Nagpur, 22nd August 2026: Day four of the First Year Orientation Programme for the academic year 2026-2027 dawned with renewed enthusiasm among the freshers. The day commenced with a refreshing yoga session led by the members of Shri Janardan Swami Yogabhyasi Mandal. Through various asanas and breathing practices, the students experienced a sense of calm, improved concentration, and renewed energy for the day ahead.
The Master of Ceremony (MOC) for the session, Dr. Poorva Singh (Assistant Professor, Department of Physics), welcomed the expert speakers, faculty members, and the fresh batch of students. The event was graced by Dr. Poonam Sharma, Professor-in-Charge, Student Mentorship Programme (SMP) and Dr. Vaidehi Dakwale, Co-Professor-in-Charge, SMP.
The first expert talk was by Dr. Kedar Naik, Assistant Professor of Geopolitics at the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune, Maharashtra. Dr. Pankaj, Dept. of Architecture and Planning, VNIT Nagpur, formally welcomed the guest speaker Dr. Kedar Naik by presenting him with sapling and memento.
MOC introduced the eminent speaker Dr. Kedar Naik. His academic interests included political theory, geopolitics, environmental politics, world politics, history, philosophy, and interdisciplinary approaches to strategic and political studies. In his talk, Dr. Naik spoke at length about the role of education in past and present times. He spoke about Macaulayism — the policy of introducing the English education system to British colonies, which placed emphasis on studying primarily to secure jobs. He outlined the role education has played in shaping the political and geographical face of a nation. He emphasized that the true role of education should be to unravel the mysteries of the universe, rather than merely to secure employment. He advised that curiosity gives life a larger purpose and serves as the driving force in discovering one’s true purpose. He also touched upon the topics of liberal arts and industrialization, and how they have influenced the evolution of educational thought.
The second expert talk was by Dr. Batra, Medical Officer at VNIT Nagpur from 1984 to 2016. MOC introduced the eminent speaker Dr. Batra, currently serving as a physician at the Vivekananda Charitable Multi-Speciality Dispensary, Ramkrishna Math, Dhantoli, Nagpur — continuing his lifelong commitment to compassionate, selfless medical care for the community.
Dr. Batra, through his engaging talk with the first-year students, shared several pearls of wisdom to help young students lead a healthy and meaningful life. He first spoke about not being complacent — that one should never be too easily satisfied, as complacency stalls progress. He then shared the thought, “Always move forward, never stop”. He spoke about the value making friends and stressed that fostering friendships leads to a happier life. He shared the timeless mantra, “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise”. His words resonated well with the students, making them more aware of the importance of following a healthy routine. He also spoke about digital de-addiction and the importance of moderation — neither too little nor too excessive — in achar (diet), vihar (lifestyle), activities, sleep, and so on. He stressed the importance of daily physical activity in maintaining a healthy body, which in turn helps us achieve whatever we desire in life.
The session concluded with a formal Vote of Thanks, extending heartfelt gratitude to both expert speakers for their invaluable insights. While Dr. Naik illuminated the true purpose of education and the importance of curiosity, Dr. Batra offered practical wisdom for healthy living and balanced daily habits. Together, the two sessions provided the first-year batch with a meaningful blend of philosophical perspective and practical guidance to navigate their academic journey ahead.
The second half of the day proved to be an enriching and engaging experience for the students, combining motivation, creativity, and confidence-building activities. The programme featured inspiring motivational sessions, craft-making, innovative advertisement-making, and engaging radio voice-recording activities, providing students with opportunities to express themselves, explore their talents, and develop new skills. Overall, the programme marked a memorable and inspiring beginning to the students’ new academic journey.