Experts highlight role of Indian knowledge systems in sustainable decision-making at Delhi event

Experts from academia, policy, industry and research institutions deliberated on the relevance of Indian knowledge systems in contemporary decision-making at a tri-institutional event here on Tuesday. The discussion brought together bureaucrats, scientists, policy thinkers, industry leaders and grassroots practitioners to examine how traditional knowledge frameworks can inform sustainability and development. The event, organised jointly by Jamia Hamdard, KR Mangalam University and Bennett University, featured over 60 research contributions and reflected a growing academic focus on applying Indian knowledge systems in contemporary contexts. Speakers emphasised the need to move beyond treating sustainability as a standalone objective and instead engage with the underlying knowledge systems that shape economic, social and industrial processes. Retired IAS officer Praveen Garg, former special secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, stressed that development must integrate creation, consumption and conservation, reflecting an alignment between governance priorities and systemic thinking. Jamia Hamdard Vice-Chancellor Afshar Alam observed that modern systems are increasingly returning to long-standing knowledge traditions, particularly at the intersection of ethics and ecology. Reshma Nasreen, Director, Centre for Media and Mass Communication Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, highlighted the role of individual and institutional responsibility, referring to principles such as reduce, reuse and recycle. Vibha Dhawan, Director General of The Energy and Resources Institute, underscored the interconnected nature of environmental, economic and social systems, noting that fragmentation often leads to inefficiencies and long-term imbalance. Qamar Irshad, a professor at Jamia Millia Islamia, spoke about climate-responsive and resource-efficient traditional architectural systems. Ruchita Beri of the Vivekananda International Foundation linked Indian knowledge systems with global policy frameworks and strategic thinking, while Dr Nikhil Yadav of Vivekananda Kendra highlighted their continued relevance in community-level practices. Hindol Sengupta of the Jindal School of International Affairs said Indian knowledge systems can serve not only as a cultural foundation but also as a basis for future innovation and global positioning.

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