Fifth Convocation of SRHU held in ceremonial grandeur

Published on: December 28, 2022

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, participated in the Fifth Convocation of Swami Rama Himalayan University (SRHU).

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh honoured the meritorious students on this occasion. Higher Education Minister, Dr Dhan Singh Rawat, was also present as Guest of Honour.

A total of 1316 students were awarded degrees on the occasion. Among these included 292 MBBS students, 135 PG students of various medical courses, 270 students who earned their degrees in various Paramedical Courses and 20 students who earned their degrees in Clinical Research.

In addition, 134 students from the Himalayan College of Nursing (HCN), 116 students from Himalayan School of Science & Technology (HSST), 192 students from Himalayan School of Management Studies (HSMS), 36 students from Himalayan School of Yoga Sciences (HSYS), 116 students from Himalayan School Of Bio Sciences (HSBS), 5 students in Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and 24 students were awarded academic awards.

Addressing the gathering, Defence Minister said that the convocation ceremony lent a message of ‘values’, not just a message of ‘education.’ He stressed that rituals were important in life. “Education can be either benevolent or destructive, depending on the culture of the students. Instead of being afraid of failures, it is necessary to learn from them. The youth should also learn from this time’s FIFA World Cup. Everyone should learn team spirit from the sports world, especially from Messi’s example wherein his prowess gained in significance only when his entire team emerged winner.”

Singh added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also working for the country with the same team spirit.

“Today India is making its mark on the global map in the field of digital technology. In 2014 there were merely 400 to 500 start-ups in India, today in 2022 there are more than eighty thousand startups due to the hard work of our talented youth. This is not a simple achievement. Enterprising youth in India have created over a hundred unicorns. Today youth can achieve the biggest goal with their talent, ability and hard work.”

He emphasized, “In the Corona period, India converted its challenges into opportunities by achieving self-sufficiency in the field of vaccines, medicines, oxygen plants etc. People all over the world have gladly accepted the Spirituality of India.

We should be proud of our rich glorious heritage. Our sages had discovered many scientific and mathematical principles of the present. India was once a Vishwa Guru (world guru). We have to earn the place of Vishwa Guru again. Our talented youth will play an important role in this. The biggest source of inspiration for the youth is our great traditional heritage. Other countries have also adopted this rich heritage of ours. Differences in opinions have never become a cause of conflict in India. We are worshipers of Shiva as well as devotees of Krishna. If we celebrate the full moon, then we also celebrate the new moon. It is a country of immense possibilities. Here people from ordinary families also become the President and Prime Minister of the country. The time to come belongs to India. I am sure that by 2047, India will occupy the first place in the world in the economic field.”

He reiterated that the doctors who received the degrees should always be ready to serve the poor and the needy. “Youth will also have to stay away from ‘utilitarianism’ and ‘consumerism.’ Stay away from destructive tendencies like drugs. Service to parents is service to God. Character building in students is of prime importance.”

In his address Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the presence of Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the convocation is an unforgettable moment of pride for the state. “This temple of knowledge decorated with the divine inspiration of respected Swami Rama is leading in the promotion of higher education in the state of Uttarakhand. Swami Rama dedicated his entire life to society and devoted his energies to building an educated and healthy society. Today this institute is setting new records daily in the field of medical education, public welfare and human service.”

The CM reminded the scholars that, “When the whole world was suffering from the Corona epidemic, and there was an atmosphere of fear all around due to the epidemic, then under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India guided the world by

The CM reminded the scholars that, “When the whole world was suffering from the Corona epidemic, and there was an atmosphere of fear all around due to the epidemic, then under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India guided the world by providing two vaccines. ‘Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah’ characterizes the feeling. This shows that New India has the potential to create new opportunities through new efforts, and you all are the foundation of this New India.”

Chief Minister Dhami said that the tireless work done by the doctors and scientists to save the country from the epidemic was commendable, but their work is not yet over because the corona epidemic has struck again.

The CM said that following the path shown by Swami Rama in social life, those getting their degrees today should serve the citizens of the state and bring laurels to Uttarakhand. He called upon the degree awardees to be ready from now to fulfill their responsibility towards the country and the state and do unprecedented work in the field of medicine in the world, because the future belonged to them.

Addressing the program, Higher Education Minister Dr Dhan Singh Rawat said that unprecedented work was being done in the field of quality medicine in the state. So far more than 6.5 lakh people have been treated under the Ayushman Yojana out of which a large number have been treated by Himalayan Hospital alone.”

Vice Chancellor of Swami Ram Himalayan University Dr Vijay Dhasmana, recalled how he was witness to important decisions taken by H.H. Swami Rama in the setting up of his dream project to serve the people of the hills. “We have never lost track of the path that he had set for us in the service of humanity,” he averred.

Sahaspur MLA Sahdev Singh Pundir, Rajpur MLA Khajandas, Mayor Sunil Uniyal Gama, students, teachers and parents were present at the event.

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Nursing Advisor at Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust

Dr. Kathleen M. McKeehan

Dr. Kathleen M. McKeehan is a highly regarded American nursing leader and researcher who has dedicated decades to advancing nursing education and clinical practices at the Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust (HIHT) and Swami Rama Himalayan University (SRHU) in Dehradun, India. Serving as the Nursing Advisor, she has been instrumental in shaping the Himalayan College of Nursing into a center of excellence, emphasizing the integration of compassionate care with modern medical technology.

Dr. McKeehan’s academic background is extensive, including a Ph.D. in nursing from the Case Western Reserve University and post-doctoral research at Ohio State University. Before her long-term commitment to the Himalayan Institute, she held prestigious academic positions, such as the Dorothy Rider Pool Professorship at Allentown College. Her research expertise spans oncology nursing, continuing education strategies, and innovation diffusion in healthcare settings.

At HIHT, she is a central figure in tradition and mentorship, often leading the symbolic Lamp Lighting and Oath Ceremony for new nursing students. Her work focuses on fostering a vibrant research culture and ensuring that nursing curricula meet international standards while remaining rooted in the visionary humanitarian principles of the institute's founder, H.H. Dr. Swami Rama.

Former Director, LBSNAA

Dr. Sanjeev Chopra (IAS Retd.)

Dr. Sanjeev Chopra (IAS Retd.) is a distinguished former Indian Administrative Service officer (1985 batch, West Bengal cadre), historian, and author. He is most widely recognised for his tenure as the Director of the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) from 2019 until his retirement in March 2021. Throughout his 36-year bureaucratic career, he served in high-profile roles, including Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of West Bengal and Secretary of Industrial Development in Uttarakhand.

Since retiring, Dr. Chopra has emerged as a prominent literary figure and public intellectual. He is the Founder and Festival Director of Valley of Words, an international literature and arts festival based in Dehradun. An acclaimed author, his works include We, the People of the States of Bharat: The Making and Remaking of India’s Internal Boundaries (2022) and The Great Conciliator: Lal Bahadur Shastri and the Transformation of India (2025).

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FRSB, FRSB

Prof. Graham Roy Ball

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Prof. & Researcher at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania

Dr. Vinay Nadkarni

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Former Director General, UCOST

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A leather technology engineer from HBTU Kanpur with a Master’s in Economics, Nautiyal’s career spanned the private sector, public sector banking, and the Ministry of MSME. He is credited with leading the state to secure the first position in the North India Geographical Indication (GI) festival in 2022, successfully promoting indigenous products like Munsiyari Rajma and Ringal Craft.

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Prof. Prabhu Narayan Mishra

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In India, Prof. Mishra has held several prestigious positions, including Director of the Institute of Management Studies (IMS) and officiating Vice Chancellor of Devi Ahilya University, Indore. He holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Allahabad and is widely known for pioneering the study of Indian Ethos in Management, blending ancient Vedic wisdom with modern business theories.

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Prof. Kiran Katoch is a highly respected academic researcher and medical scientist who served as the Director of the National JALMA Institute for Leprosy and Other Mycobacterial Diseases (NJILOMD) in Agra. With over four decades of experience, she has been a leading figure in the research and treatment of leprosy and tuberculosis in India. Her work is characterized by a unique focus on bridging clinical medicine with laboratory research to improve patient outcomes in mycobacterial infections.

A prolific scientist, Prof. Katoch has authored or co-authored over 150 research publications in prestigious national and international journals. Her seminal contributions include studies on the efficacy of multidrug therapy (MDT) for leprosy and the investigation of cardiovascular involvement in leprosy patients. For her outstanding research, she was honored with the Dr. C. G. S. Iyer Oration Award in 1989.

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Executive-in-Residence, S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research

Mr. Prabhat Pani

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At SPJIMR, Pani focuses on Sustainable Development and social sector interventions, bridging the gap between corporate efficiency and developmental needs. He is also a Senior Advisor at The Conference Board and continues to mentor social sector professionals. His work remains centered on building institutional capacity and leveraging technology for broad-based community impact.

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Mr. A.P. Parigi

Mr. A.P. Parigi, is a veteran leader in the Indian media, entertainment, and telecommunications sectors with over 40 years of experience. He is most widely recognized as the Co-Founder of Radio Mirchi, where he served as the Managing Director and CEO of Entertainment Network India Ltd. (ENIL). Under his leadership, Radio Mirchi grew into India's largest private FM radio network, fundamentally changing the country's audio landscape.

Throughout his career, Parigi has held several high-profile roles, including Group CEO of Network18, CEO of BPL Mobile, and MD & CEO of Eros International Media. His strategic vision also spearheaded the Times Group’s entry into the Out-of-Home (OOH) media business. Beyond corporate leadership, he has served on the boards of major entities like Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd. (The Times of India) and has been an advisor to global institutions such as the Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford.

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Dr. Sanjay Kumar

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During his tenure at CSIR-IHBT, Dr. Kumar achieved major milestones, including the historic introduction of Heeng (asafoetida) and monk fruit cultivation in India. His research spans plant molecular biology and genomics, specifically focusing on how Himalayan flora adapts to extreme environments. A fellow of all three major Indian science academies (FNA, FNASc, and FNAAS), he has published over 120 research papers. His work continues to play a vital role in strengthening India's bio-economy and ensuring long-term food security through innovation.

Pro-Chancellor, Perdana University, Malaysia

Dr. Mohan Swami 

Dr. Mohan Swami is a distinguished physician, entrepreneur, and educational visionary who currently serves as the Pro-Chancellor of Perdana University, Malaysia. A graduate of Mysore University, India, he began his medical career in 1978. He initially gained prominence in Sabah, where he established the largest private medical group practice, laying the foundation for his extensive career in healthcare management and corporate leadership.

Dr. Swami is widely recognized as the driving force behind the establishment of Perdana University in 2011. Under his leadership, the institution launched as a landmark public-private partnership, collaborating with world-class entities like the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Beyond academia, he is the Executive Chairman of Chase Perdana Sdn Bhd and has held significant leadership roles in various multinational corporations across the healthcare, property, and hospitality sectors.

In addition to his professional achievements, Dr. Swami is a deeply spiritual individual. He serves as the President of the AHYMSIN (Association of Himalayan Yoga Meditation Societies International) and Chancellor of Swami Rama Himalayan University. For his immense contributions to education and the Malaysian economy, he was conferred the title of Tan Sri. He also serves as the Honorary Consul of Botswana in Malaysia, bridging international relations through diplomacy and philanthropy.

Mahamandleshwar Juna Akhara

Swami Avdheshanand

Swami Avdheshanand is one of India’s most influential spiritual leaders and the Acharya Mahamandaleshwar of the Juna Akhara, the largest order of Hindu monks. Born on November 24, 1962, in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, he displayed a profound spiritual inclination from childhood. Seeking higher truths, he renounced worldly life at a young age to practice intense meditation and austerity as a hermit in the Himalayas.

His teachings are rooted in Advaita Vedanta, focusing on self-realization, universal brotherhood, and the harmony of all religions. Beyond his role as a monastic leader, he is a globally respected philosopher who has addressed the United Nations and the World Economic Forum, advocating for global peace and environmental sustainability.

As the founder of Prabhu Premi Sangh, he oversees extensive social welfare projects, including healthcare initiatives, educational programs for the underprivileged, and environmental conservation efforts like the "Green Kumbh." A prolific author and orator, his discourses reach millions via television and digital platforms. Known for his serene demeanor and intellectual depth, Swami Ji continues to bridge the gap between ancient Vedic wisdom and modern global challenges, guiding seekers toward a life of purpose and spiritual clarity.