Rama Krishna Sangem
IIT Hyderabad hosted India’s first “National Wellbeing Conclave” (NWC) on 9-10 November 2024 under the aegis of the MoE, GoI. This first-of-its-kind NWC event was inaugurated by Chief Guest K. Sanjay Murthy, Secretary, MoE, GoI. It aims to promote mental health, resilience, and wellbeing among students and faculty members across India’s HEIs.
Over 500 participants from 100 centrally funded institutions are attending the event at IITH, which has been selected as the Host Institution by the Ministry of Education, Government of India. Numerous institutions have set up stalls showcasing their emerging practices for wellbeing, each highlighting unique approaches. Dignitaries, including Sanjay Murthy, toured the exhibits.
The conclave’s mission is to foster a healthy, harmonious environment in HEIs with the goal of reducing suicide rates and enhancing student and faculty wellbeing. Faculty In-charge, Suinshine, IITH, Dr Somnath Maji has delivered welcome note. A compendium of Best Practices on Wellbeing has been released by Sanjay Murthy on this platform.
Dr. V. Anantha Nageswaran, Chief Economic Advisor of Govt. of India delivered a message that Parameter of the success is a test between how you balance the academic pressure and mental wellbeing.
Dr Jitendra Nagpal, Senior Psychiatrist & Program Director, Expressions India addressed the participants from various institutions and said: “Let’s work together to build resilience. As I visit the stalls outside, I see inspiring quotes on wellbeing—now, it’s up to you to live these messages, becoming ambassadors of happiness and strength. Our aim is to come together often, not just to understand wellness but to truly celebrate it. Over the next two days, we stand unified, taking the first steps toward creating secure, wellness-centered campuses.
We believe that expertise lies with each of us, and by connecting regularly, you’ll inspire others within your university and extend that influence to neighbouring institutions. Through a hub and-spoke model, we envision universities that can support each other, fostering a spirit of community and mutual growth. This vision of brotherhood and support is what we aspire to build.”
He extended his gratitude to the Hon’ble Secretary for providing immediate direction to help realize this vision and inspire us all to move forward with hope. Prof. B.S. Murty, Director of IIT Hyderabad, remarked, “We live in a fast-paced world filled with constant stimuli that significantly impact us emotionally, physically, and psychologically, often leading to stress. This makes promoting mental health, resilience, and overall wellbeing more essential than ever. Students need to learn that failure is a natural part of growth—it’s okay to fail, as each failure brings valuable lessons. IITH promotes the right brain activities to maintain a balanced mind.
