Swarrnim University Hosts Chhatra Sansad Conclave
Nearly 2,000 Students Join Gujarat Rising Youth Conclave Focused on Leadership, Innovation and Public Policy
Nearly 2,000 students from across Gujarat gathered at the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Auditorium in Ahmedabad on Thursday for the Gujarat Rising Chhatra Sansad Conclave, a youth-focused event organised jointly by Swarrnim Startup & Innovation University and Chhatra Sansad.
The day-long conclave brought together students, government representatives, legal experts, entrepreneurs, educators and social leaders to discuss leadership, public participation, entrepreneurship and the future role of young people in Gujarat’s development.
Organisers described the event as the largest youth conclave held in Gujarat so far, with participants drawn from different districts and educational institutions across the state. The programme was held under the theme “Gujarat Rising”, which centred on the role of young people in shaping the state’s future.
The event comes at a time when India has one of the world’s largest youth populations. According to government estimates, more than half of India’s population is under the age of 30. Policymakers, educational institutions and industry leaders increasingly view youth engagement as an important factor in economic growth, innovation and democratic participation.
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Swarrnim Startup & Innovation University, established in 2017 in the Gandhinagar district, has positioned itself around entrepreneurship, innovation and industry-linked education. The university partnered with Chhatra Sansad, a youth leadership platform founded in 2015 that works to encourage student participation in public affairs and policy discussions.
The conclave featured keynote speeches, panel discussions and a fireside chat covering issues ranging from education and entrepreneurship to civic responsibility and leadership development.
Among the prominent guests was Rivaba Jadeja, Gujarat’s Minister for Primary, Secondary and Adult Education and MLA from Jamnagar North. Other dignitaries included Hon’ble Dr. Justice K. J. Thaker, Chairperson of the Gujarat State Human Rights Commission; Dr. Subhashchandra R. Soni, State Chief Information Commissioner of the Gujarat Information Commission; and Pathik Patwari, Chairman of the Indian Chamber of Commerce, Gujarat, and former President of the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Representatives from business, social development and entrepreneurship sectors also attended. These included Prafull Billore, Founder and CEO of MBA Chai Wala; Anar Patel, Founder of Craftroots and Co-Founder of Manav Sadhna; Chiranjiv Patel, Managing Director of PC Snehal Group; entrepreneur and investor Jay Thadeshwar; Kanthil Mehta, Founding Director of GoBananas; entrepreneur and hotelier Sneha Agarwal; and motivational speaker Sanjay Raval.
Speaking at the event, Rivaba Jadeja emphasised the importance of platforms that allow young people to engage in discussions related to governance and society.
“It is heartening to see platforms like the Gujarat Chhatra Sansad Conclave giving our youth a genuine voice in shaping policy and public life. Swarrnim Startup & Innovation University has built a wonderful environment for this kind of dialogue, and Chhatra Sansad’s work in nurturing young leadership across the state deserves every encouragement.”
Youth participation in governance has become a growing focus in India. Several government programmes, university initiatives and youth parliaments have emerged in recent years to encourage students to understand public policy, democratic institutions and civic responsibilities.
Justice K. J. Thaker linked the event to democratic awareness and constitutional values.
“The Gujarat Chhatra Sansad Conclave is a remarkable initiative that helps young citizens understand their rights and responsibilities within our democracy. Swarrnim Startup & Innovation University and Chhatra Sansad deserve credit for creating such a thoughtful, well-organised platform for this conversation.”
Dr. Subhashchandra R. Soni highlighted the role of informed citizens in strengthening public institutions.
“Initiatives like the Gujarat Chhatra Sansad Conclave play an important role in building an informed and engaged citizenry. It was a pleasure to be part of an event so well conceived by Chhatra Sansad and hosted at a university as forward-looking as Swarrnim Startup & Innovation University.”
The conclave also focused heavily on entrepreneurship, a subject that has become closely linked with Gujarat’s economic identity. Gujarat has long been recognised as one of India’s major business hubs, contributing significantly to manufacturing, exports, start-up activity and industrial investment.
Entrepreneur Prafull Billore, whose MBA Chai Wala venture has become one of India’s best-known youth entrepreneurship stories, spoke about the importance of self-belief and initiative among young people.
“Conclaves like this one remind me why I believe so strongly in young people taking charge of their own future. The energy at the Gujarat Chhatra Sansad Conclave was incredible, and full credit to Swarrnim Startup & Innovation University and Chhatra Sansad for building such a beautiful platform for India’s youth.”
Anar Patel drew attention to the role of young leaders in community development and social change.
“Working with grassroots communities, I see every day how important it is to invest in young changemakers. The Gujarat Chhatra Sansad Conclave, hosted so wonderfully by Swarrnim Startup & Innovation University in partnership with Chhatra Sansad, is exactly the kind of platform our youth need.”
A fireside discussion moderated by entrepreneur and podcaster Jay Thadeshwar explored leadership, innovation and the expectations facing young professionals entering a rapidly changing economy.
“Moderating the fireside chat at the Gujarat Chhatra Sansad Conclave was a genuine pleasure. The conversations among these young students were sharper than I expected, and that says a lot about the platform Chhatra Sansad and Swarrnim Startup & Innovation University have built together,” Thadeshwar said.
The organisers said the gathering was intended to encourage students to think about their future roles not only as professionals but also as citizens and community leaders.
Rishabh Jain, President of Swarrnim Group and Swarrnim Startup & Innovation University, described the event as part of a broader effort to prepare students for leadership roles.
“Gujarat Chhatra Sansad Conclave is not merely a platform for discussion; it is a platform for shaping future leaders. The youth of today will drive the policies, innovations, enterprises and social transformation of tomorrow.”
Aadi Jain, Vice President of Swarrnim Startup & Innovation University, said the institution aims to support an environment where innovation and entrepreneurship can develop alongside leadership skills.
“The future belongs to young people who are willing to think differently, lead responsibly and create solutions for society.”
On behalf of Chhatra Sansad, founder and president Advocate Kunal Sharma reflected on the growth of the movement since its launch more than a decade ago.
“Watching nearly 2,000 students fill this auditorium is proof of how far this movement has come since 2015.”
Aditya Vegda, Vice President of Chhatra Sansad, said the turnout demonstrated continued interest among students in participating in public discussions beyond traditional classroom settings.
The large attendance at the conclave reflects a wider trend across India, where educational institutions are increasingly combining academic learning with leadership training, entrepreneurship programmes and civic engagement initiatives. Universities, start-up incubators and youth organisations are creating more opportunities for students to interact directly with policymakers, business leaders and social sector experts.
For many of the students who attended the Gujarat Rising Chhatra Sansad Conclave, the event offered exposure to leaders from government, business, law and civil society under one roof. Whether through discussions on public policy, entrepreneurship or social responsibility, the central message throughout the day remained consistent: young people will play a significant role in shaping Gujarat’s future and contributing to India’s long-term development goals.
