India Foundation, in collaboration with the India Habitat Centre, organised a book discussion on the book ‘Bharat Rising: Dharma, Democracy, Diplomacy’, by Shree Utpal Kumar, Author and Journalist, on 29 April 2026 at Gulmohar Hall, India Habitat Centre. The discussants included Prof Makarand R. Paranjape, Author and Commentator; Shrimati Sandhya Jain, Senior Journalist; Shri Prafulla Ketkar, Editor, Organiser Weekly. The session was moderated by Ms Rami Niranjan Desai, Distinguished Fellow, India Foundation.

The event was attended by senior Indian and foreign diplomats, academics, scholars, students and policy practitioners. The panel discussed how the book provides a perspective on the path being undertaken by India today in terms of the interconnection between civilisational ideals, democratic resilience, and the evolution of a foreign policy framework. India’s historical standing as a global centre in economy and philosophy, having accounted for one-third of the world’s wealth since the first century until the advent of the British Raj, implies that its current resurgence is a return to its rightful destiny rather than a modern phenomenon.

A key focus of the discussion was the prospect of Bharat becoming one of the most influential global powers through its demographic potential and revival of indigenous intellectual traditions. The panel further noted that this project heralds the birth of a “Dharmic Democracy,” where attempts are made to merge the principles of contemporary governance with the ancient wisdom of civilisations. The session concluded with a consensus that Bharat Rising: Dharma, Democracy, Diplomacy restores the pride of India and underscores the importance of recognising the nation’s ancient heroes, a prerequisite for a strong foreign policy stance.

 

Date of Event: 16 April 2026

Venue: Conference Hall, India Foundation Office

India Foundation organized a lecture under the series “RSS @100: Centenary Reflections” as part of the centenary year of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. The series aims to promote academic engagement and informed discussion on the historical, ideological, and societal aspects of the RSS. The event brought together scholars, researchers, and individuals interested in understanding the evolution and role of the organization over the past hundred years.

The session featured Prof. Raj Kumar Bhatia, Retired Professor, Delhi University, and Shri Santosh Taneja, Founder, Samkalp IAS Coaching Centre.The speakers focused largely on their personal interactions with senior leadership and their experiences within the Sangh Parivar. They shared observations from their long association, highlighting key learnings related to organizational discipline, leadership development, and the emphasis on character building and service.

Shri Santosh Taneja, reflected on his long association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and explained how the organisation shaped his personal and professional life. Drawing from his experiences as a swayamsevak since childhood, he highlighted the role of senior RSS leaders in nurturing dedication, discipline, and a spirit of service. He argued that the strength of the RSS lies not merely in its ideology but in the character and conduct of the individuals who live by its ideals. Through anecdotes about prominent RSS functionaries, he emphasized values such as simplicity, selflessness, integrity, and commitment to national service.

Shri Rajkumar Bhatia, shared his journey as a swayamsevak and his long involvement with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). He discussed the historical evolution of the RSS, its expansion into various fields of social and national life, and its contribution to nation-building through affiliated organisations. He highlighted the role of leaders such as Guruji, Deendayal Upadhyaya, and Dattopant Thengadi in shaping different spheres of public life. He also reflected on the challenges faced by the organisation over the decades and stressed that its resilience has stemmed from a strong cadre of dedicated workers committed to serving society.

During the interaction session, both speakers discussed the organisational culture of the RSS, highlighting internal dialogue, continuous learning, leadership development, and intergenerational transmission of values. They stressed that the organisation has sustained itself through disciplined volunteerism, social engagement, and a positive approach towards national development. The speakers concluded that the enduring strength of the RSS lies in its ability to inspire individuals to dedicate themselves to a larger national cause while adapting to changing social and political circumstances.

The lecture was followed by an interactive discussion where participants engaged with the speakers on their experiences and perspectives.

 

On 6th April 2026, India Foundation, in collaboration with the India Habitat Centre, organised a panel discussion on “New Regime in Nepal: Implications for India.” The panel featured Ambassador Ranjit Rae (former Ambassador to Nepal, Vietnam, and Hungary), Professor Sangeeta Thapliyal (CIAS, School of International Studies, JNU), and Shri Vivek Johri (former National Security Advisor of Mauritius and former DG, BSF). The session was moderated by Captain Alok Bansal (Executive Vice President, India Foundation).

The panelists highlighted that the recent general election in Nepal brought a new paradigm shift in the Himalayan nation’s political landscape, with the emergence of the Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and a shift towards a younger, digitally empowered set of leaders. The panel discussed this paradigm not only as a change of government in Nepal but also as the transformation in its domestic aspirations and the strategic outlook towards its immediate neighbours, implying a transition from ideological dichotomies to more pragmatic considerations.

One of the central pillars of discussion was how digital mobilization came into its own as the dominant political force through the use of complex digital algorithms and social media interaction, allowing the RSP to circumvent the conventional grassroots network by appealing to a disgruntled electorate. In effect, this mandate was seen as a rejection of the musical chairs game played by established political elites for decades, choosing accountability, meritocracy, and service delivery.

The panel observed there had been a shift towards an interest-based foreign policy strategy; the country, being landlocked, will have to continuously practice balancing acts between India and China, albeit becoming more aggressive about them. The former regime was characterized by ideological politics; the new regime is expected to assess the financial feasibility of infrastructure investments, including the Belt and Road initiative, implying the old system of “ideological balancing” no longer works.

The panelists emphasised that India must urgently recalibrate the “Neighbourhood First” approach by prioritizing implementation to offset the perception of “India promises and China delivers”. This requires evolving beyond diplomatic engagement to integrate Nepal’s digitally literate youth and IT ecosystem into the bilateral relations framework and simultaneously start formal dialogues on the 1950 Treaty and Kalapani issue to prevent their weaponization by domestic opposition, ensuring cooperative growth. The session concluded with a reflection on the “New Regime” marking a new era where performance supersedes ideology as the main criterion of legitimacy. It was observed that the future success of India will be contingent upon whether it can align with a proactive Nepal, determined to achieve financial sovereignty through pragmatic accomplishments.

 

India Foundation released its report, “The Promise of Quick Commerce for India’s Economic and Social Development,”on 3 April 2026 at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The report examines the growing role of quick commerce in accelerating India’s economic growth, strengthening last-mile connectivity, generating employment opportunities, and contributing to inclusive social development.

The report was formally released by Shri Jitin Prasada, Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Government of India. In his address, he highlighted the importance of innovation-driven business models in enhancing consumer convenience, supporting local enterprises, and strengthening India’s digital economy.

The event also featured a presentation by the India Foundation research team, which outlined the key findings and recommendations of the report. The presentation highlighted the rapid expansion of the quick commerce sector, its impact on employment generation, logistics infrastructure, consumer behavior, and its potential contribution to India’s broader development objectives.

The programme was attended by policymakers, industry representatives, researchers, academics, and members of the media. The report contributes to the ongoing policy discourse on the future of digital commerce and its role in fostering sustainable and inclusive economic development in the country.

 

India foundation, in collaboration with India Habitat Centre, organised a panel discussion on “Conflict in the Gulf and Regional Reconfiguration” at Gulmohar Hall, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, on 27 March 2026. The session was moderated by Captain Alok Bansal, Executive Vice President, India Foundation. The panel featured Mr Manish Chand, CEO, Centre for Global India Insights and India Writes Network; Ms Indrani Bagchi, CEO, Ananta Aspen Centre and Ambassador Anil Trigunayat, former Ambassador of India to Jordan, Libya and Malta.

The discussion assessed the essence of unilateral strikes, the emerging alliances in the Persian Gulf and the severe disruptions to the global supply chains. A poignant first-hand account was shared by one of the panelist of the experience of being stuck in a bunker on February 28 during the retaliatory strikes on Israel; a rather disturbing shift was reported by the panelists on the religious undertones of the war. The term “Amalek” which means the ultimate evil, was used to describe the Iranians; the term, had been derived from the biblical account of the crusades and the fact that this term was used to describe Iran suggested the moving away of the conflict in West Asia from traditional statecraft into an ideological realm. This transition into existential and moral rhetoric significantly complicates diplomatic efforts and the underlying hatred and polarization in the public mind, particularly since the last 40 years; indicate that the war in mind will continue to persist, making it exceptionally difficult to reach a sustainable ceasefire.

The discussants cautioned the possible onset of a medical emergency, given the shortage of helium, required to perform MRI, the skyrocketing price of nitrogen from $200 to $900 a unit in the US, and higher prices for groceries. The transition of the US from a progressive global power to a “revisionist destructive power”, prioritising domestic industrial policy and performative destruction over the Global Trading system it once built was also highlighted.

The conflict, analysed from a viewpoint of failed negotiations and miscalculations, was a war between the radical ideology of the Trump administration and the Iranian leadership; breaking the myth of the US as the sole security guarantor of The Persian Gulf. US military presence in the region was no longer providing security but becoming a target; leading to gulf nations and traditional US allies like Oman and Qatar to reassess their foreign relations with Iran. The Iranian regime, despite being unpopular in the past, with external aggression, had been able to push for a national sentiment of “rallying round the flag” effect which was based on the cultural acceptance of the martyrdom.

The session concluded with a reflection on the concept of ‘strategic autonomy’ and how it has changed over time; the panelists agreed that real influence is determined by a nation’s control over its own supply chains and resources.  It was underscored that India’s strategic clarity is maintained through direct communication with all sides of a conflict, even as the global economy enters an era of “irreversible destruction”. The panel emphasized that while the full extent of current global shift is yet to be felt, the need for calibrated diplomacy and strengthened domestic capabilities remain the most significant for navigating this fluid landscape.

 

The International Conference on India-Japan Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific: Enhancing Security and Stability, organised by India Foundation brought together eminent policymakers, diplomats, military leaders, and scholars to deliberate on one of the most critical strategic partnerships in the contemporary geopolitical landscape. The conference drew a diverse attendance of 160 delegates, representing the fields of academia, diplomacy, defence, policy research, and strategic affairs. The event also featured a stellar panel of 18 distinguished speakers. Held on 24 March 2026, the conference coincided with the 10th anniversary of Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) vision, providing a timely platform to reinforce the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between India and Japan. Against the backdrop of evolving maritime challenges, regional flashpoints, and the imperative of upholding a rules-based international order, the day-long event underscored the shared commitment of both nations to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

The conference commenced at 10:00 AM with registration and tea/coffee, followed by the Inaugural Session from 10:30 to 11:30 AM. Dr Ram Madhav, President, India Foundation, chaired the session and delivered introductory remarks. He emphasised the need for India and Japan to deepen cooperation beyond existing frameworks such as the Quad, advocating for expanded engagement across the broader Indo-Pacific, including the Indian Ocean region. He called for an explicit extension of the FOIP concept to encompass a free and open Indian Ocean, urging both nations to leverage their democratic values and strategic convergence for regional stability.

The session featured addresses by high-level dignitaries. VAdm Krishna Swaminathan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, Indian Navy, delivered a compelling address highlighting the India-Japan partnership as a critical anchor for Indo-Pacific stability. He drew attention to the region’s role as a driver of global economic growth while underscoring risks from flashpoints in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea, alongside China’s accelerated military modernisation and assertiveness. His remarks reinforced the importance of robust naval cooperation in safeguarding sea lanes and maintaining maritime security.

H.E. ONO Keiichi, Ambassador of Japan to India, delivered an insightful keynote address. He described the India-Japan relationship as entering a “New Golden Chapter” ahead of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations. The Ambassador reaffirmed Japan’s proactive policies under its leadership and its unwavering commitment to sovereignty, opposition to the use of force or coercion, and the building of resilient supply chains with trusted partners. He highlighted the strategic depth of bilateral ties and the shared vision of a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific order.

Shri Sujit Ghosh, Joint Secretary (East Asia), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, stressed the importance of translating resilience into actionable outcomes. He pointed to high-level defence exchanges between the armed forces of India and Japan as a defining feature of the enduring partnership, underscoring practical steps towards enhanced interoperability and strategic alignment.

The inaugural session set a robust tone for the day, blending strategic foresight with diplomatic pragmatism and establishing the conference’s central theme: the indispensable role of India-Japan cooperation in addressing contemporary security challenges.

Following a short break, Panel Discussion 1 on “Rule-Based International Order & Freedom of Navigation” commenced at 11:45 AM and continued until 13:00 PM. Chaired by VAdm Shekhar Sinha, PVSM, AVSM, NM & Bar, ADC (Retd.), Former Chief of Integrated Defence Staff and Former Commander-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, the panel included Amb Sanjay Kumar Verma, Former High Commissioner of India to Japan; Prof. C Raja Mohan, Distinguished Professor, Institute of American Studies, Jindal Global University, Delhi; and Commodore Sujit Samaddar, Visiting Fellow, RIS, and Former Principal Director Naval Plans, Indian Navy.

The discussion explored the foundational principles of maritime governance, with panellists examining legal and operational dimensions of freedom of navigation. Emphasis was placed on collaborative mechanisms to counter unilateral assertions and ensure unimpeded access to international waters, reflecting the growing convergence between Indian and Japanese maritime doctrines.

A lunch break from 13:00 to 14:00 PM provided an opportunity for networking among delegates, fostering informal exchanges on bilateral and multilateral initiatives.

Panel Discussion 2, held from 14:00 to 15:15 PM, focused on “Potential Flash Points in the Indo-Pacific.” Chaired by Shri Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, the panel comprised Amb Preeti Saran, Former Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India; Adm (Prof.) Jayanath Colombage, Former Chief of the Navy, Sri Lanka; and Ms Rami N Desai, Distinguished Fellow, India Foundation.

The session offered diverse perspectives on emerging hotspots, including maritime disputes, territorial assertions, and their implications for regional stability. Panellists analysed the interplay of great-power competition and local dynamics, with particular attention to the need for proactive diplomacy and enhanced situational awareness. The discussion highlighted how India-Japan collaboration could serve as a stabilising force amid these challenges.

A tea/coffee break from 15:15 to 15:30 PM allowed delegates to recharge before the final technical session.

Panel Discussion 3, from 15:30 to 16:45 PM, addressed “Role of International Institutions in Dispute Resolution.” Chaired by Capt Alok Bansal, Executive Vice-President, India Foundation, the panel featured Prof. Gudmundur Eiriksson, Former Judge, International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), Iceland; Amb Ruchira Kamboj, Former Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations; and Prof. Hosoya Yuichi, Faculty of Law, Department of Political Science (Mita), KEIO University, Japan.

This session delved into the efficacy of multilateral institutions in managing disputes, with panellists evaluating legal frameworks, enforcement mechanisms, and the potential for India-Japan joint initiatives to strengthen institutional responses. The deliberations underscored the complementary roles of diplomacy, international law, and strategic partnerships in resolving conflicts peacefully.

The Valedictory Session from 17:00 to 17:30 PM provided a powerful conclusion to the conference. Chaired by Amb Jaideep Mazumdar, Former Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, the session featured the Valedictory Address by Adm Dinesh K Tripathi, PVSM, AVSM, NM, Chief of the Naval Staff. Adm Tripathi delivered a profoundly insightful address emphasising the securing of sea lanes, the strengthening of bilateral naval ties, and the imperative of safeguarding the rules-based maritime order. His remarks encapsulated the conference’s key takeaways, offering a forward-looking vision for deeper India-Japan defence and maritime cooperation. The address served as a fitting culmination to a day of rigorous strategic deliberations.

The event concluded with a Hi-Tea, providing delegates an opportunity for continued engagement and reflection.

In summary, the conference successfully highlighted the strategic depth of India-Japan relations and their pivotal role in shaping a stable Indo-Pacific. Through high-level addresses, expert panels, and vibrant exchanges, participants reaffirmed the partnership’s potential to address shared challenges ranging from maritime security to institutional governance. As both nations mark significant milestones in their bilateral engagement, the deliberations at this conference are expected to inform policy directions and operational cooperation in the years ahead.

India Foundation’s initiative once again demonstrated its commitment to fostering informed discourse on India’s foreign and security policy priorities. The event not only reinforced existing synergies but also charted pathways for expanded collaboration, ensuring that the India-Japan partnership remains a cornerstone of regional peace and prosperity.

 

Intellectual Traditions and Contemporary Relevance March 11-12, 2026 | Vadodara, Gujarat

Organised by India Foundation, New Delhi, in collaboration with The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda

India Foundation and The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda organised a two-day international conference on “Modern Indian Political Thought: Intellectual Traditions and Contemporary Relevance” on 11-12 March 2026 in Vadodara, Gujarat, India. The conference brought together Research scholars, Senior Academics, Policy practitioners etc. from India and abroad. The conference featured an inaugural session followed by four plenary sessions, eight parallel sessions, and a valedictory session, with fifty paper presenters and twenty invited speakers addressing themes from social reform, cultural nationalism to Liberal constitutionalism and Gandhian ethics.

Inaugural Session

The conference was inaugurated in the presence of over 150 participants. Prof. Sunaina Singh, Former Vice Chancellor of Nalanda University, chaired the session. The Keynote Address was delivered by Dr. Ram Madhav, President of India Foundation, who urged participants to decolonise the Indian political mind and reclaim indigenous intellectual traditions as living frameworks for contemporary governance and statecraft. Shri Bhupendrasinh Chudasma, Former State Cabinet Minister, Government of Gujarat, delivered a Special Address that added a grounded political dimension to the proceedings. The session concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Prof. K.M. Chudasama, Registrar (Offg.), MSU Baroda.

In his keynote address, Dr Ram Madhav, President of India Foundation, highlighted the importance of decolonizing the Indian political mind and revitalizing India’s indigenous intellectual traditions. He underscored the richness of India’s political and philosophical heritage and emphasized its continued relevance in addressing contemporary challenges. His address encouraged a deeper engagement with Indian knowledge systems as a foundation for developing a more rooted and self-aware political discourse.

First Plenary Session — Social Reforms and Democratic Tradition

Chair: Prof. Amit Dholakia, Head, Department of Political Science, MSU Baroda

Prof. Himanshu Roy (Chairperson, Centre for Political Studies, JNU) presented Decolonising Social Reforms Historiography, arguing that prevailing historiographies have been shaped by colonial epistemological frameworks and calling for a recovery of indigenous perspectives in the study of Indian reform movements. Dr. Guru Prakash Paswan (Columnist & Assistant Professor, Patna University) presented Social Reforms and Ambedkar’s Thought, situating Ambedkar’s reformist vision within his broader constitutional project and demonstrating the enduring relevance of his ideas for contemporary debates on social justice and democratic participation. Dr. Virendra Singh (Head, Department of Sociology, MSU Baroda) presented Between Constitutional Morality and Social Structure: A Sociological Analysis of Reforms in Modern India, exploring the tension between constitutional ideals and entrenched social arrangements, and offering a nuanced account of the pace and limits of institutional reform.

Parallel Paper Presentation Sessions

The parallel sessions brought together around 50 young scholars and academics presenting research papers on a wide spectrum of thinkers, from Swami Vivekananda, V D. Savarkar, Sri Aurobindo, and Lomanya Tilak to Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, Deendayal Upadhyay, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, reflecting the remarkable diversity and depth of India’s political intellectual tradition. It also included contributions of leaders like Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhash Chandra Bose, Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Madan Mohan Malviya, K. M. Munshi, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Vinoba Bhave , Annie Besant and Sister Nivedita.

Cultural Programme

The day concluded with a vibrant cultural programme organised by ICCR’s Regional Office, Ahmedabad. Shri Bharat Bariya, Shri Akshay Patel, and the Nrutyavali Group delivered a scintillating performance that offered a fitting cultural complement to the day’s intellectual rigour, bringing together the artistic and academic dimensions of India’s civilisational heritage.

 

Day 2

PLENARY SESSION II: CULTURAL NATIONALIST TRADITION

The second plenary session on “Cultural Nationalist Tradition” was chaired by Professor Sunaina Singh, Former Vice-Chancellor, Nalanda University. She traced India’s civilisational influence across Asia – from the Chola maritime expansion and the Shailendra dynasty to Borobudur and Angkor Wat, observing that India had ruled through hearts and minds rather than any conquest. Professor Peter Heehs delivered a detailed presentation on Sri Aurobindo’s political philosophy. Prof. Heehs traced Aurobindo’s intellectual debts to the French and American revolutions, Aurobindo’s formulation of the fourfold programme of swaraj, swadeshi, boycott, and national education, and his distinctive position on violence and nonviolence. Dr. Saumya Dey, Professor, Rishihood University, presented on the evolution of Hindu social structure from “corporatism” to “communitas.” Dr Dey traced the emergence of Hindu communitas through Ram Mohan Roy’s coinage of “Hinduism,” Chandranath Basu’s “Hindutva,” Vivekananda’s radical Vedantic egalitarianism, and Tilak’s public ritual mobilisation, positioning this as a distinctly Indian modernity rather than a derivative colonial phenomenon. Mr. Come Carpentier, Distinguished Fellow, India Foundation, spoke on the philosophy and ideas of Ananda Coomaraswamy, situating him within the universalist traditionalist movement.  Mr Carpentier explained Coomaraswamy’s critique of industrial modernity’s destruction of traditional structures, and his conviction that every spiritual concept had been translated into Indian social institutions.

PLENARY SESSION III: LIBERAL CONSTITUTIONALISM AND POLITICAL REFORM

Professor Himanshu Roy, Chairperson, Centre for Political Studies, JNU, chaired the third plenary session on “Liberal Constitutionalism and Political Reform”. He started the discussion with a call to expand the scope of Indian political thought beyond its “modern” designation. He observed that Indian political thought was routinely confined to the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. He urged scholars to derive political ideas from Bhakti literature and to construct a pedagogy that recognised India’s long traditions of political thinking. Professor Ranjita Chakraborty, Head, Department of Political Science, North Bengal University, spoke on Rabindranath Tagore’s political thought, focusing on Tagore’s nationalism and his commitment to individual freedom and fearless reasoning, and his vision rooted in Advaita and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. She highlighted Tagore’s critique of colonial education and his experiment at Shantiniketan as a model of education combining Indian classical traditions with cross-cultural dialogue. Professor Adhya Bharti Saxena, Professor, Department of History, MSU Vadodara, argued for the decolonisation of Indian historiography through vernacular archives. Professor Dibyajyoti Mahanta,Chairperson, ERC, National Council for Teacher Education, drew parallels between Sankaradeva’s fifteenth-century social and educational philosophy and Madan Mohan Malaviya’s educational vision. Professor Sonu Trivedi, Distinguished Fellow, India Foundation, spoke on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s strategic outlook and its relevance to contemporary Indian foreign policy.

PLENARY SESSION IV: GANDHIAN ETHICS AND POLITICS

The final plenary session was chaired by Mr. Come Carpentier, Distinguished Fellow, India Foundation. Professor Sheila Rai, Prof (Retd.), Department of Political Science, University of Rajasthan and Council Member, ICSSR, New Delhi, delivered a comprehensive address on Gandhi’s civilisational contribution. She positioned Gandhi as the finest social scientist India has ever produced who observed, formed hypotheses, tested them on his own person, and only then prescribed them for the community. She argued that contemporary policies from Swachh Bharat to Atmanirbhar Bharat to the National Education Policy represent a belated institutional realisation of Gandhian principles. Dr. Roshan Boodnah, Lecturer, Mahatma Gandhi Institute, Mauritius, in his address, traced Gandhi’s brief eighteen-day stopover in Mauritius in 1901 during which he advised the Gujarati merchant community to enter politics and educate their children.  Professor Amit Dholakia, HoD, Department of Political Science, MSU Vadodara, delivered a striking address through allegory. He likened the perpetuation of violence, dishonesty, and cynicism to a regime of owls convincing the animals of the forest that darkness is the only reality and light is utopian.

VALEDICTORY SESSION

The valedictory session was chaired by Rajmata Shubhanginiraje Gaekwad, Hon’ble Chancellor of the MS University, Varodara. Professor Sonu Trivedi summarised the proceedings of two days conference in the beginning of the session and Dr. Jigar Inamdaar delivered a special address urging academic integrity and lifelong learning. Professor Amit Dholakia in his address called for an integrative approach rejecting binary thinking. Rajmata Shubhanginiraje Gaekwad in her valedictory address drew attention to the unacknowledged contribution of the Maharajas of the princely states’ integration to the Indian republic after independence in 1947. She highlighted Maharaja Sayajirao’s patronage of Ambedkar, Aurobindo, Malaviya, Jyotiba Phule, and Raja Ravi Varma, and noted that the Maharaja’s deep patriotism, recognised by Swami Vivekananda, had been overlooked by modern historiography.

 

India Foundation, in collaboration with India Habitat Centre, organised a book discussion on the book ‘Seeking The Infinite: Mahakumbh 2025’ by Shri Yakub Mathew, Author and Corporate Leader, at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, on 10^th March 2026. The session was moderated by Captain Alok Bansal, Executive Vice President, India Foundation. The panel featured Ms Advaita Kala, Author and Screenwriter; Haji Syed Salman Chishty, Gaddi Nashin, Ajmer Sharif and Chairperson, Chishty Foundation; Elder Kelly R. Johnson, General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The discussion brought together various spiritual leaders and thinkers to explore the philosophical and spiritual depths of the largest human gathering in the world. Yakub Mathew, a business leader, shared how his personal journey to the Mahakumbh with friends from around the globe transformed from curiosity into a profound spiritual discovery, noting that the book was a joint effort featuring 55 prominent figures from religion, business, and politics, each providing insights into the “infinite.” The panel described the event as a huge gathering marked by remarkable order amid a seemingly chaotic environment.

A central theme of the dialogue was the concept of “collective consciousness”, a pillar of Indian philosophy embodied in the phrase ‘Aham Brahmasmi’. The panel highlighted how the ideas of cleansing and renewal in the Mahakumbh connect with the Christian view of baptism and the common wish to be freed from past burdens; the “oneness of being,” stating that self-knowledge is the key to understanding the Divine, a belief echoed in Sufi, Vedantic, and Sikh traditions.

The session concluded with an agreement that the infinite is not a far-off goal but a “horizon without end” that exists within each person. The panelists encouraged the audience to move past material concerns and embrace the message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—our world is one family, especially during these challenging times. Through Yakub Mathew’s experiences and the panel’s varied viewpoints, the panel framed the Mahakumbh as a strong symbol of our shared spiritual journey and a force for global unity.