Global Convergence at lIT Kharagpur Heralds "Renaissance 2.0" -A
Parliament of Enlightened Thoughts for Collaborative Prosperity. Pictures PIB/BS News Agency.
Sanchita Chatterjee, PIB/BS News Agency, Kolkata, February 24, 2026: The Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur today hosted a historic Global.
Convergence titled "Renaissance 2.0: Parliament of Enlightened Thoughts towards Collaborative Prosperity' at the IIT Kharagpur Research Park, New Town, Kolkata. Organised under the aegis of the Institute's Platinum Jubilee Celebrations, in collaboration with The Boston Pledge on its Silver Jubilee, the landmark gathering set the stage for a renewed civilizational dialogue for the 21st century.
Inspired by the seminal Parliament of the World's Religions, where Swami Vivekananda repositioned India
on the global stage and sparked a profound intellectual awakening, Renaissance 2.0 aspires to catalyse a
contemporary renaissance rooted in collaborative prosperity, ethical innovation, and spiritual humanism.
The Parliament brought together eminent leaders from government, academia, industry, science, technology, and the spiritual and cultural spheres to deliberate upon humanity's shared future anÃd global
volatility and rapid technological transformation. The initiative seeks to move beyond zero-sum paradigms
towards a "plus-sum" framework of cooperation, sustainability, and collective well-being.
The inaugural session was graced by Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, Hon'ble Union Minister of State for Education, Government of India, alongside distinguished dignitaries including Shri TV Narendran, Chairman, Board of Governors, IIT Kharagpur: Prof. Suman Chakraborty, Director, IIT Kharagpur; Dr. Partha S. Ghosh, Chairman, The Boston Pledge, USA; Prof. Madhusudan Chakraborty, Former Director, IIT Bhubaneswar; Shri Harshvardhan Neotia, Chairman, Ambuja Neotia Group; Dr Asoke Deysarkar,
President IlT Alumni Foundation US; Prof. Subrata Chattopadhyay, Emeritus Professor and Chair,Renaissance 2.0; and Padma Bhushan Pt. Ajoy Chakraborty, eminent classical vocalist.
Renaissance 2.0 is anchored in four transformative plenary dialogues designed to reimagine the foundational pillars of civilisation: reimagining education to awaken the whole human being; rethinking
economic constructs beyond capitalism and socialism; guiding technological evolution through a framework
of "Science with Soul"; and reawakening the spiritual vector to advance the vision of One Humanity.
Addressing the gathering, speakers underscored that the equations that shaped the industrial and post-
industrial eras must now evolve to ensure planetary sustainability, inclusive growth, and ethical technological advancement. The Parliament emphasised responsible self-expression over unchecked self-
interest, and long-term planetary fitness over short-term gains.
As the inaugural edition concluded, delegates collectively affirmed their commitment to developing collaborative research initiatives, policy frameworks, and cross-sector partnerships that will translate enlightened thought into actionable global impact. Renaissance 2.0 thus marks not merely an event, but the
beginning of a sustained global movement toward collaborative prosperity and a renewed human future.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Suman Chakraborty, Director, IIT Kharagpur, said "Renaissance 2.0 reflects lIT Kharagpur's
enduring commitment to shaping not just technological advancement, but the moral and intellectual compass of the 21st century. As we celebrate our Platinum Jubilee, we reaffirm our responsibility to integrate education, economy, technology, and spirituality into a unified vision of collaborative prosperity. The future
demands institutions that do not merely respond to change, but consciously design it for the greater good of humanity.”