A deliberation that sought to reimagine Bharat’s developmental journey, Organiser Weekly in collaboration with the National Stock Exchange (NSE) hosted a day-long conclave titled “Arthayam: A Conclave for Dharmic Model of Development” in Mumbai. The event, held on September 19, commemorated sixty years of Ekatma Manav Darshan (Integral Humanism), the philosophy propounded by Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Ji.
The conclave brought together eminent policymakers, economists, industry leaders, and thinkers to deliberate on building a sustainable and inclusive developmental model deeply rooted in Dharma, Nature, and Culture. With Bharat emerging as the world’s fourth-largest economy and vying for greater global leadership, the relevance of a dharmic economic framework was highlighted throughout the discussions.
The inaugural session was graced by Shri Sunil Ambekar Ji, Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and Shri Ashish Chauhan Ji, MD & CEO of the National Stock Exchange, with Shri Prafulla Ketkar Ji, Editor of Organiser, moderating the proceedings.
The session also marked the launch of Organiser Weekly’s special book on 100 Years of RSS.
Dharma and economy
Delivering his keynote address, Shri Sunil Ambekar Ji, Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh of RSS, linked economic growth to Dharma and inclusivity. “Our country is rising in terms of economy and aspirations. No matter where you live or what caste or category you belong to, the common aspiration today is of a rising Bharat. There has been a transformation. Parents in Bharat don’t just dream for themselves but for their children to grow, study, and contribute to the nation. That is the true reflection of Bharat’s economic rise,” he said.
He cautioned that economic models must not be exclusionary. “Only that economy can be called Dharmic which includes all and excludes none. The policies we see today are shaped around this aspiration of Bharat. But going forward, we need to consciously weave Dharma into policy-making, with fairness as the central principle. An economy that leaves even a single man behind is flawed and requires revision.”
Ambekar illustrated his point saying: “Like clouds are formed by evaporation, but when they rain, they bring water and grains for all. Similarly, in Ram Rajya, the economy should be like rain clouds, benefitting everyone, not just a few.”
Expanding on the Dharmic principle of fairness, he said, “If someone wants to start a business, those earning must help, as it is their Dharma. But equally, those receiving must earn it with dignity, otherwise it becomes Adharma. That is how Dharma should be conceptualised in the economy.”
Ambekar also stressed that Bharat must view modernity in its own terms. “When we speak of Swadeshi, foreigners often ask what it means. Swadeshi means contributing to your own nation first. In Bharat’s economic thinking, decentralised production and technological development are key. Unlike the West, where economy and culture are often kept apart, Bharat always saw them as interlinked. Due to colonial rule, our economic voice was suppressed, but today, we have regained the agency to shape not just our economy but also global economic affairs. The question now is, will we continue to follow the old diktats or will we shift towards our Dharmic parampara?”
Why Arthyam at NSE?
Welcoming the gathering, Ashish Chauhan Ji said, “It is not just an incident but a historic moment to deliberate on Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay Ji’s vision. Without NSE, we cannot become Vishwa Guru. Today, NSE has mobilised funds worth Rs 68 lakh crore and has five crore investors, which shows that Bharat is on the right track. Our objective remains to make all our people a part of this journey. We are enabling 1.4 billion dreams. Built by Bharat, for Bharat, and dedicated to Bharat, this is the spirit driving our markets.”
Chauhan emphasised that Bharat’s rise as the fourth-largest economy in the world demands a rethinking of financial systems in the light of Integral Humanism. “The dialogue we have started here reflects Deendayal Ji’s idea of framing public policy so that the last person in the queue is benefited. His thought of all-round progress is even more relevant today. With PM Modi carrying forward the vision of Swadeshi, Arthayam becomes an opportunity to churn ideas and achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047,” he said.
Remembering Deendayal ji’s vision
Reflecting on the roots of the conclave, Prafulla Ketkar Ji said, “Just before independence, when nationalist thought was sidelined, Organiser was born in Delhi with the blessings of Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya Ji. Some questioned whether a capital market could align with Swadeshi thought, but as Ashish Ji rightly put it, we are not rejecting markets, we are adapting and running them. This conclave, held around Deendayal Ji’s birth anniversary on September 25, becomes even more significant in today’s geopolitical and geo-economic turbulence.”
He reminded the audience that Deendayal Ji critically examined both capitalism and communism during the Cold War and offered a uniquely Bharatiya alternative through Ekatma Manav Darshan. Quoting Deendayal Ji, Ketkar said: “Jo jo Swadeshi hai usko Yugankul karna hai, jo videshi hai usko Deshankul karna hai.”
He stressed, “Deendayal Ji insisted on the Indianisation of ideas. Today’s deliberation must therefore be seen as part of a larger churning in a post-turbulent, multipolar world.”
Arthayam 2025
The conclave Arthayam stands as a vital platform for intellectual and policy-level dialogue on reimagining Bharat’s development model in the 21st century. By revisiting Ekatma Manav Darshan in the era of multipolar global economies, financial integration, and shifting power dynamics, the event addressed the critical challenges of sustainability, inclusivity, and national self-reliance.
The discussions highlighted that the realisation of Viksit Bharat 2047 cannot rest solely on economic growth rates but must be infused with the Dharmic values of fairness, inclusivity, and interconnectedness of economy and culture.
The conclave was attended by several distinguished figures from diverse fields:
Shri Sunil Ambekar, Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh, RSS
Shri Ram Madhav, President, India Foundation
Shri S. Gurumurthy, Editor, Thuglak
Shri Mukul Kanitkar, Karyakarini Sadasya, RSS
Shri Milind Deora, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
Shri Ashish Chauhan, MD and CEO, NSE of India
Shri Mrugank M. Paranjape, Director, State Bank of India
Shri Satish Marathe, Founder Member, Sahakar Bharati & Director, RBI
Prof. Shashikala G. Wanjari, Vice Chancellor, NIEPA
Shri Atul Jain, Vice Chairman, Deendayal Research Institute
Shri Gajanan Dange, President, YOJAK
Smt. Varsha Parchure, Director, Parivartan Mahila Sansthan
Prof. P. Kanagasabapathi, Economist & Vice President, Tamil Nadu BJP
