Nagpur Bureau: The ICSSR Vision Viksit Bharat@2047 Conference at IIM Nagpur concluded successfully, paving the way for a diverse, equitable, and inclusive society. The two-day event fostered critical discussions across multiple sectors, strengthening collaboration for social progress.
Dr. Bhimaraya Metri, Director of IIM Nagpur, highlighted India’s rapid growth due to its youth-driven workforce and visionary leadership. In his keynote address, Mr. Arvind Kumar, Director General of STPI, stressed the importance of academia-industry partnerships in achieving inclusivity.
The conference addressed the challenges faced by marginalized gender-diverse communities in entrepreneurship and corporate sectors. A panel moderated by Dr. Ankita Dash featured industry leaders, including Mr. S. Subramanyeswar, Mr. Shaman Gupta, and Mr. Nikunj Joshi, discussing initiatives for marginalized identities.
Exhibition stalls showcased gender-diverse entrepreneurs, attracting significant engagement. A thought-provoking paper by Prof. Russell W. Belk on “Face Equality for Facially Different Persons” expanded discussions on marginalization.
Another panel, moderated by Dr. Pushpesh Kumar, featured transgender and queer activists such as Santa Khurai and Dr. Kiran Nayak B, addressing barriers in inclusive marketplaces. Prof. Israr Qureshi elaborated on digital social innovation for transgender inclusion. Cultural programs included Santa Khurai’s film Nawa and a solo performance by actor-activist Revathi A in Vellai Mozhi, depicting transgender struggles. The conference ended with a commitment to making India a truly inclusive society, promising long-term collaborations and impactful change.
