In a dynamic convergence of perspectives and ideologies, Festival of Ideas, an insightful event organised here by NewsX, TSG and India News that are a part of the ITV Network, served as a crucible for diverse discussions encompassing the realms of politics, rights, films, and economy and much more.
Intellectual luminaries, thought leaders, media persons, actors and filmmakers, ex-diplomats and economists gathered under a single roof, fostering an environment ripe for dialogue and exploration, all focussed on taking the nation forward and nurturing the diversity and spirit of India.
The opening day of the two-day event, offered opportunities to national politicians like Akhilesh Yadav, former UP chief minister and Samajwadi Party supremo, to share his and the Opposition block I.N.D.I.A’s gameplan for the big fight against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the NDA. Yadav was candid in indirectly admitting that he was one of the young leaders who could be considered to be the Prime Minister if the Opposition alliance wins the parliamentary polls in 2024.
While academics discussed issues related to “Politics of Appeasement”, veteran Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar shared his life experience about conviction and leading his life like a maverick. BJP MP Manoj Tiwari’s lyrical renditions related to the successful landing of Chandrayan on the Moon regaled the audience, while he narrated his journey of turning a politician from an actor.
When political adversaries like Ram Madhav of the BJP and Manish Tewari of the Congress joined each other in a session on “India’s Best & Worst Decade”, the discourse revolved around success stories of Prime Ministers like Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Narendra Modi. The two adversaries, though, agreed that there could be no justification for a dark Indian chapter like the Emergency.
Thinkers like Dr Sanjaya Baru, Neeja Chowdhury, Rasheed Kidwai and Suhel Seth also shared insights into the behind-the-scene actions in the power corridors. Their session on “How Leaders Decide”, also saw a quick poll on who they thought was the best PM in the country ever. They also discussed the chances of Modi occupying the seat again and whether Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was ready for the top post.
From India’s achievements as G20 host nation, China’s economic aggression and India’s Pakistan policy, the range of foreign affairs issues discussed at the event was striking. As Prof. Madhav Nalapat, editorial director, TSG, and Ambassador Gautam Bombawale rightly put it, the biggest takeaway from India’s G20 presidency has been Modi’s success in turning the grouping into an “action-oriented platform”, with a rightful place for raising the voice of the Global South.
Actors Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Shweta Tripathi Sharma and filmmakers like Rahul Rawail, added a dash of Bollywood-style glamour to the event as they shared experiences about cinema’s influence on public outlook, changing trends in filmmaking and the impact of OTT on the entertainment industry.
India’s food and culture were described as its soft power in another session while mediapersons at a round table discussed the mantra of success in a TRP-driven era.