Youth Speak Forum

“The future we talk about today is the future we build tomorrow”

The Youth Speak Forum 2026 was successfully organised by AIESEC in Kolkata and hosted at The Bhawanipur Education Society College on 6th March 2026 at the Concept Hall. AIESEC is a global youth-led organisation present in more than 100 countries and territories that focuses on developing leadership among young people through cross-cultural exchange programs, leadership opportunities, and global platforms for dialogue. Through initiatives such as Youth Speak Forum, AIESEC aims to connect young individuals with leaders from various industries, encouraging conversations that inspire responsible leadership and active participation in shaping the future.

The forum brought together students, professionals, and distinguished leaders from various fields to engage in meaningful discussions around the theme “Credentials vs Passion: The Pathways to Success,” which was chosen keeping in mind Sustainable Development Goal No. 4 – Quality Education.

The event commenced with a keynote address by Mr. Nishant Agarwal, Co-founder and Director of Austin Plywood. During his address, he emphasised the importance of balancing credentials and passion in one’s career journey by placing equal emphasis on academic and professional qualifications along with passion. He also narrated his personal experiences in this regard and encouraged students to focus seriously on developing their credentials.

Following the keynote address, the forum featured a fireside conversation with Mr. Harshavardhan Neotia, Chairman of Ambuja Neotia Group and a Padma Shri awardee known for his contributions to business and urban development. The conversation was moderated by Mr. Jimmy Tangree, Head of 91.9 Friends FM. During the conversation, Mr. Neotia shared the story of how his professional journey began at 21 and a half years of age, when he undertook the construction of a 15,000-square-foot building consisting of fifteen flats of 1,000 square feet each. His interest and passion for real estate began to grow from that point onward.

During the session, he also shared that one of the guiding principles of his journey has been to focus on every assignment and remain patient for the outcome.

The latter half of the event witnessed a panel discussion on the theme “Credentials vs Passion: The Pathways to Success.” The panel featured a distinguished group of professionals from different industries, including Aswini Bajaj, CEO of Leveraged Growth and a renowned mentor in finance and professional education; Ajay Laddha, Co-founder of T2AI Consultancy and an experienced AI coach with over three decades of experience in business and technology; Samip Baruah, Principal of the Army Institute of Management with extensive corporate and academic experience; Anuradha Jalan, CEO of Greencove, Kolkata’s first sustainable co-working space; and Meenakshi Chaturvedi, Vice Principal of the B.Com Department at The Bhawanipur Education Society College.

The discussion was moderated by Jimmy Tangree. The speakers encouraged students to remain curious, embrace new opportunities, and pursue paths that align with their interests and values. This exchange allowed participants to gain diverse insights and practical advice from leaders across different fields, making the conversation both engaging and thought-provoking for the audience.

The event concluded with a creative and engaging segment featuring a performance by Saahil Agarwal, the third sibling of the Backstage Siblings. His session was a refreshing blend of poetry, music, and storytelling. Students joined him in singing and jamming to songs and bhajans, turning the segment into a lively and memorable experience for everyone present. All the students interacted, participated, and made the moment lively and memorable.

The forum successfully fostered meaningful dialogue and inspired students to thoughtfully reflect on the balance between credentials and passion in shaping their future paths.

Reporter: Mrinalika Dujari