DSK Institute for Research and Education

Purpose

Science, technology and, their use in economic development and commercialization have impacted the world in a manner unprecedented and at ever accelerating pace.  The rate of change during Industrial Revolution accelerated manifolds during the IT/ Computer based era a few decades ago and now with automation, robotics, artificial Intelligence and the Internet of things, changes are occurring by the minute.  Developments in the field of space technology, atomic energy, electronics, biotechnology, modern agriculture, telecommunication, manufacturing systems have made life comfortable but have attendant issues of altering future environments and ethics due to human Greed overtaking the Green. Though the technology offered large connectivity interpersonal relationships, value system and the entire sociological firmament in respect of harmony stands compromised.

Current digital and technology divide implies that every nation now comprises two nations; with only a few with access to technology and with a knowledge to use it. A majority of others, devoid of such access and those who live in constant existential crisis full of want and fear are in real danger of being left out.

This can be remedied only through education, empowerment through knowledge and through hand holding of the societies to assimilate newer techno-socio- paradigms. The time is also ripe to evaluate some of the emerging technologies with unknown consequences – such as the gene editing, automation and knowledge fakery.  The emerging challenges of this century, therefore, need management through varied approaches including an emphasis on the basic tenets of ethics and spirituality followed by sages like Prof. D.S. Kothari who frequently spoke on the need combining science and spirituality by incorporating the principles of Satya (Truth), Brahamacharya (Celibacy), Aparigraha (Minimal consumption), Achorya (No theft) and Ahimsa (Non-violence).  And, these call for value additions to the education to create, Socially Responsible, Technology Enabled, Globally Connected, Ethical and Rational citizenry.    

Vision

Kothari Institute envisions to be, a center of learning, academic excellence and innovative research at the interfaces of Science, Society and Spirituality. It will strive to develop scientific temper for logical and evidence based thinking towards peace and harmony for Global good.

Mission

Following the Life, value systems and Scientific thinking of Prof. DS Kothari, DSKIRE will strive to create an enabling platform for research through interdisciplinary interaction between experts in education, research, technology, sociologists and likeminded stake holders to develop targeted program to inform people of future challenges and the evidence/action plans based on integration of science, society and spirituality. This institute will explore and understand traditional knowledge systems, their scientific basis and generate new knowledge, that conforms to the basic tenets of Philosophy, Spirituality and Science. This knowledge will be shared with all stake holder through varied communication media.

The institute  proposes to be a dynamically evolving institution that will address to emerging contemporary issues of relevance to society and make an effort towards programs for such an education. It firmly recognizes that only science and education have the capacity to integrate minds and societies in a seamless manner and provide for the well being of all.

Values

  • The society’s services should be for universal use.
  • Voluntarism should be the primary social conduct.
  • Inclusivity of all castes, creeds, genders and religions.
  • Respect and affirmative action for rational thinking
  • Integrity & transparency in all actions and conducts
  • Nurturing  excellence, creativity, education and research for global well being

Objectives  

  • Increasing the quality of science education so that students and youths are upto date in various branches of science and technologies with latest know how under their command.
  • Encouraging  multidisciplinary studies and researches.
  • Helping school and college children and students in improving their experimental skills in science and technologies through outreaching and communication programmes.
  • Research to study the  impacts of emerging technology on the society.
  • Helping   industries to solve their problems and also assist them in executing their CSR activities for the social development.
  • Special focus will be there on evolving use of science for rural development.
  • Another important area will be develop scientific methodologies to help the poorest of the poor in improving their lives.
  • Research on the impacts of science on the society.
  • Research on the Philosophy of Science.
  • Research on Science and  Spirituality and to use the findings for welfare of the society
  • Research on science of Traditional Knowledge Systems
  • Research on the scientific basis of cultural practices
  • Research on methods for creating Scientific temper in the society through outreach and communication to common masses.
  • To support Government programmes like  implementing  “New Education Policy”, “Aatma Nirbhar Bharat”, Bharat Swachhta Abhiyan” and others.

Facilities and Resources:

The most important resources of the institute at present is  good space provided by Vigyan Samiti and highly knowledgeable and experienced academicians, scientists, Engineers, Industrialists from widely different disciplines. Details are given under the head of Membership. 

Vigyan Samiti

Kothari institute is currently located in the premised of Vigyan Samiti, a voluntary organization acclaimed for its 62 years of selfless activities in Science Education and Outreach. It was established in 1959, by Dr.  K. L. Kothari, a Plant Pathologist with noble objectives of serving the country in the areas of science popularization. knowledge dissemination, agriculture, health, women empowerment, economic development of the less privileged and the development of scientific temper.

A front view of Vigyan Samiti, Udaipur (India)

Vigyan Samiti has a deep commitment to rural development and empowerment and has been supported by leading academicians, bureaucrats, technocrats and persons dedicated to social service. Dr. D.S. Kothari was truly impressed by activities and social service of Vigyan Samiti and his active engagement provided inspiration and encouragement. A lecture hall on the name of Dr. D.S. Kothari has been developed in the campus.

For several years now, Vigyan Samiti has been organizing following activities in the memory of Dr D S Kothari,

  • Celebration of National Technology day on May, 11.
  • Dr D. S. Kothari Excellence award for exceptional contribution in Applied Technology
  • Publication and distribution of a booklet on the life and times of Dr D S Kothari to educate students.
  • Seminar on Science and Spirituality on 6th July, the birth day of Dr D.S. Kothari
  • Annual competition on proficiency in science for students

 Vigyan Samiti therefore prides itself in the establishment of Kothari institute and looks forward to a meaningful development of its activities.

Relation of Dr. DS Kothari with Vigyan Samiti

Vigyan Samiti is a voluntary organization of long standing (60yrs.) and repute. Members (>200) are persons of high caliber belonging to several faculties. Dr. D S Kothari had high appreciation for this organization. Vigyan Samiti organizes several programs in his honor for the last many years such as-

  1. We organize Science & Spirituality seminar on his birth day (6th July) every year.
  2. We organize Science awareness Programme for secondary students every year.
  3. We give every year Dr. D S Kothari excellence award to a scientist or technologist of national repute who has benefited the society at large in a big way.
  4. We prepared a special booklet on Dr. Kothari’s contribution to the nation & to science and are widely distributing the same.
  5. We are organizing special lectures on his spiritual interest and other contribution frequently. 

In this background a thought was developing in Vigyan Samiti for establishing an institute in Dr. D S Kothari’s name for studies and dissemination of Science & Spirituality. 

Membership

      The membership shall comprise seven categories as listed        below.

  • Patrons
  • Honorary Members
  • Advisors
  • Trustees
  • Life members.
  • Members
  • Institutional members
  • Corporate members.
  • Students members.

    The organization shall conform to the following framework,

  • The Board of Trustees will make the decisions.
  • Life members will be authorized to initiate projects. 
  • Members can associate with any project of choice.
  • Students members will associate with any project.
  • Institutional members shall support programs of DSKIRE on a reciprocal basis.
  • Corporate members will support the activities of DSKIRE as philanthropy for social wellbeing.
  • Patrons and Honorary members shall advice and help develop interfaces on a continuing basis.

List of Patrons

List of advisors

Shri Ravi Sharma, Ph d (Physics) former Scientific Secretary, ISRO

Prof. Ashok Kumar Singhwi, Ph d (Physics), former scientist, Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad

Prof. Narendra Bhandari, Ph d (Physics), former scientist, Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad

Dr. Rajendra Bhandari, former Director, Road and  Building Reearch Institute, Dehradun.

Shri R K Arora

Dr. Deepika Kothari, Ph d (Physics), Film maker on Indian culture

List of Honorary members:

Dr. America Singh of Mohan Lal Sukhadia University, Udaipur, 

Dr Narendra Singh  Rathore Maharana Pratap University Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur ; Shri Shri Rajeev Jain of  Rajasthan University, Jaipur;

Dr P C Trivedi, Jai Narayan Vyas University, Jodhpur and

Dr BP Sharma,  Gautam Buddha University, Noida, UP.

    Current list of Trustees

  • Dr. L. K. Kothari, MD in Medicine and Professor of Physiology, Jaipur
  • Dr. K. L. Kothari, Ph d in Plant Pathology, Founder of   Vigyan Samiti, 
  • Shri   B. S. Kothari, Agriculture Scientist, Udaipur
  • Shri Yashwant  Dagliya, CA, Bangalore
  • Mr. R. K. Chatur, Former Chief Engineer, Rajasthan
  • Mr.  K. S. Samota, M Tech, Ex. AGM, NTPC
  • Mr. S. S. Pokharna, Former  Scientist, ISRO, Ahmedabad.
  • Dr.  K. M. Madrecha, PhD, PGDIE, BE; Managing Director (Dr Kanak Madrecha & Associates FZ LLE,  Dubai).
  • Dr.Tej Singh Dhakad, Ph d and a Professor of Management, USA
  • Dr. Abhay Srisrimal, Ph d in Chemistry and an industrialist from Chennai
  • Shri Vinod Surana, Law expert, Chennai
  • Dr. Tej Singh Dhakad

Current life members:

  • Mr. M.L. Kalra, Ph D (Physics), Ex. VC, Kota Open University
  • Mr. K. P. Talesara, PhD (Physics), Former Dean, B N College
  • Dr. Deelip Dhing, Ph d in Jainism,  Chennai
  • Shri Manish Mehta, B E in IT,Chennai
  • Dr. Naresh Kumar, Ph d Biochemistry, Vadodra
  • Shri R K Khokawat, M Sc in Physics, Udaipur
  • Shri S C K Vaidya, BE, Udaipur
  • Shri Tarkeshwar Shrimali, BE, USA
  • Shri Narendra Joshi,
  • Shri R K Nebhnani, Engineer
  • Shri Rajeev Surana
  • Shri K L Totawat
  • Members
  • Institutional members
  • Corporate members.
  • Students members.

The organization shall conform to the following framework

  • The Board of Trustees will make the decisions.
  • Patrons and Honorary members shall advice and help develop interfaces on a continuing basis.
  • Life members will be authorized to initiate projects. 
  • Members can associate with any project of choice.
  • Institutional members shall support programs of Dr DS Kothari institute  on a reciprocal basis.
  • Corporate members will support the activities of DSKIRE as philanthropy for social wellbeing.
  • Students members will associate with any project.

Charted Accountant

Shri Om Prakash Chaplot, Udaipur

Following Directors have been made to look after various activities. They are:

Dr. Surendra Singh Pokharna, Director of Extension for  Students and Society to involve Indian institutions and Universities for science and technology education.

Dr. Manohar Lal Kalra, Director of Research for planning and organizing research activities.

Dr. Krushna Prakash Talesara, Director of teachings activities and publications.

Dr. Kanak Madrecha, International Director for collaboration with organizations and Universities out side India. 

Shri R K Chatur, Director for membership to increase memberships of institute..

Shri Karan Singh Samota, Director, Information management for managing  technologies related with various activities of the institute.

Director,  Fund raising (to be decided)

Collaboration:

In view of many experts of widely different disciplines having knowledge as well as experience of working in different institutions, organization, research and education programmes will be taken up both at the institution level and also in collaboration with other colleges, universities, industries, NGOs and Government organziations. The collaboration will be on the basis of win-win situation for both the parties. This is feasible because many institutions, universities and organizations are looking for such knowledgeable and experienced persons. All government organizations are now exploring Public, Private Partnerships (PPP) with entrepreneurs and like minded organizations and NGOs.