International Conference on the Relevance of Ancient Indian Knowledge to 21st-Century Management and Technology

Conference Brochure :

POORNAPRAJNA C2 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE – ICRAIKMT 2025 (1)

Poornaprajna Institute of Management (PIM), Udupi, successfully organized a two-day International Conference on the Relevance of Ancient Indian Knowledge to Management and Technology of the 21st Century on 7th and 8th November 2025, in association with Madhesh University, Nepal, and the Udupi Management Association. The conference aimed to explore how India’s timeless intellectual traditions can meaningfully inform and guide contemporary management practices and technological innovation.

The conference commenced on 07 November 2025 with a pre-inaugural address by Dr. Krishna Kothai, Director, Poornaprajna Centre for Research and Development, Udupi, on “Traditional Knowledge in Agricultural Management.”

The formal inaugural session was held under the presidentship of Prof. Dr. A. P. Bhat, Honourable Secretary, Udupi Sri Adamaru Matha Education Council(USAMEC). The session opened with a soulful invocation by Ms. Sharada and her team of Second MBA students, invoking the blessings of Lord Krishna. The dignitaries ceremonially lit the lamp, symbolizing the illumination of knowledge. This was followed by the benedictory address of His Holiness Sri Sri Eeshapriya Theertha Swamiji, President, USAMEC and Chairman, Poornaprajna Group of Institutions, who emphasized the centrality of ethics and values in education. The inaugural session was graced by Mr. Ramesh Vaidya, AGM, Karnataka Bank Ltd., Udupi, as Chief Guest, and CA T. Prashanth Holla, Honorary Treasurer, PIM Governing Council, as Guest of Honour. Distinguished dignitaries included Prof. Dr. Ramanathan Srinivasan, Prof. Dr. K. V. M. Varambally, and Prof. Dr. Gopalacharya.

Dr. P. S. Aithal, Director, PIM, delivered the welcome address, followed by a prelude to the conference by Mr. Venugopala Rao A. S., Convenor. The vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. Bharath V., Chief Convenor.

Three significant publications were released during the inaugural session:

  • Book of Abstracts of the conference

  • Proceedings of the Indo-Kenyan International Conference (May 2025)

  • Journey from Within: Karma Yoga to Jnana Yoga by Dr. P. S. Aithal and Prof. Dr. Ramanathan Srinivasan

Technical Sessions

The invited lecture sessions, conducted in both online and offline modes at Prajna Hall, featured eminent scholars from India and abroad. Key speakers included:

  • Prof. Dr. Ramanathan Srinivasan – Human-Centric Cyber Governance

  • Dr. Harish Kumar Madhyashtha (University of Miyazaki, Japan) – Traditional Knowledge in Health Management

  • Prof. Dr. Gopalacharya – Bhagavad Gita as a Medicine for Mental Well-Being

  • Prof. Dr. K. V. M. Varambally – Ancient Wisdom and Management Education

  • Prof. Anjay Kumar Mishra, Dean, Madhesh University, Nepal – Eastern Comparative Perspectives

The plenary and paper presentation sessions were moderated by Dr. Diana Saldanha, Mr. Ramakrishna Nayak, Ms. Priya K., and Dr. Naveen Kumar K. R. Post-lunch sessions included presentations by eminent academicians and practitioners, culminating in a highly appreciated talk by Dr. Vasudeva (NMAMIT, Nitte) on “Zero to Infinity: Ancient Indian Mathematics in the Digital Age.” The day concluded with an engaging cultural performance by Mr. Tejaswi Shankar, adding a light and refreshing dimension to the academic deliberations.

The second day began with invited talks by:

  • Dr. Shila Mishra, Madhesh Province Policy & Planning Commission, Nepal

  • Prof. Dr. Sureshramana Mayya, Srinivas University

Two parallel paper presentation sessions followed, featuring over 30 research papers. Offline sessions were chaired by Dr. Vinay Prabhu and Dr. M. R. Hegde, while online sessions were moderated by Dr. Krishna Kothai.

Several student and faculty presentations received special appreciation, notably:

  • Cognitive-Spiritual Recalibration through Dhyāna Yoga

  • Reclaiming Ancient Wisdom through the Gurukul System

A thought-provoking panel discussion on the conference theme was moderated by Dr. P. S. Aithal and covered six thematic areas ranging from Arthashastra and strategic management to AI, ethics, sustainability, and Vāstu Shastra. The panel featured distinguished experts including Dr. Bharath V., Prof. Venugopal Rao, Dr. Ramu L., Dr. Chandrakantha Bhat, and Mr. M. R. Vasudeva.

The Valedictory Ceremony was compered by Mr. Shivanand M. Bhandarkar. Dr. Naveen Kumar K. R. delivered the welcome address, followed by presidential remarks by Dr. P. S. Aithal.

The Guests of Honour, Mr. Prakash Adiga (SBI, Udupi) and Mr. Shrikanth Acharya (Britannia Industries), commended the relevance and depth of the conference discussions and lauded Poornaprajna Institutions for preserving India’s intellectual heritage.

Dr. Bharathi Karanth presented a comprehensive summary of the conference proceedings. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Santhosh Prabhu, followed by lunch.

The conference featured over 50 scholarly presentations, six plenary sessions, three parallel sessions, and vibrant academic exchanges. It successfully bridged ancient Indian wisdom with contemporary management and technology, leaving participants intellectually enriched and inspired.

The success of the conference was made possible by the committed efforts of faculty, staff, students, sponsors, and delegates from India and abroad.

 

Â