Didi Krishna Kumari Enthralls Young Students With Her Keynote Speech At The 22nd Vidyasagar Late Principal K M Kundnani Memorial Lecture

The 22^nd Vidyasagar Late Principal K.M Kundnani Memorial Lecture (popularly called KMK lecture series) was held at the Rama & Sundri Watumull auditorium at K.C. College yesterday. The afternoon was a truly inspiring one, focused on resilience, purpose, kindness and service.

The keynote speaker this year, Didi Krishna Kumari ji, spiritual leader and working chairperson of Sadhu Vaswani Mission, explored the enduring lessons of Sadhu Vaswani’s life and emphasised his powerful message: “Life is a message,” highlighting the importance of aligning personal purpose with a commitment to serve humanity.

The event was also graced by Dr. Niranjan Hiranandani, Provost, HSNC University, Mumbai; Col. Dr. Hemlata K. Bagla, Vice Chancellor, HSNC University; Mr. Anil Harish, President & Trustee, HSNC Board; Dr. Tejashree Shanbhag, Principal, K.C. College; Dr. Manju Nichani, eminent educationist & Rector of Sadhu Vaswani Institutes of Learning.

The event started with a welcome address by Col. Dr. Hemlata K. Bagla, Vice Chancellor, HSNC University, Mumbai. “This lecture series commemorates a man who envisioned and dreamt big and achieved even bigger. He was a visionary and under his leadership, the college blossomed and flourished. K.C. College has come a long way.”

Drawing parallels, she continued “Today the dynamic trustees of HSNC Board are carrying forward his rich legacy and they envision that the HSNC Board colleges and University colleges will soon have an international center of value-based education dedicated to nurturing international students, preparing them to become individuals of integrity and commitment. We want to make a meaningful difference  in their profession, their lives, the nation and the society at large.”

Dr. Bagla highlighted the special significance of the lecture, as it coincided with Gita Jayanti, the day when Lord Krishna imparted the timeless wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna. Additionally, it was Ekadashi, a spiritually significant day dedicated to reflection, self-discipline and purification.

Touting it the most important lecture series created and hosted by the instititution, Dr. Niranjan Hiranandani shared that the lecture series seeks to celebrate the spirit of learning, self-discovery and service to humanity. Infosys Founder and Chairperson, Mr. Narayan Murthy, was the first eminent Speaker at this Lecture Series.

Over the years, he was followed by stalwarts like Dr. R. A Mashalkar, Dr. Jayant Narlikar, Dr. Swati Piramal, Dr. Kiran Bedi, Dr. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Dada J.P Vaswani, Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Late Mr. Arun Jaitley, Late Mr. Ram Jethmalani, Dr. Prakash Amte & Dr. Suhasini Amte and others. He stressed that while all kinds of education – from technical to formal to skill-baed is important, what is even more important is the essence of spirituality.

Students need to also learn love, compassion, kindness and sacrifice and that is why today’s lecture is so important. He divulged that he had the good fortune to meet Dada J.P. Vaswani over 20 years back when he was in a conundrum over a certain matter. As they took a walk in the foreground of the NCPA building, Dr. Hiranandani requested Dadaji for guidance on the matter. He still remembers Dada ji’s words “When you are faced with a problem, just remember one thing…. just do your duty.” 

“It solved my problem because I realised there was relationship on one side and there was duty on the other side. He said your duty for the purposes of institution ranks the highest. He said give up all the relationships that you have because duty and commitment are more important. I was a hardcore non-vegetarian till then.. A couple of months after that I turned vegetarian… simply out of respect for Dada ji,” he revealed.

 In his Presidential address, Mr. Anil Harish said that the lecture series is more than just an event… it is a celebration of the values, vision and dedication of Late Principal K.M. Kundnani. His unwavering belief in the power of education has shaped not only institutions of the HSNC Board but also countless lives. He turned challenges into opportunities. Quoting Nelson Mandela, Mr. Harish said, “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world. Principal Kundnani’s life purpose was also this and his legacy continues to inspire us urging us to go beyond academics and create institutions that nurture character, compassion and community while spreading hope and healing. In this age of instant gratification, the Dada Vaswani Mission with its timeless message of love, serve and forgive inspires  us to align our actions with higher values and return to the essentials – kindness, mindfulness and simplicity.”

 It was a heartfelt home-coming of sorts for Dr. Manju Nichani who retired as the Principal, K.C College. She got nostalgic and shared fond memories during her speech. It was during her tenure as Principal in 2004 that the Vidyasagar Late Principal K.M Kundnani Memorial Lecture Series started. 

Didi Krishna Kumari ji came to live at the Sadhu Vaswani Mission when she was three years old. She grew up as a devotee and disciple of the masters, Sadhu Vaswani and Dada J.P. Vaswani.  Helping people shift from chaos to consistency – and find happiness – was at the core of her talk. Most of us have been looking for happiness in the wrong place, she said.

Pencil Analogy for life:

Drawing an insightful analogy with a pencil, Didi beautifully highlighted how a simple, everyday object can teach us profound lessons about life. Just like a pencil, which is used to write, erase and make marks, our lives too are filled with opportunities to create, correct and leave a positive impact.

By observing the pencil’s characteristics, she encouraged us to understand that, much like the pencil, we must learn to make the most of both our strengths and our ability to correct our mistakes. The pencil also reminds us of the importance of keeping our “sharpness” — our skills and virtues — in check and being humble enough to always be open to improvement.

The pencil’s eraser represents the idea of forgiving ourselves and others for past mistakes and learning to start afresh. By reflecting on these simple, yet powerful lessons, we can develop a positive and grounded approach toward life, cultivating resilience, growth, and kindness in our daily interactions.

Just as the pencil is merely an instrument, we too are capable of achieving great things, but it is essential to acknowledge that we are guided by a higher power. The hand that holds the pencil and steers it in the right direction symbolizes God’s guidance in our lives. While we may work hard and strive to make our mark in the world, it is God’s will that ultimately shapes our path and gives our actions purpose.

 A realistic person tries to achieve his objectives and at the same time understands that God is the prime mover and the cause behind all causes. Hence he is able to do his best and leaves the results in God’s hands, as he knows that there are so many things beyond his capabilities. 

She recommended spending a few minutes in silence each day, ideally do some morning meditation. “Begin your day with silence – silence heals, energises and uplifts. Silence transforms. A quiet walk in a park is all that is needed. But leave the headphones and step-counter at home”. To connect, she says, you must first disconnect. She conducted a short 7-minute meditation session, through simple visualisations and affirmations and attendees emerged refreshed and energised.

Every problem comes to teach us a lesson, she explained. Drawing on powerful anecdotes, she encouraged attendees to nurture the interconnected aspects of body, mind, and spirit to cultivate a fulfilling life. Her challenge to “be a beacon of light for others” resonated deeply with the audience, inspiring them to embrace their inner purpose and make a positive impact on those around them.

Vidyasagar Late Principal K.M Kundnani Memorial Lecture Series is the flagship program of KC College in which students and staff interact with luminaries across all fields and gain insights from their life experiences. Held in honour of the founder Principal of K.C. College and renowned educationist Late K.M. Kundnani, who was also the Founder Secretary & President of the Hyderabad (Sind) National Collegiate Board (H(S)NCB) and left a lasting impact, the event gathers attendees for deep reflections on how to live a meaningful life. His memory continues to motivate others, inspiring all who attended to live with intention and purpose.