Dear Friends

Last week we celebrated the renovation of the library of the K J Somaiya Institute of Management.  We called the library 'साहिर' - 'Sahir'.

It coincided with the orientation of the new MBA batch where Shri Ravi Kant gave the students a wonderful start to the programme.

The library is a beautiful space, as good as a library can be, with spaces to read, to collaborate, to discuss, to browse, and to record and broadcast online classes.  The library has been designed by architects Shantanu and Manisha of MOOF.  Our Dean of the Faculty of Management Studies - Raman Ramachandran - led this transformation along with the entire team of the K J Somaiya Institute of Management and the Project Office of Somaiya Vidyavihar.  My compliments to him and the entire team.  

Many years ago, I decided to name our buildings - to give them an identity, distinct from the institute that lives inside them.  And so we have Chanakya, Aurobindo, Aryabhatta,  Bhaskaracharya, Ekalavya, Sandipani, Ashtavakra, Maitreyi and others.

Why not name libraries?  The thought was to name libraries after poets.  The pen is said to be mightier than the sword, so why not celebrate the written word and the writer.  Universities are meant to open minds, to expand horizons, to dream big, to find oneself, to make a difference in the world.  Universities are made up of spaces.  In the classroom, outside the classroom, with friends, inside libraries, and of course within books, within literature. 

Sahir Ludhianvi was a poet who wrote lyrics for many Hindi movies and was a member of the progressive Writer's Association.  These writers argued for a more equal world and wrote for more equity and against social injustice.  Somaiya Vidyavihar was founded by my grandfather, because he came from humble roots, and saw the difficulties in accessing healthcare, education and opportunity.  It was also meant to provide opportunity and work towards a more just and equitable world.

We have put some of Sahir's quotes in the library.  His lyrics inspire and move you.  I have tried to choose his writings that cover areas of being proud of our country, making the world a beautiful place and also taking life as it comes.  It is my hope and dream that all of us live life to the full, be happy, and make the country and the world happier and prettier by the work we do and lives we lead.

To be proud of our country and work to make it better, for all.

जिन्हें नाज़ है हिन्द पर वो कहाँ हैं। (from the movie प्यासा)

https://youtu.be/7R7Jon3tAxc?si=UHvO61LScRwBnMwX

अल्लाह तेरो नाम ईश्वर तेरो नाम, सबको सन्मति दे भगवान (from the movie हम दोनों)

https://youtu.be/CXuWxfmtmN4?si=FHBMJ1MR4R0qv7K3

ख़ुदा - ए- बरतर तेरी ज़मीं पर ज़मीं के खातिर ये जंग क्यों है (from the movie ताज महल)

https://youtu.be/_RNkVAFNCCk?si=zr_NSMpKWS6_RqCj

To take life as it comes. and to cultivate stillness of mind.  

जो मिल गया उसी को मुकद्दर समझ लिया, जो खो गया उसी को भुलाता चला गया (from the movie हम दोनों)

https://youtu.be/_l7UvpgK-Xc?si=LofRYABdqBUD4Pjt&utm_source=ZTQxO

मन रे तू काहे न धीर धरे (from the movie चित्रलेखा)

https://youtu.be/N5UipW8J0js?si=0kwCwIoMJv6HCwFZ

In the time scale of the planet and the universe, we are on this planet for a short time.  To make the world nicer by the work we do.

मैं पल दो पल का शायर हूँ. (From the movie कभी कभी)

https://youtu.be/QkGqpVYjLUw?si=Yfsplm5Woec83OoP

माना कि इस ज़मीं को न गुलज़ार कर सके, कुछ ख़ार तो कम कर गये गुज़रे थे जिधर से  हम ।

So do come to the library.  Find some quiet time.  Widen your horizons and expand your learning and help the world be a little better in ways small and large.