A.K. Saxena

Engineer | Technocrat | Academics | Social Activist | Humanist

Born in 1950 in Lucknow, he hails from a middle class family and is an excellent team player. After receiving his early education in Lucknow, he graduated in Mechanical Engineering from MANIT, Bhopal and obtained Masters in Business Administration from XISS, Ranchi
He has written several papers several of which have been awarded.
Main areas of work have been related to Water Supply, Energy, Environment, Waste Management, long distance pipelines, etc. The work is mostly related to Steel, Power, Mining Sectors and Management

Writing about oneself is a tough proposition because you've got a lot to say about your whole lifetime of experiences, talents, and skills in a few paragraphs. The problem gets enlarged as you may on one hand tend to go along with self-praise or adore yourself or on the other hand undermine the true self under the garb of humility / modesty. Under both the extremities there is a fear of making subjective judgment.

My journey in this life began on 22nd February 1950 in Lucknow a multicultural city that flourished as a cultural and artistic hub and the seat of power of Nawabs in the 18th and 19th centuries. The city is best remembered for the refined and extravagant lifestyles of the Nawabs, food and etiquettes (Tehzib). According to one legend, the city is named after Lakshmana, a hero of the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana

................... Born into a middle class family of caring and doting parents (Late Shri Bhuvaneshwar Dayal Saxena and Late Srimati Urmila Saxena) who gave the best possible environment, understanding about friendship, education and values to cater to various situations in life and to have a lovely soul mate, Rekha (daughter of Late Shri Ram Manohar Lal Asthana and late Srimati Lalli Asthana). With the blessings and support of our Guru (Sri Sri Paramhansa Yogananda), parents, brothers, sisters, relatives and friends we have been able to fulfil our responsibilities to the best of our ability.

I share a very special bond with all my family members and friends. I like to help people to find solutions to their problems and am also engaged in doing social service. My aim in life is to serve people towards socio-economic development / upliftment of the humanity without any expectation.

The most important thing in my life is religious believes, moral values and respect for elders. I am a self-motivating person be it academics or professional life or any other field. I am a very simple, god fearing, caring, honest, hardworking understanding, trustworthy, workaholic and kind hearted human being. I believe in success through hard work & dedication. I enjoy life to the fullest and love humour. In my childhood I used to participate in Debates, dramas etc. I once played a prank in neighbourhood as a Sadhu with false Jata and ochre robes and in other instance shaved my head for a role in a drama. I am a progressive thinker and respect each person’s space & values.

The initial seventeen years of my life I spent in schooling and at Lucknow except for my vacations which I spent at Mathura (Maternal Grandparents place) and Sultanpur (My Bua’s place). Later on I moved to Bhopal for my professional studies. On completion joined CEDB (Now MECON), HSL (Now SAIL) and arrived at Ranchi via Durgapur. Over the past four decades my professional work has not only taken over the entire length and breadth of the country but has also taken me to several parts of the world.

I started my career in Hydro Engineering and was associated with various facets of Environmental Engineering much before Environment became a catch word. Concern for Environment Protection, Pollution Control, Conservation of Water Bodies and other Natural Resources have helped me getting recognition in society. Association with the Institution of Engineers (India) [IEI] by organising various technical programmes have helped me to provide services to Engineering fraternity.

It has been a great experience and a sense of fulfilment staying for over four decades in the salubrious climate of Ranchi, except for brief stints at Bangalore and Kolkata. This city has given a lot to me. There were several reasons which helped me in arriving at my decision to stay back in Ranchi after superannuation. The most important one was my association and desire to serve Guruji’s work as His Ashram is located at Ranchi - followed by IEI, my friends from other organisations, Government and other works of life and friends & colleagues of MECON.

I am indebted to Guruji, parents and several persons with whom I have come in contact and who have chiselled to make me what I am. I have learnt from each one of them. To name a few would be injustice to many as such I keep them all in my heart and prayers

Expressing one's feelings, most of the time, calls for a great effort. We are concerned about our value in the eyes of the world. We want to be cared for and flattered. Well, I think, most of us or may be the whole of the human kind has this one as one of the basic social urges.....that is...to be heard and recognised. Perhaps, this urge has been the driving force behind creation of this website.

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Education

Xavier Institute of Social Services, RANCHI

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

1978 - 1981

Maulana Azad College of Technology, (Now MANIT) Bhopal

Bachelor of Engineering (Mech.)

1967 - 1972

Lucknow Christian College, Lucknow

Intermediate (Grade XII)

1966 - 1967

St Francis High School, Lucknow

Primary to Senior Cambridge

1957 - 1965

Cathedral School, Lucknow

Primary

1955-1956

Disciplines Served

• Energy & Environmental Engineering and Management
• Water Supply & water treatment, Ocean Engineering & Long-distance pipelines
• Strategic Business Planning, Capacity Building and preparation of reports
• Head of Chairman’s Technical Secretariat
• Project Co-ordination, monitoring and management

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Member of the Bihar State Committee of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII); CII National Committee on Environment; Environment Panel of Bihar State Committee of CII. Member of the Jharkhand State Committee of CII, Convenor Energy Panel Jharkhand State Committee of CII, Convenor Environment Panel of CII Jharkhand State Committee.
• Member (2009 – 2010) of Technical Expert committee on Environment of Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board, Ranchi.
• Member (2009) South Asia Forum for Energy Efficiency, New Delhi
• Vice – Chairman (2009), Ranchi Chapter of Indian Institute of Foundrymen
• Joint Secretary (1980 – 1982) of The Institution of Engineers, Ranchi Sub – Center.
• Hony. Secretary (1992 – 1994) of The Institution of Engineers, Ranchi Local Center.
• Chairman (2006 – 2008) of The Institution of Engineers Jharkhand State Center.
• Organising Secretary, Convenor of several programmers related to Energy and Environment, All India Seminars, Conventions, 1st Convocation of IEI, etc. This included 6th National Convention of Environmental Engineers held at Ranchi in 1990
• Chairman Organising Committee of National Conventions and all India Seminars including 23rd National Convention of Environment Engineers held at Ranchi in 2007.
• Secretary of In – house Technical Journal of MECON for 6 years.
• Selected by Bureau of Indian Standards as Lead Auditor for ISO 14000.
• Member of Quality Council of MECON.
• Member of Organising Committee of 4th Freight Pipeline Symposium held at Atlantic City, USA 1982.
• Actively associated with activities of World wide Fund for Nature 1990 – 1995.
• Part – time Faculty, External Guide and Examiner for UG and PG students of BIT, Mesra; IEI, Indian Schools of Mines; NIFFT.
• Acted as Faculty for various management programmes conducted by the Management College of SAIL, Indian Institute of Coal Management & HR Division of CCL, CMPDI & MECON.
• Hony. Secretary of Cheshire Home – a Home for disabled - for 7 years
• Member, Governing Board of DPS, Ranchi 2006 – 2009.
• Member, Governing Board of Yogada Satsanga Mahavidyalaya (College)
• Secretary, Yogada Satsanga Vidyalaya (Schools)
• Member Governing Body, AISECT University, Hazaribagh, Jharkhand.
• Member IQAC Jharkhand Rai University, Ranchi
• Member, Govinram Kataruka Charitable Trust.
• Member National Council of The Institution of Engineers (India) for 2010 -2014 and 2014 – 2018.

Publications Talks and Contribution in Books

• Published / Presented over 60 technical papers covering following areas - Water Supply, Environment, Energy Conservation and Management, Waste Utilization and Management, Solid Waste Disposal etc. Also delivered talks before national and international audiences both in India and abroad.
• Contributed in book titled "Ash Ponds and Ash Disposal Systems" y Dr. V.S. Raju, Director, lIT, Delhi etc., published by Narosa Publishing House, New Delhi.
• Contributed in book titled "Hydraulic Conveying & Slurry Pipeline Technology" edited by Reihard H. Wohlbier, TransTech Publications Germany.

Membership of Professional Bodies

• Fellow of The Institution of Engineers (India)
• Fellow of The Institution of Water and Environment Engineers (India)
• Founding Fellow Indian Technology Congress Association
• Chartered Engineer of The Institution of Engineers (India)
• Life Subscriber of WorldWide Fund for Nature (India)

Awards

• Dr. M Visveswaraya Gold Medal for paper titled “Environmental Management in Steel Industry” under Indian Conditions at the 8th Indian Engineering Congress, Banglore 1993.
• Dr. M Visveswaraya Medal for paper titled IMPACT OF e-COMMERCE on marketing of Steel in Indian Context at the 15th Indian Engineering Congress, Hyderabad 2000.
• Dr. M. Visveswaraya Medal for paper titled Measures for minimizing Energy Consumption in Steel Plants in India through Bench – marking at the 16th Indian Engineering Congress, IIT Kharagpur 2001.
• Dr. M. Visveswaraya Medal for paper titled Environment friendly Coke Ovens Design, Operation and Maintenance at 17th Indian Engineering Congress 2002.
• SAIL Medal for paper titled Strategies for Turn around in Indian Steel Industry at 17th Indian Engineering Congress 2002.
• SAIL Medal for paper titled changing Face of Steel Products from commodity to customization at Indian Engineering Congress 2007.
• Dr. M. Visveswaraya Medal for paper titled Role of Power Sector (Power Plant performance optimization in particular) in achieving energy security for India at Indian Engineering Congress 2008.
• Based upon the efforts made as Chairman, Jharkhand State Center of the Institution of Engineers (India) towards overall development and organizing various technical programs the Jharkhand State Center was adjudged as the best State Center in India for the years 2008 – 09 and for 2009 - 2010. Received the Best State Center Awards same at Indian Engineering Congress December held at NIT, Surathkal, Karnatka and at NIT Warangal respectively
• Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board in recognition of services in the area of Environmental Awarenessgave an Award on 5th June 2014 on the occasion of World Environment Day Celebrations.
• Received several other awards from various associations / societies like Bharat Jyoti, Rashtriya Gaurav, Udyog Ratna, Best Citizen etc.

Photo Gallery

Spritual

“ ...you realize that all along there was something tremendous within you, and you did not know it. ”

— Paramahansa Yogananda 1893 - 1952

Paramahansa Yogananda, the Man Who Took Yoga Beyond Indian Shores

It was October 1981 when I was passing through some very tying times both physically and emotionally. I was young ambitious, social and happy go lucky man with materialistic desires. At that time we were in Gorakhpur attending a marriage and I used to escape to visit Baba Goarkhnath temple often. On returning to Ranchi I used to sit in office mostly non communicative and restless from within.

My colleague and friend were noticing and one fine afternoon one of my friends took me Yogoda Ashram where I learnt about Sri Sri Paramhansa Yoganandaji and immediately became a member devotee. Sri Sri Paramhansa Yoganandaji’s teachings of healing of Body, Mind and Soul totally have transformed my life and I embarked on a journey which gave direction towards leading a balanced life.

Widely regarded as the father of yoga in the West, Paramahansa Yogananda devoted his life to the spread of knowledge about the techniques of yoga meditation. By personalizing his own quest for enlightenment and sharing his struggles along the path, Paramahansa Yogananda made yoga accessible to the entire world.

Paramahansa Yogananda was born Mukunda Lal Ghosh on January 5, 1893, in Gorakhpur into a devout and well-to-do family. Young Mukunda showed an early inclination towards the self-realization path. In his youth, he sought out many of India’s sages and saints, hoping to find a teacher who would guide him on his spiritual quest. His quest led him, in 1910, to revered Swami Sri Yukteshwar Giri, After he graduated from Calcutta University in 1915, he took formal vows as a monk of India’s monastic Swami Order, where he received the name Yogananda.

Paramahansa Yogananda founded the Yogada Satsanga Society of India in Ranchi in 1917, Later in September 1920 Paramahansa Yogananda was invited to serve as a delegate at the International Congress of Religious Liberals. Paramahansa Yogananda arrived in Boston, USA in September 1920. Later he founded the Self-Realization Fellowship to disseminate his teachings on India’s ancient philosophy of yoga and its time-honoured science of meditation across the world. In 1925, he established the International Headquarters for Self-Realization Fellowship at Mount Washington, Los Angeles..

The challenges and accomplishments of his journey are detailed in his landmark book, Autobiography of a Yogi which has now been translated in more than 50 Languages. It continues to be the go-to book for seekers, philosophers and yoga enthusiasts even today.

After his autobiography was published, Yogananda spent the last years of his life devoting himself to literary work, editing and revising his earlier work and gradually withdrawing from public life.

Paramahansa Yogananda took Mahasamadhi on March 7, 1952, in Los Angeles, following his delivery of a memorable speech at a banquet honouring Dr. Binay R. Sen, India’s Ambassador to the United States. In his last talk, he said, “I am proud that I was born in India. I am proud that we have a great ambassador representing my spiritual India. Somewhere between the two great civilizations of efficient America and spiritual India lies the answer for a model world civilization. “

He then read out a few lines from his poem My India, before sliding to the floor with a beatific smile on his face. He concluded his talk with the words "Where Ganges, woods, Himalayan caves, and men dream God—I am hallowed; my body touched that sod."[

On June 21 when the world celebrates International Yoga Day , every year, yoga enthusiasts around the world will remember Paramahansa Yogananda, the man who took yoga beyond India’s shores.

The story of Yogananda’s quest has also been brought to life on screen through a seamless mix of re-creations and fascinating true footage in the award-winning documentary Awake: The Life of Yogananda.

The Government of India has formally recognized Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda’s outstanding contribution - Twice by issuing Commemorative Stamps and once a Coin.

The first Commemorative Postage Stamp was issued in his honour way back on 7th March 1977, together with a tribute that read, in part: “Yogananda's exemplary life ended in Los Angeles on March 7, 1952 a few moments after he uttered the final words in a speech at a reception in honour of Ambassador of India to the United States. His deep pride in his native land echoed throughout his last talk: "I love India because there I first learned to love God and all things beautiful." Though the major part of his life was spent outside India, still Paramahansa Yogananda takes his place among our great saints. His work continues to grow and shine ever more brightly drawing people everywhere on the path of the Pilgrimage of the Spirit”.

The second Commemorative Stamp was released by Prime Minister of India Sri Narendra Modi on --- March 2017 marking 100 years of formation of Yogoda Satsanga Society of India. On the occasion the Prime Minister said the path shown by Yogiji is not about Mukti but about Antaryatra. He also said that once an Individual develops interest in Yoga and starts diligently practicing it, it will always remain a part of his or her life.

To mark 125th Birth Anniversary of Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda The Government of India paid tribute to him on his contribution for spreading the timeless yoga teachings of India with the release of Rs 125 coin. On the occasion Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Finance Minister acknowledged Paramahansa Yoganandaji as a great Yogi who brought a universal message of world harmony. India feels very strongly about this great son of the universe who brought harmony to all our hearts and minds

Social

Service to the Society

Man is primarily a member of a social community. He should not only be concerned about himself but also for the welfare and development of society as a whole. It is truly said that “Jana-Seva” is “Janardhana-Seva”. The feeling of self-satisfaction that comes when one sees the unshed tears of joy in the eyes of one whose hunger has been appeased, whose thirst has been allayed and whose needs are fulfilled is indeed heavenly. Social service is based on the ideal of brotherhood of man. It is a natural impulse to help men in distress. It is a noble impulse. It cannot be rendered without an element of self-sacrifice. One has to spend time and energy for it.

During my life I have been fortunate to be able to serve people towards socio-economic development upliftment without any expectation. The seeds were sown by my parents very early in my life. I used to celebrate my Birthdays with children from orphanage. Later in my life I got opportunities to be of assistance to mankind. Some of the organizations, with whom I have been associated, and the activities in which I was involved are mentioned below.

Cheshire Homes

Group Captain Lord Leonard Cheshire, an ace bomber during World War II who later became a great philanthropist, was very fond of India and made various visits during his lifetime. He encouraged the local philanthropists and social welfare activists to set up Homes in their cities to provide care and support to people with disabilities from the weaker section of the society. The Ranchi Cheshire Home was set up in 1961 to provide humanitarian services. I was associated with refurbishment of Home and other development activities like setting up of water supply facilities, Biogas plant, plantation of fruit bearing trees etc. of the Home in 1970’s and 1980’s. I later took over as Hony. Secretary of the Cheshire Home, Ranchi and continued for seven years.

Yogoda Satsanga Educational Institutions (YSEI)

Yogoda Satsanga Educational Institutions (YSEI) are the most unique academic institutions of their kind. YSEI establish a supreme blend of liberal education, intellectual freedom and spiritual development. YSEI draws inspiration from the life and teachings of Sri Sri Paramhansa Yogananda. Bathed in the holy and spiritual aura of the Yogoda Satsanga Society of India founded by Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda, YSEI were established at Chutia, Ranchi in the Ashram Campus. There are educational Institutions in other parts of the country.

The Society is a charitable organization and it is marching ahead on its benevolent mission of spreading the message of universal religion based on scientific techniques of God realization. Committed to the weakest section of the society Boys Schools and College were shifted to nearby the sacred Lord Jagannatha temple at Dhurwa, Ranchi in the year 1977. The Girls School continues to run at Chutia. The students in YSEI are predominantly from weaker sections of society.

It is my good fortune to be of service to YSEI as Hony. Secretary, since August 2015, for Yogada Satsanga Vidyalaya, Kanya Vidyalaya and Yogada Satsanga Madhya Vidyalaya and also Member, Governing Body of Yogada Satsanga Mahavidyalaya since 2010. These Institutions are located at Ranchi.

Govind Ram Kataruka Charity Trust

Kataruka Group has established an NGO (Govind Ram Kataruka Charity Trust) to provide children basic education and providing them FREE necessities till the age of 16. Presently, it is running four educational institutions across the country. The real purpose of a school is to acknowledge and recognize the presence of “knowledge” in seed form in each and every individual at first and then to invoke that resplendent being to manifest for revealing the reality behind more and more – refueling then with positive social, emotional and behaviorally thought apart from usual syllabic tuition. As Member, Govinram Kataruka Charity Trust extending services to meet the objectives of the Trust.

Lions Club

Lions Clubs is an International secular, non-political service organization founded by Melvin Jones in1917. As of April 2015, it had over 46,000 local clubs and more than 1.4 million members in over 200 countries around the world. Headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois, United States, the organization aims to meet the needs of communities on a local and global scale. The LIONS acronym also stands for Liberty, Intelligence, Our Nations' Safety.

Melvin Jones’ personal code, "You can't get very far until you start doing something for somebody else," reminds many Lions of the importance of community service. The Lions motto is "We Serve." Local Lions Club programs include sight conservation, hearing and speech conservation, diabetes awareness, youth outreach, international relations, environmental issues, and many other programs. The discussion of politics and religion is forbidden.

I Joined the Lions movement in 2014 and was President of Dhurwa Club which falls under District 322A. The primary aims are
1. Lead through service
2. Invite for impact
3. Connect with community
Various programs undertaken are related to Vision, Hunger, Environment, and Youth.

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