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News18 India Open Mic Chhattisgarh conclave concludes on a high note
Mumbai: News18 India successfully concluded the second edition of News18 India Open Mic in Chhattisgarh. The conclave provided a platform to celebrate the achievements of Chhattisgarh and its people, while fostering engaging conversations and discussions.
While addressing the event, chief minister of Chhattisgarh Bhupesh Baghel, spoke about the decision regarding the chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming assembly elections in the state. He also criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party for alleged double standards and strongly emphasised the Chhattisgarh government’s commitment to uplifting marginalised sections of society through schemes such as providing free electricity. Baghel passionately stressed the crucial importance of using government funds to support the welfare of the people, especially during the challenging times such as during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Baghel also stated, “I represent two identities: as a ‘Chhattisgarhiya’ and a ‘Congressi’. We firmly believe in Lord Shree Ram and are dedicated to maintaining harmony. We denounce any chaos caused in the name of Bajrangbali. Our efforts go beyond providing training and unemployment allowances; our primary focus is to create ample employment opportunities for the talented youth of our state.”
Chhattisgarh Forest and Climate Change, Transport, Housing and Environment, and Law minister Mohammad Akbar, focused on promoting religious unity and refrained from commenting on controversial topics. Instead, he shared his experiences during his election journey, emphasizing Hindu-Muslim unity in his assembly constituency of Kawardha.
Chhattisgarh Child and Women Welfare minister Anila Bhendia, who shared her journey of becoming an MLA and minister, credited her family and husband for their support. She highlighted the positive impact of her tenure, including a significant reduction in anemia among women and addressing the issue of malnutrition in children.
The conclave showcased a diverse group of inspiring individuals who shared their remarkable journeys and experiences. Sumedha Karmahe, a vocalist who began her career with Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, captivated the audience with her rendition of “Chhoti Si Pyaari Si Nanhi Si.” She discussed the challenges of transitioning from a small town to Mumbai and reminisced about her childhood. The popular YouTube sensation Sahdev Dirdo, opened up about his incredible journey and the remarkable collaboration he has had with the artist, Badshah.
Miss Trans Queen India Veena Sendre, shared her journey of self-acceptance and embracing her transgender identity. She shed light on the struggles faced by the LGBTQ community in a patriarchal society, emphasising the importance of acceptance and understanding, while expressing her profound love for Chhattisgarh and its people.
Cricketer Harpreet Singh Bhatia, spoke about how he drew inspiration from Sourav Ganguly and nostalgically mentioned his childhood decision to bat left-handed. Grateful for the opportunities he has got in the Indian Premier League (IPL), he reflected on watching India-Australia matches during his formative years. Chitrasen Sahu, the celebrated mountaineer, shared his extraordinary achievements, including conquering Aconcagua, the highest peak of the South American continent, with both artificial legs. He narrated his journey from a life-changing accident to his pursuit of mountaineering, which instilled a sense of freedom and confidence within him. Omkar Das Manikpur delivered a captivating speech, sharing his inspiring journey of becoming a stage actor, discussing the challenges he encountered and the transformative power of pursuing one’s passion.
The event highlighted the rich cultural heritage of Chhattisgarh, celebrating what makes the state unique and special. It was an exciting and meaningful gathering that brought together people from different backgrounds, creating a space where they could share their inspiring stories and meaningful experiences, and find support and understanding.
*SOURCE: BARC | METRIC: AMA | TG: NCCS ALL 15+ | PERIOD: WK 22’23, 24 HOURS, ALL DAYS | MARKET: HSM
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WITT Summit 2026 concludes in New Delhi
Babar Azam’s comical diving attempt goes viral as league introduces anti-dew measures.
MUMBAI: The WITT Summit just wrapped up with enough big ideas to fill a policy playbook because when India’s leaders, thinkers and icons gather under one roof, even the conversations hit sixes. The eighth edition of TV9 Network’s flagship What India Thinks Today (WITT) Summit 2026 concluded on Saturday after two days of dynamic discussions at its New Delhi venue. India’s largest multi-domain public policy and culture summit brought together political leaders, policymakers, sports icons, artists and technology innovators to examine the forces shaping contemporary India and its global standing.
Prime minister Narendra Modi delivered the keynote address on the theme “India and the World” for the third consecutive year. In a wide-ranging speech, he addressed the ongoing conflict in West Asia, calling for restraint and compassion while highlighting India’s continued development trajectory despite global turmoil.
The summit featured candid conversations with state leaders. Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy articulated a people-first governance model and contrasted it with other development approaches. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav declared that Left-wing extremism had been effectively eliminated in his state and highlighted preparations for the upcoming Kumbh Mela. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann defended his government’s record, citing the closure of 19 toll plazas and creation of the Sadak Suraksha Force. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar expressed confidence in Congress prospects in Assam and addressed recent allegations against him.
On geopolitics and national security, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia outlined India’s ambition to become a builder of trusted digital infrastructure for the world, citing the rapid 5G rollout and village-level 4G connectivity.
Cricket received significant attention. Former India captain Sourav Ganguly praised player freedom and trust as hallmarks of great leadership and named MS Dhoni as the greatest captain due to his World Cup successes. India women’s team bowling coach Aavishkar Salvi credited the BCCI and Women’s Premier League for building a pipeline of world-class talent behind the team’s recent ODI World Cup triumph.
The summit also hosted the inaugural AI² Awards 2026, celebrating the convergence of human creativity and machine intelligence in storytelling and content creation. Poet and kathavachak Kumar Vishwas delivered a nuanced take on India’s concept of Dharma and criticised the recent arrest of an 80-year-old Shankaracharya. Veteran lyricist Sameer Anjaan and storyteller Neelesh Misra reflected on changing music trends and artistic responsibility in the wake of a recent controversy involving Nora Fatehi.
In a country where conversations often run as deep as the Ganges, the WITT Summit proved once again that when leaders, thinkers and storytellers come together, the real winner is public discourse lively, layered and refreshingly unafraid to tackle the big questions shaping India’s tomorrow.
