Lok Sabha Question No. 1360 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-25
Subject: Centre for Science of Happiness
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD, GAJANAN CHANDRAKANT KIRTIKAR, KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH, SUDHEER GUPTA, VIJAY KUMAR S.R., T. RADHAKRISHNAN, BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1360 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.07.2016

## Centre for Science of Happiness

## 1360. DR. SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD:

SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR:

KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRI S.R. VIJAYAKUMAR:

SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN:

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur has any proposal for setting up of a 'centre for science of happiness'; which would not only help students embrace more happiness but also seek to further research in the field;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the proposed 'Rekhi Centre for Science of Happiness' would offer a certificate course on happiness and positive psychology; and
- (d) if so, the details and the objectives for setting up of the said centre along with the funding required and the time by which it is likely be set up?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (DR. MAHENDRA NATH PANDEY)

- (a) & (b): IIT Kharagpur have reported that a proposal on 'centre for science of happiness' has been received from its alumnus, Shri Satinder Singh Rekhi and the vision of the Centre is to promote the  science  and  practice  of  positivity  for  fostering  meaningful  life,  happiness,  wellbeing  and holistic self-development by bringing together various related disciplines ranging from psychology,  cognitive  sciences,  neurosciences,  management,  educational  technology,  electrical engineering, signal processing and measurement, etc.  A team of faculty members identified from a number of different disciplines by the Institute has been entrusted with developing its (i) courses, (ii) proposed research, (iii) training programs and (iv) student and community related activities.
- (c): IIT Kharagpur have informed that the Centre proposes to have some courses for the UG and PG students  of  the  Institute.  It  will  also  offer  training  programs  and  certificate  courses  either  in campus or outside as per norms.
- (d): The Objectives of the Centre indicated by IIT-Kharagpur are: (i) to develop academic programs, training and outreach activities in the concerned areas; (ii) to carry out state-of-the-art scientific research  on  happiness,  positive  psychology  and  their  various  components;  (iii)  to  develop Industry-Institute interaction for research, product development, and training; (iv) to reach out to the students and to inculcate a culture of service for humanity among the students of IIT through diverse  formal  and  informal  activities  and  programs.  Shri  Rekhi  has  agreed  to  set  up  a  seed endowment fund and has transferred an initial amount of Rs 60 lakhs to plan the Centre. Detailed funding requirements will be known after the detailed plan is made by the Institute.

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