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DEI Diamond Jubilee Memorial Lecture Enlightens Audience on Liver Health

Dayalbagh Educational Institute (Deemed to be University) organized a significant event on May 9th, 2024, marking the DEI Diamond Jubilee Memorial Lecture at 5:00 PM in the DEI Convocation Hall. Renowned health expert, Prof. (Dr.) Shiv Kumar Sarin, Chancellor & Director of the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, delivered a profound lecture on the topic "Liver Fat - Flames and Frames the Body."

Prof. Anand Mohan, Registrar, DEI enlightened about the significance of conducting DEI Diamond Jubilee Memorial Lectures. He mentioned that in pursuance of the lofty Ideals of the Radhasoami Faith to evolve the Superman of tomorrow, Radhasoami Satsang Sabha started the Radhasoami Educational Institute (REI), as a co-educational Middle School on 1^st January, 1917, that marked the genesis of Education in Dayalbagh. Since then many educational institutions have been established to provide an opportunity to large number of young men and women to study in an environment created according to the lofty Ideals and values of satsang culture, and to benefit the weaker sections of society by providing quality education at low cost. A new phase in pursuit of excellence began in the year 1973 under the guidance of the Founder Director, Param Guru Dr. M.B. Lal Sahab, when all educational institutions of Dayalbagh were brought under one umbrella named as Dayalbagh Educational Institute. The Diamond Jubilee of the REI was celebrated in 1977 with great zeal and fervour under the patronage of His Holiness Huzur Dr. M.B. Lal Sahab to commemorate the successful completion of 60 years of the Institute.

In His Valedictory Address, His Holiness Huzur Dr. M.B. Lal Sahab stressed –

“The torch of learning has been received by you from your elders and it becomes your responsibility now to make the flame brighter. It is not merely the study of books that is required of you, you have to assimilate what you read and more than that imbibe the values of humanism, secularism and democracy. Moreover it is not enough for us to grow in wealth and material prosperity. If there is no peace in the world today, it is not because of lack of material wealth. It is because there is lack of poise and balance of judgment in distinguishing right from wrong. We have failed to recognize our own spiritual dimension and to kindle the spark of the Divine in us. So long as we do not accept and advocate the Fatherhood of God and Brotherhood of Man, we would neither trust each other, nor behave as dutiful children of the Supreme Father.”

The Diamond Jubilee Memorial Lecture series, instituted thereafter by His Holiness Huzur Dr. M.B. Lal Sahab, has remained a consistent highlight. Over the years, it has featured a distinguished array of personalities delivering lectures, including luminaries such as Dr. Hiranand Sacchidanand Vatsayan “Ageya”, Prof. Yash Pal, Chairman of the University Grants Commission, Prof. P. Rama Rao, Secretary of the Department of Science & Technology, Prof. Ashok Mishra, Director of IIT Mumbai, Dr. Anil Kakodkar, Director of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in Mumbai, Revered Prof. P.S. Satsangi Saheb, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Former President of India, Prof. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar from Pune, and Prof. Vinod Paul from NITI Aayog, among other luminaries.

The Distinguished Lecture Series has played a pivotal role in expanding the intellectual horizons of our academic community, contributing significantly to the pursuit of excellence.

Following this introduction, Prof. C Patvardhan, Director of the Institute, extended a warm welcome to the distinguished speaker and introduced him to the audience. Prof. C. Patvardhan, Director, DEI introduced the elite speaker to the audience. Prof. Shiv Kumar Sarin is a distinguished figure in hepatology, serving as the Senior Professor and Chancellor at the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) in New Delhi. He played a pivotal role in establishing ILBS under the Government of Delhi. He is a prolific researcher and academician. His expertise encompasses liver diseases, notably variceal bleeding, liver regeneration, hepatitis B, and acute-on-chronic liver failure. Prof. Sarin's leadership extends to various medical societies and committees, including presidencies of the Indian Society of Gastroenterology and the Asian Pacific Association of Liver (APASL). He's received numerous accolades such as the Padma Bhushan, Henry L. Bockus Medal, and Ralph Kohn Memorial Lecture. Prof. Sarin's contributions to medical education include developing the 'Vision 2015' document for Medical Education in India during his tenure as Chairman of the Medical Council of India.

On this momentous occasion, the distinguished speaker Prof. (Dr.) Shiv Kumar Sarin, provided an informative discourse, highlighting the critical role of the liver in regulating blood glucose levels and detoxifying the body, further underscoring the importance of liver health for overall wellness. Dr. Sarin imparted invaluable insights into liver fat, its detection, and strategies for reduction during his presentation. He underscored the liver's pivotal role in maintaining overall health in contemporary times and offered practical guidance on its upkeep. Delving into body composition analysis, Dr. Sarin recommended ideal body compositions tailored to individual factors. His discourse illuminated the often-overlooked correlation between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and Type-2 diabetes, underscoring the importance of early detection and management of liver-related health concerns. Introducing specific self-tests for identifying suspected fatty liver disorders, he elucidated the potential consequences of fatty liver on overall health. He said that fatty liver affects nearly one in three adult Indians, encompassing over 30 crore individuals, with nearly 20% of young Indian children (

The lecture expanded to cover a wide range of treatment options for NAFLD, including lifestyle modifications, pharmacotherapy, and surgical interventions. Dr. Sarin underscored the transformative impact of weight loss and regular exercise in reducing liver fat accumulation and promoting positive health outcomes. In conclusion, the focus shifted to policy initiatives and the commendable efforts of the Dayalbagh Educational Institute in addressing NAFLD on a national scale. Suggestions were made regarding raising awareness and promoting self-assessment and self-regulation strategies to mitigate liver dysfunction. Dr. Sarin advocated for collective community efforts to prevent and manage NAFLD effectively. Dr. Sarin advocated for raising awareness and implementing lifestyle changes, including maintaining an ideal body weight, regular exercise, and mindful dietary habits, to reverse fatty liver and its associated complications. He commended the healthy lifestyle observed among residents in and around Dayalbagh and expressed a desire for the Dayalbagh Educational Institute to spearhead efforts to promote awareness and health throughout Agra.

The lecture was followed by an engaging Q&A session involving both faculties and students, fostering interactive dialogue and knowledge exchange. Subsequent Remarks from Revered Prof. PS Satsangi, Chairman, Advisory Committee on Education, Dayalbagh Educational Institutions highlighted the importance of dissolved oxygen levels and the potential of homeopathic interventions in maintaining well-being. He emphasized the significance of regular monitoring encompassing blood pressure, dissolved oxygen, and weight to uphold systemic equilibrium. Most Respected Rani Sahiba ji graced the occasion with her esteemed presence, enhancing the significance of the event.

Overall, the DEI Diamond Jubilee Memorial Lecture proved to be an enriching and enlightening experience, providing attendees with valuable insights into liver health and wellness. The lecture received a positive response from the audience as Dr. Sarin effectively conveyed crucial healthcare information in simple language. It sparked engaging discussions and raised awareness about the seriousness of fatty liver-related issues that are often overlooked. Overall, the lecture was well-received and deemed a significant success in disseminating awareness about liver health among the masses.

The program was hosted and compered by Prof. Sumita Srivastava, Department of Management, DEI.  Dr. Amla Chopra, Department of Zoology, DEI, proposed a formal vote of thanks in the end and the program concluded with the recitation of University Song.