Over the years, different development policies and programmes have brought a significant change in the life and livelihoods of people in rural India. However, the rural-urban divide in the socio- economic conditions of people has been increasingly noticed. Interventions in rural contexts still lack innovation and collaboration. Moreover, rural professionals get further challenged with uncertainty and risk aversiveness. Adaptation of technology, improvement of skill matching to the needs of the emerging market and cost-effectiveness in livelihood interventions continue to be the grey areas in rural India. Moreover, managing development links to multiple dimensions including education, health, environment, climate change, disasters, skills, and finance in contemporary times. In this context, the role of Viksit Bharat 2047 of Government of India which promises to transform India towards a new world order of development, seems to be very crucial.

The overall objective of the conclave is to bring the leaders from development and business sectors into a common platform and discourse on various challenges and way forward with special reference to ‘Inclusive Rural Management in Viksit Bharat’ and ‘Innovation and Adaptation in CSR’.