1st International Conference – Jan. 2007 Key Speakers : Mr. Jay Narayan Vyas, CMD, Saket Projects Pvt. Ltd., Ahmedabad Dr Charan Wadhwa, Professor Emeritus, Former President and Chief Executive & Research Professor at Center for Policy Research, New Delhi                                             Prof Shantanu Ray, Director, IBS Kolkata.) Prof Surinder Raina, MDI, Gurgaon.         Prof Atul Tondon, Director, MICA, Ahmedabad Mr.  V R S Cowlagi, I.A.S. (Retd.), Govt. of Gujarat. Mr. Sushil Handa, M.D., Claris Lifesciences Ltd., Ahmedabad. Mr. R. Sridhar, CEO, Brand-Comm.Com, Bangalore. Mr. Coumara Radja, Ex-G.M.(International Business), Micro Inks Ltd., Vapi.

HIGHLIGHTS : Curtain Raiser by Mr. Jay Narayan Vyas, CMD, Saket Projects Ltd., Ahmedabad Inaugural Session & Keynote address on “Double Digit Growth – Asian Perspective” by Prof. Surinder Raina. Parallel Technical Sessions : (1) Trade, Competition, Flexibility & Growth chaired by Dr. Anup Patiar, Griffith University, Australia); (2) Infrastructure & Economic Development chaired by Dr. Parameshwar P. Iyer, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. Parallel Technical Sessions : (3) Sustainable Growth & Development chaired by Dr. Narain Sinha, Dept. of Economics, University of Botswana, Gaborone;    (4) Knowledge Management for Growth chaired by Pre-Dinner lecture by Mr. Dalveer Singh, ADAG. Parallel Technical Sessions : (5) Corporate Social Responsibility, Social Development Initiatives, and their implications for Development chaired by Dr. Samarthia Thankappan, , Center for Business Relationships, Accountability, Sustainability and Society, Cardiff University, UK; (6) Role Of  IT In Fostering Growth chaired by  Prof. Arun Kottolli, UK Panel Discussion on Growth Prospects chaired by  Dr. Charan Wadhwa, Professor Emeritus, Former President and Chief Executive & Research Professor at Center for Policy Research, New Delhi   Parallel Technical Sessions : (7) Integrated HR And People Practices And Their Implications  chaired by Dr.Raj Khandekar, Metropolitan State College of Denver, Colorado; (8) Marketing Practices And Economic Growth  chaired by  Dr. Linda Correll, College of Journalism and Communications, University of Florida. The 3-Day Conference on “Double Digit Growth : Asian Perspective” was inaugurated on 5th Jan. 2007, at SPIPA  Auditorium, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. The Conference was organized by IBS (ICFAI Business School), Ahmedabad. The key speakers in the inaugural session were Shri Jay Narayan Vyas, a well-known Management Consultant and Chairman of Saket Projects Ltd., a multi-disciplinary company and Prof. Charan Wadhwa, Professor Emiratus, Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi. As a run-up to the Conference, IBS Ahmedabad has mobilized 75 papers on the various sub themes under the main theme. These have been peer-reviewed and would be presented in 8 technical sessions spread over 3 days starting today. Shri Jay Narayan Vyas, in his curtain raising address highlighted the challenges facing the Asian Economies, with more focus on India. He mentioned that basic issues India must be concerned about are : Energy, Food Security and Water Security. Quoting facts and figures he mentioned that India’s per capita consumption of energy and water are far behind that of developed countries.  Higher growth rates would imply that energy and water consumption should go up significantly. So, in order to achieve higher growth rates India must find sources for adequate energy as well as water. He also cited that improving efficiency of usage of energy and water is equally important. Regarding food security he mentioned that our food production has become static at around 200 millions tons per annum. With increasing population India is likely to emerge as a net importer of food-grains. Coupled with the above challenges, Shri Vyas cited our ability to manage differences, different aspirations and differential growth of regions as the key to true progress in the years to come. Prof. Charan Wadhwa in his keynote address complemented the observations of Shri Vyas with a comparative analysis of India and China who are expected to emerge as super powers in the near future. Prof. Wadhwa cited China’s strong points as faster implementation, better indicators of economic and social progress, huge built up forex reserves (US $ 1 trillion), etc. He listed China’s weaknesses as lack of grass-root democracy, lack of environment, lack of concern for social values, etc. In contrast, he listed India’s strengths as its basic democracy, judiciary system, openness to the world, etc. He cited India’s weaknesses as its lack of political focus, its inability to manage diversity, lack of will in implementation of policies, etc. Both the speakers felt that the potential for growth is immense in both countries and what will make the difference is their capability in managing the emerging challenges.