Dr. K. Ram Gramotthan Study Chair Inaugurated; Padma Shri Laxman Singh Conferred Lifetime Achievement Award
Jaipur, 30 July 2026: Vivekananda Global University (VGU), Jaipur, on Thursday inaugurated a two-day International Conference on Redefining Rural Development: Multidisciplinary Perspectives and Global Insights, bringing together policymakers, academicians, researchers, administrators, development practitioners, and rural development experts from India and abroad to deliberate on the future of sustainable and inclusive rural transformation.
The conference opened with a strong call for reimagining rural development as the foundation of Viksit Bharat 2047, emphasizing that India’s aspiration to become a developed nation can only be realised through resilient, self-reliant, and empowered villages.
A major highlight of the inaugural session was the establishment of the Dr. K. Ram Gramotthan Study Chair, a dedicated academic initiative aimed at promoting research, innovation, policy dialogue, and community engagement in the field of rural development.
The occasion also witnessed the presentation of the prestigious Dr. K. Ram Lifetime Achievement Award to Padma Shri Laxman Singh, Founder Secretary of Gram Vikas Navyuvak Mandal, Laporiya, in recognition of his lifelong contribution to rural transformation, water conservation, and community-led development.
Chairing the inaugural session, Dr. Lalit K. Panwar, Retired IAS Officer, stated that the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 can only be achieved through strong, inclusive, and sustainable rural development. He underlined that accountable Panchayati Raj Institutions, transparent governance, and effective implementation of public policies remain the cornerstone of India’s rural transformation.
The first day of the conference also featured a special panel discussion on “Policy, Governance and Rural Transformation: Building Inclusive and Resilient Communities.” The session was chaired by Dr. Yashvardhan Singh and featured distinguished panellists Dr. S. K. Satya Prabha, Vinod Singh Yadav, and Prof. S. Chandrashekhar.
The panellists agreed that rural development today extends well beyond agriculture and physical infrastructure. They identified digital inclusion, climate resilience, women’s empowerment, youth leadership, skill development, quality education, participatory governance, technological innovation, and sustainable livelihoods as the defining pillars of the next phase of rural transformation.
The experts further emphasised that stronger partnerships among universities, policymakers, government agencies, industry, and local communities are essential for achieving the goals of Viksit Bharat 2047 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Concluding the inaugural session, Dr. K. R. Bagaria, Founder and Vice Chairman of Vivekananda Global University, expressed gratitude to the distinguished guests, speakers, researchers, participants, and organising committee. He stated that the conference would serve as a significant platform for advancing research, policy dialogue, innovation, and practical solutions in the field of rural development.
The two-day conference will continue until July 31, featuring technical sessions, thematic panel discussions, and research paper presentations by scholars and experts from across India and overseas, focusing on emerging challenges and innovative solutions for sustainable rural development.