Gujarat Confidential: Ancient insights

Speaking at one of the talks at School of Ultimate Leadership (SOUL) near GIFT City in Gandhinagar recently on how ancient Indian principles can help solve modern leadership challenges, Professor B Mahadevan, former dean of IIM Bangalore, and founding vice chancellor of Chinmaya Vishwa Vidyapeeth, has highlighted the importance of ancient Indian wisdom, including the Vedas and the Bhagavad Gita. As he anchored his talk around four key pillars – look inward, ability to die and let go, ‘Nishkama Karma’ in action and being inspirational is contagious – Professor Mahadevan’s perspectives on translating ancient insights into contemporary contexts laid emphasis on expanding the discipline of Indian knowledge systems across domains, including science and technology. SOUL, with Hasmukh Adhia, Gujarat Chief Minister’s Principal Advisor and Former Finance Secretary, as the chairman of the executive committee, was established in 2020 focusing on leadership development in three key spheres: politics leadership, social service leadership, and public policy leadership.

Special Message

At a time when issues related to stray dogs are taking the centrestage after a recent Supreme Court order, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, one of the civic bodies in the country to make pet registration compulsory, in a message on X celebrating the “unique bond between humans and dogs” on the National Dogs Day, has appealed to citizens to make their pets feel “extra special” along with a social message to adopt the canines. “Our four-legged friends protect our homes, help solve crimes and shower us with love. Do spare a moment today to take your dog for a walk… and make them feel extra special. Also, consider adopting one and giving them a forever home,” the message read.