Date:28/03/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/03/28/stories/2004032803870500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Work culture traced to ancient sciences

By Our Staff Reporter

TIRUPATI, MARCH 27. The national seminar conducted jointly by the Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha and the Indian Council of Social Sciences Research (ICSSR), New Delhi, traced the roots of work culture and efficiency to the ancient equivalents of the modern sciences. The three-day seminar titled "Work culture and efficiency: Lessons from ancient Indian psychology and philosophy'', was inaugurated by V.R.Panchamukhi, the Vidyapeetha's Chancellor and a member of the ICSSR.

In his keynote address, Arindam Chakravarthi of the University of Hawaii, Manoa Honolulu, USA, said that apart from the capital, technology, Government policy and professional education that were believed to influence the level of economic efficiency, the key ingredient of human behaviour was often ignored. The behaviour, in turn, was dependent on the interactions of sense organs (indriyas), internal organ (manas) and intellect (buddhi), which were well analysed in the ancient Indian sciences, he noted. Mr. Chakravarthi centred his speech around two verses (slokas) to explain the behavioural and psychological aspects determining work culture.

Quoting a verse from the Bhagavad Gita to drive home the message on work culture, Mr. Panchamukhi said the need to pursue a disciplined and persistent effort to ensure success had a mention in all major scriptures.

D. Prahladachar, Vice-Chancellor, presided. The Registrar, S.S.Murthy, the coordinator, M.L.N.Murthy, and the additional coordinator, R.Sadasiva Murthy, took part. Scholars from Benaras Hindu University, Varanasi, French Institute, Pondicherry, and National Brain Research Centre, Haryana, would take part in the meet.