Dr. Kiran Seth, founder of SPICMACAY (Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music And Culture Amongst Youth), delivered an inspiring speech at KIIT University on Wednesday, emphasizing students to build their level of concentration, self-confidence, and develop strong foundations for academic success. He addressed the students as part of the ‘KIIT-Knowledge Tree initiative’ and visited the campus as part of his countrywide cycling tour promoting good health and a clean environment.
The academician touched upon the changing landscape of education, expressing concern about the increasing stress levels among students despite their exceptional abilities, leading to a decline in academic performance. Concentration, he stressed, is key to academic achievement.
He shared a story of a bright-eyed student at IIT Kanpur who was among the toppers in the entrance test, despite not taking special coaching classes. The student credited his school and practice of yoga that he inculcated from his alma mater to develop his concentration. Dr. Seth emphasized the importance of cultivating mental discipline, comparing the mind to a restless monkey that needs to be trained.
He urged the KIIT university authorities to incorporate practices such as yoga and music into the curriculum, as they have a calming effect on the mind. Dr. Seth referred to well-known Mathematicians such as Manjul Bhargava and the great Einsteinwho developed extraordinary talents because of their love for music.
In his speech, Dr. Seth also invoked doyens of Indian classical music and dance including the late Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and Sanjukta Panigrahi as he harped on the strength of music and dance for a student to excel in the respective spheres of activities. “Unleash your mind. You don’t even know your potential. It is much more than what you think,” Dr. Seth declared, emphasizing the importance of building concentration, patience, and self-control through classical music, Odisha dance, or even mindful breathing.
He concluded his speech by encouraging students to harness the power of concentration and place their inner strength in front of them, highlighting the transformative impact this could have on their academic journeys.