Unleashing India’s Soft Power: Leading Minds Explore Global Relevance of Indian Thought at IIM Kozhikode’s London Conclave 

• Nearly Hundred Researchers, Academicians, Thought Leaders join the global deliberations 

• More than 50 Research Papers on Indian, Global Management and business practices, the changing world order, importance of sustainability and rise of the Global South presented in the London edition of IIMK GIT.

 London  : The Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIMK), one of India’s premier business schools, hosted several hundred business and academic delegates in London for their first-ever international conclave on ‘Globalizing Indian Thought,’ on 24-25 October. Senate House, University of London, witnessed two days of insightful deliberations with leading minds like – Lord Meghnad Desai (Member of the House of Lords and Emeritus Professor of Economics at the London School of Economics), Baroness Sandy Verma (Member of the House of Lords) Mr Kanishka Narayan (Member of the House of Commons), Mr Farokh Engineer (former India Cricketer), Mr Angus Fraser (Former England Cricketer). The conclave explored India’s soft power outreach, with discussions exploring ancient Indian wisdom and its relevance in today’s globalized world. Ms Nidhi Choudhary, IFS, First Secretary (Education, Health) at the High Commission of India in London was also present for the inaugural function.

Director IIM Kozhikode, Prof. Debashis Chatterjee, added “Our first visit to London was a resounding success. We were able to broaden our engagement with new global stakeholders and deepen our relationship with alumni. We are happy to note the appetite to learn more of how India’s management principles, deeply rooted in philosophy, leadership, and governance, can offer valuable lessons for global business and policymaking. This conclave gave us an opportunity to reflect on the value and vibrancy of India’s soft power, which is just not a concept but a strategic advantage. Soft power allows us connect with cultures around the world through the richness of our heritage, values and ideas.”

Octogenarian Lord Meghnad Desai shared his decades of knowledge with the members of the audience and enlightened them on a ‘transforming’ India. Citing Cricket, he gave the example of the Indian Premier League as one of the most ‘innovative’ transformation that India has gifted to the world and how it has made the country the global economic epicentre of the game.

Baroness Sandy Verma, who presided over the valedictory function of the event, batted passionately for empowering women leaders to make a conflict-free world possible amongst present challenges. She further added ‘globalisation’ is a test on how we will accommodate the challenges arising due to climate change, shrinking population, poverty etc.

The standout session of the two-day Conclave was a tour of the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground for the delegation members. Followed by an experience of a lifetime with Mr Farokh Engineer (Former India Cricketer) known equally well for his keeping-batting exploits and wit, joining moderator Mr Angus Fraser (Former India Cricketer) and Prof. Chatterjee for a fun-filled evening covering cricket, politics and leadership forging India’s soft power outreach.

Charles Goodhart, Professor Emeritus at the London School of Economics, in his keynote address noted that while fall in nominal and real interest rates have ensured separation of fiscal and monetary policies, after a short-run where markets will make merry with softening monetary policies, inflation targeting could enter into a much more difficult phase than before when the interest rates rise.

A special panel discussion on ‘Monetary Policy at Crossroads: Managing Growth-Inflation Trade-off’ featured: Prof. David Aikman, Director, Qatar Centre for Global Banking & Finance, King’s College London; Prof. Stephen Millard, Deputy Director, National Institute of Economics and Social Research (NIESR); Ms. Sonal Patel, Senior Financial Sector Expert, International Monetary fund.

Prof. Tirthankar Roy, (Professor of Economic History at the London School of Economics), how interventions to mitigate climate-caused poverty and inequality in India came at a cost to environmental sustainability. On the other hand, a special session for Researchers at the Conference by Prof. Pawan Budhwar (Associate Vice Chancellor Aston University) enlightened them on ‘Doing Research for Impact’.

Director of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, Shaunaka Rishi Das, said of India and its progress: “You have to be educated about your own heritage to establish your identity in the world. There is a need to develop the education system in India so that it supports this. IIMK is doing an admirable job in leading the way.”

Prof. Kamran Razmdoost (Dean, ESCP Business School London) Prof. Kirstie Simpson (Dean, University of Chester Business School) and  Prof. Catherine Robinson (Dean, School of Business and law, University of Brighton) joined together for a panel discussion on “The Future of Higher Education and its Role in Addressing Global Challenges”

Swami Sarvasthananda, the Minister-in-Charge, Ramakrishna Vedanta Centre, shared the universal message of Ramakrishna-Vivekananda, Vedanta, India’s Cultural and Spiritual Heritage and the history of social transformation over the centuries.

Nearly 50 academic papers on Indian management and business practices and the changing world order and rise of the Global South, were presented. Many of the topics centered around harnessing ancient Indian wisdom, the re-emergence of Vishwa Guru Bharat, the evolution of corporate structures and business practices, achieving sustainable development. Besides these some other thought provoking presentations also covered: education equity, Digital Financial Access and Financialization, Rethinking Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the role of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity for Sustainable Economic Success; Identity, Social Media and Online Political Activism. 

Hasan Gilani, University of Brighton and Nidhi Maheshwar, Delhi Technological University were awarded the Best Paper Awards at the 5th International Conclave on Globalizing Indian Thought, by Prof. Debashis Chatterjee.