Strategic Foresight Group (SFG) organized a meeting to discuss the ‘Big Questions of our Time’ for the coming year 2019. The meeting was attended by Her Excellency Ms Maropene Ramokgopa, Head of Mission at the South African Consulate General in Mumbai India, veteran journalist and member of Rajya Sabha, Mr. Kumar Ketkar and Mr. Indrajit Gupta who is a business journalist and editor as well as co-founder and Director at ‘Founding Fuel’.

Mr. Indrajit Gupta opened the floor for discussion on ‘Big Questions of our Time’ for the year 2019. The discussion centered on various challenges faced by the world and possible ways to overcome such challenges.

Mr. Kumar Ketkar remarked that the world of today is devoid of a strong ideal ideology - something which was present in the last century. He pointed out that there is a dearth of international icons who are idealists. However, history has shown that people are optimists by nature and are ready for a long struggle.

H.E. Ms Ramokgopa elaborated on the challenges being faced not only by South Africa but the entire African continent including migration, climate change, terrorism and civil wars. She emphasized the need for strengthening participation of African countries in plurilateral groups such as BRICS and also elaborated on the ‘Africa We Want To See’, an Agenda adopted by the African Union to achieve economic and social progress.

Dr. Sundeep Waslekar, President of SFG, observed that the big question is whether emotions will continue to have an ascendancy over reason. The world at large is facing a problem of failure of reason and only when people gain their sense will they see, not just the rampant economic and social inequality, but also the inequality of power. He also asked if big entrepreneurs are willing to look beyond their balance sheet.

Additionally, Anumita Raj, Ashfaque Kazi, Khaleda Sheikh A. Kader, and Rahman Abbas were felicitated for completing a decade of service at SFG. Prakash Watwani was felicitated for completing 15 years at SFG.

To see the pictures of the event please click here