Introduction

RENAISSANCE 2.0

The world stands at a defining crossroad— fractured by division, ecological collapse, moral drift, and widening inequality. The institutions that once propelled human progress now struggle to meet the demands of our time. A new compass is needed — one guided by wisdom, compassion, and shared purpose.

On February 24, 2026, inspired by the spirit of the 1893 Parliament of Religions, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur- celebrating its Platinum Jubilee - in collaboration with The Boston Pledge , marking its Silver Jubilee, will host the Parliament of Enlightened Thoughts to inaugurate Renaissance 2.0: a global movement to reimagine civilization itself.

"Imagination is more important than Knowledge. For Knowledge is limited, whereas Imagination embraces the entire World."
Albert Einstein

Message from the Director

Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur

As IIT Kharagpur stands at the proud threshold of its Platinum Jubilee, we are called upon not only to celebrate a legacy of excellence but also to take a resolute step toward shaping a future of deeper meaning and inclusive growth. In this moment of great transition — for our institution, our nation, and our world — we must ask ourselves: what kind of civilization are we becoming, and what kind of civilization must we now aspire to be? It is against this backdrop that we convene the Parliament of Enlightened Thought Toward Collaborative Prosperity not merely as an event, but as a moral and intellectual movement. Inspired by the historic 1893 Parliament of Religions, this Parliament is our collective response to the urgent crises of our age: the deepening chasm of economic inequality, the degradation of our natural environment, the fragmentation of societies, and the erosion of spiritual connectedness. These challenges are not technical problems alone — they are symptoms of a profound civilizational misalignment.....

Prof. Suman Chakraborty

Director, IIT Kharagpur

Dr. Partha S. Ghosh

Chairman, The Boston Pledge, USA

From the Desk of the Chairman

The Boston Pledge, USA

As geopolitical tensions escalate, societies fracture internally, wealth gaps keep increasing, and the relationship between humanity and nature continues to deteriorate, one truth becomes increasingly undeniable: the mental, moral, and material equations that shaped civilization over the last two centuries are no longer serving us. The widening global wealth divide, accelerating ecological decay, and growing spiritual disconnection are not isolated issues — they are symptoms of a deeper civilizational malaise. We need deep reflection. It is critical and urgent for the current and future leaders! In response to this critical moment and drawing inspiration from the 1893 Parliament of Religions in Chicago — a milestone in interfaith unity — the Parliament of Enlightened Thoughts Toward Collaborative Prosperity proposes a historic gathering in Kolkata. This initiative will convene visionary leaders and thinkers from across the world — spanning science, economics, spirituality, education, arts, and governance — to reimagine what prosperity means in the 21st century....

Concept of

RENAISSANCE 2.0

The original Renaissance emerged from a profound convergence of art, science, and philosophy. Renaissance 2.0 carries this timeless spirit forward — reimagining it for an era defined by digital transformation, sustainability, and cultural renewal.

"Let your life lightly dance on the edges of Time like dew on the tip of a leaf." (A poetic call to balance creativity with responsibility.)
Rabindranath Thakur

Inauguration Session (3:00 PM ~ 4:30 PM)

Esteemed Speakers List (Tentative)

Prof. Subrata Chattopadhyay

Professor Emeritus, IIT Kharagpur, Organizing Chair

Topic: Welcome Message

Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty

Classical Vocalist – Padma Bhushan Awardee

Topic: Invoking Timeless Wisdom to Begin a New Era

Dr. Partha S Ghosh

Chairman, The Boston Pledge, USA

Topic: Thoughts Behind the Vision & Purpose of the Parliament

Prof. Suman Chakraborty

Director, IIT Kharagpur

Topic: IIT Kharagpur Platinum Jubilee Message

Prof. Madhusudan Chakroborty

Former Director, IIT Bhubaneswar

Topic: The Boston Pledge, USA 25th Anniversary: A Promise Renewed

Mr. Harshvardhan Neotia

Chairman, Ambuja Neotia Group

Topic: Messages from Lead Industrialist

Ms. Kathy Giles-Diaz

Consulate General USA, Kolkata

Topic: Message from Consulate General USA, Kolkata

Mr. T V Narendran

Chairman, BoG, IIT Kharagpur

Topic: Declaration of Renaissance 2.0 Open

Esteemed Speakers List (Tentative)

Plenary Session (6:00 PM ~ 9:00 PM)

A spiritual song to invoke the session

Prof. Siddhartha Mukhopadhyay

Chair, Platinum Jubilee Celebration, IIT Kharagpur

Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty

Classical Vocalist
Padma Bhushan Awardee

Session I: A Philosophical Perspective on how Civilization has Evolved, Where are we Heading, What Course Corrections are Needed(?)

Speakers

Swami Mahaprajnananda

Principal Maharaj, Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira

Rev. Daiko Matsuyama

Overseas Studies - Kyoto, Bing Overseas Studies

Dr. Rev. Fr. Franklin Menezes

Pro-Vicar of the Cathedral under the Archdiocese of Kolkata

Shri M

Yogi & Spiritual Guide

Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty

Classical Vocalist
Padma Bhushan Awardee

Prof. Joy Sen

Professor, Chairperson, Partha Ghosh School of Leadership, IIT Kharagpur

Anchored by

Session II: Rethinking Economic Constructs — Beyond Capitalism and Socialism

Speakers

Dr. Nandita Chatterjee, IAS, (R)

Former Secretary MoHUPA, GOI

Prof. Bishwapriya Sanyal

Ford International Professor, MIT, USA

Prof. Kaushik Basu (Online)

Professor, Cornell University

Prof. Jeffrey Sachs

Economist and Public Policy Expert, Columbia University

Dr. Partha S. Ghosh

Chairman, The Boston Pledge, USA

Mr. R. Gopalakrishnan

An Indian Businessman and Author. Former Executive Director of Tata Sons Ltd , Distinguished Alumni of IIT Kharagpur

Anchored by

Session III: Guiding Technological Evolution — Science with Soul

Speakers

Prof. Abhay Karandikar

Chairman, DST, GOI

Prof. Steve Gullans

CEO, Thynk and Thought Leader in Brain Computer Interface, AI

Prof. Matthew B. Schabath

Senior Member & Cancer Epidemiology Leader, Moffitt Cancer Center

Dr. Tony Fadell

American Engineer, Designer, Entrepreneur, and Investor

Dr. Mark Spencer

President, Water Analytics

Prof. Wolfgang Ketterle

Nobel Laureate in Physics from MIT, USA

Prof. Partha Pratim Chakrabarti

Professor, Computer Science & Engineering, and the Former Director of IIT Kharagpur

Anchored by

Session IV: Reimagining Education — Awakening the Whole Human Being

Speakers

Dr. Sukanta Majumdar

Union Minister of State for Education & Development of North Eastern Region, GoI

Shri Vineet Joshi

Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, India

Prof. Diane Davis (Online)

Professor, Harvard Graduate School of Design

Prof. Johnny Astrand

Managing Director at Lund University, Sweden

Kaori Yamashita

45th Associate, Matsushita Institute of Government and Management, Japan

Prof. Suman Chakraborty

Director, IIT Kharagpur
Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Kharagpur

Anchored by

Session V: Renaissance 2.0 Path Ahead

Speakers

Dr. Partha S. Ghosh

Chairman, The Boston Pledge, USA

Prof. Joy Sen

Co-Chair, Renaissance 2.0

Event Venue:

IIT Kharagpur Research Park,
Newtown,
West Bengal 700 135

How to Reach

Join this Landmark Gathering

Come together with Global Visionaries, Spiritual Leaders, and Innovators to Shape the Future of Human Consciousness and Planetary Harmony.

Kolkata

Where Wisdom Inspires Innovation

Why Kolkata?

Calcutta now Kolkata, is not merely a City. It is a living Symbol of Humanity’s capacity to transform pain into purpose and adversity into awakening. Marked by Colonial Struggle, Famine, and Political Unrest, it became a birthplace of world-changing ideas and movements rooted in Truth, Transcendence, Creativity, and Service.

1. Cultural Awakening — Kaviguru Rabindranath Tagore
First Non-European Nobel Laureate (1913), born in Jorasanko, Calcutta. His Poetry, Music, and Vision redefined India's Cultural Selfhood and inspired a Global Movement of Aesthetic Humanism.

2. Scientific Revolution — Prof. Satyendra Nath Bose
Quantum Physics Pioneer, Co-Architect of Bose–Einstein Statistics. His work from Calcutta’s academic institutions rewrote the fabric of Physical Reality, gave birth to the “God Particle” known as the Boson.

3. Spiritual Renaissance — Swami Vivekananda & Swami Prabhu Pada
Swami Vivekananda, born in Kolkata, introduced Vedanta to the West at the 1893 Chicago Parliament. Swami Prabhu Pada, also Calcutta-born, founded ISKCON—carrying India's Spiritual Heritage to millions worldwide.

4. Compassion in Action — Mother Teresa
Founded the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta (1950). Her work made the City a Global Epicenter of Mercy and Selfless Service.