Prof. Nagaraj Neerchal’s prolific tenure as the Vice Chancellor of Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth (CVV) ended on 3 August 2021. Amongst the numerous notable initiatives and forward-looking steps he took, what stands out is his remarkable leadership during the tough period brought about by the sudden onset of the COVID-19 global pandemic that derailed educational institutions across the world. During these challenging times, he led ably with determination and courage immediately putting systems into place keeping the future of our students and CVV in mind. CVV turned out to be one of the few institutions that quickly moved into an online mode of teaching-learning. Not only were classes held regularly, but even the final examinations were completed, the results were announced by end of May 2021 and the first convocation was held in an online mode on 6 June 2021.
The honourable Chancellor Pujya Swami Swaroopananda, Trustee Swami Advayananda, Executive Trustee, the incoming Vice Chancellor Prof. Ajay Kapoor, management and staff shared their experiences and hailed Prof. Neerchal for being highly approachable, dedicated and ever enthusiastic to work towards the growth of CVV as an institution.
Prof. Neerchal in turn thanked everyone including Pujya Swami Swaroopananda, the Trustees, management, staff and faculty for making him feel at home from day one and for extending their full cooperation. He expressed his gratitude for having had the opportunity to be a part of this great vision of Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda. He recognised the complexity of establishing CVV and how it was worth all the pain and sacrifice one could undergo. Prof. Neerchal was honoured by Dean Prof. Gauri Mahulikar on behalf of CVV for his remarkable contributions to CVV.
Prof. Ajay Kapoor addressed the audience and acknowledged the immense work done by previous VCs and thanked them for their contribution. He said, decimal systems, calculus, architecture, irrigation technology, city planning, arts and culture etc. area a few of the areas where we dominated the world with significant developments. We had world class universities with thousands of students including foreigners coming from far and wide. The Indian mind is the reason for the high position we reached in those times. We always had an open mind and kept moving forward. That spirit of innovation and contemporary thinking is what gave us the title ‘Vishwaguru’. He reiterated that CVV will produce thought leaders of the world by integrating the global mind and the Indian heart.
Prof. Kapoor was formally given the charge of the Vice Chancellor and welcomed with a token of appreciation by Prof. Neerchal. After taking over, Prof. Kapoor shared his vision for CVV. The ceremony drew to a close with a prayer.
