संवादेन संकल्पसिद्धिः saṃvādena saṃkalpasiddhiḥ:
A Transformative Workshop on CSU’s Vision & Leadership
Through the Train-the-Trainer Model
Visioning the Future of Sanskrit Education for National and Civilizational Service
INDICA was honoured to serve as the Knowledge Partner to Central Sanskrit University (CSU) in its transformative Visioning Workshop titled “saṃvādena saṃkalpasiddhiḥ” (Dialogue to Determination): A workshop focused on CSU’s Vision and Leadership through the Train-the-Trainer model. The workshop was conducted from 30 Apr to 4 May at the School of Ancient Wisdom, Bengaluru.
Conceived by Dr. Shrinivasa Varakhedi, Honourable Vice Chancellor, the workshop was anchored in the ancient wisdom of saṃvāda (dialogue). It brought together select CSU faculty members to initiate a new journey in academic leadership—one that positions CSU as a future-ready, multidisciplinary university grounded in the Sanskrit tradition.
INDICA worked closely with CSU leadership—Dr. Varakhedi Mahodaya, Prof. Madan Mohan Jha (Dean, Academic Affairs), Prof. R.G. Murali Krishna (Registrar), Dr. D Dayanath (Associate Dean, Resource Dev, CSU) and Prof. Narayana Simha (Associate Dean, Academic Affairs, CSU). The Visioning Exercise was guided by Dr. Nagaraja Paturi (Kulapati, INDICA) and Dr. Varakhedi Mahodaya, and was anchored by Shivakumar GV (Director, IKS Changemakers, INDICA), Dimple Kaul (Director, Academic Programs, INDICA), and Divyanshi Makol (Coordinator, CSU).
Reimagining Academic Leadership at CSU
As CSU prepares to become a multidisciplinary institution aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP), the workshop emphasized the reimagination of academic leadership to broaden the university’s institutional focus and deepen the impact of Sanskrit.
Select faculty members engaged in strategic visioning, institutional role reflection, and collaborative exercises—pushing intellectual frontiers and laying new foundations. Emerging as both Āchāryas and institutional visionaries, the faculty committed to nurturing Sanskrit innovation, relevance, and governance within a contemporary context.
They also designed transformational interventions to cascade the workshop’s learnings across all CSU campuses.
This initiative reflects CSU’s renewed dedication to academic self-governance, Sanskrit excellence, and service to the nation and civilization. It encourages leadership through tradition, collaboration through dialogue, and the building of a future where Sanskrit once again shapes India’s intellectual destiny.
The effort to cultivate vision-driven communication across all layers of CSU’s leadership—administrators, faculty, and students—represents a deeply Indic approach to institutional development. It evokes the model of Yājñavalkya-like ascetic leadership: enabling rather than imposing, inspiring rather than instructing.
This is more than a workshop—it is an infusion of prāṇa into the university’s institutional life through dialogue, clarity, and shared purpose.
Towards a Multidisciplinary CSU
The Visioning Exercise was enriched by distinguished facilitators drawn from premier Indian institutions, with deep expertise across Indian Knowledge Systems and contemporary disciplines.
The workshop was led by Dr. Shrinivasa Varakhedi and Dr. Nagaraja Paturi, who delivered keynote sessions that set the direction for the entire exercise. Prof. Madan Mohan Jha and Prof. R.G. Murali Krishna provided insightful guidance. Prof. Jha Mahodaya also presented CSU’s growth trajectory, offering a contextual lens for its future evolution.
Prof. Nomesh Bolia, Director – Public Systems Lab, IIT Delhi, helped the cohort engage with contemporary challenges and identify new possibilities based on CSU’s strengths. Dr. Paturi inspired bold, expansive thinking toward a stronger IKS focus. Sri M.V.R. Sastry, Founding Trustee, Sarasvata Samsthanam, Bengaluru mapped out potential ecosystems in Bharat and India for CSU’s active engagement.
Shri. HN Srinivas, Senior Advisor – Tata Trusts & Former Global Head HR and TQM – Taj Hotels, Shri. Kiran DM CEO, Sewa Bridge Foundation and Shri. Satyanarayana Bhat – Maha Mantri, Sanskrita Bharati delivered Special Talks on each Day on Excellence, Leadership beyond institutions for nation building and Sanskrit Institutions.
His Holiness Sri Sri Abhinava Shankara Bharati Mahaswami, Shankaracharya Kudali Sringeri Maha Samsthan graced the occasion on the Final Day and delivered his Anugraha Sandesha providing an expanded view of Sanskrit and its Civilizational importance in the complete spectrum of Purushartha. Swamiji laid an emphasis on Sanskrit being a part and reflection of all of contemporary life apart from upholding the Sanatana Shastric tradition which connected very well with the learned audience of the program.
Facilitated by Shivakumar GV, Dimple Kaul, Saiswaroopa Iyer, Assistant Professor, Chanakya University and Dr. Shivani V, Prof and HOD Vyakarana, KSU the group undertook exercises that addressed contemporary challenges, reimagined the Sanskrit ecosystem, and drafted actionable three-year plans—including a training program to be implemented across all CSU campuses.
This marks a significant step towards realizing Dr. Varakhedi’s vision of CSU as a vibrant, multidisciplinary university.
Closing Reflection
At INDICA, we deem it a privilege to have been the Knowledge Partner for this landmark Visioning Exercise under the visionary leadership of Dr. Shrinivasa Varakhedi, Honourable Vice Chancellor of CSU.
We remain committed to preserving, promoting, and revitalizing the full spectrum of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS)—textual, experiential, and embodied. We believe that Indic heritage fosters holistic well-being, harmony, and purposeful living.
Through immersive learning experiences and by empowering changemakers, INDICA strives to bring timeless wisdom into contemporary relevance. This commitment resonated deeply with the spirit of this Visioning Exercise.
With authenticity, immersion, and a sense of civilizational responsibility, we are honoured to have partnered with CSU on this important journey—reimagining leadership, strengthening institutional foundations, and advancing the Sanskrit ecosystem for the future.
We walk this path with conviction: envisioning, dialoguing, and building—together—for generations to come.
