1.     Why this Conference?

Over the years, the Chanakya’s Philosophy written in 3^rd century BC is gaining importance across various sectors of development. Both governance and development economists and philosophers, besides others, have been wanted to debate on the relevance of it for 21^st century for the benefit of the larger society. The published books and papers on Chanakya’s philosophy and Arthashastra varies with wide perspectives portrayed by various authors. To enable fruitful discussions and to build better and credible knowledge base on these relevant aspects, the Chanakya University is organizing an international conference, tentatively titled as “Chanakya’s Philosophy and its Relevance to 21^st Century: Theories and Practices”.

2.     Broad Themes& Sessions
 

 Broad Themes & Sessions
 

a)  Good governance, effective leadership and stakeholder groups:

Approach to  governance,  leadership  and  stakeholder  engagement  are prerequisites of success for the effective delivery of services. They are also key pillars of good society. How they were conceptualised in Chanakya’s philosophy? Their relevance for current times must be analysed.

b)  Society, community organization and decentralization: Historical perspective, from 3^rd BC as described by the Chanakya, on local governance and decentralisation, role of civil society organizations needs better understanding. Types of decentralization include political, administrative, fiscal. For the future years, need more research on how they may help across all areas of government and society, based on historical roots.

c)  Welfare economics:

Chanakya’s arthashastra mainly focuses on the allocation of resources and goods, which affects social welfare. Also deals with how these factors affect the overall well-being of people in the economy. Arthashastra provides techniques to evaluate well-being at the aggregate level. Attempting to apply the principles of welfare economics gives rise to the field of public economics, the study of how government might intervene to improve social welfare. How these principles may be refined and adopted for the future is critical.

d)  Sustainable development and management of natural resources:

Historically and also now, in several regions, community-driven development has led to promote resource transfer and civil society empowerment strategies. In turn, sustainable development and management of natural resources. In view of SDGs and historical perspectives, we need better strategies for future years.

e)  Rule of law, legal institutions and society: Arthashastra engages extensively with questions of law and social order, dispute resolution, role of customs, relationship between law and social groupings. There is a need for reflection on the ideas espoused in this treatise through the lens of contemporary scholarship on legal theory, law and society, legal pluralism, and constitutionalism. This would open space for debate on the impact of Kautilyan conception of law in shaping society over the years and its relevance in rejuvenating modern day legal institutions.

3.     Process for research papers selection and publication

1. The author/s are requested to read relevant books/papers on Chanakya’s Arthshastra, his life and related aspects, before submitting the abstract.

2. The paper should be based on critical analysis of Chanakya’s writings and its relevance for 21^st century. Each papershould clearly focus on historical, functional and futuristic perspectives.

3. Research paper size: around 8,000 words.

4. Maximum number of papers to be accepted 30 (including all themes).

5. Step-1: The author/s should submit an abstract of 500 words, indicating- paper title, authors details, critical issues focused, key findings based on their analysis and strategic recommendations for the future. Also list out references. This will go for double-blind review process.

6. Step-2. Authors of the selected abstracts will be invited to submit extended abstract of 1500 words. Based on double-blind review, the shortlisted authors will be invited to submit full manuscript.

7. Step-3. The full manuscript will undergo double-blind review process and plagiarism check.

8. Step-4. The organizers will send all these papers for copy editing.

9. Step-5. These papers will be presented by the authors during the conference, which will be discussed by a set of expert discussants. Then the authors will be requested to refine based on the suggestions received in the conference and submit the revised version. 

10. Thus, accepted final version of the papers will be paid an honorarium of Rs.25,000 per paper.

11. The organizers will bring out a book from a leading international publisher and also provide open access, as per the global standards.

4.     Policy Briefs

In collaboration with the paper writers, the organizers will prepare a set of policy briefs for wider dissemination. These policy briefs, based on specific themes, will be sent to policy makers, senior officers of the government, relevant research organizations, think tanks across the world. Based on the Conference debates and outputs, policy workshops will be organized at regional/national level.

5.     Organizing Partners      

1. Chanakya University, Bengaluru. (Prof KV Raju, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean, Research)

2. Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bengaluru. (Prof D Rajasekhar, Director)

3. Dr BR Ambedkar School of Economics University, Bengaluru. (Prof NR Bhanumurthy, Vice-Chancellor)

4. India Knowledge Systems Division, Ministry of Education, Government of India, Delhi. (Prof Ganti Suryanarayana Murthy, National Coordinator).

5. National Law School of India University, Bengaluru (Prof Sudhir Krishnaswamy, Vice Chancellor)

6. Central Sanskrit University, Delhi (Prof Shrinivasa Varakhedi, Vice-Chancellor).
    

6.      Date: 5^thto 7^thSeptember 2023.

7.      Location: ISEC, Bengaluru. 
 

8.     Timelines:

1. Announcement in websites of partner organizations.10^th Feb, 2022.

2. Abstract – 500 words submission. 10^thApril, 2022.

3. Abstract – 1500 words submission. 10^th June, 2022.

4. Submission of full paper- 8,000 words. 10^th November, 2022.

5. Review process completion. 10^th Jan, 2023.

6. Revised paper submission. 28^th Feb, 2023.

7. Copy editing completion. 30^th April, 2023.

8. Submitting book proposal to Publisher. March 2023.

9.      Coordinators/contact person details from each organization.

1. ISEC- Dr. S. Manasi, Associate Professor. Email: [email protected]

2. National Law School of India University- Prof T S Somashekar, Email:[email protected];  Dr Saurabh Bhattacharjee, Professor. Email: [email protected].

3. Dr BR Ambedkar School of Economics University, Bengaluru. Dr NR Bhanumurthy, Vice-Chancellor. Email: [email protected]

4. Chanakya Uni- Dr Sandeep Nair, Associate Professor. Email: [email protected]. and Ms. Srilekha Prabhu, Research Assistant. Email:[email protected]

5. IKS-GOI- Delhi. Dr Ganti Suryanaryanamurthy, National Coordinator. Email: [email protected].

6. Central Sanskrit Uni, Delhi. Dr Shrinivasa Varkhedi, Vice Chancellor. Email: [email protected].