In a transformative step toward prioritizing student and faculty wellbeing, the Indian Institute of Technology Ropar today held the ground breaking ceremony for the Dr. Ishan Avdhoot Shivanand Center for Yogic Sciences and Holistic Development, a comprehensive facility dedicated to holistic health, mental wellness, and spiritual growth. The ceremony, presided over by Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director, IIT Ropar and was graced by internationally acclaimed mental health researcher, Yoga of Immortals founder and Adjunct Faculty, CoE for Holistic Wellbeing, Dr. Ishan Shivanand, Dr. Atharva Poundarik, Head, Department of Biomedical Engg. and distinguished cardiologist Dr. Bindukumar Kansupada, Adjunct Faculty, Dept. of Biomedical Engg. The new centre represents a paradigm shift in how premier educational institutions approach student wellbeing, integrating ancient Indian wisdom with modern scientific approaches to mental and physical health.

A Vision for Holistic Wellbeing-

The Dr. Ishan Avdhoot Shivanand Center for Yogic Sciences and Holistic Development will feature a multipurpose hall designed to accommodate a diverse range of wellness activities including yoga, meditation, gymnastics, aerobics, and mindfulness practices. The facility will be equipped with specialized flooring for various physical activities.

"This centre is not merely a building—it is a commitment to the comprehensive development of our students and faculty," stated Prof. Ahuja during his address. "In today's high-pressure academic environment, mental health and physical wellbeing are not luxuries but necessities. This centre will serve as a sanctuary where our community can find balance, build resilience, and cultivate the inner strength necessary for both personal and professional excellence."

Addressing the Mental Health Crisis in Academia-

The initiative comes at a critical time when mental health challenges among students and young professionals are reaching unprecedented levels. Dr. Ishan Shivanand, whose research-backed Yoga of Immortals protocols have been adopted by Fortune 100 companies, healthcare systems, and educational institutions worldwide, brings scientifically validated, non-pharmaceutical interventions to address anxiety, depression, stress, and burnout.

"Education should nurture not just the intellect, but the whole human being," Dr. Shivanand remarked during the ceremony. "The pressures faced by students at premier institutions like IIT Ropar require more than conventional solutions. Through scientifically validated yogic practices, we can equip young minds with tools for lifelong wellbeing, emotional resilience, and peak performance. This centre will become a model for educational institutions across India and beyond."

Transforming the Campus Wellbeing Ecosystem-

The wellness centre is expected to revolutionize mental health support at IIT Ropar through several key initiatives including daily guided meditation and yoga sessions led by certified instructors, stress management workshops tailored for exam periods and academic pressures, peer support programs and mental health awareness campaigns, faculty wellness programs addressing professional burnout, integration with existing counseling services for comprehensive care, research collaborations studying the efficacy of holistic interventions, and community wellness events fostering a culture of collective wellbeing.

Empowering Underprivileged Talent: The Dr. Ishan Shivanand Scholarship for Gifted Youth

In a parallel announcement that underscores the initiative's commitment to equity and access, IIT Ropar and Dr. Ishan Shivanand jointly unveiled the Dr. Ishan Shivanand Scholarship for Gifted Youth —a program offering ten fully-funded scholarships for academically gifted students from underprivileged backgrounds. The scholarships will be distributed equally, with five designated for undergraduate students and five for postgraduate students.

"Talent is universal, but opportunity is not," the IIT Ropar Director emphasized. "These scholarships will ensure that brilliant young minds are not held back by financial constraints. By removing the burden of fees and providing comprehensive support—including access to our new wellness centre—we're enabling these scholars to focus entirely on their academic and personal growth. This is an investment in India's future."

A National Model for Educational Excellence

Prof. Ahuja articulated a larger vision for the initiative's impact: "This wellness centre, combined with our scholarship program, represents a holistic approach to education that other institutions across India can emulate. We're demonstrating that academic excellence and student wellbeing are not competing priorities—they're mutually reinforcing. A student who is mentally healthy, physically fit, and free from financial anxiety is a student who can truly excel and contribute meaningfully to the nation."

He continued, "As India aims to become a global leader in education, research, and innovation, we must ensure our brightest minds have both the intellectual training and the inner resilience to tackle complex challenges. This initiative will help create a generation of leaders who are not only technically proficient but also emotionally intelligent, mentally robust, and committed to societal wellbeing."

Building a Culture of Holistic Excellence-

"What we're witnessing today is more than a groundbreaking ceremony," concluded Prof. Ahuja. "It's the beginning of a cultural transformation—one that recognizes that the greatest innovations emerge not from stressed, burned-out minds, but from individuals who are balanced, centered, and operating from their highest potential. The Dr. Ishan Avdhoot Shivanand Center for Yogic Sciences and Holistic Development will be a beacon, demonstrating to the entire nation that investing in wellbeing is investing in excellence."

As IIT Ropar embarks on this pioneering initiative, it sets a powerful precedent for educational institutions nationwide, affirming that true academic excellence must be built on a foundation of mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing.