September 7, 2010
School of Biotechnology, Amritapuri
Continuing a yearly tradition, Biopulse-’10, the annual day celebrations of the Amrita School of Biotechnology showcased and celebrated the many achievements of its students and faculty members.
The day began with Dr. Bipin Nair, Dean of the Amrita School of Biotechnology, inviting the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. P. Venkat Rangan, to address the assembled students and faculty members.
“We have been able to maintain very healthy and fruitful exchanges between Amrita and other national and international universities,” Dr. Venkat emphasized in his address. “In fact, the collaborations made within the last six years have exceeded our expectations.”
The Vice-Chancellor remarked about the quality of education at Amrita. “You cannot have a better institution than this,” he declared. Comparing the institution to a rich gold mine for discoveries, he stated that herein, one could mine the gold easily.
Swami Amritaswarupanada Puri, President of the Managing Board of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, delivered the benedictory address next. He enlightened students on various aspects of and the significance of spirituality in life.
“Everything we do is for obtaining happiness,” Swamiji emphasized. “Why do you want a higher standard of living?” he asked. “Because you want to be happy.”
“Life is not always going to give you what you want,” he cautioned. “The problem is that people want limitless happiness from limited things.”
Swamiji noted that Amma had complete understanding of happiness. He recalled Amma’s words, wherein she states that one can either modify the external or outer world according to one’s likes and dislikes, or one could adjust their inner world i.e. their mind to be happy.
“We can take Amma as our role model and learn to be happy,” he concluded.
Swamiji also requested students to meditate for at least ten minutes every day. “A mind used in the right way can take one to great heights; this indeed is the science of life,” he underlined.
After his speech, Swamiji honored several students for their achievements in academic, research-related and extra-curricular activities, including sports during the academic year 2009-2010.
Among faculty members honored for excellence in research and teaching were Dr. Shyam Diwakar, Dr. Sujith Nair, Ms. Sreekala C. O., Dr. Prakash Chandran and Mr. Nidheesh.
Next students had the opportunity to attend a workshop on entrepreneurship organized by ABLE (Association of Biotech Led Entrepreneurs) and debate on current scientific issues.
The afternoon and evening programs saw nearly twenty cultural items exquisitely performed by students of the School. Rangapuja, Solo Dance, Folk Dance and Group Dance had participants and the audience alike, celebrate and rejoice.
