Background and Rationale • पृष्ठभूमि और तर्क

Rooted in the vision of Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas, the confluence “अस्ति प्रारंभ: स्थायित्व और सशक्तिकरण” celebrates the seamless convergence of fashion, craft, technology, and sustainability—the pillars shaping Naya Bharat. It envisions a future where India’s rich heritage and timeless artisanal traditions inspire innovation, guide progress, and contribute to a developed Bharat by 2047.

India’s creative economy, driven by skilled artisans, visionary designers, and forward-looking innovators, stands poised to lead the global shift toward responsible production and conscious consumption. By blending traditional craftsmanship with modern design thinking, sustainable technologies, and industry best practices, India demonstrates how cultural heritage can be a powerful engine of growth and transformation. It reflects Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's clarion call: "Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi", emphasizing India’s commitment to advancing development while preserving its rich cultural heritage.

The confluence builds on the theme of Virasat aur Vikas, fostering meaningful dialogues across design, management, and technology. It seeks to reimagine India’s craft legacy through sustainable innovation, presenting models where cultural identity and development thrive together.

Through research, education, and collaborative industry engagement, NIFT Gandhinagar acts as a bridge—connecting the craft sector with emerging technologies and the broader design ecosystem. By nurturing creativity rooted in heritage and sustainability, the institute contributes directly to India’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, where progress and tradition move forward hand in hand.

A highlight of the confluence is “कला वार्ता”, a special, interactive session celebrating the rich legacy, creativity, and resilience of India’s artisans. The session brings together master craftspersons and traditional makers from across the country to share their inspiring journeys, unique achievements, and evolving visions for the future of Indian crafts. Through storytelling and dialogue, कला वार्ता aims to create a meaningful platform where artisans’ lived experiences meet contemporary perspectives — fostering appreciation, understanding, and renewed interest in sustaining India’s vibrant craft heritage in a modern context.

About NIFT Gandhinagar • संस्थान परिचय

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Gandhinagar, established in 1995, is one of India’s leading institutions for fashion education, research, and innovation, operating under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. Located in the Infocity area of Gandhinagar, the campus is equipped with advanced design studios, laboratories, IT-enabled classrooms, an auditorium, and a well-resourced library, fostering a vibrant academic environment for creative and technological learning. Over the years the campus has been established as a leader in product development, interventions in the crafts sector, as well as in the field of advanced textile technology.

NIFT Gandhinagar has had the privilege of hosting several distinguished panel discussions on pressing and contemporary themes such as Khadi’s Role in Sustainable Fashion, Transformation in the Apparel Sector, and Viksit Bharat agenda with ‘Virasat’ and ‘Vikas.’ The institute has also organized highly acclaimed international conferences, including “Tracing Seventy-Five Years of Indian Fashion Post-Independence” in 2022, “आज़ादी का अमृत महोत्सव; “INDIA@100: Building ‘Atmanirbhar’ Bharat from Farm to Fashion to Future” in 2023 and “Intertwining Sustainability with Mission LiFE: Fashion, Entrepreneurship and Cultural Integration in Harmony” in 2024.

Confluence Objectives

• To foster dialogue on the integration of design, technology, and sustainability to come up with useful solutions for the textile and apparel value chain.
• To delve into India’s rich cultural and creative legacy with innovations shaping the future in a global context.
• To examine the practical integration of emerging technologies within design and management.

Confluence aims

• Knowledge Sharing – To provide participants with updated, relevant, and specialized knowledge on a specific topic or field.
• Skill Development – To enhance critical thinking, analytical skills, and problem-solving abilities through discussions and interactions.
• Awareness Creation – To make participants aware of current issues, trends, opportunities, or challenges in a particular area; to bridge the gap between theory and practice by engaging with real-world examples and expert insights.
• Encouraging Research & Innovation – To promote academic inquiry, innovation, and exploration of new ideas.
• Interactive Learning – To enable exchange of views, experiences, and best practices among experts, practitioners, and learners.
• Professional Networking –To build connections between students, faculty and industry professionals.
• Collaborative Engagement –To foster teamwork, cooperation, and interdisciplinary dialogue.

Target Audience:

The conference extends its invitation to a diverse array of participants, including researchers, academics, policymakers, development agencies, environmental advocates, community leaders, artisans, NGOs, industry professionals, creative entrepreneurs, students, and other interested individuals.

Call for Full Paper Submission

NIFT Gandhinagar invites original unpublished papers centered around the conference theme and its sub-themes, presented below:

Sub-Themes :

Timeline

Registration Fees

Full fee waiver for NIFT Faculties, NIFT Research Scholars, and NIFT Gandhinagar Students.