Self-Study v/s Self-Identity
Introduction
Welcome to the Interactive Knowledge Exchange podcast series, organised by the Dwarkadhish Holistic Centre in collaboration with the Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems, NIT Calicut. I am your host, Dhwani Shah, and it is my pleasure to introduce our distinguished guest, Dr. Madhumita Chatterji.
Dr. Chatterji serves as the esteemed Director of ABBS School of Management, Acharya Bangalore B School, bringing extensive experience from her roles as CEO and Board Member of Ants Consulting and Services, and Director at IFIM Business School, now Jagdish Sheth School of Management in Bangalore. With over three decades in academia, she has taught at prestigious institutions like Corvinus University, Budapest, and is recognised as a mentor for the HRM program at Middlesex University.
Her expertise in Organisational Behavior and Human Resource Management is complemented by her work in Corporate Social Responsibility, Spirituality in Management, Corporate Governance, and Business Ethics. Dr. Chatterji has authored several refereed articles and books, including “Corporate Social Responsibility” and “Ethical Leadership.”
Dr. Chatterji holds an MA, MBA, and Ph.D. from Jadavpur University, Kolkata, with further studies at the University of Oxford and Harvard Business School. As a co-founder of the Mahatma Gandhi International Research Centre for Conflict Prevention and Management, she actively contributes to research, teaching, and training. Her leadership has been recognised with awards for institution building by INSO and HEF & IBA. We are privileged to have her discuss “Self-Study vs. Self-Identity” today.
Guest Of Honours:
I welcome Anil Pandit
Anil Pandit is a distinguished expert in engineering and technology, with an impressive academic background that includes a B.Tech degree from IIT Bombay, along with esteemed qualifications such as MIE, Chartered Engineer, and Industry Teaching Fellow. With a career marked by significant achievements, including obtaining his first patent in 1981 and serving as a program manager for both the Bureau of Indian Standards and the International Engineering Educator program, Anil has held prominent leadership positions such as Technology Business Leader and Chief Engineer, earning him a revered status in the engineering community.
I welcome Dr. Sanjoy Mukherjee
Dr. Sanjoy Mukherjee is an Associate Professor at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Shillong, specialising in Sustainability and Liberal Studies. He leads the Institute’s Annual International Sustainability Conference (SUSCON). With an academic foundation in Mechanical Engineering from Jadavpur University and advanced studies in Management from IIM Calcutta, Dr. Mukherjee brings a wealth of experience from both academia and industry. His scholarly pursuits focus on leadership, ethics, and sustainability, enriched by global presentations and numerous publications.
Topic Covered:
- Meaning of Self Study and Self Identity and what they entail. Sometimes the learning is limited to cognitive, affective and conative levels which can lead to a feeling of entitlement revolving around the “lesser” self identity of the small “s” of self. This has to move to the bigger “S” of the self through correct self study. One has to move to Ontology and Epistemology and reach transcendence leading to the transformation of the Self Identity to the “true” Self Identity.
- Ego is the initial formation of the personality. It is enhanced by the process of separateness making it self oriented and self centred. This is the unripe ego which is often possessive and aggressive seeking power. This has to transcend to the Ripe Ego that encompasses the whole universe and becomes the channel for divine intelligence. Therefore we cannot wish away ego because it was created by nature . We need to pursue self study to transcend to the Real Ripe Ego that blends into the spirit of existence and universe.
- The Reality is there is a constant process of desire being created through imaging, thought is helping to analyse the various options, expectation is guiding the selection by discerning. These activities are our imagination and continuously happening in us whether we are consciously aware or not. The two entities Self and Body exist together but we are often confused about the needs and priorities.
- Self and Body:
- Source UHV Training
- The natural acceptances are Happiness, Prosperity and Harmony across all human beings. Material wealth cannot provide these as there is no end to greed and therefore there is always a feeling of depravity in us. Prosperity relates to owning little more than absolutely necessary and harmony is understanding discipline and freedom which go hand in hand.
- The tussle between skills and values. How emphasis on skills creates a world where we embrace survival of the fittest, rat race, best will win etc. All these lead to stress which is one of the biggest killers in society.
- The framework for achieving true SELF is found in some of these Indian Knowledge concepts- Nishkam Karma, Shreya & Preya, the Debt theory, Dharma, Artha, Kam and Moksha and the Trinity of God.
- How can organisations support employees in their journey of self-study to enhance their self-identity and professional growth?
- How to bridge the gap between academic and professional life?
