Smart phones eroding human relations: AU VC

Visakhapatnam: Human relations are slowly eroding and have become highly materialistic, isolated due to smart phones and devices, said Prof G Nageswara Rao, Vice-Chancellor, Andhra University, here on Thursday.

Inaugurating the endowment lecture series on ‘Inter-religious dialogue’ organised by Prof K Satchidananada Murthy Centre for Religious Studies of Andhra University, Prof Nageswara Rao expressed concern over growing unrest and restlessness among the people who are becoming more attached to internet and smart phones. They are also getting isolated from the families and friends.

“People are not speaking to each other and it is high time to take measures to come out from this dangerous trend,” he said. Prof Rao said that Swamy Vivekananda should be taken as a role model and his teachings and preachings should be propagated across the world.

Dr Hu Yeping of The Catholic University of America, the US and Prof. Joao J. Vila-cha of Pontifical Gregorian University, Italy, delivered lectures on ‘Friendship as a fundamental value for global times’.

Prof V Umamaheswara Rao, registrar, Prof K Gayatri Devi, principal, Prof K Remi Rajani, director of the Centre for Religious Studies, Prof B Ravi Babu, head of the department of philosophy, Prof M Prasada Rao and others were present.