Prof. Dr Sameer Sood, The Director, announced that NIFT Gandhinagar is delighted to announce the third edition of its International Conference, themed "Intertwining Sustainability with Mission LiFE: Fashion, Entrepreneurship, and Cultural Integration in Harmony." The Conference is scheduled for 14-15 March 2024 at the NIFT Gandhinagar Campus.

Aligned with India's unwavering commitment to sustainability through Mission LiFE, the Conference highlights collaborative endeavours spanning various sectors, accentuating the fusion of sustainability, entrepreneurship, and cultural integration.

Key themes such as Change in Demand, Change in Supply, and Change in Policy will be explored by presenting over 100 research papers across the two-day event.

The following esteemed panel of keynote speakers will deliver their respective addresses during the Conference's inauguration.

1. Ms Mona Khandhar, IAS Principal Secretary, Revenue Department, Govt. of Gujarat
2. Captain Yogendra Yadav, Recipient of the highest Gallantry Award - Param Vir Chakra
3. Mr Pradyumna Vyas, President, World Design Organisation                                                                                     
4. Dr Neerja A Gupta, Vice Chancellor, Gujarat University
5. Prof Dr Sameer Sood, Director, NIFT Gandhinagar
6. Ms Chandrima Chatterjee, Secretary General of the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI)
7. Mr. Ronak Chiripal, Director, Chiripal Group

In addition to paper presentations, the Conference will feature three Panel Discussions exploring:  

1. Brand Bharat: Sustainability, Scale, and Skill – Inspired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's Mission LiFE, experts from various domains converge to explore the integration of ancient Indian wisdom into modern lifestyles. Reflecting on India's profound cultural connection with nature, they discuss strategies across design, technology, management, and policy-making to realize UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Sr. No.	Name of the Panellists
1	Mr. Pradyumna Vyas, President, World Design Organisation,
2	Mr. Lalit Narayan Singh Sandhu, IAS, Managing Director, Gujarat State Handloom & Handicraft Dev. Corp. Ltd, Govt. of Gujarat
3	Ms. Chandrima Chatterjee, Secretary General of Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI), New Delhi
4	Dr. Vimal Mishra, Professor, IIT Gandhinagar & Co-Coordinator, Dr Kiran Patel Centre for Sustainable Development, IIT Gandhinagar
5	Mr. Himanshu Shani, Founder, 11-11 Eleven- Eleven
6	Dr. Binaya Bhushan Jena, Chairperson FMS, NIFT

2. Viksit Bharat @ 2047 - "VIKSIT BHARAT@2047" envisions India's transformation into a developed nation by its 100th Independence anniversary. Emphasizing the pivotal role of the youth, this panel, comprising industry leaders, academics, and government officials, delves into industry's contribution and the youth's leadership in steering India towards this goal.

Sr. No.	Name of the Panellists
1	Mr. Hitesh Koya, IAS Development Commissioner, Govt. of Gujarat
2	Captain Yogendra Yadav, Recipient of highest Gallantry Award - Param Vir Chakra
3	Mr. Ronak Chiripal, Director, Chiripal Group
4	Dr. Piyush Sinha, Notable Author, Director CRI Advisory and Research, Chief Mentor SVEP EDII, Ex- Professor, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad
5	Dr. Nilesh Priyadarshi, Founder & CEO - Kaarigar Clinic
6	Mr. Alin Shah, Business Head- Artex Apparel & Chief Brand Strategist -Tales & Stories

3. Ubharta Bharat: Udyamita se Udyog tak - "Ubharta Bharat: Udyamita se Udyog tak" brings together industry magnates, entrepreneurs, and experts to explore strategies for fostering a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem in India. Themes range from policy innovation and technological integration to funding challenges, skill development, inclusive entrepreneurship, and global market integration, aiming to guide stakeholders in cultivating a dynamic entrepreneurial landscape in India.

Sr. No.	Name of the Panellists
1	Shri Banchha Nidhi Pani, IAS, Commissioner, Technical Education, Govt. of Gujarat and Task force member Studesnt Startup and Innovation Policy (SSIP), Govt. of Gujarat
2	Prof. Dr. Harish PM, Dean, Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar
3	Mr. Aanchal Jain, Faculty Co-Chair, Creative & Cultural Businesses Programme, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad
4	Mr. Pradeep Hota, Faculty, Business Policy & Strategy, IIM Udaipur
5	Mr. Pratik Tiwari, Director, Groyyo Private Limited.
6	Ms. Sunita Shankar, Eminent Designer

OBJECTIVES:  The Conference aspires to achieve the following objectives:

1. Ancient Wisdom Reimagined: Delve into how ancient ecological Wisdom can be seamlessly woven into modern entrepreneurial ventures, creating a robust framework for sustainable practices.
2. Catalysing Collective Action: Examine the role of entrepreneurship in galvanising collective action at various levels – local, national, and global – to foster a shared commitment towards environmental preservation.
3. Innovative Ventures for Sustainability: Showcase pioneering entrepreneurial initiatives, technologies, and solutions aligned with Mission LiFE's aspirations, encompassing energy efficiency, waste reduction, and creative alternatives to plastic.
4. Harmonizing Cultural Diversity: Explore the harmonious fusion of Mission LiFE principles with diverse cultures, demonstrating respect for local traditions and values while advancing sustainability.
5. Educational Empowerment: Discuss strategies for effectively disseminating Mission LiFE tenets through academic institutions, community engagement, and digital platforms, nurturing a new generation of environmentally conscious entrepreneurs.

SUB-THEMES:

1. Change in Demand (Nudging individuals across the world to practice simple yet effective environment-friendly actions in their daily lives) – including topics like Circular economy, 5 'Rs' of Fashion, Slow Fashion, Green Entrepreneurship and Circular Economy, Social Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Impact, Startups and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Fashion Entrepreneurship and more
2. Change in Supply (Changes in large-scale individual demand are expected to gradually nudge industries and markets to respond and tailor supply and procurement as per the revised demands) – including topics like Sustainable production, Brand Management, Carbon footprints, Innovation and Technology Interventions, Supply chain management, Luxury Fashion & Retailing and more
3. Change in Policy (By influencing the demand and supply dynamics of India and the world, the long-term vision of Mission LiFE is to trigger shifts in large-scale industrial and government policies that can support both sustainable consumption and production) – including topics like Impact of policies on adoption of sustainable practices, Foreign trade policy, International Relations, trade and Socio-political Environment, Government Policies and Regulations, Creating an ecosystem, PPP model and more

 

EXPECTED OUTCOMES: Prof. Dr. Sameer Sood stated  that this Conference endeavours to achieve holistic outcomes:

1. Enlightened Perspectives: Participants will gain profound insights into the symbiotic relationship between entrepreneurship, sustainability, and cultural integration, sparking innovative ideas and transformative thinking.
2. Actionable Collaborations: Collaboration among diverse stakeholders can yield tangible results, including formulating educational curricula, policy recommendations, and cross-cultural partnerships.
3. Entrepreneurial Synergy: By harnessing the power of entrepreneurship, the Conference aims to propel the global adoption of sustainable practices, contributing to a healthier planet and enhanced quality of life.

The Conference promises engaging discussions, keynote addresses by industry leaders, interactive workshops on sustainable fashion practices, and ample networking opportunities. For more details, please visit https://nift.ac.in/gandhinagar/conference2024.

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