International Symposium: SDGs through Hindu Worldviews – Spiritual Care in a VUCA–BANI World
February 25–26, 2026 | IIT (BHU), Varanasi | Hybrid (Online + Offline)

The Department of Humanistic Studies at the Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, in collaboration with Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, invites scholars, researchers, and practitioners to submit abstracts for an international symposium exploring how Hindu worldviews and Indian Knowledge Systems can inform and enhance approaches to spiritual care, sustainability, resilience, and well-being in a rapidly shifting VUCA–BANI world.

The symposium aims to foster interdisciplinary dialogue across philosophy, religious studies, psychology, anthropology, social sciences, and development studies.

Indicative Themes Include:

• Hindu Worldview and Development: Dharma, Karma, Yoga, sustainability, rituals, folklore

• Indian Knowledge Systems and spiritual care practices

• Literary perspectives on spiritual resilience and faith-based healing

• VUCA–BANI coping mechanisms: uncertainty, community, adaptability

• Cross-cultural and interdisciplinary approaches to ethics, health, and inter-religious harmony

Submission Guidelines:

• Abstract deadline: 25th January 2025

• Notification of acceptance: 10th February 2025

• Modes: Hybrid (online + offline)

• Registration fees: Research Scholars – Rs 1000 | Faculty – Rs 1500

• Submit your abstract via Google Form:
  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeXu53W9dRii_-blsSmqwnqbYgg9JfzXM0YnYnaBoRkccVPCA/viewform

Organising Committee:
Dr Swasti Mishra, IIT (BHU)
Prof Ajit Mishra, IIT (BHU)
Prof Sharda Nandram, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Dr Puneet Bindlish, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Contact: sparcscholars2025@gmail.com