India Rural Colloquy 2025 at IIM Raipur catalyses village-centric green growth

• IIM Raipur hosted the 5th edition of the India Rural Colloquy focused on green economic transition.

• The event aimed to connect traditional rural knowledge with modern sustainability practices.

• Ms. Niharika Barik, IAS, and Mr. Bhim Singh, IAS addressed the role of Panchayats in sustainable development.

• Deputy CM Vijay Sharma emphasised the need for out-of-the-box thinking to empower rural India.

• Dr. Rahul Bhagat and Prof. Sanjeev Parashar from IIM Raipur shared academic insights on rural transformation.

• The colloquy highlighted the importance of community participation and women-led leadership in governance.

• IIM Raipur encouraged alignment with schemes like Jal Jeevan Mission, Soil Health Mission, and Fasal Bima Yojana.

Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Raipur, a leading institution recognised for #BuildingBusinessOwners, in collaboration with the Tribal Research Institute (TRI), the Department of Forest, and the Department of Green Governance, successfully hosted the 5th Edition of the India Rural Colloquy. Themed “Harit Arthvyavastha: Villages Leading Chhattisgarh’s Green Economic Transition,” the event brought together policymakers, grassroots leaders, students, and changemakers to reimagine rural India as engines of sustainable development.

The Colloquy featured a series of thought-provoking dialogues on how India's villages, where nearly 60% of the population resides, and over 80% in Chhattisgarh alone can drive the nation’s green economic transformation.

Prof. Sanjeev Parashar, Director-in-Charge, IIM Raipur, stated, “True development begins when each member of society is nurtured. The rural transformation we seek requires understanding, empathy, and inclusive strategies. By bringing together policymakers, grassroots leaders, academics, and students, we aim to foster meaningful dialogue on rural transformation and green economic transition. With over 60% of India’s population residing in rural areas, initiatives like this are essential to bridge the gap between policy and practice. IIM Raipur is proud to serve as a platform for such collaborations, ensuring that our academic insights translate into real-world impact.”

The inaugural session titled "Locality Compact for Green Economy Transition” witnessed heartfelt conversations with local leaders including female sarpanches, entrepreneurs, and progressive farmers who shared ground realities from rainwater harvesting challenges to harmful effects of chemical fertilisers.

Highlighting the event’s grassroots focus, Ms. Niharika Barik, IAS, Principal Secretary, Dept. of Panchayat and Rural Development, emphasised, “The transition to a green economy is not just about technology but about local solutions, community ownership, and empowerment. The government is now a facilitator, and our people are the implementers.”

Mr. Bhim Singh, IAS, Secretary, Department of Panchayat & Rural Development, reiterated the importance of women-led development and panchayat-level engagement in schemes like the Jal Jeevan Mission and the National Soil Health Mission, underlining that rural governance must lead the way in managing water, soil, and forest resources effectively.

Discussions highlighted the urgency of making policies more accessible and ensuring long-term sustainability. Farmers, sarpanches, and youth leaders voiced concerns about the loss of traditional farming practices, water scarcity, ineffective reforestation, and lack of awareness on bio-fertilisers and sustainable techniques. 

Dr. Rahul Bhagat, CM’s Secretary & Secretary, Department of Good Governance & Convergence, stated, “Green economy is not a luxury, it is a life strategy, this is about clean air, healthy soil, and resilient farmers. Every small act matters and must become a collective movement.”

Panel discussions explored themes such as value addition in rural economies, the role of women in sustainability, use of indigenous knowledge systems, and leveraging technology from drones to digital centres, to aid the farming community.

Concluding the event, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma lauded IIM Raipur and TRI for spearheading conversations around green development and emphasised the need for out-of-the-box thinking to transform rural India into self-reliant, green economic hubs.

Reach out to us at the PR Desk

Read more on our ​Partner sites: Dais World | Growth Reports Business

Get rewarded for your reading habits on the Dais World app!