IIM Jammu's 'Anandam' to help students deal with stress and spread positivity

Jammu, Mar 30: The Union Minister of Education Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ virtually inaugurated IIM Jammu's new initiative of 'Anandam : The Center for Happiness,' in the virtual presence of Lieutenant Governor, Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha and Founder, Art of Living Foundation, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

 

 

 

The Union Minister congratulated IIM Jammu for the new venture and defined the need for 'Anandam: The Center for Happiness.' He said, "Incorporating happiness in the academic curriculum of students is a very crucial step towards empowering our nation. The step will take our education system to newer heights, similar to the times of ancient Indian universities like Nalanda and Takshashila."

 

 

Pokhriyal explained that how "Anandam: The Center for happiness" aligns with the National Education Policy 2020, that aims to transform India’s education system by 2021. He also encouraged other institutions in the country to have their own center for happiness, to help students live a stress-free life. The Minister acknowledged the fact that students have to undergo a lot of stress due to pressure of deadlines, coursework, teaching-load, and professional as well as personal life pressure.

 

 

 

 

He further added that eventually all the pressure tends to result in depression and anxiety among the teachers as well as students. Hence, the center will help people overcome mental stress and help spread positivity and it will encourage and propagate holistic development for all the stakeholders at IIM Jammu. Pokhriyal also informed that the prime activities envisaged under the concept of 'Anandam: The Center for Happiness’ will be divided into five broad categories of Counselling, Holistic wellness, Elective courses on Happiness Development, Research and Leadership and Faculty Development. He added that the Advisory Board of Experts for the Center constitutes of numerous experts from academics, research and industry.