Dr Priti Adani, Chairperson of the Adani Foundation, has called for preserving India’s ancient civilisational knowledge and applying its teachings to address modern challenges such as human suffering, inequality, conflict and sustainability. She was speaking at the inaugural session of the World Symposium on “Ancient Wisdom for Modern Challenges” held in Varanasi on Monday.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Adani emphasised that ancient wisdom should not remain limited to historical texts but must be connected with contemporary problems to bring meaningful changes to people’s lives. She said, “Ancient wisdom does not become valuable simply because it is ancient. It becomes valuable when we discover its relevance to contemporary problems.”
She further highlighted the importance of knowledge and wisdom in shaping society, stating that knowledge provides the ability to change the world, while wisdom ensures that such changes contribute positively to humanity.
Dr Priti Adani Connects Ancient Philosophy with Sustainable Development
During her keynote address, Dr Adani referred to the teachings of Greek philosopher Aristotle, Lord Buddha and ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius. She highlighted Aristotle’s ideas on human flourishing, Buddha’s teachings on suffering and Confucius’ emphasis on ethical conduct, moral responsibility and social harmony.
Connecting these philosophies with India’s civilisational values, she referred to the concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which means the world is one family. She called for applying these principles to improve human lives, promote social harmony and advance sustainable development.
Reflecting on three decades of community development work, Dr Adani said that the real measure of progress should be its impact on people. She described seva, or selfless service, as an approach that involves listening to communities and empowering people to shape their own futures. Established in 1996, the Adani Foundation, the social development arm of the Adani Group, works across 7,000 villages in 22 states and has impacted approximately 13 million lives.
Adani Group Supports Bharat Knowledge Graph with $10 Million Commitment
Dr Adani also highlighted the Bharat Knowledge Graph, an initiative backed by a $10 million commitment from the Adani Group. The initiative aims to make India’s civilisational knowledge accessible for interdisciplinary research and supports 14 doctoral scholars. The project seeks to connect India’s traditional knowledge systems with modern research and provide opportunities for scholars to explore the country’s historical, philosophical and cultural heritage.
Jeffrey Sachs Highlights India’s Growing Share in Global Economy
Speaking on the theme “The Return of a Multipolar World”, Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs, President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, discussed the changing global economic landscape and India’s increasing influence. According to Professor Sachs, India’s share of global economic output increased from 5.2% in 2000 to 8.5% in 2026. He projected that India’s share could reach 13.1% by 2050 and 15.1% by 2100.
He also discussed the shifting balance of economic power towards Asia and Africa, noting that the combined share of the United States, Canada and Europe in global output could decline to 13.7% by 2100. Professor Sachs acknowledged the contribution of the Adani Group and the Adani Foundation to sustainable development in India and globally. During an interaction at the symposium, he described the Adani Group as one of the major drivers of India’s transformation, highlighting its role in infrastructure expansion and economic growth.
Jeffrey Sachs Emphasises Social Responsibility of Family Businesses
Professor Sachs also spoke about the responsibilities associated with carrying a family name in business. He observed that family-led enterprises carry not only a business legacy but also a responsibility towards society. Comparing family-owned businesses with corporations primarily driven by shareholder returns, he highlighted the importance of preserving heritage and considering the contribution businesses make to society. His remarks brought attention to the role of corporate responsibility and social contribution alongside India’s economic development.
Government Highlights Role of AI in Preserving Ancient Knowledge
Vivek Aggarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, highlighted the enduring relevance of India’s civilisational heritage and the potential of technology to make traditional knowledge more accessible. He said artificial intelligence could help decipher ancient scriptures, improve understanding of historical wisdom and make India’s civilisational knowledge more relevant to future generations.
Earlier, Dr Nirupam Bajpai, Senior Research Scholar at Columbia University’s Center for Sustainable Development, addressed the inaugural session. He conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s best wishes for the symposium and highlighted Varanasi’s historical importance as a centre of ideas, knowledge and spiritual traditions.
Varanasi Symposium Continues International Dialogue on Ancient Wisdom
The Varanasi symposium is part of an international series of discussions on ancient wisdom and its relevance to contemporary challenges. The series began in Greece, with meetings in Athens in 2022 and Stagira in 2023, followed by gatherings in Qufu and Beijing, China, in 2024. The symposium aims to bring together academic, cultural and policy perspectives to explore how traditional knowledge systems can contribute to addressing present-day global challenges.
