SRM University-AP’s Freshmen Orientation Programme-2021 starts with the first motivational speech of this season with Dr Kalidindi N Satyanarayana as the keynote speaker. Dr Kalidindi N Satyanarayana, Director of IIT Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, will grace the event with a captivating interactive session with the freshmen-2021. The session has been scheduled for August 26, 2021, at 10.30 am.

Dr Kalidindi N Satyanarayana is currently the Chairman of the Implementation Committee for IIT Madras Research Park – Phase II. In the past, he has been in the committees for setting up new campuses, including – IIM Trichy, IIT Indore and IIT Jodhpur. Formerly, Dr Kalidindi N Satyanarayana has been a Professor in the Building Technology & Construction Management Division of the Department of Civil Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, India. Having received his B.Tech degree in Civil Engineering from IIT Madras, MS, and PhD degrees with specialization in Construction Engineering and Management from Clemson University, USA, he joined Madras in 1991 as the faculty.

In addition, Dr Kalidindi N Satyanarayana is the Chairman of the Academic Advisory Group, Project Management Institute (PMI) India; Vice-Chairman, Board of Advisors of The Glass Academy; Expert Member on the Board of Management of Building Materials & Promotion Council (BMTPC), and serves as Independent Director on five company boards. Further, he is the recipient of many academic awards, including the PMI (India) Distinguished Scholar Award (2011).

Dr Kalidindi N Satyanarayana’s teaching, research and consulting interests in the areas of project management, construction contracts, construction productivity, construction equipment, C&D waste management, and public-private partnerships will be reflected in his inspirational session with the students of SRM University-AP.

In continuation with the Freshmen Orientation Programme 2021, SRM University-AP, Andhra Pradesh, has requested Dr Jaya Prakash Narayan, celebrated physician, political reformer, and columnist, to address the Freshmen 2021 on August 28, 2021, at 10.45 am.

Dr Jaya Prakash Narayan is a former physician, political reformer, and columnist, celebrated for his role in electoral reforms and the Right to Information (RTI) act. He is the founder and the President of Lok Satta Party and is a former Member of the Legislative Assembly, Andhra Pradesh. He is also the founder and General Secretary of Foundation for Democratic Reforms (NGO), an independent public-policy think-tank and research-resource centre.

Dr Jaya Prakash Narayan’s substantial experience sprawled across spheres of agriculture, technology, and youth rehabilitation, will enthuse the students of SRM University AP to foster revolutionary visions contributing to the development of the society.

Students are urged to attend the stirring session by Dr Jaya Prakash Narayan – the inspiring and illustrious personality on August 28, 2021, at 10.45 am.

After the grand opening of the Freshmen Orientation Programme-2021, it is now time to move forward. SRM University believes in holistic education that is not confined inside the classrooms. The university believes that it is equally important to take care of one’s mental and emotional health along with academic activities. Therefore, beyond the motivational lectures, SRM University-AP has organized “Reset, Refresh and Recharge” in collaboration with Heartfulness Institute to help students understand the importance of internal health. The first session will be conducted on August 26, 2021, at 2.30 pm with Ms Rikita Swaroop, explaining the importance of “Reset (Relaxation & Meditation)”.

Ms Rikita Swaroop currently works in Amity University, Jharkhand, as an Assistant Professor responsible for taking sessions in Business Communications and Soft skills. She is also the Joint secretary for IYA- Jharkhand chapter and State coordinator, Heartful Campus. She is an able Trainer, Speaker, Anchor/Host, Moderator for various programs, esp. online sessions and webinars for teachers, students, faculties across the country on topics like – Heartful Living; Becoming your own Masterpiece; Unleashing Potential – Peak Performance; Heartful Communicator.

Ms Swaroop has an M.Tech in Hospitality Management from LAD College, Nagpur, Maharashtra. She is a Certified Master Trainer – National Skill Qualification Framework Level – 6, Certified Hospitality Educator from the American Hotel & Lodging Association (2003-08) and Certified Career Development Facilitator, Dheya Career Mentors (I) Pvt. Ltd.

She has worked on consulting, delivering and facilitating training in the Corporate, Government and Education sectors for the last 20 years as independent assignments as well as a part of her association with 45 reputed organizations such as Infosys- Pune, IIHM TAJ Aurangabad, DOMINO’S Pizza, Pune, Nagpur, Mumbai, IL&FS ETS, Pune, Vinsys IT Services India Pvt. Ltd, Pune, Air Hostess Academy, PUNE etc.

She is an active member of Heartfulness Institute, a non-profit organization that promotes balanced living through the practice of Meditation. She is a practitioner and Trainer for Heartfulness Meditation for the last 4 years. She believes in the integration of Education and Meditation for the holistic development of the Youth.

The well-designed Freshmen Orientation Programme-2021 not only gives an overview of the university systems and process but also provides a gateway to holistic development for the students. Progressing with the orientation programmes, the second session on the mindfulness of the students has been planned in collaboration with Heartfulness Institute for August 27, 2021, at 2.30 pm. Ms Ragini Mathur, one of the dedicated trainers of Heartfulness Institute, will enlighten the students on “Refresh (Organizing the Mind)”.

Ms Ragini Mathur started her career as a Government teacher. She later got selected in Central Railways in RE Project. She secured promotion and became Divisional Railway Manager for the Bhopal Region. After taking voluntary retirement from Railway Services, she worked as an Administrative Office Superintendent. She joined Heartfulness Institute more the two and half decades ago and became a trainer in 2011. The versatile Ms Mathur has also worked as a radio jockey and a casual announcer for Yuvvani Programme in Akashvani. At present, she is working as a Campus Connect Coordinator for the Heartfulness Institute.

Join the session on August 27, 2021, at 2.30 pm to learn the tricks to calm and organise your mind from the expert herself.

To grace the Freshmen Orientation Programme-2021 even further, Prof B S Murty, Director of the Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, will be delivering an inspiring talk to the freshers of this academic season on September 06, 2021, at 9.30 am.

Prof B S Murthy is an Indian metallurgist who has been recognised with the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award for Science and Technology in 2007, the highest science award in India. Formerly, he was the Head of the Department at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, after being the Professor at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. The celebrated scientist will explain the future of research in science and technology and how students should prepare themselves from their undergraduate days.

Progressing with the Freshmen Orientation Programme-2021, where students learn about the university systems and processes, SRM University-AP has also made arrangements to introduce them to eminent people from various spheres of society. The university is honoured to have Mr Vasagiri Venkata Lakshminarayana, Former Additional Director General of Police in Mumbai, Maharashtra, on August 31, 2021, at 09.30 am for an interesting discussion.

Mr Lakshminarayana, a son of the soil, dedicated his life to the service of the nation. He is well-known for leading some high profile investigations with repute and valour. The Retired-IPS officer had previously held the posts of Joint Commissioner of Police of Thane, Maharashtra and Inspector general of police Rank under Y-category security for dealing with high-profile corruption cases. He has also worked under Anti-Terrorism Squad and CBI. Mr V.V. Lakshmi Narayana has been conferred with the Presidents Police Medal for Distinguished Services on January 26 2017.

He is known for his impactful speeches and interactions with youth that impels them towards maturity and development. He was an active member of the Lead India Foundation, which was started with the blessings of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. Mr V.V. Lakshmi Narayana is also an avid blood donor. Moreover, as a part of his social duties towards the nation, he has adopted several villages that voluntarily prohibit alcohol – Chinnamandadi of Mahabubnagar District, Sahalalaputtuga of Srikakulam District and Seetharamapuram of Vizianagaram District are among them. He extensively travels in the villages of Andhra Pradesh to understand prominent issues, especially those of farmers, youth and women. Students are requested to avail the opportunity to welcome Mr Lakshminarayana to share his thoughts with us.

It is gracious moment to have him with us on August 31, 2021, at 09.30 am for an interesting discussion.