Announcements

SPJIMR was one of the co-organising partners of the 20th Anniversary Conference of European SPES entitled ‘Spirituality & Business in the Anthropocene Era’, which was held recently at the Corvinus University of Budapest. The other partner organisations included the Free University of Amsterdam – Faculty of Religion and Theology; Neyenrode Business University; the UNESCO Chair towards a Culture of Economic Peace, Grenoble School of Management; ABBS School of Management, Bangalore; and the Macau Ricci Institute, University of St. Joseph, Macau.

SPJIMR professors Surya Tahora and Jagdish Rattanani presented a keynote lecture titled ‘An approach to embedding Indian spiritual traditions in a business school curriculum’ at the conference. They shared a transformative approach to business education by integrating Indian spiritual traditions, especially Advaita Vedanta, into the curriculum. Their presentation addressed the fundamental question of what education is for, particularly in a business school context. It highlighted the increasing criticism of business schools for focusing too much on technical skills and short-term problem-solving at the expense of ethical conduct, purpose, and meaning. This overemphasis on immediate profits and lucrative career placements has led to a decline in public trust and an ongoing series of corporate scandals.

The presentation elaborated on how Indian spiritual traditions, especially Advaita Vedanta, offer a holistic approach that emphasises interconnectedness, ethical conduct, a deeper understanding of the self and the universe, and spiritual exercises. By integrating these Indian spiritual traditions into the curriculum through a five-pillar framework (Rtam, Dharma, Karma, Sadhana and Ananda), business schools can develop holistic and ethical business leaders who are better equipped to address the ethical and spiritual dimensions of business practices in the Anthropocene era. Leaders who contribute positively to society and the world, addressing both immediate and long-term challenges with wisdom and compassion. This model can extend beyond MBA programmes to build dynamic, growth-oriented organisations, resilient communities, and a transformative society.

Prof. Jagdish Ratanani also presented his paper, ‘Gandhian trusteeship in the age of the Anthropocene’. The paper discusses the Gandhian idea of trusteeship in business in the context of India’s journey, from the days after independence to the era of liberalisation and now in the midst of growing wealth and income inequality. The paper looks at working models of trusteeship in today’s times, pointing to how Gandhian ideas are practical, useful and can enable superior performance and deliver growth for business and serve society.