KATRA: A two-day International conference on “Achieving Sustainable Development Goals: Prospects and Challenges for India [SUSTIND]”, was inaugurated at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Jammu on 21st March 2025. This event is a collaborative effort of IIT Jammu, YSI South Asia Working Group and School of Economics, Sri Mata Vaishno Devi University. YSI is an initiative of the Institute for New Economic Thinking, New York.
In the inaugural programme, Prof. Pragati Kumar, Vice Chancellor, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, in his cordial welcome address focused on the importance of the conference. He emphasized on the top down approach to achieve sustainable development goal. Prof. Manoj S. Gaur, Director, IIT Jammu, in his presidential address, mentioned how technology can bridge the gap to achieve SDGs. Ms. Sunanda Nair Bidkar, Director, South Asia, INET New York, in her introductory remarks enriched the audience by focusing on the objectives and functioning of YSI in general and the conference in particular. Prof. Meenakshi Rajeev, Department of HSS IIT Jammu, coordinator of the event, briefed about the two day activities. Padma Bhushan Prof. B. N. Suresh, Chancellor, Indian Institute of Space Technology, Thiruvananthapuram was the Chief Guest and Keynote speaker of the event. After highlighting the importance of SDGs, he noted that space data can be used to track some of the achievement of SDGs. Shri Shantmanu, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Higher Education Department, Government of Jammu & Kashmir was the Guest of Honour. He highlighted the importance of sustainability of individual.
Prof. Ashutosh Vashistha, Dean, Faculty of Management, Dr. Rooplal Sharma, Head School of Economics, SMVDU and faculty members of different institutions graced the occasion. The formal vote of thanks of the inaugural session was delivered by the organizing secretary, Dr. Pabitra Kumar Jena, Associate Professor, SMVDU. The other core members of the organizing team, Program convener Dr. Kakali Majumdar Prof. SMVDU, Mr. Bikram Barman and Ms Christina Kujur from YSI, Dr. Shafkat Shafi Dar, Dr Amitash Ojha, Dr Hardeep Singh from IIT Jammu as well as scholars and students put wholehearted effort to make this event a grand success.
The event was supported by NABARD, Department of Industries and Commerce, Govt. of Jammu and Kashmir, and CVPP. Young scholars from across the country attended the conference to present their work in parallel technical sessions. Besides, two panel sessions, one, on “Challenges of Achieving SDGs for India” and the other, ‘Prospects and Challenges of J&K region in achieving SDGs”, were part of the event.
Prof. R. Kavita Rao, Director, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, New Delhi, Prof. Manju Singh Department of HSS MNIT Jaipur, Shri Vikramjit Singh (IPS) Commissioner Secretary, Industries & Commerce Department, J&K, Shri Rahul Sahai, Chairman, Indian Chambers of Commerce, Jammu, Prof. Jasbir Singh, Prof. Dipankar Sengupta, Prof. Falendar Kumar Sudan, University of Jammu, Dr. Shubhra Sharma, Mission Director, Jammu and Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission, Shri Vikas Mittal, General Manager (NABARD), Jammu are the distinguished personnels, invited for chairing and deliberating in the sessions.
The objective of the conference was to build the knowledge base from various disciplines of Science, Humanities and Social-Sciences, on the relationship between Growth and Sustainable-Development and improving welfare of the common masses, in the Indian context. The enlightening discussions and exchange of ideas focusing on the application aspect of research outcomes are valuable addition to the achievement of the sustainable development goals for the country.
