On 7–8 January 2026, Jaipuria Institute of Management, Indore campus, in collaboration with the Madhya Pradesh Institute of Social Science Research (MPISSR), Ujjain, successfully organised a two-day National Seminar on “Tradition, Technology and Transformation: Paradigms of Social Change in Rural India”, sponsored by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), New Delhi. The seminar featured distinguished participation from Professor Vijay Paul Sharma, Chairman, Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), New Delhi (Chief Guest); Dr. Deepankar Chakrabarti, Director, Jaipuria Institute of Management, Indore (Guest of Honour); Professor Gopal Krishna Sharma, President, MPISSR, Ujjain; Professor Yatindra Singh Sisodia, Director, MPISSR; Dr. Ghanshyam Pandey, Co-Convener of the seminar; Professor C. S. C. Sekhar (Panel Chair); Professor Ganesh Kawadia, former Head, School of Economics, Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya; Dr. S. S. Kalamkar, Sardar Patel University, Anand, Gujarat; and Dr. Amarnath Tripathi, Jaipuria Institute of Management, Noida.

Addressing the gathering, Professor Vijay Paul Sharma highlighted India’s position as one of the largest and most influential global agricultural economies and emphasised that the vision of Viksit Bharat cannot be achieved without strengthening agriculture and the rural economy. He discussed India’s sustained growth in agricultural production, emerging trade-led opportunities, and the increasing industrialisation of agriculture that enables deeper market and value-chain integration for farmers. He also underlined the transformative role of artificial intelligence and digital technologies in reshaping agriculture, while cautioning against future challenges such as population growth, climate change, shrinking land availability, inadequate investment, public health concerns, and the need for stronger institutional mechanisms. Dr. Deepankar Chakrabarti reflected on the paradoxes of rural transformation, emphasising that development must not undermine traditional knowledge systems and cultural practices, and advocated a Gandhian model of sustainable, inclusive, and empowering rural transformation.

The seminar facilitated in-depth academic deliberations on the evolving dynamics of rural India, focusing on the interplay between tradition, technology, and social change. Structured sessions and thematic discussions addressed critical issues related to agricultural transformation, rural livelihoods, institutional development, sustainability, and inclusive growth. Over the two days, research paper presentations and panel deliberations enabled meaningful scholarly exchange among academicians, researchers, and practitioners from multiple states, contributing to a nuanced and multidisciplinary understanding of rural social transformation in India.

Team Media Relations Committee for the Event Coverage:

Photographs – Team MRC

Content – Ms. Himanshi Soohanda

Graphic Designer – Mr. Raj Verma

SPOC – Mr. Prince Bhardwaj & Mr. Dev Kumar Rurya