Message from the Director
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.
IIT Kharagpur, born from the ideals of nation-building and human
progress, is uniquely positioned to bring together the minds and
hearts that can begin a new conversation. A conversation that
does not shy away from complexity, but also does not lose sight
of hope. In convening this Parliament in Kolkata — the
intellectual and cultural capital of India — we aspire to create
a sacred space where leaders from science, spirituality,
economics, governance, education, and the arts may come together
to reflect deeply, imagine boldly, and act collectively. This
Parliament is structured around four transformative streams of
inquiry, namely, Reawakening the Spiritual Vector — Toward One
Humanity, Rethinking Economic Constructs — Beyond Capitalism and
Socialism, Guiding Technological Evolution — Science with Soul,
Reimagining Education — Awakening the Whole Human Being. Through
these dialogues, we seek to catalyze a new moral compass and
strategic blueprint for the next 25 years — a Declaration that
will inspire the Renaissance 2.0 movement: a movement rooted in
regeneration, equity, and shared purpose.
Let this not be a gathering for words alone, but for wisdom to
blossom and for action to take root. May this Parliament awaken
in each of us the courage to envision a future where prosperity
is not measured by accumulation, but by harmony — with each
other, with nature, and with the deeper self. Let this be the
gift of IIT Kharagpur to the world in its Platinum Jubilee — a
beacon of enlightened thought, a sanctuary for transformative
dialogue, and a seedbed for collaborative prosperity. With
profound hope and commitment,
Warm Regards,
Prof. Suman Chakraborty
Director, IIT Kharagpur
