Chandigarh, March 13, 2025- Padma Shri Awardee and noted social worker, Ms. Nivedita Bhide today addressed a seminar “Empowering Youth for Social Responsibility through Service Orientation” at Panjab University, Law Auditorium.
The seminar organised in celebration of International Women’s Day, which brought together a distinguished panel to discuss the theme, was attended by a diverse gathering, including academicians, professionals, students, and individuals from varied fields.
The Keynote Speaker Padma Shri Ms. Nivedita Bhide is a lifelong social worker and an inspiring leader dedicated to nation-building through service and education. She currently serves as its All India Vice President of of Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari. Throughout her career, she has played a crucial role in training full-time workers, coordinating cultural initiatives, and conducting yoga and spiritual camps. Her contributions extend beyond India, as she has represented the country at international conferences, including a UNESCO meeting of educational experts in Australia and a seminar on Swami Vivekananda in Melbourne. She has also been a trustee of Vivekananda International Foundation and a member of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations since 2020.
In her keynote address, Ms. Nivedita Bhide spoke passionately about the essence of selfless service and the true meaning of success. She highlighted how everyone aspires to succeed but often forgets to define “I”—a crucial first step in any journey. She urged the audience to see the self as not just an individual entity but as an integral part of the larger universe. True success, she emphasised, lies in humility, selflessness, and patience. She inspired attendees to perceive difficulties as disguised opportunities, reinforcing that every challenge presents a choice.
Illustrating her points with real-life stories, Ms. Nivedita Bhide shared inspiring examples of young individuals who, after recognizing their own privileges, chose to work for the upliftment of the underprivileged in villages. Through their efforts, they transformed lives, demonstrating how working for humanity ultimately means working for oneself.
Earlier, the seminar commenced with a warm welcome by Professor Yojana Rawat, Director of the Research and Development Cell, who introduced the panel and emphasized the importance of youth engagement in social responsibility.
The session took an engaging turn during the interactive question round, where participants of all ages posed thought-provoking queries. A particularly memorable moment was when a young child asked, “How can I control my anger?” Ms. Nivedita Bhide’s response, blending wisdom and warmth, resonated deeply with the audience.
The event drew a vibrant mix of attendees from diverse academic and professional backgrounds, ranging from science and humanities scholars to children and senior citizens. The enthusiasm and engagement in the discussion reflected the impact of the thought-provoking session.
The seminar concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks delivered by Professor Latika Sharma, Dean of Alumni Relations, expressing gratitude to the esteemed speaker, the panel, and the attendees for their participation in this enlightening event.
This seminar left the audience with a profound message on the power of service, self-awareness, and social responsibility, making it a truly enriching experience.