The Counselling Cell of Poornaprajna Institute of Management was inaugurated on 20th February 2025 at Prajna Hall, marking a significant step in promoting mental health awareness among students. The event, titled Thrive: Counselling Cell Inauguration and Insights on Mental Health, was graced by the presence of Dr. Virupaksha Devaramane, a reputed psychiatrist and award-winning writer, as the keynote speaker.
The program was elegantly hosted by Ms. Apeksha from 2nd MBA, Section A. It commenced with a soulful prayer rendered by Keerthana, Deeksha, Sri Nidhi, and Nandini from 2nd MBA, setting a serene tone for the event.
Following this, Ms. Shree Raksha from 2nd MBA, Section B, delivered the welcome speech, warmly inviting all dignitaries and attendees. The floral welcome was extended by Ms. Sri Nidhi (2nd MBA, Section B) to the chief guest, Dr. Virupaksha Devaramane. Since the institute’s director, Dr. P.S. Aithal, had last-minute commitments, the event was presided over by Dr. Bharath V, former Director of PIM, who was florally welcomed by Ms. Nandini (2nd MBA, Section B). Additionally, Ms. Keerthana (2nd MBA, Section A) welcomed Prof. Diana Saldanha, Faculty Coordinator of the Counselling Cell.
The formal inauguration of the Counselling Cell was marked by the traditional lighting of the lamp by the dignitaries. This was followed by Dr. Bharath V’s presidential remarks, in which he emphasized the importance of mental well-being and counseling for students. He then presented a memento to the guest of honour, Dr. Virupaksha Devaramane, as a token of appreciation.
The highlight of the event was the insightful keynote address by Dr. Virupaksha Devaramane, where he spoke about The Importance of Counselling for College Students. His session was deeply engaging and informative, shedding light on mental health challenges faced by students and the role of counseling in addressing them.
A Q&A session followed the presentation, where students had the opportunity to get their queries addressed. Interestingly, questions were submitted anonymously, creating a safe space for students to express their concerns. The resource person answered them thoughtfully, making this an innovative approach to discussing mental health openly.
The program concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks by Prof. Diana Saldanha, expressing gratitude to all who contributed to making the event a success.
The event was well-attended by students from both 1st and 2nd year MBA, faculty members, and non-teaching staff, reflecting the collective commitment of the PIM community toward fostering a supportive and healthy academic environment.
The inauguration of the Counselling Cell marks the beginning of an initiative aimed at ensuring students’ well-being and encouraging open conversations about mental health.
