Concept paper on Courses on Yoga, Journalism and Communication

Profession of journalism is like teaching, a noble profession, moulding man and society. Writing is part of that profession.
Pre-independent India had great writers as thinkers. They were influenced by the ideals and vision of Swami Vivekananda, who said, that each nation has its own identity and destiny to fulfill.
Thus, Lokamanya Tilak through his ‘Kesari’, Sri Aurobindo Ghosh through his ‘Yugantar’ and Gandhiji through his ‘Harijan’ moulded the minds of Indians towards national unity and the goal of national freedom.
During our freedom struggle, newspapers and journals had great editors like Sadanand, C.Y. Chintamani, Khasa Subba Rao and A.N.Sivaraman. Consequently the Press played its part admirably in the freedom struggle.
In the post-independent India, the goal of moulding a strong, united India based on our ancient values has been absent. What we find is that a great instrument of national unity like journalism is used not for cohesion but for splitting–splitting the mind, men, territories and ultimately the nation.
Press Council Chairmen, Judge Sarkaria and Judge P.B. Sawant had often deplored that after Independence press has lost its noble aim by becoming an industry.
With the old value structures demolished and the professional pride and integrity yet to be inculcated in the newcomers, modernity and commercialism have come to fill the gaps.
Many old veteran journalists have bemoaned that the profession of journalism has lost its individuality and credibility. Politicians accuse the press of negativism and distortion.

Why this deplorable situation? Has any attempt been made to infuse right ethos and values in the profession?
This is the influence of modern way of life featured by freedom of press, money and enjoyment as the ‘be and end’ of all life. The matter-based paradigm of modern science has made such an impact on all aspects of our globe that anything ancient has been scathed away as useless. In the name of modernity and progress even the religious values are thrown away and the generation of scientists made education totally bereft of human values. However, the scientific fervor of objectivity, scientific research dimensions should have kept the press growing in right direction by quoting facts and figures with scientific accuracy with no bias. However, it did not happen that way and money rode the high horse and kept the press free from all human values and scientific objectivity.

What is the way out? What is next in evolution of press?
Fortunately the trend of modern science has started moving towards consciousness-based approach from matter-based paradigm. Health challenges and large number of other challenges of stress have started opening the minds of life scientists to look at ancient wisdom, the world over. The holistic values of health and wealth has started coming of age. Moderation in food, vegetarianism, physical exercises, etc have started showing up among the citizens. Yoga has started hitting headlines.
SVYASA has pioneered in the field of Yoga over the last 30 years through its open-minded scientific research approach which has brought it the highest acclaim the world over. Yoga as a way of life, powered by the four streams - Jòána, Rája, Bhakti and Karma yoga, has been able to show its usefulness in several fields of application – medical, education, deprived sections of the society, sports, etc. The acceptability of Yoga and its techniques is fast increasing due to the obvious benefits the practitioners are deriving out of it.
A fair Press depends on the self-discipline in the press fraternity and it cannot be imposed by law. Hence there is need for ethos and philosophy in the profession of Journalism. Reading is fundamental to thinking. Reading makes the mind work. To enable the mind to work on right lines, right type of reading material becomes necessary. Yoga Ùástra gives the right of reading featured by holistic value system.
A journalist may be faceless or nameless but his writings mould the minds. A journalist must be strong of mind, agile of body and clear in vision. Yoga contributes to the strengthening of mind and body; so necessary for a journalist. Yogic practices through the strengthening of will and calming of mind infuses values automatically and prevents temptations in man to keep him balanced in his acts. Yogic values help a journalist to avert pitfalls, and acquire correct perception of men, matters and events. A value-based journalist makes an Indian proud and India proud.
Globalization and invasion of western values through the print media and television has started uprooting our value system. This challenge can be met only when a journalist is rooted strongly in his own culture and heritage. Yoga is the core of our culture which can resurrect these values in Journalism and build in him the inner strength to communicate facts in the right perspective to bring cohesion and synergy in the society.

It is to enable this possibility Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana has launched two new programs in BA and MA courses integrating training in Yoga with training in journalism.
SVYASA is a renowned and a unique yoga institution which has got the status of a Deemed University. Prashanti Kutiram campus provides the right ambience to gain maximum benefit through Yoga. Millions of people have benefited by the training and stay in the vast sylvan surroundings of the institution. The aim of these new BA and MA courses is to bring out a special brand of dedicated value-oriented journalists.
Combining yogic values and ancient values with modernity in the new BA and MA courses, the institution is striking a new ground for the service of Bharat and world at large.

We are sure, that, displeased with the track record of the existing system and the profession of journalism, institutions, corporate and newspapers would look for the service of the journalists turned out from the SVYASA.

SVYASA’s Vision for the Journalism Department
VYASA movement has come a long way since its inception in the 1980s, spreading the ideals of yoga in a holistic way and to integrate all dimensions of yoga into various spheres of society like, medicine, research, education etc. Backed by these successes, this course is an endeavor to expand SVYASA’s horizon by knitting the vital elements of yoga into the field of Journalism and Mass communication.
The mantra in current Journalism and Media is “bad news is good news”. Reaping on the attraction of scandal and sensationalism, media today exploits the weakness in the human psyche. This has led to a disoriented society with an off-balanced valued system.
In line with its Yoga philosophy and teachings, SVYASA aims to revolutionize current Media by promoting Harmonizing Journalism – a positive value-based approach to news reporting and writing. SVYASA aims to produce a new breed of Media professionals who will have the fundamental understanding of how Media can strengthen the human psyche, by presenting stories that will celebrate humanity and values, revive ancient culture, and restore heritage.
SVYASA’s Journalism and Media Graduates will be unique as their education is based on a strong foundation of spirituality and culture, unlike other contemporary institutes. “Be and Make” will be the guiding motto of each graduate as he or she strives to bring holistic journalism to benefit society and the nation.

Career Prospects
Journalism is one of the highly sought after fields as creativity, originality, nobility and boldness are always in demand. To meet the requirements of the industry, a comprehensive programme has been designed to produce a critical and well-skilled journalist. In this growing industry, many opportunities can be found in the area of News Reporting, Editing, Advertising, Public Relations, Corporate Communications, Media Management, Television Production, Film Production, Scripting, Media Distribution, Media Finance and Further Education. An added asset will be the strategic support of the pioneering research of SVYASA and logistic support from numerous partner organizations. This would ensure a valuable, healthy and prosperous career future.

For further details and prospectus contact:
The course Coordinator, SVYASA University,
Eknath Bhavan, 19, Gavipuram Circle,
Kempegowda Nagar, Bangalore- 560019
Phone: 080-26612669, 22639961
e-mail: courses@svyasa.org, webmaster@svyasa.org
www.svyasa.org