Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, head of the Delhi state organisation of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), visited Széchenyi István University. The President of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai and Vice-Chairman of Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini – an institute specialising in leadership training for governance – delivered the opening keynote address at an international conference hosted by the Kautz Gyula Faculty of Business and Economics, addressing global social crises as well as India–Hungary relations.

Academic, cultural and educational ties between Széchenyi István University and India have strengthened significantly in recent years. The University is committed to promoting Indian health and healing practices in Hungary; in line with this commitment, it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda – an autonomous institute under the Ministry of AYUSH – to establish a joint Department of Ayurveda.

Participants at the Kautz Gyula Faculty of Business and Economics’ recent international conference on business and economic sciences also gained insight into the social policies of a country of strategic importance to the University, as the opening address was delivered by Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, head of the Delhi state organisation of the ruling BJP. Holding a doctorate in political science, Dr Sahasrabuddhe currently serves as President of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai and Vice-Chairman of Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini – an institute specialising in leadership training for governance. He previously served as a Member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Parliament of India, President of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports.

Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe was received at the central campus of SZE by Professor Dr Eszter Lukács, Vice-President for International Affairs and Strategic Relations. (Photo: András Adorján)

In his lecture, Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe discussed the impact of global economic transformations on society, highlighting that a nation’s true prosperity is reflected not only in GDP growth but also in the expansion of opportunities available to its citizens. He emphasised that modern technological shifts pose numerous challenges to people today, giving rise to global crises of identity, sense of purpose, authenticity, responsibility, and human relationships.

In his presentation, he pointed out that these changes do not spare countries pursuing deliberate public policies, such as India – a nation with centuries of experience, yet by no means old, as he put it. He warned of the threat posed by the gradual erosion of cultural diversity, while also drawing attention to the impact of technological advancement on human values, particularly among younger generations. He asserted that the university of the future must provide students with engaging education grounded in real-world, practical experience, in which international academic ties – including valuable partnerships focusing on areas such as technology and green energy with India – play an important role.

“I first encountered Széchenyi István University’s forward-thinking initiatives during my tenure as President of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. My attention was drawn to the University by Dr Mukesh Kumar Srivastava, then Director of our Amrita Sher-Gil Cultural Centre in Budapest. I am delighted to now witness first-hand the remarkable work taking place here. I would have gladly studied here myself, as the University welcomes international students from nearly ninety countries, and it is this global environment that makes Széchenyi a true universitas,” he stated, praising the University’s internationalisation efforts. He stressed that, thanks to its continuously developing campuses and vibrant academic atmosphere, Győr is home to a knowledge hub where students, academics and researchers can truly immerse themselves in the pursuit of new knowledge.

Regarding the Department of Ayurveda soon to be established at the University, he noted that there is no universal, one-size-fits-all approach to healthcare; thus, AYUSH practices – encompassing Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy – can bring a new dimension and a more integrated, holistic perspective to the educational and research activities of the Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences.

Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe delivered the opening address at the international conference hosted by the Kautz Gyula Faculty of Business and Economics. (Photo: András Adorján)

Through his support, Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe also contributed to ensuring that Swami Vivekananda, one of India’s prominent philosophers and spiritual thinkers, will soon be honoured with a statue at Széchenyi University. “India’s distinctive character stems precisely from the spiritual democracy of which Swami Vivekananda was an outstanding proponent. A statue portraying him on campus symbolises the University’s recognition of the value of Indian traditions, worldview, and national philosophy,” he observed. He explained that according to the Indian philosophies championed by the 19th-century spiritual leader, the Earth must be revered rather than subjugated – an idea that highlights the importance of sustainability in today’s globalised world, which is also a strategic priority for Széchenyi University. “In our changing world, only institutions built upon such ideals can assume a truly global role,” the politician stated.

In his message to the students, he encouraged them not to live in haste and not to compromise depth for the sake of speed. “Although everything around us has accelerated, this does not mean that tranquility or pause has lost its significance. It is deep, reflective thought that truly imparts meaning to things,” he noted. He added that while the virtual world is important, young people should also find ways to engage with real life beyond it, as this provides true human meaning and the opportunity for genuine freedom.