About the Rekhi Centre of Excellence for the Science of Happiness
The Rekhi Centre of Excellence for the Science of Happiness (RCESH) of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur (KGP) aims to promote research, training and education and the practice of well being for students and teachers through the application of happiness and well being. It's research is based on the concept of improving the quality of peoples lives by focusing on strength that enhance positive emotions and positive relationships. Based on the science of happiness our mission is to promote community, family and individual thriving, well-being and holistic self-development.
About the Session
In this session, RCESH-IIT KGP will explore Happiness and Well-being in the work place and the role of spirituality, mindfulness and other practices in facilitating them.
The following panelists will be presenting in the session
Satinder S. Rekhi, Managing Director, R Systems & Chairman, RCESH
Satinder Singh Rekhi is the Founder and Managing Director on the Board of R Systems International Limited that he founded in 1993.With over 35 years of experience, he is one of the leading figures in the Information Technology industry and has held senior management positions with HCL Technologies and DISC (now Synergex) in the United States, Singapore and India.
Mr. Rekhi completed Master of Business Administration from California State University, Sacramento, and has attended several senior management programs from the University of Berkeley and Harvard Business School. A distinguished alumnus of IIT, Kharagpur, India, with a bachelor’s degree in technology, Mr Rekhi has established the “Rekhi Centre of Excellence for the Science of Happiness” which is dedicated to doing research on the science and art of happiness.
Manas K. Mandal, Distinguished Visiting Professor & Advisor, Dept of Humanities & Social Sciences & RCESH
Dr. Manas K Mandal is a Distinguished Visiting Professor at Indian Institute of Technology - Kharagpur. He is also an Adjunct Professor at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, IISC, Bangalore. He was formerly a Distinguished Scientist and Director-General - Life sciences in DRDO, India. He holds a Ph.D. degree in psychology from Calcutta University, India; completed his post-doctoral research as Fulbright Fellow, USA, & a NSERC Fellow, Canada. As a visiting faculty, Dr. Mandal completed his tenure at Harvard University, USA; Kyushu University, Japan; & Aachen University, Germany.
Dr. Mandal specializes in the areas of Neuropsychology and Cognitive Sciences. He has to his credit 14 books, over 100 research papers in international and Indian journals of high repute. These researches are cited in more than 300 international journals and books with over 5000 citations.
Saamdu Chetri Former Executive Director, GNH Centre, Bhutan & Visiting Professor, RCESH
Dr. Saamdu Chetri is presently engaged as a visiting faculty in the Rekhi Center of Excellence for the Science of Happiness. He was born in a cowshed in rural Bhutan and calls himself a pilgrim of love and compassion. He says the first step to mindfulness for a pilgrim like him is to know who he is. In light of this, he will give us the insight to realise a deeper meaning of who we are and how we can be mindful in our lives. He is dearly referred to by BBC as a Happiness Guru. He was chosen to head up Bhutan's first Gross National Happiness Centre based in Thimpu.
Priyadarshi Patnaik, Professor, Dept of Humanities & Social Sciences & Head, RCESH
Dr. Priyadarshi Patnaik is a professor at the Department of Humanities & Social Sciences, and Head, Rekhi Centre of Excellence for the Science of Happiness, IIT Kharagpur. His is also the Secretary, Nehru Museum of Science and Technology, IIT Kharagpur, and Rector’s Nominee, Technology Students Gymkhana, IIT Kharagpur. His areas of research include Relationship and Well-being, Visual Communication, Music and Emotion, Communication and Culture, Media Communication, Translation, and Digital Humanities. He has authored and edited more than 14 volumes of text, reference, and creative work. He has a number of research papers, translations, poems, short stories, illustrations and photographs in many national and international journals
