CHENNAI: West Bengal Governor Dr C V Ananda Bose on Tuesday recalled a quote from the Kothari Commission Report, “destiny of India is being shaped in her classrooms”, to underscore the relationship between education, public service, and nation-building at the ThinkEdu Conclave 2026 held in Chennai on Tuesday.
Speaking on the second day of the event presented by the Tata Group and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) with Rajalakshmi Group of Institutions as title sponsor, Dr Bose said that Viksit Bharat 2047 mission can be achieved only through the path of education.
Bihar Governor Arif Mohammed Khan reflected on the controversial Shah Bano case, and spoke on what it means to be a “Liberal Muslim” in India today.
Swami Suddhidananda, president of Advaita Ashrama, initiated the day’s discussions with a reminder that education must also enrich the spiritual and moral centres within students. Dr Sudha Seshayyan, former V-C, MGR Medical University, also highlighted the need for value-driven education.
Dr Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, Vice-Chancellor of JNU, Dr Sunaina Singh, former V-C of Nalanda University, and Dr Thangam Meganathan, Chairperson, Rajalakshmi Group of Institutions, stressed on the importance of responsible dissent.
Sachin Pilot, senior Congress leader, commented on the fleeting nature of political ideologies in India. Senior BJP leader Dr Tamilisai Soundarajan and DMK MP Dr Kanimozhi Somu brought the discussion closer home, highlighting the power, pains, and representation of youth in TN’s charged political landscape.
Advocating for the ‘Dravidian Model’, Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Dr Anbil Mahesh highlighted the state’s strides in inclusive education, while IT Minister Dr Palanivel Thiyaga Rajan outlined its economic success story.
Driving the importance of self-reliance in emerging technologies, Prof V Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, explored India’s roadmap to AI sovereignty. Prof Pawan Goyal of IIT Kharagpur, and author Sairam Surenderasan explained how AI is already disrupting education.
Senior BJP leader K Annamalai called for a major overhaul in the civil services, while former TN chief secretary V Irai Anbu batted for purpose-driven public servants.
ThinkEdu 2026, with over 30 riveting sessions and 45 speakers across two days, represented the continuation of a 14-year legacy of championing the excellence of Indian thought.
Union Minister Annpurna Devi lauds ThinkEdu conclave
Union Minister of State for Education Annpurna Devi in a letter, lauded the TNIE's ThinkEdu conclave, stating that it played a vital role in shaping conversations around education, innovation and nation-building.
"It gives me immense pleasure to extend my warm greetings to the organisers and participants of the 14th ThinkEdu Conclave. At a time when India stands at the cusp of transformative growth, platforms such as ThinkEdu play a vital role in shaping conversations around education, innovation and nation-building," the minister said.
"The vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat begins in our classrooms. As we enter the Amrit Kaal, our education system is moving beyond conventional frarneworks and becoming a cata.lyst for innovation, self-reliance, and global leadership, in line with the National Education Pobcy 2O2O Our youth are not only the beneficiaries of poliqr but active partners in building a Viksit Bharat. It is through dialogue, debate and the free exchange of ideas that we prepare them for this responsibility," Devi said in the letter.
"The Government of India remains committed to strengthening the education ecosystem, ensuring access, equity, quality and skilling aligned to the needs of a rapidly evolving world. Initiatives under the National Education Policy aim to nurture critical thinking, creativit5r and inclusivity, empowering students to become confident global citizens rooted in Indian values," she said.
"I commend the organisers for curating a platform that brings together policymakers, educators, industry leaders and students under one roof. Such engagements are essential to bridge policy and practice. I wish the ThinkEdu Conclave great success and hope the deliberations lead to meaningful outcomes that benefit our young minds and our nation," the minister added.