Who is Dr. Dinesh Shahra? The Business Tycoon's Journey from Corporate Success to Spiritual Living
Dr. Dinesh Shahra's journey is a happening evolution- from a disciplined child born on 22nd Feb 1952 in badnagar, near Indore to transforming the agriculture of India. Born in a joint family propagating devotion and discipline, young Shahra was imbibed with the spirit of hard work and spirituality at an early age. While his mother would silently engage in worship, his father would insist on doing one's duty and inculcate a heavy sense of reverence for this in Dr. Dinesh, even well beyond the days of childhood as he used to visit temples around.
Although he could have taken a regular route, following graduation from Harcourt Butler Institute in chemical engineering, he did not do so. Instead, he found soyabean to be an area where not many were paying attention. For him, these were not merely a crop. They represented a way through which the farmers could become self-sufficient and nutrition could be made cheap and accessible.
As a result of this, he developed eleven processing plants, mostly situated in Madhya Pradesh, hence eliciting the occasional designation of the region as the 'Soy Bowl of India.' His attention then fell on the establishment of mills for palm oils, thereby improving rural prospects and lessening import dependence.
All along, he kept his spiritual footing intact. His inner path was deeply influenced by an encounter with Swami Pragyanand ji during the 1990s. The inner compass was now shaped by the lessons, prayers, and satsang time, which he had heard about first as a child.
With long, silent days throughout India's COVID lockdown, he picked up a pen. His flowing thoughts gave rise to many works that seek to teach younger audiences some ancient Indian wisdom. By lifting the shroud of complex terminology from Vedic knowledge and presenting it as something practical apart from being abstract, he has consciously tried to keep things accessible in the Sanatan living series. His latest book, Dalai Lama's Secret to Happiness, presents another path succinctly and simply.
Before books and works, music was a silent friend. Charting Indian classical music, Shahra has developed good relationships with musicians like Anuradha Paudwal, Asha Bhosle, and Lata Mangeshkar throughout the years. He is currently developing music under the banner of 'Sanatan Sangeet Bharat'-music that uplifts and heals rather than just entertains.
The same intent is infused into Dinesh Shahra Foundation (DSF) which was founded by Dr. Dinesh Shahra. Tree plantation, education programs, cow care projects, and women's empowerment are three of the projects through which he wishes to see growth that doesn't end in individual prosperity and glory.
'When questioned what he wants people to remember him for, he had a simple answer: somebody who made an effort to spread what good he was able to experience.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Recent shipwrecks off Kerala coast a serious threat to marine ecosystem, DG shipping tells Kerala HC
Kochi: The shipwrecks off the Kerala coast pose a serious threat to the marine ecosystem and coastal environment, according to an affidavit filed in the Kerala high court on behalf of the director general of shipping. The affidavit, submitted by Shitesh Ranjan, ship surveyor-cum-deputy director general (technical) in the office of the mercantile marine department, Kochi, was in response to the PIL filed by former MP T N Prathapan. The petition seeks a comprehensive compensation package for fishermen and other stakeholders affected by the recent shipwrecks off Kerala. The affidavit highlighted that adrift containers from the cargo vessel MSC ELSA 3 not only pose a navigational hazard but also constitute a grave environmental risk, especially considering the hazardous nature of some of the cargo. As per the cargo manifest, the vessel was carrying 13 containers of Class 4.3 dangerous goods under the IMDG Code, specifically, calcium carbide, which is classified as hazardous and environmentally sensitive. The wreck is situated at a depth of 51 metres near the Indian coastline, and the presence of bunker fuel in the sunken vessel heightens the risk of an oil spill. As of June 16, a total of 60 containers had been salvaged from various points of the Kerala coastline. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Importantly, none of them contained IMDG-classified cargo. The affidavit also stated that shoreline clean-up operations are currently being undertaken by the Marine Emergency Response Services (MERC). Regarding the fire onboard the Singapore-flagged container vessel Wan Hai 503, the affidavit noted that the ship was carrying approximately 143 IMDG-classified containers, including hazardous materials such as flammable liquids, flammable solids, toxic substances, corrosives, and other dangerous goods. Additionally, the vessel carried around 2,000 tonnes of heavy fuel oil and 240 tonnes of diesel oil in tanks near the fire-affected zones. State seeks 77.08 crore as interim claim The state govt has sought an interim relief of Rs 77.08 crore in its first interim claim report, in connection with the capsize of cargo vessel MSC ELSA 3 off the Kerala coast. The claim includes compensation for the loss of livelihoods suffered by fishermen between May 25 and June 1. According to an affidavit filed by environment department special secretary Seeram Sambasiva Rao, Rs 54.93 crore has been claimed for livelihood losses, while Rs 22.15 crore has been sought towards the expenditure incurred in managing the aftermath of the incident. The affidavit further states that the first interim claim report will be forwarded to director general of shipping within three days.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
In Nuh's education paradox, kids fill up classes, not teachers
Nuh: If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a teacher to bring that child to school. At govt schools in Nuh, classrooms that once yearned for students now overflow with eager learners. Yet, the teacher's desk often sits empty — a pointer to a system that is struggling to keep pace with its own success. According to govt data, student enrolment in these schools has surged by almost 30%, from 1.7 lakh in 2018-19 to 2.2 lakh in 2024-25. Girls lead the pack, with their numbers climbing by 41.1%, significantly outpacing the 19.6% increase in boys' enrolment. This increase in numbers is the result of the state govt's 'zero dropout' mission. But it faces a critical challenge now — over 50% of primary teaching positions are vacant. The mission started in 2017, when chemistry lecturer Kusum Malik arrived at Firozpur Chirka Girls School. Concerned by the absence of science stream for girls and high dropout rates, she initiated a village outreach programme that would eventually evolve into a statewide campaign and earn a good governance appreciation letter in 2022. "Many intelligent girls in the 8th grade from nearby villages were dropping out," recalled Malik. She started a Facebook post seeking volunteers in Bhond village. But it soon transformed into a community engagement, helping bring 29 dropout girls back to school. Abdul Rahman Khan, a former clock education officer for Firozpur Chirka and Nagina, highlighted the challenges they faced. "Some people believed that only religious education was sufficient. But we tried to convince them that they needed to go to school," he added. The team's persistent efforts gradually shifted community perspectives, encouraging families to embrace modern education along with religious teachings. The drive, however, faced hurdles during the Covid pandemic, leading to innovative solutions like 'mohalla pathshalas'. "I started a mohalla pathshala at my home with three children," he said. The initiative expanded to enrol around 10,000 students, with 127 former beneficiaries becoming 'shiksha doot" (education ambassadors). Nuh's educational infrastructure is, however, struggling to support this growth. Beyond the vacant teaching positions, Nuh lacks a permanent district education officer (DEO), with the role currently assigned to the corresponding official from Gurgaon. Two positions of deputy DEO are yet to be filled, while four out of five block education officer positions are vacant. The impact is evident in the district's academic performance — Nuh's Class 12 pass rate of 45.7% is the lowest in Haryana this year. "While admission numbers have increased, children are willingly not coming to school as most of the time they don't have teachers in the classroom. If this continues, the mission will be a waste," said a teacher.
The Hindu
5 hours ago
- The Hindu
From The Hindu, June 20, 1925: Educational problems
London, June 18: Mr. P.J. Harlog, C.I.E., speaking at a dinner to welcome him at the Criterian Restaurant dwelt on the urgency of the difficulties of the educational problem in India. He believed that the great characteristics preserved in historic books and wonderful monuments and paintings in India and in the hearts of the Indian millions would survive any shock of foreign ideas. Regarding unemployment among the University graduates, Mr. Harlog believed that with the right kind of education in Bengal the hides and skins trade might be converted into a leather trade employing far more trained men.
