SRM University-AP celebrated the birthday of Founder Chancellor Dr T R Paarivendhar as Founder’s Day on August 24, 2021. Dr M Malakondaiah IPS, former Director-General of Police, Andhra Pradesh, was the chief guest of the day. The inauguration of Prerana Vanam, a week-long (Aug 24-29) event of planting trees across the university is being held as part of the celebrations. Prof V S Rao, Vice-Chancellor; Prof D Narayana Rao, Pro-Vice-Chancellor; Dr Vinayak Kalluri, Registrar; and Wg Cmdr Venkataachalam Sekkappan, Director-CLM addressed the gathering.

In his address, Vice-Chancellor Prof V S Rao commended the services rendered by Dr T R Paarivendhar for the progress of the education sector. He advised the students to move forward by taking inspiration from the Chancellor. In his keynote address, Dr M Malakondaiah praised the management for establishing a university with world-class standards in a very short period of time and providing first-class engineering education. He also appreciated the Prerana Vanam endeavour that aims to promote greenery on the campus. “We all have a responsibility to protect and nourish the environment and I am glad that SRM AP is showing the appropriate way”, he added. Speaking on the occasion, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Prof D Narayana Rao paid tributes to the leadership of Hon’ble Chancellor. He further explicated the benefits of growing trees and how that sustainably contributes to the oxygen level in the atmosphere.

Prerana Vanam is an initiative by SRM University-AP to fundamentally raise awareness among people about the importance of ecosystem preservation. This dream project of growing a diversified genus of trees across the university campus was named by Mr SP Sesha Sayee Kumar, General Manager, GPEMC. The formal event held in the university was attended by staff and faculty of the university and the distinguished guests inaugurated Prerana Vanam by planting tree saplings on the campus.

The celebration continued with the staff visiting the elderly at nearby Old Age Homes in Mangalagiri. Prof V S Rao lauded the gesture of the university that extends services to society. Dr Sivakumar, Deputy Dean Academic Affairs; Dr K Mohan, Director, ITKM and Corporate Communications; Dr Ch Lakshmi Rajyam, Medical Officer; and Ms Revathi Balakrishnan, Assistant Director- Student Affairs; Mr Venugopal, Media PRO were present on the occasion.

As part of the service activities to mark Founder’s Day, the NSS Department distributed masks and sanitisers for two days. Former DGP Dr Malakondayya formally started the distribution of the masks on August 24, Tuesday morning, and the university staff continued it to Wednesday as well. The university NSS coordinator Dr Lakshmana Rao and program officer Dr Parthasarathy informed that masks and sanitisers were handed over to cart traders, auto drivers, workers and to the elders at the Krishna Chaitanya Ashram in Mangalagiri town. Precautions to be taken to prevent corona infection were explained to the agricultural labourers in Kuragallu, Nirukonda and Nidamarru villages. Ms Revathi Balakrishnan, Mr Narendra Babu and several NSS volunteers participated in these activities.

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.

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.

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.

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.