Pune:
The Life Transformation Centre (LTC), a unique initiative in higher education,
was inaugurated at Boribel in Daund taluka of Pune district. Established in
memory of Urmila V. Karad, the revered mother of Dr. Rahul V. Karad –
Initiator & Vision, Life Transformation Centre (LTC); who
conceptualised the centre. The centre aims to nurture the holistic
development of students by reconnecting them with nature, society, and their
inner selves through experiential and value-based learning.
The inauguration ceremony was
attended by several distinguished leaders from government, spirituality,
defence, and sports. Among the prominent dignitaries present were spiritual
leader Swami Ramdev and Shri Ronjan Sodhi, Rajiv
Gandhi Khel Ratna and Arjuna Awardee and international trap shooter. The event
was chaired by UNESCO Chair Holder Prof. Dr. Vishwanath D. Karad –
Founder & Chief Patron, MAEER’s MIT, Pune; President, MIT World Peace
University; and Creator of the World Peace Dome.
Video messages were shared
by Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Hon’ble Chief Minister of
Maharashtra; Sunetra Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra; Dattatray
Vithoba Bharne, Minister of Agriculture of Maharashtra; Lt. Gen.
Dhiraj Seth, PVSM, AVSM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern
Command, Pune; and Chandrakant Patil, Minister of
Higher and Technical Education of Maharashtra. Meanwhile, Shivraj Singh
Chouhan, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, attended the
event virtually.
Shivraj Singh
Chouhan said, “Today’s youth face intense competition,
academic pressure, and the distractions of the digital world, often drifting
away from the deeper meaning of life. The Life Transformation Centre offers a
powerful answer by reconnecting young people with nature, agriculture,
discipline, and spirituality. As the son of a farmer, I deeply resonate with
the vision of ‘Connecting the Soul to the Soil.’ When young people experience
the value of soil, food, and hard work, they develop respect for farmers,
nature, and society. This initiative reflects the spirit of experiential
learning envisioned in India’s National Education Policy and will help nurture
responsible, confident, and nation-building youth for a stronger India.”
Shri Devendra
Fadnavis said, “I extend my heartfelt congratulations
on the inauguration of the Life Transformation Centre at Boribel, Pune. The
land of Maharashtra has long been a source of inspiration for saints, social
reformers, and nation builders. From the spiritual legacy of Sant Dnyaneshwar
and Sant Tukaram Maharaj to the transformative vision of Mahatma Jyotirao Phule
and Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule, this land has upheld the tradition of linking
knowledge with service, ethics, and the welfare of society. The Life
Transformation Centre, built on the pillars of Agriculture and Nature, Physical
Fitness and Sports, Team Building and Leadership, Patriotism and Nation
Building, and Spirituality and Peace, will help students develop confidence,
discipline, leadership, and compassion.”
Swami
Ramdev said,“Today, I feel immense joy to be part of the
inauguration of the Life Transformation Centre. Institutions like MIT World
Peace University are doing a remarkable job by nurturing not just academic
excellence but also character, values, and national responsibility among young
people. Educating lakhs of students and guiding them from personal development
to nation-building is a great service to society. I come from a humble farming
background and understand how powerful education and self-discipline can be in
transforming lives. Every young person carries immense potential, but it must
be guided by a larger purpose beyond personal success. We should not limit our
dreams to jobs or salaries; rather, we should aspire to contribute to society
and the nation. Through initiatives like the Life Transformation Centre,
students will learn the importance of nature, self-discipline, health, and
leadership. I congratulate Dr. Vishwanath Karad, Dr. Rahul Karad, and the
entire MIT family for creating such a transformative platform for youth.”
Speaking about the vision
behind the initiative, Dr. Rahul Karad said, “This initiative
has been envisioned as a unique platform where students can reconnect with
nature, rural life, and the deeper values of Indian civilization through experiential
learning. The centre is built on five pillars—agriculture and nature,
spirituality and peace, sports and physical fitness, team building and
leadership, and patriotism and nation building. Through this initiative, we aim
to shape responsible, self-aware, and socially conscious youth. I believe this
centre will serve as a transformative laboratory for education, inspiring
students to contribute meaningfully to society and to the vision of a
harmonious and sustainable world.”
The programmes at the Life
Transformation Centre are structured around five key pillars—Agriculture and
Nature, Physical Fitness and Sports, Team Building and Leadership, Patriotism
and Nation Building, and Spirituality and Peace. Through these
pillars, the centre aims to nurture students’ physical, intellectual, and
emotional well-being while instilling a strong sense of responsibility towards
society and the nation.
A distinctive aspect of the
centre is its emphasis on simplicity and mindful living. In an age dominated by
mobile phones, social media, and rising stress levels, the centre promotes the
principle of minimalism, encouraging participants to adopt simpler lifestyles,
reduce distractions, and focus on meaningful aspects of life.
By integrating nature-based learning, leadership
development, and value-driven education, the Life Transformation Centre seeks
to create a new paradigm in higher education. The initiative aims to empower
young individuals to become responsible citizens and contribute meaningfully
towards building a stronger India and a more harmonious world.
