ECOFLUENCE 2024
Day 1: Inauguration and Keynote Sessions
The Ecofluence Conference commenced with a tree plantation ceremony, a customary tradition at the Indus Business Academy. Guests gathered in the Adarsh Memorial Auditorium, where the lighting of the lamp ceremony took place. Dr. Subhendu Dey, the Director of IBA, welcomed participants and posed critical questions about India’s economic growth, particularly its status as the world’s fifth-largest economy.
Following this, Dr. Subhash Sharma, Chief Mentor and Chairman of the Governing Council of IBA, delivered a heartfelt welcome. Dr. Anil Thakur, Governor of the Indian Economics Association, shared his expertise, while Dr. Arvind Virmani from NITI AAYOG joined virtually to discuss the “Vision of Viksit Bharat.”
Dr. R.S. Deshpande, Chair of the Advisory Committee for Ecofluence 2024, engaged students with thought-provoking discussions about dependents and their future in a growing economy. He encouraged students to challenge existing economic theories and seek new perspectives.
The first day concluded with a panel discussion on “Public Policy: Need for Evidence-Based Approach in the Digital Epoch,” featuring Dr. Ram K Mishra and Dr. Ashok Dalwai among others. Prof. Prashant Kulkarni conducted a workshop titled “Economics Encounters,” where Dr. Balakoteshwari, Principal & Dean Academics, Sanskrithi School of Business; Dr. B.S. Venkatesh, APJ Abdul Kalam Award Winner & Professor(retd.), Maharani Cluster University, Bangalore; Dr. R.R. Biradar, Registrar, Central University of Karnataka, Kalburgi and Dr. Ananda Dasgupta, Professor, Emeritus St. Joseph’s University, Bangalore, presented their insights.
Day 2: Research Championship and Panel Discussions
The second day kicked off with the Economics Research Championship, where students from various universities presented their research papers. The judging panel included notable professors such as Dr. Padmini Rao from Maharani Cluster University.
Simultaneously, discussions on topics related to Economics, Business, and Indian Knowledge Systems occurred. Students actively engaged with esteemed guests by posing challenging questions.
A significant panel discussion on “Sustainability, Discrimination and Urbanization” featured experts like Dr. Kala S. Sridhar and Dr. Puja Guha, along with Dr. Pushakrni and Dr. Sridevi G., who discussed the challenges faced by urban populations and sustainability and regenerative economies.
The day culminated in another engaging session titled “Redefining Economics in a Dynamic World,” led by Dr. Malini Tantri and others. The announcement of Research Championship finalists and cultural performances by IBA students marked the end of Day 2.
Day 3: Final Presentations and Closing Ceremony
Day three began with presentations from the finalists of the Research Championship, overseen by a panel that included Dr. B.B. Tiwari and Dr. Angan Sengupta. Concurrently, discussions on “Econometrics and Policy” took place with contributions from Dr. S.S. Somra.
An engaging session on “Orthodox Vs Heterodox Models: The Way Forward” followed, featuring discussions led by experts like Dr. Neeraj Hatekar, Dr. Amalendu Jyotishi from Azim Premji University along with Dr. Anurag Asawa, Professor Gokhale Institute of Political Economy, Pune and Dr. Deshpande sir.
The highlight of the event occurred when Dr. Deepak Vohra (Special Advisor to PM of Eswatini, South Sudan and Guinea Bissau) addressed attendees about India’s economic position globally, inspiring students to aim for a prosperous future under the vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047.”
The conference concluded with a Valedictory and Prize Distribution Ceremony that celebrated the Economic Research Champion while reflecting on Ecofluence’s role in fostering interaction between students and leading economists.
Overall, Ecofluence served as a vital platform for research scholars to present their work while encouraging IBA students to critically engage with established economic theories and explore innovative ideas for future development.
