IIT Bhubaneswar Hosts First-Ever Global Dharma Studies Conference

Bhubaneswar, December 5, 2025 – The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar has inaugurated the first annual Dharma Studies Conference (DSC 2025), a three-day event aimed at institutionalizing Dharma Studies as a research-driven, interdisciplinary field. This landmark conference is being held in collaboration with several prestigious academic and research institutions, including:

• Department of English, Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
• Bhaktivedanta Institute, Bhubaneswar
• Humanities and Social Sciences Department of IIT Roorkee
• Bhaktivedanta Research Centre, Kolkata
• Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University
• The India Centre at FLAME University
• The English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU), Hyderabad

Conference Objectives and Themes

The conference has brought together scholars, researchers, and practitioners from across India and abroad to explore the evolving interpretations, applications, and societal relevance of Dharma in the modern world. The inaugural ceremony featured distinguished guests, including:

• Gauranga Das, Director of Govardhan Ecovillage and Member of the ISKCON Governing Body Commission (Chief Guest)
• Prof. Shreepad Karmalkar, Director of IIT Bhubaneswar (Presiding Guest)

Inaugural Addresses

During the inaugural address, Convener Dr. Akshaya K. Rath emphasized the importance of establishing a dedicated academic platform for studying Dharma as a multidisciplinary and intercultural field. Gauranga Das highlighted the contemporary challenges facing the world, stating, “The world today is confronting psychological stress, environmental imbalance, and social fragmentation at an unprecedented scale, and Dharma offers a framework to restore harmony.” He further elaborated on three timeless principles from the Bhagavad Gita: stability in identity, purity in intention, and intensity in action, advocating for their application in guiding individuals and institutions towards responsible and sustainable progress.

Insights from Prof. Karmalkar

Prof. Karmalkar remarked on the complexity of the term “Dharma,” noting that it cannot be accurately translated into English as “religion.” He explained that the term encompasses a broader and more context-dependent meaning, which is often lost in translation. He stated, “Dharma deserves rigorous academic attention beyond a simplified interpretation as religion.” This sentiment underscores the conference’s goal of fostering scholarly engagement with Dharma as a civilizational framework.

Bridging Ethics and Innovation

IIT Bhubaneswar, as a leading technology institution, aims to bridge the gap between ethics and innovation, especially as emerging technologies reshape human identity, intentions, and societal values. Dr. Naresh Chandra Sahu, the Convenor, concluded the inaugural session with a vote of thanks and announced the establishment of two jury awards:

• AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad Award, instituted by the Bhaktivedanta Research Centre
• Whabiz Merchant Best Essay Prize, instituted by Prof. Hoshang Merchant

Conference Proceedings

The academic proceedings commenced with a keynote address by Prof. Pankaj Jain from FLAME University, titled “Revisiting Dharma in the 21st Century: Ecology, Ethics, and the Case for Dharma Studies in India.” The first day of the conference features multiple plenary sessions and panel discussions that examine Dharma through various lenses, including:

• Sustainability
• Literature
• Social Justice
• Identity
• Artificial Intelligence
• Indigenous Knowledge Systems

Notable presenters include Hoshang Merchant, Rita D. Sherma, Ashok Mohapatra, and other scholars from IITs, Central Universities, and global research institutions. The conference program spans over 100 scholarly presentations, keynote addresses, thematic plenaries, hybrid research panels, and cultural reflections, making it one of the most extensive academic gatherings focused on Dharma Studies in recent years.

Upcoming Highlights

The second day of the conference will feature keynote addresses by:

• Prof. Ferdinando Sardella from Stockholm University
• Prof. Graham M. Schweig from Christopher Newport University

A conference dinner will also be held to facilitate academic networking among participants.

Conclusion of the Conference

The final day will include a keynote lecture by Shrivatsa Goswami, a special workshop session, and the valedictory ceremony, with Prof. N. Nagaraju, Vice Chancellor of EFL University Hyderabad, as the chief guest. The DSC 2025 conference represents a renewed academic momentum in exploring Dharma as an intellectual tradition and a contemporary framework for ethical, ecological, and socio-philosophical reasoning.

Note: The Global Dharma Studies Conference is a significant step towards understanding and institutionalizing Dharma as a vital field of study, reflecting its relevance in today’s world.