In order to commemorate 125 years of the Chicago address of Swami Vivekananda, Integrating Spirituality and Organisational Leadership (ISOL Foundation) had recently organised a World Congress on Vedic Foundations of Management Science.
Several luminaries and experts in diverse fields addressed the gathering, which was inaugurated on the 11th of September at the Breasted Hall, The Oriental Institute, The University of Chicago. Distinguished Trinity and ISOL Awards were presented on the day. The event concluded on the 13th of September, 2018.
The Inaugural Session started with a Welcome Address by Dr J L Raina, Chairman of ISOL Foundation. Vedic Mantras were chanted by Mr Ashok Vyas, followed by a Welcome Song penned by Mr D V Shastry.
Prof Sunita Singh Sengupta, Founder ISOL Foundation, welcomed the delegates and presented a Background Paper.
The Inaugural Addresses were delivered by the following:
- Ms Neeta Bhushan, Consul General of India in Chicago
- Dr Larry Greenfield, Executive Director, Parliament of the World Religions
- Prof Bala Srinivasan, Vice President, Strategy and Global Initiatives, University of Chicago
- Prof Sunaina Singh, Vice Chancellor, Nalanda University
Rich tributes were paid to Swami Vivekananda by:
- Prof Dinesh Singh, Former Vice Chancellor, University of Delhi and Chancellor, K R Mangalam University
- Dr Bharat Rai, Oncologist in Chicago
- Dr H P Kanoria, Founder, Shristi Corporation, SREI Infrastructure Finance Limited and SREI Foundation
- Swami Yatidharmananda, Managing Tustee, Swami Chidananda Sevashram
The following tracks were covered at the three-day event.
- Sri Ramakrishna, Ma Sarada and Swami Vivekananda
- Education in Ancient India
- Women Empowerment
- Contemporary Themes on Spirituality, Ethics and Management
- Global climate change and Eco System Management: Insights from Vedas
- Ancient Indian Mathematics and Astronomy: Its Contemporary Relevance
- Ayurveda, Yoga and Meditation for Modern Health Care
- Ancient Indian Architecture, Sculpture and Art
- Exploring Sustainability through Spirituality
- Contemporary Themes on Scriptures, Ethics and Management
- Vedic Foundations of Management
The last mentioned session was chaired by Prof Neal McGregor.
- Prof N Ravichandran shared ‘Managerial Insights from Panchtantra Stories’
- Prof Omprakash K Gupta elaborated upon his passion for ‘Simplifying and Summarising Sanatana Dharma Scriptures for our Youth’
- Prof Kisholoy Gupta spoke of ‘Vedantic Wisdom in Contemporary Management’
- Dr Ravi Subramaniam presented ‘A Qualitative Examination of Leadership Traits of Ram from Shrimad Valmiki Ramayan’
- Yours truly presented a paper on ‘Ramayana – Some Management Lessons’.
Here is the PPT which might be of interest to some of you.
Ramayana Management_Lessons Chicago PPT
Distinguished Valedictory Lecture was delivered by Lucy Forster-Smith, Senior Associate Pastor for Leadership Development, Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago.
Dr J L Raina and Prof Sunita Singh Sengupta summed up the proceedings of the commemoration event.
(Thanks are due to several persons who added value to my presentation and gave a final shape to it.)
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