All working days of Institute (except during exam days) begin with the congregation of students and staff members at Bell Maidan,to join morning prayer at 9.15 a.m. Such congregation has a refreshing and renewing effect on the minds and hearts of those gathered under the canopy of the vast peepal tree. The Prayer begins with a spiritual song meant for each day of the week, followed by a reading of an evocative ‘thought for the day’. Significantly, the prayer songs and recital of inspirational quotes from eminent thinkers are performed by students of different Departments that are designated, on a rolling basis, to organize the Daily Prayer for one week every semester. This develops artistic, public speaking and organizational skills in the students. This immensely unique activity happens in a highly decentralized manner with the organizing Departments enjoying absolute autonomy in deciding the content and identifying the student performers.
The occasion of the prayer is also used for making important announcements, felicitating academic/sports achievers and introducing renowned guests/visitors who have visited the Institute and chosen to participate in the morning prayer. The Daily Prayer, by bringing students and staff together, personalizes the relationship between students and staff as well as among students of different programmes, even, as it reaffirms a sense of belonging to GRI in them.