Development has failed to ensure peace of heart: Dr Mohapatra

Surjit Kumar Dhal, Bhubaneswar, Aug. 9: Rapid development in all spheres notwithstanding, lack of peace in the human soul was the most worrying aspect in the modern world, eminent neurologist, Prof. Ashok Mohapatra said on Friday.Life expectancy in India, which stood at 33 years at the time of independence, had risen to 70 years today while unthinkable development in technology, communication and medicine had taken the country forward. But it had failed to ensure harmony in the human soul, he said while inaugurating the SOA International Model United Nations (SOAMUN) at the SOA Deemed to be University here.

“What we lack is harmony and peace. Though people have money, they have no peace of mind,” Prof. Mohapatra said posing the question “Is our progress up to our expectations?”Depression, anxiety and health issues like hypertension and diabetes was stalking the masses today, he said.The three-day SOAMUN is being attended by around 600 students from several Indian states besides delegates from Indonesia and Bangladesh.Deliberating on human aspirations, Prof. Mohapatra said people were now fixing their goals which were not achievable and subsequent failure plunged them into depression with young people, mostly students, even committing suicide.

“Before thinking of peace, we must find our own peace and spread it across our family, society and the country,” he said while urging the students to expand their horizon beyond the windows of their classrooms.Prof. Jayadev Pati, Principal Advisor of SOAMUN and Prof. Jyoti Ranjan Das, Convenor, SOAMUN also addressed the gathering with Ms. Shree Swarupa, Secretary General, SOAMUN providing the overview. Glimpses of SOAMUN-2018 were presented through video clips.