Lumami, 14 October (MTNews): The Department of Economics at Nagaland University, in collaboration with the Nagaland Economic Association, successfully hosted its inaugural international conference from October 12th to 13th, 2023. The event, held under the theme “Rethinking Economic Development in India: Sustainability, Livelihood, and Efficiency,” convened an esteemed gathering of speakers, scholars, and experts to explore various dimensions of economic growth in India.
This event was graced by Prof Saundarjya Borbora, Vice-Chancellor of ICFAI University, who honored the occasion as the Chief Guest. Additionally, Kudecho Khamo, MLA, and Advisor for Civil Administration Work Division and Taxes, a distinguished entrepreneur who transitioned into politics, was present as the Guest of Honour.
In his address, Chief Guest Prof Saundarjya Borbora, Vice-Chancellor of ICFAI University, underscored the imperative of creating a more sustainable and inclusive world. He shared his concerns regarding specific growth strategies that have inadvertently led to rising unemployment rates and significant disparities, both within and among countries. Prof Borbora emphasized that true economic development necessitates a robust foundation and revised strategies.
During his eloquent speech, Prof Borbora passionately advocated for universal access to education and healthcare services, financial inclusivity, gender equality, and a fairer distribution of resources. He highlighted the crucial role of taxation as the primary source of funding for essential services, such as public education and healthcare.
Drawing from his personal journey, Kudecho Khamo encouraged the young participants to venture beyond conventional government positions and explore their entrepreneurial potential as a catalyst for sustainable development. As an alumnus of Nagaland University, he expressed his gratitude to the Economics Department for his achievements and commended the Nagaland Economic Association and the Department of Economics for orchestrating this remarkable conference.
The international symposium revolved around the theme “Paradigm Shift for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth” and attracted distinguished scholars to share their invaluable insights. Renowned experts included Dr Dolly Kikon from the University of Melbourne, Prof Ravi Bhandari from UC Berkeley, California, and Dr Avinandan Taron from the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Dr G Vijay from the School of Economics at the University of Hyderabad fulfilled the role of the discussant.
A significant highlight of the conference was the Plenary Session, where the theme “Growth and Sustainability: Building an Inclusive Economic Future for India” was explored by prominent speakers. The conference also featured parallel technical sessions, conducted in both offline and online modes, with a focus on the “Institutional Framework for Inclusive Economic Growth.” The first day concluded with a culturally enriching program that celebrated the vibrant traditions and heritage of Nagaland.
The second day commenced with two technical sessions that delved into the themes of “Non-farm Growth: Emerging Challenges,” “Environment and Sustainability,” and “Policy Framework for Growth.” The valedictory program featured Tiakala Ao, the General Manager of NABARD, Nagaland, as the Chief Guest. The conference witnessed the presentation of a total of 75 well-researched papers by scholars and academicians from across the country.