Vivekananda, the great spiritual architect and Karam Yogi of modern India. The spiritual humanism is intensely practical deriving its strength from the divinity that pervades all. People should develop the spirit of humanism gradually until it unfurls and blossoms into a divine power. Humanism that is strengthened and sustained by the ignition of the divine spark in man is far different from the current humanism of the West, including its scientific humanism. There is a universality and dynamism in the former, and its energies are entirely positive. Quoting Upanishads and Bhagvad Gita, Prof. Jasrotia deliberated on the concept of "Seer" and "Seen" and how this realisation helps in the evolution and steady unfolding of higher divine possibilities within. Service to mankind as the service to God has been pivotal in changing the perception of society by ushering a new sense of interdependence and universal responsibility that flows naturally from the recognition of the oneness of humanity. Humanity must imaginatively develop and apply this grand vision of spiritual humanism as a sustainable way of life.
The audience was left feeling elevated and inspired after Prof. Jasrotia's lecture. A memento of appreciation was presented to him to acknowledge his commitment to unlocking ancient wisdom and sharing it with others. Other dignitaries present on the occasion included Prof. Ashok Aima, Prof. S.K Sharma, Prof. G.S Sambyal, Prof. B.C Sharma, Dean Training and Placement, Ashwani Padha, Controller of Examination, Prof. Ashok Kumar, Dean Academics and Dr. Sahil Sawhney, GM Strategic Initiatives. |
