“India @ 2047: Advancing Towards Development Through Education, Technology, and Cultural Inclusion”
Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) : Banaras Hindu University (BHU) is currently hosting the grand ‘Kashi Tamil Sangamam’, a celebration of the centuries-old cultural, spiritual, and educational ties between Kashi (Varanasi) and Tamil Nadu. As part of this event, an academic conference on ‘Academics for Viksit Bharat’ was organized at BHU’s Pandit Omkar Nath Thakur Auditorium. The conference saw participation from over 200 delegates representing various central universities across the country, who deliberated on shaping India’s future through education by 2047.
The event commenced with a welcome speech by Prof. V. Ramanathan from the Department of Chemistry, IIT-BHU, followed by a floral tribute to the statue of Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya. Prof. C.S. Rathore, former Vice-Chancellor of Central University of South Bihar, honored the distinguished guests and praised their contributions to the academic sphere. A documentary highlighting the historical and cultural ties between Kashi and Tamil Nadu was screened. It also showcased IIT-BHU’s initiatives in education, character building, and leadership development, in alignment with Mahamana’s vision of a developed India.
Insights from Eminent Scholars
Several eminent scholars and industry experts shared their insights during the conference. Dr. Lavanya from the Department of Mathematical Sciences, IIT-BHU, delivered a lecture on ‘National Education Policy 2020 and Viksit Bharat @ 2047: A Blueprint for India’s Future’. She emphasized the key aspects of the NEP 2020, which include multidisciplinary and holistic education, integration of technology in teaching, promotion of Indian languages for equality and accessibility, and governance reforms to enhance innovation and accountability. Dr. Lavanya highlighted IIT-BHU’s efforts in developing a flexible academic framework that fosters creativity, interdisciplinary studies, and innovation.
Prof. Sanjay Kumar from the Department of English, BHU, spoke on ‘The Role of Education in Achieving Viksit Bharat @ 2047’. Quoting Nelson Mandela, he remarked, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Prof. Kumar emphasized that investment in education leads to economic progress, entrepreneurship, innovation, poverty eradication, social equity, gender inclusivity, and improved living standards.
Prof. K.M. Sushindran, Head of the TCS Academic Alliance Group, shed light on the historical and academic ties between Kashi and Kanchipuram. He stated that institutions like BHU and IIT-BHU have transformed Kashi into a global hub for knowledge, innovation, and interdisciplinary research. He further stressed that artificial intelligence (AI), engineering, technology, and education will drive future creativity and innovation, making AI a crucial skill in shaping the jobs and academic fields of tomorrow.
Government Initiatives and Entrepreneurship
Dr. Darshini George from the Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT-BHU, elaborated on government initiatives like ‘Nipun Bharat’ and ‘Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship (PMRF)’, which are playing a crucial role in student development. Meanwhile, Shubhangi spoke about India’s demographic dividend as a national asset, highlighting the transformative power of education. She discussed government programs like NEP 2020, Digital India, Skill India, and SWAYAM, aimed at empowering the youth.
Jay Singh, a researcher at the Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (ICAR-IIVR), explained how ICAR-IIVR is working towards enhancing crop production while maintaining nutritional value to ensure India’s food security. Satyaprakash Malaviya, a differently-abled research scholar from the Department of History, shared his entrepreneurial journey, inspiring participants with his story of overcoming challenges to establish himself as a successful entrepreneur.
Student Participation and Closing Remarks
Students from various central universities actively participated in the conference. A student from Central University of Kerala expressed gratitude to BHU for organizing this important academic event, while Vaishnavi from Central University of Karnataka appreciated the excellent management by IRCTC and the university administration.
The @KTSangamam delegation, comprising members of the academic community, visited Central Discovery Centre at #BanarasHinduUniversity. The group, including students, educators, & industry experts, showed great interest in learning about research and innovation facilities at BHU. pic.twitter.com/bQUbPF9LhT
— BHU Official (@bhupro) February 18, 2025
In the concluding remarks, Prof. Shanmug Sundaram from the Department of Commerce expressed gratitude to India’s Prime Minister for initiating the Kashi Tamil Sangamam and acknowledged the support of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. He stated that education, innovation, technology, and cultural values are the key pillars for achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047.
Cultural and Scientific Exploration
After the academic program, delegates visited Bharat Kala Bhavan, CDC Building, Central Instrumentation Facility (CIF) at IIT-BHU, the sports complex, and the Precision Engineering Hub. They explored BHU’s rich cultural heritage and its advancements in scientific and technological research.
This conference strongly underscored the pivotal role of education in shaping India’s future. It highlighted the path to national development through holistic education, technological integration, innovation, inclusivity, and cultural pride.