The Bhawanipur Education Society College hosted the highly anticipated Students’ Conference 2026 on April 16, 2026, bringing together enthusiastic students from across the country who presented their papers before a panel of esteemed judges and intellectuals.
Today, academia and enlightenment stand at a crossroads as ignorance continues to rise. Yet, it is gatherings like these that highlight that the beacon of intellectualism still lives on within those who listen carefully, question thoughtfully, and lead the path toward true knowledge. The sanctity of this knowledge was reflected through an eloquently sung shloka from the Rig Veda by the anchors. Following this, the Eastern Dance Team of The Bhawanipur Education Society College was invited on stage to mark an auspicious beginning to the day through their performance.
This was followed by the lamp-lighting ceremony, undertaken by the Rector and Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. Dilip Shah; Coordinator of the Morning Commerce Department, Prof. Minakshi Chaturvedi; the Chief Guest, Dr. Ankur Chaturvedi; the Keynote Speaker, Dr. Kasturi Saha; and Suhana Singh, the Student Convener of the conference.
The panellists were then introduced by the anchors. Dr. Ankur Chaturvedi is currently the Associate Vice President at Emami Ltd., and is also an alumnus of the National Defence Academy and a former soldier. Dr. Kasturi Saha is an Associate Professor at IIT Bombay, having earned her PhD from Cornell University and completed her postdoctoral research at MIT. They were felicitated by Prof. Dilip Shah, who then addressed the audience.
He spoke on the significance and prospects of the conference, describing it as a platform for young intellectuals to voice their perspectives on global issues. He formally declared the conference open and invited the Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker to address the audience.
Dr. Ankur Chaturvedi spoke about the challenges faced by Indian youth—the constant rat race, academic pressures, and corporate expectations—drawing from his own experiences. He then connected his thoughts to global conflicts, emphasising the power of words as the initiator, companion, and resolver of conflict.
Dr. Kasturi Saha spoke about her contributions to the development of India’s first quantum diamond microscope and portable magnetometer, as well as her work as Project Director of the NQM Quantum Sensing and Metrology Hub. She concluded with simple yet powerful advice—to pursue one’s passion with dedication and integrity.
The Student Convener then directed participants to the four venues, each hosting a different theme.
Theme 1, Waterfront, Warfront and Hydro-hegemony: The Sociopolitics of South Asia’s Mainstream Water Parts, was held in the Concept Hall and judged by Prof. Dr. Nayanika Saha (Loreto College) and Prof. Dr. Shankar Bose (Presidency University). Students explored rivers as intersections of culture and power, linking livelihoods to upstream dominance and dam politics, while addressing displacement, erosion, and ecological concerns.
Theme 2, The Paradox, Irony, and Conundrum of AI, or I, was held in Room 233 and judged by Prof. Akash Mehta (BESC) and Prof. Jaydip Sen (Praxis Business School). Discussions focused on the epistemic limitations of AI, ethical concerns, and the tension between technological advancement and human autonomy, especially in education.
Theme 3, Permanence, Impermanence, Politics and Praxis of Elasticity of Time, was held in the Society Hall and judged by Prof. Shabina Nishat Omar (AJC Bose College) and Prof. Dr. Suparna Ghosh (Loreto College). Papers explored the “praxis of slowness,” temporal justice, and philosophical frameworks such as Wabi-sabi and Ikigai, advocating a rethinking of time and productivity.
Theme 4, War, Words and Wealth, was held in the Jubilee Hall and judged by Prof. Lopamudra Majumdar (University of Calcutta) and Prof. Dr. Ranjita Dawn (Loreto College). Discussions reflected on geopolitical shifts, economic realignments, and the influence of rhetoric on global power structures.
Following each presentation, judges invited questions from participants and engaged presenters with in-depth discussions, offering valuable feedback and perspectives.
The closing ceremony saw Prof. Minakshi Chaturvedi and Prof. Dilip Shah distributing awards. Each theme featured awards for Best Paper and Best Presenter, while the Best Report category included a winner and a runner-up.
Prof. Minakshi Chaturvedi delivered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all contributors and reflecting on the encouraging participation. Prof. Dilip Shah concluded the event by reiterating the importance of such platforms in nurturing academic competition and free expression, which are fundamental to a democratic society.
Reporter: Saptak Roychoudhury
Photographer: Ansh Tripathi
