From Boardrooms to Bhagavad Gita: Prof. Shyam Sundar Bali on Mental Health, Indian Wisdom, and the Crisis Facing Today’s Youth

In a time when education is becoming increasingly siloed—split between technology, management, and mental health—Professor Shyam Sundar Bali stands out as a rare interdisciplinary voice. Currently teaching at APJ University, Sohna, Prof. Bali blends management studies, computer analytics, psychology, and Indian knowledge systems into a unique pedagogical framework that bridges ancient wisdom with modern challenges.

A former CEO of a Japanese multinational and a seasoned corporate trainer for institutions like Power Grid Corporation of India, Prof. Bali today works as a counselling psychologist, educator, yoga instructor, and Mahabharata scholar. Trained in modern therapeutic techniques such as CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), EMDR, and sports psychology, he also draws extensively from the Bhagavad Gita and Hindu philosophical traditions to address issues of identity, purpose, and resilience among young people.

In this exclusive conversation with EdInbox, Prof. Bali reflects on his unconventional journey, the mental health crisis among Indian youth, the dangers of excessive dependence on AI, and why ancient texts remain deeply relevant in the digital age.

1. You have worked deeply in engineering, management, psychology, spirituality, and corporate leadership. How did this multidimensional journey of your life take shape?

I was born in a time in India when scarcity of resources and the struggle for survival were a natural part of life. This environment cultivated in me a deep curiosity, self-discipline, and psychological resilience. I never lived life as a pre-planned blueprint; instead, I embraced it as an organically evolving journey. Whatever opportunity came my way, I accepted it wholeheartedly.

The expansion from engineering to management, from psychology to spirituality, and then to corporate leadership happened naturally. My intense desire to learn and my aspiration for excellence in every field added new dimensions to my life. One opportunity gave birth to another, and each opportunity deepened my self-reflection. Ultimately, every setback, by God’s grace, took me to a much better place. I can only call this divine grace.

2. Moving from the position of CEO of a Japanese multinational to the academic world must not have been an easy decision. What was the thought process behind this shift?

It was certainly not an easy decision, but it was the natural next phase of my life. My journey began not with leadership but with training—I was a trainer first. Even today, I actively work as the number-one faculty in the field of live-line installation at Power Grid Corporation.

It was time to give back to society the knowledge, experience, and perspective that life had given me. At the same time, my learning process has never stopped. Identifying the hidden potential within young minds, igniting their thinking, and watching them become confident gives me deep satisfaction.

3. You are also a practicing counselling psychologist. What do you see as the biggest mental challenge among Indian youth today?

This is an extremely important question. While people see AI as a massive opportunity, I also view it as a serious psychological threat for future generations. The biggest challenge is the erosion of independent thinking.

Excessive information overload has drastically reduced the attention span of young people. Their capacity to think, reason, and deeply understand is gradually declining. The constant availability of information has weakened decision-making ability.

Alongside this, what Greek philosophy calls “hedonia”—the tendency toward instant gratification—is pushing young people away from purpose, patience, and self-discipline. This trend is a serious warning sign for the mental health of future generations.

4. Do you see any common thread between modern therapies like EMDR and CBT and ancient texts like the Mahabharata and the Gita?

Absolutely. There is a deep common thread between modern therapies and our ancient scriptures. The Bhagavad Gita itself is the longest and most complete counselling session in history, where Lord Krishna guides Arjuna from confusion, fear, and emotional crisis toward clarity and purposeful action.

In fact, the Gita can be considered one of the finest examples of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), where thoughts are challenged and transformed into constructive action. Similarly, techniques like EMDR, which are still being fully understood, have parallels that can be traced back to ancient Indian wisdom.

The core objective of both is the same: to enhance self-awareness, understand emotions, cognitions, and behavior, and enable individuals to make the best choices for themselves.