“Indian religion has never shied away from science; on the other hand, it has always embraced it, seeing it in the some ways, as a counterpart to spirituality,” stated Swami Amritaswaroopananda Puri, in his benedictory address at the inauguration of the International Conference on the Security of Internet of Things at Amritapuri.
Invited speakers and delegates participating in the conference had the opportunity to meet with Chancellor Amma on the first afternoon of the 3-day conference.
“If everyone followed spiritual teachings, then there would be no need for security,” remarked Mr. B. Balasubramanian, Vice President, Daimler Benz.
Amma concurred, adding, “All problems can be solved, provided there is a clear understanding of spiritual principles. More than anything else, we need mutual understanding and trust, only then we can progress.”
“It is easy to awaken those who are sleeping, but difficult to awaken those who are pretending to be asleep,” Amma said.
Amma recalled how when she was growing up in her village many decades ago, poor people died at a young age, because there was no access to advanced healthcare. That is when Amma decided she would do something to alleviate these problems people faced.
Today experienced doctors in the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences treat not only patients who can physically come to them, but also those who cannot, through the telemedicine network that links remote corners of the country.
“If someone hacks a pacemaker device or an insulin pump, lives can be endangered. We should research ways to make such devices more secure,” Amma told the delegates.
“We should also think of how we can provide students more awareness about these topics,” Amma said.
Amma invited delegates to share their thoughts and opinions.
“I congratulate Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham for having inspired so many highly qualified faculty to move back from the West to serve in their motherland,” remarked Mr. Srinivas Jaini, Executive Director, Cloud Security Alliance, Silicon Valley Chapter.
“Many delegates are remarking on how good and pleasant both the students and the faculty here are,” said Dr. Ram Akella, Technology Management Director, University of California, Santa Cruz.
Other guests such as Esther Dyson, entrepreneur and philanthropist and Manish Gupta, Director, IBM Research-India requested that the focus of the students not only be on basic research, but also on developing products and technologies in a sustainable manner to benefit the entire world.
“It is as if Mother Earth is now battling with cancer that has already advanced to the second stage,” Amma said. “If this cancer progresses to the third or fourth stages, recovery may be very difficult,” she cautioned.
“Along with technological advancement, we need values, otherwise it will lead to destruction. Only when we blend science with spirituality, can we achieve real progress,” Amma underlined.
August 21, 2012
Amritapuri Campus
SEE ALSO
SecurIT International Conference 2012
Experts Speak at SecurIT 2012
Hacking Contest sCTF
Indo-US Workshop at Kochi Campus
The New Indian Express – SecurIT 2012 Concludes at Amrita Varsity
IBN Live – SecurIT 2012 Concludes at Amrita Varsity
The New Indian Express-2.8 m Professionals Needed by 2020
The Hindu – Rs.10,000 Crore for Country’s Electronics Sector
Gulf Times – Electronics Industry Will Need 2.8mn Professionals by 2020
Deccan Herald – Transparency of Internet Data Important, Says Bob Kahn
Business Standard – Transparency, Accessibility of Internet Data Important: Kahn
ZeeNews.com – Transparency of Internet Data Important: Bob Kahn
The Economic Times – Transparency, Accessibility of Internet Data Important: Bob Kahn
The Hindu – Report on IT Meet at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham
The New Indian Express – SecurIT at Amritapuri from August 17
The New Indian Express – Global Meet on Internet Security
Aaj Ki Khabar – Indian Electronic Industry Will Need 2.8mn Professionals by 2020
cloudsecurityalliance.org – Cloud Security Alliance, Esther Dyson and Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Co-Chair ‘Startup Pitchfest’ at SecureIT
