Two-Day International Seminar Concludes at BBAU; Deliberations Focus on Education, Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Viksit Bharat

Lucknow: The two-day International Seminar on “NEP 2020: Transforming Education and Fostering Excellence for Viksit Bharat”, organized by the Department of Management Studies at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU), concluded on 6 August. The valedictory session was presided over by the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Raj Kumar Mittal. The Chief Guest was Dr. T. Damodaran, Director, ICAR–Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, Lucknow. Distinguished guests on the dais included Mr. Anoop Thalachal, Senior Vice President and Country Head, Government and Institutional Business, Federal Bank, Prof. Amit Kumar Singh, Dean, School of Management and Commerce and Prof. Taruna, Programme Convenor. The programme commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp and floral tributes to the portrait of Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Following the University Anthem, the dignitaries were welcomed with saplings as a symbol of sustainability. At the outset, Prof. Taruna presented a comprehensive report of the two-day international seminar, highlighting the academic sessions, deliberations, key outcomes, and major achievements of the event.
In his presidential address, Prof. Raj Kumar Mittal stated that success is inevitable when an individual pursues a noble objective with determination and a positive mindset. He emphasized that the vision of a developed and empowered India cannot be achieved solely through economic growth but requires balanced progress across social, educational, spiritual, political, and other spheres. Describing education as the most powerful instrument of social transformation, he said that it enables holistic personality development and empowers students to recognize, refine, and utilize their potential for the benefit of society and the nation. Encouraging the youth, Prof. Mittal urged them not to limit themselves to seeking employment but to embrace innovation and entrepreneurship. He remarked that if India aspires to become a global leader, it must nurture youth who create employment rather than merely seek it. He also advocated the concept of “Earning While Learning,” encouraging students to become self-reliant during their academic journey by integrating skill development, innovation, and entrepreneurship with their education.
Chief Guest Dr. T. Damodaran, Director, ICAR–Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, Lucknow, observed that India has made remarkable progress in crop productivity. However, to become globally competitive, it is essential to establish new benchmarks aligned with international standards and quality. Highlighting the growing significance of biofuels in agriculture, he described them as an important initiative for ensuring energy security, environmental sustainability, and enhancing farmers’ income. He also emphasized the need for timely diagnosis and scientific management of plant diseases through modern research-based technologies. Dr. Damodaran further stated that sustainable agricultural development requires a multidisciplinary approach rather than reliance on a single branch of science or technology. He encouraged young researchers to adopt innovation, advanced research, and modern agricultural technologies to make the sector more productive, sustainable, and globally competitive.
Distinguished Guest Mr. Anoop Thalachal, Senior Vice President and Country Head, Government and Institutional Business, Federal Bank, inspired the youth by stating that success in today’s rapidly changing global environment demands not only technical knowledge but also essential personal qualities. He urged students to remain humble, visionary, and continuously update themselves with emerging technologies. Stressing that technological advancement should never diminish human values, he highlighted the “Magic of Listening” as the foundation of effective leadership, meaningful communication, and personal growth. He remarked that by embracing these values, young people can excel in their careers while making significant contributions to society and nation-building.
On the second day of the seminar, a plenary session was organized for the participants. The session featured Prof. S. Victor Babu, Dean of Academic Affairs, BBAU, Prof. Rajsharan Shahi, Dean, School of Education, Prof. A.K. Jha, Department of Education, IGNOU, New Delhi and Prof. Taruna, Programme Coordinator.
Three technical sessions were also conducted during the day. The first technical session, on “Research, Innovation and Industry Interface,” was held under the guidance of Prof. Nishant Kumar, Director, Institute of Management Sciences, Lucknow, and Dr. Salil Seth, Department of Management Studies, BBAU. The second technical session, on “Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice,” was conducted under the guidance of Prof. Sanatan Nayak and Dr. Arpit Shailesh of BBAU. The third technical session focused on “Science, Technology and Emergency Areas and Miscellaneous” and was conducted under the guidance of Prof. Sunita Bharatwal of Chaudhary Bansi Lal University, Bhiwani, who joined online, along with Dr. Lata Bajpai Singh of BBAU.
During the valedictory session, participants who demonstrated outstanding performance in the paper presentation competition were honoured with certificates of appreciation. Their academic excellence and dedication to research were acknowledged, and they were extended best wishes for their future endeavours.
The programme concluded with the presentation of mementoes and shawls to the distinguished guests as a token of gratitude by the organizing committee. The vote of thanks was delivered by Prof. Amit Kumar Singh.
The event witnessed the presence of Deans, Heads of Departments, faculty members, non-teaching officers and staff, research scholars, and students from various faculties of the University.

......................................................................................................... --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------