Pune: MIT School of Government to Host 14th Edition of Bharatiya Chhatra Sansad, Inauguration by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

Pune, 7th February 2025: MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU) and MIT School of Government are set to host the three-day 14th Bharatiya Chhatra Sansad (Indian Student Parliament) from February 8 to 10, 2025, at the Vivekananda Auditorium, MIT-WPU, Kothrud, Pune. Since its inception in 2011, the Bharatiya Chhatra Sansad has become a premier platform for youth engagement in democracy. MIT-WPU’s Vice-Chancellor, Dr. R. M. Chitnis, shared these details during a curtain-raiser press conference.

The 14th Bharatiya Chhatra Sansad will be inaugurated on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 10:00 AM by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The event will also witness the presence of Maharashtra Legislative Council Chairman Prof. Ram Shinde, former Rajasthan Legislative Assembly Speaker Dr. C. P. Joshi, and Aman Gupta, Co-founder of CMO Boat, as distinguished guests.

On this occasion, Satish Mahana, Speaker of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, will be honored with the ‘Adarsh Vidhan Sabha Sabhapati’ Award for his exemplary leadership.

Engaging Sessions and Thought-Provoking Discussions

The Bharatiya Chhatra Sansad will feature four engaging sessions:

Session 1: Begins on Saturday, February 8, at 2:00 PM, focusing on “The Ideology of Indian Politics: Left, Right, or Beyond?” Speakers include Kuldeep Singh Pathania (Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly Speaker), Dr. Kanhaiya Kumar (NSUI Chief), Advocate A. A. Rahim (Former MP), and MP Rajkumar Raut. This will be followed by a special “Youth to Youth Connect” session at 4:15 PM.

Session 2: Scheduled for Sunday, February 9, at 9:00 AM, will discuss “The Freebie Culture (Revadi Culture): Economic Burden or Necessary Support?” with Ravindra Nath Mahato (Jharkhand Legislative Assembly Speaker), renowned TV journalist Rubika Liyaquat, Congress media head Pawan Khera, former minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh, and MP Ranjeet Ranjan.

Session 3: On Sunday, February 9, at 11:45 AM, will delve into “Indian Culture vs. Western Glamour: A Dilemma for Indian Youth”. Nand Kishore Yadav (Bihar Legislative Assembly Speaker) will share his insights. During this session, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu will be conferred with the Bharat Asmita Jan Pratinidhi Shreshtha Award. The session will also feature renowned actress Khushbu Sundar and MP Arun Govil.

A special session, ‘Youth to Youth Connect,’ has been organized for students from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Following this, the program ‘Loktantra Ka Rangmanch’ will be presented at 7:30 PM.

Session 4: Scheduled for Monday, February 10, at 9:00 AM, will explore “AI and Social Media: A Boon or an Unforeseen Crisis?” with speakers Thomas A. Sangma (Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Speaker), senior journalist Rajesh Badal, TV9 Network’s Executive Editor Aditya Raj Kaul, and Aseem Patil, Managing Director, iTech.

The Valedictory Ceremony on February 10 at 11:45 AM will be attended by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Sports & Youth Welfare Minister Dattatraya Bharne.

Distinguished Mentors & Global Support

Eminent personalities guiding this initiative include Padma Vibhushan Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar, Tushar Gandhi, Prof. Dr. Vishwanath D. Karad, Anu Aga, Abhay Firodia, Lobsang Sangay, Mark Tully, Justice N. Santosh Hegde, Dr. Vijay Bhatkar, and Nanani Rupani.

The event is supported by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (Government of India), the Higher & Technical Education Department (Government of Maharashtra), the Maharashtra State Ministry of Sports & Youth Welfare, and the UNESCO Chair for Human Rights, Democracy, Peace & Tolerance. It is also backed by National Teachers Congress Foundation, National Women’s Parliament, Sarpanch Sansad, and Bharat Asmita National Awards Association of Indian Universities, along with various national organizations.