28th Foundation Day Lecture by Justice N. Santosh Hegde at BIMTECH GR. Noida

“India could have been a much more powerful and prosperous nation, if we had been able to fight corruption”, said Justice N Santosh Hegde, addressing a gathering of students, faculty and distinguished guests to mark the beginning of the celebrations of 28^th Foundation Day of Birla Institute of Management Technology on 1 October 2015.

The event began with welcome address by the Director of BIMTECH, Dr Harivansh Chaturvedi.  In his welcome address, Dr. H. Chaturvedi enlightened the audience about the prestigious heritage of BIMTECH and values associated with the Birla name that each one of us has to carry forward. He explained to all that Gandhi Jayanti was chosen as ourfoundation day by the founders, Syt. B.K. Birla and Smt. Sarla Birla, because of the deep history that the Birla’s share with Gandhiji. TheGandhian ideology is reflected in the vision and mission of BIMTECH. Socially responsible business decision making and conscious capitalism has shaped the BIMTECH brand and has led it to be perceived today as a B- School with a difference.

Then Dr. H. Chaturvedi welcomed the Chief Guest of the session. Former Supreme Court judge and Karnataka Lokayukta- Justice Santosh Hegde. Veteran jurist, Justice Hegde delivered  an inspiring and exalting speech . An active member in Anna Hazare’s Anti-Corruption Movement, he moaned the lack of content and humanism in the present society. Quoting from Kannada literature, he said, “Become what you want to become in life, but first become a human being.” On being asked, why he had left the movement after it turned political, he answered that, ‘Checks and balances are required everywhere. If I had joined the party, I cannot criticize it because I myself would be part of the system. Hence I am trying to do my role from outside the system.’ He also encouraged the young students to become honest politicians and ‘Be the change’.

An evangelist against corruption, Justice Hegde who has visited more than 700 educational institutions, urging the youth to come forward and join hands to fight against corruption. He talked about the three pillars of the Constitution- Legislation, Executives and Judiciary and the recent fourth addition being Media. The deep-rootedness of corruption in all these pillars is alarming and a source of concern for the masses. He dreams of “building a political system where every citizen feels that this country is mine”.

According to Justice Hegde, there are mainly two values that need to be inculcated in the youth of today- contentment and humanity. He said these are the values that guide any person to stay honest in his life and fight against any wrong-doing. “We are born homo sapiens. We become human beings by our deeds. If we can die as a good human being then we would have achieved the greatest thing in life”.

Then there was an interactive question answer session wherein not only students but faculty members and distinguished guests participated eagerly.  At the closing of the session, Dean Academics and Deputy Director Dr. Anupam Varma offered the vote of thanks and urged the students to carry forward the message given by Justice Hegde.