Speaker: Prof. H.M. Desarda, Professor Emeritus, MGM University, Aurangabad, former Member, Maharashtra State Planning Board. Prof. Desarda is a well-known researcher, thinker, and writer on the issues of land, water, ecology, employment, and environment

Chair: Prof. Alakh N. Sharma, Director, Institute for Human Development

 
Although the third-largest economy in purchasing power parity, India is besieged by pervasive poverty, chronic malnutrition, and mass deprivation. Although well-endowed with natural resources, India ranks 131 in the Human Development Index among 189 countries, 94th among 107 in the Global Hunger Index. While radical redistribution of land and other means of production is not possible, Prof. Desarda argues for a feasible option through guaranteed employment to create income support for vulnerable people