The theme of India’s G20 Presidency – “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “One Earth · One Family · One Future” – is drawn from the ancient Sanskrit text of the Maha Upanishad. Essentially, the theme affirms the value of all life – human, animal, plant, and microorganisms – and their interconnectedness on the planet Earth and in the wider universe. The theme also spotlights LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), with its associated, environmentally sustainable and responsible choices, both at the level of individual lifestyles as well as national development, leading to globally transformative actions resulting in a cleaner, greener and bluer future.
C20 India 2023 is one of the official Engagement Groups of the G20 that provides a platform for Civil Society Organizations (CSO) around the world to voice people’s aspirations to the world leaders in G20. Chinmaya Mission has been entrusted with the prestigious responsibility for anchoring the C20 working group – Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – World is One Family!
The sixth of the fifteen National Conferences planned across India, was held in Kolkata on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at Hyatt Regency.
The Kolkata Chapter of Chinmaya Mission, a worldwide spiritual organisation, hostedC20 National Conference in Kolkata on The Spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.The conference was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Governor of West Bengal, Dr C.V. Ananda Bose, in the presence of Eminent Physicist, Dr Partha Ghose, Co-Founder &Joint Chairman of Emami Group, Shri R.S. Goenka and National Coordinator for C20 Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam Working Group, Swami Mitrananda.
The audience witnessed four panel discussions of contemporary interest which are directly relevant to current times.The panel discussions were on ;
1. Business & Economy– Leadership Lessons from Ancient Indian Wisdom for modern-day Corporations around the World,
2. Art & Culture– Promoting Cultural Consciousness & Training Cultural Ambassadors of India to the World,
3. Health& Happiness– Indian Ethos in Healthcare, and
4. Science & Spirituality – God in every particle?
Dr Radhakrishanan Pillai, Author, Director of Chanakya Institute of Public Leadership, Shri Madan Mohan Mohanka, Chairman, TEGA Group, Shri Harshavardhan Neotia, Chairman, Ambuja Neotia Group, participated in the panel discussion on The spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam in Business & Economy. The session was moderated by Shri Akshaye Rathi, Director, Ashirwad Theatres Pvt. Ltd.
Dr P.K Pooviah, Geriatric Medicine Specialist, Dr Satyajit Bose, Chairman, The Mission Hospital, Smt Barkha Sharma, Author – Global Little Yogis,participated in the panel discussion on Health &Happiness.Dr Chandra Shekhar Mukherji, Renowned Neuro-Psychiatrist moderated this session wherein they emphasised the importance of Health & Happiness for a harmonious living.
Smt Smita Shastri, Founder, Nartan Institute of Performing Arts, Shri Vivek Agnihotri, Filmmaker, Best Selling author & creative Guru, Smt. Meena Banerjee, Musicologist & Music critiqueparticipated in the panel discussion of implementing the idea of Universal Family throughArt & Culture. The session was moderated by Shri Akshaye Rathi, Director, Ashirwad Theatres Pvt. Ltd.
Smt. Archana Raghuram, Youtuber, Former CEO- United Way Chennai, Shri L. Ramaswamy, Vedanta Institute, Swami Suddhananda Giri, YogodaSatasanga Society of India participated in the panel discussion on Science & Spiritualitywhich was moderated by Swami Mitrananda. The session emphasized upon the concept of Oneness.
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam C20 Kolkata was held to deliberate and discuss ways of incorporating the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam(Oneness of the Universe – ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future)and other peace narratives to reinforce the unity of humanity. It concluded by reinforcing that the time has come for us to collectively decide not to pass on a divided, disintegrated and dysfunctional world to our children. Human society needs to develop alternative approaches to eliminate this quagmire and align with the truth of the Oneness of Existence, embodied in the ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam‘ principle, which resonates deeply within India’s multicultural and diverse society.
These discussions would be submitted as recommendations to the central team in the Government of India in making a G20 policy draft.
