BML Munjal University (BMU) recently hosted the inaugural BML Munjal Memorial Lecture titled “India 2047: Strategies for a Viksit Bharat” at the India International Centre in New Delhi. The event featured renowned economist and sustainable development expert Prof. Jeffrey D. Sachs, who delivered an insightful address on the transformative strategies needed to create a prosperous and sustainable India by 2047.
In his keynote, Prof. Sachs, Director, Center for Sustainable Development, Columbia University emphasized the critical importance of balancing development, equity, and environmental sustainability. He outlined strategies that will enable India to navigate key challenges in areas such as energy transitions, sustainable growth, and inclusive development, ensuring that the nation thrives on its path to becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Prof. Sachs highlighted the need for robust policy frameworks and collaboration between public institutions and the market to achieve equitable growth. “India’s journey to becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047 requires a bold and adaptive approach, balancing economic growth with sustainability and social equity. The biggest challenges ahead include environmental degradation and global instability, but India has the potential to lead in sustainable development. Its ability to effectively integrate state and market dynamics, as seen in successful Asian economies, will be crucial. By fostering innovation, strategic policymaking, and global and regional cooperation, India can emerge as one of the world’s top three economies, shaping a resilient and inclusive future,” he remarked during the session.
Shyam B. Menon, Vice Chancellor, BMU, remarked, “The BML Munjal Memorial Lecture is envisioned to become an institution and an integral part of the calendar of institutional and cultural events in the city of Delhi. This is our tribute to the city’s tradition of conversations, reflections and debates. This series will bring together the most influential scholars, creative minds and changemakers to deliberate on subjects of contemporary significance, reflecting BMU’s commitment to thought-leadership and intellectual inquiry. We are fortunate to have Prof. Jeffrey Sachs, a leading scholar of economics and public policy, to deliver the inaugural lecture of this series. This is also significant as BMU is in the process of establishing a Centre for Public Policy and Governance.”
The lecture was chaired by Prof. Deepak Nayyar, Professor Emeritus of Economics at Jawaharlal Nehru University, also steered an engaging discussion, “The aspiration for development is both feasible and plausible. Two things are critical to realize this aspiration: First, we must create equal social and economic opportunities for all irrespective of caste, gender and religion and second, make a public provision for education and healthcare for our people. I agree with Prof. Sachs that South Asia must get its act together and if China and India can transform their rivalry into cooperation, the world will be a better place.”
The session was attended by an esteemed audience of policymakers, academics, students, and professionals, all of whom engaged in lively discussions on the challenges and opportunities India faces in its journey towards a sustainable future.
BMU’s commitment to encouraging interdisciplinary dialogue and thought leadership was evident in the success of the inaugural BML Munjal Memorial Lecture. The event marked the beginning of a new initiative to inspire critical thinking and innovation in the pursuit of India’s global leadership in sustainable development.
About BML Munjal University
Named after the late Founder Chairman of the Hero Group, BML Munjal University (BMU) is a unique not-for-profit initiative founded by the promoters of the Hero Group. BMU is engaged in creating, preserving and imparting internationally benchmarked knowledge and skills. The University seeks to transform higher education in India by creating a world-class innovative teaching, learning and research environment. It envisions becoming a nursery for the leaders of tomorrow and a repository of knowledge. The School of Management at BML Munjal University has been ranked 72nd among all management institutions in India in the NIRF Rankings 2023. It has also attained the Diamond subject rating by QS I-Gauge. It has been nationally ranked #6 and #1 in Haryana among India’s Top Private Engineering & Technology Universities in the Education World India Higher Education Rankings, 2023-24. The University has received an esteemed A-grade accreditation from NAAC.
The University offers undergraduate to doctoral programmes comprising BA (Hons) Liberal Arts, BBA, BCom (Hons), BA LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons), BBA-MBA, Integrated Programme, B. Tech at the undergraduate level, and MBA, LLB and PhD at the postgraduate level.
