National Confluence on Culture and Public Policy
Towards a Civilisational Policy Framework
Date: June 6 - 7, 2025
VMCC, IIT Bombay
CONCEPT NOTE
India, with its millennia-old civilizational heritage, offers a profound reservoir of knowledge and wisdom that has guided its social, political, and economic organisation for centuries. In an era marked by rapid technological advancement, socio-political transformation, and global interconnectedness, there is a growing need to revisit and re-contextualise Bharatiya cultural paradigms in shaping contemporary public policies. The integration of evidence-based policy frameworks rooted in Indian ethos, values, and ancient scriptures can offer not only culturally resonant governance models but also sustainable and inclusive pathways to national development. This conference is a platform to explore the intersection of tradition and modernity in public policy. It seeks to examine how timeless principles from epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharat, age-old institutions based on the principles of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, and culturally inspired governance practices can inform and transform India's policy landscape in the 21st century. From youth development to economic strategies, and from digital data governance to globalisation, the themes of this conference converge on the central idea that culture is not just a historical construct but a living, evolving force that must guide India's journey towards becoming a Viksit Bharat.
NOTES ABOUT PARTICIPATION
There is no registration fee, however, registration is compulsory to attend the conference.
Participants willing to present their research under the conference themes need to submit the extended abstract by June 2, 2025. The selection of the oral presenters will be based on the extended abstract.
The presentation can be either English or Hindi.
There is limited accommodation space therefore, we will provide paid accommodation only to early entries.
Certificates will be given to all the presenters and attendees.
Objectives
• To promote a dialogue on evidence-based public policy, rooted in Bharatiya culture and civilizational wisdom. To highlight how ancient Indian texts, philosophies, and traditions can inform modern policy-making that is ethical, inclusive, and locally grounded.
To understand the impact of technology and globalization on policies through a cultural lens.
To draw governance lessons from Indian epics and institutions.
To derive governance principles from Indian scriptures.
To shape youth and economic policy anchored in Indian ethos.
Themes
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Reimagining evidence-based policies through the lens of ancient knowledge systems
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Navigating technological transformation: Cultural anchors for social and digital policy
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Ramayana and Mahabharata as a governance text: Ethical Leadership, Statecraft, and Contemporary Policy Discourse
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Cultural public policy in practice: Regional narratives and grassroot case studies
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Data, Identity, and Cultural Narratives: The Role of Digital Evidence in Shaping Societal Values
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Youth and Nation-Building: Crafting policy for India's demographic dividend through cultural roots
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Reviving the Cultural policies from ancient Bharat: Learnings for sustainable development, preventive health and wellbeing
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Globalisation, Identity, and Policy Sovereignty: Crafting India's Response from a Cultural Core
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Culture-Driven Economics: Towards a Bharatiya Framework for Inclusive and Ethical Economic Policy
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Women-Driven Policies: Studying the current policies and shift from women development to women led development.
Invited Speakers
