Two-day International Conference(ICON-2025) held at SMS, Varanasi
Day 1
The Two-Day International conference was inaugurated at the School of Management Sciences. The main theme of this two-day international conference is "Happiness and well-being amidst many crises: Insights from the Indian knowledge tradition. Present as the chief guest in the inaugural session of the two-day international conference, Vice Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth, Prof. Anand Tyagi said that in true sense knowledge does not arise from selfishness but for human welfare. He said that happiness is generally measured on the basis of the parameters of development. This parameter should be people-oriented and not materialism. Appealing to the youth, Prof. Tyagi said that learn the formula of knowledge contained in the Upanishads and Vedas, adopt them, only then can one get real bliss, knowledge is that which teaches us to live comfortably by coordinating with nature, knowledge should not depend only on resources. As a country, we will have to learn from other countries how they not only come out of the problem of existence on the basis of education and art but also stand firmly at the global level.
Mahamandaleshwar Swami Parmeshwar Das Maharaj of Shaktidham, as a Guest of Honour in the conference, said that if we have to make efforts in our life, then we will have to learn from other countries how they can not only come out of the problem of existence on the basis of education and art but also stand firmly at the global level. He said that If we want to achieve any goal or attain peace and happiness, we have to recognize ourselves. He said that we should learn from Lord Shiva who is the bearer of both the forms of creator and destroyer, similarly the human body is also the bearer of good and evil, so it depends on man how he molds himself according to the circumstances. Swami Ji called upon the young generation to do selfless service and said that we all should always be ready to help each other. The nectar of eternity is present within us.
Guest of Honour Prof. Sadashiv Dwivedi, Coordinator - Bharat Adhyayn Kendra, BHU underlined happiness and social welfare and said that policies and multiple crises are interconnected. Describing the ancient Indian knowledge tradition as three-dimensional, he said that in reality, people, dialogue and logic are at the center of ancient Indian knowledge. Prof. Dwivedi said that only the knowledge derived from logical dialogue has been recognized by the people, hence ancient knowledge is scientific as well. He described the logic and money policy based on Kautilya Niti as appropriate in todays time.
Another Guest of Honour present at the event, Prof. C.S. Sharma, former professor of Shri Ram College of Commerce, explained what the true meaning of happiness and well-being is. He mentioned that the super ordinate goal is to live in harmony with the universe. Quoting, Prof. Sharma said that whatever cannot be measured does not exist. Keeping in mind the wholeness, he explained that the universe is mechanistic. Prof. Sharma also talked about the challenging aspects that have now entered the classrooms. He said that the problems will be solved when people understand the Indian knowledge system. In Hinduism and Buddhism, the concept of karma states that the actions of a person in his previous life can affect his present and future lives. This idea is often referred to as the "law of karma" or "karmic debt".
Speaking at the conference, Dr. Anita Madhok, Managing Director, Open Spaces Consulting, Mumbai said that in Hinduism and Buddhism, meditation is considered to help calm the mind and soul and can also help resolve past life karmas. Regular meditation practice helps provide balance and harmony to a person. She said that a person cannot truly embrace salvation by escaping karmas. The power of meditation lightens the burden of past life karmas and brings peace to the soul.
Welcoming the guests at the inaugural session of the two-day international conference, Prof. P.N. Jha, Director, SMS Varanasi said that SMS Varanasi is aware of its responsibility not only towards academics but also towards society. Describing the Mahabharata, Gita and Ramayana as relevant in the modern context, he said that knowledge is primarily a means of purification.
On this occasion, a souvenir based on Happiness and Well-being in the Midst of Multiple Crises: Insights from the Indian Knowledge Tradition was also released. The inaugural session was conducted by Prof. Pallavi Pathak and the vote of thanks was given by the conference coordinator Prof. Amitabh Pandey. On the first day of the two-day international conference, various technical sessions were also organized in which more than 300 participants from India and abroad presented research papers. On this occasion, Executive Secretary of SMS, Varanasi Dr. M.P. Singh, Director Prof. P.N. Jha, Registrar Mr. Sanjay Gupta, Prof. Sandeep Singh, Prof. Avinash Chandra Supkar, Prof. Rajkumar Singh and all the faculties and staff were present.
Day 2
The Twelfth International Conference on Happiness and well-being amidst Polycrisis: Insights from Indian Knowledge Systems, organized by the School of Management Sciences, concluded. Former Vice Chancellor of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University, Lucknow, Prof. Durg Singh Chauhan, who was present as the chief guest in the valedictory session, said that in the Indian tradition, “Anand” is not just momentary happiness, but a permanent feeling of self-satisfaction and self-realization. The knowledge described in the Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita and Buddhist and Jain philosophy tells that true well-being lies in the balance of body, mind and soul. Quoting Maharishi Patanjali Yoga Sutra, Prof. Chauhan said that it teaches us self-discipline, emotional stability and physical balance. Meditation and Pranayama are helpful in increasing mental clarity and reducing stress. Describing the Bhagavad Gita sutra as a solution to the growing depression and mental illnesses among the youth, Prof. Chauhan said that Lord Krishna advises Arjun to become Sthitapragya - that is, to maintain mental balance in the ups and downs of life. Appealing to the youth, he said that we can ensure our individual and collective well-being by adopting yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, the principles of Bhagavad Gita and a spiritual lifestyle.
Present as a Guest of Honour in the Valedictory Session, Prof. Rajiv Ranjan, former HoD, Department of Sanskrit Vidya, Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, said that in Indian traditions, satisfaction (Santosham Param Sukham) has been considered the source of supreme happiness. Highlighting the importance of “Prakriti Puja” in Vedic era India, Prof. Ranjan said that in the era of global warming, India is presenting solutions for the entire world at the global level and the origin of these solutions lies in Vedic literature. He said that today there is a need to make the forgotten Sanatan knowledge tradition a part of active memory so that India can once again guide the world in the role of Vishwaguru.
Welcoming the guests, the Director of the Institute, Prof. P.N. Jha, while establishing coordination between the new education policy and the Indian knowledge tradition, said that the new education policy includes all those elements of ancient Indian knowledge which are necessary for multifaceted human development. He said that although many positive aspects have been included in the new education policy, but promoting Indian languages is the most important feature of this policy. Prof. Jha said that real happiness does not depend on external conditions, but on internal development.
The valedictory session was conducted by Dr. Bhavna Singh and the vote of thanks was given by the convenor of the international conference, Prof. Amitabh Pandey. Associate Professor Mr Atish Khadse presented a detailed report of the two-day international conference. On the second day of the international conference, eleven different technical sessions were also organized in which about 300 participants from every corner of the country and abroad including America, Canada, Oman, Bangladesh and Nepal presented research papers.
On this occasion, Executive Secretary of SMS Varanasi Dr. M.P. Singh, Director Prof. P.N. Jha, Registrar Mr Sanjay Gupta, Prof. Sandeep Singh, Prof. Rajkumar Singh, Prof. Avinash Chandra Supkar and all the teachers and staff were present.
