Mumbai: Union Minister Smriti Irani inaugurated the Manorama News Conclave 2023, held at the Lulu Bolgatty International Convention Centre at 9.45 am. The central theme of this edition was "India: The Future Story," and it featured a distinguished lineup of speakers who shared their insights on various facets of India's future, ranging from politics and space exploration to cinema and artificial intelligence.

The event commenced with a warm welcome address from Jayant Mammen Mathew, Executive Editor and Director of Malayala Manorama. He underscored the pivotal role that India's future plays, especially with the general election on the horizon.

Mammen Mathew, Chief Editor of Malayala Manorama, added a unique touch by presenting gold medals to the accomplished winners of the Hangzhou Asian Games. Notably, these athletes received recognition before their official government recognition, marking a significant milestone in their sporting achievements.

In her keynote address, Smriti Irani highlighted the striking divisions among opposition parties, despite their formation of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) with the aim of challenging the BJP in the forthcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The Conclave hosted a series of thought-provoking sessions:

India in the Perspective of Kashmir: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, discussed the unique status of J&K and questioned the temporary nature of Article 370.

Yechury on 'India – The Future Story': CPM General Secretary, Sitaram Yechury, outlined his party's vision for the 2024 general elections, emphasizing the ‘INDIA’ alliance's pivotal role.

Kerala Politics in 2024: A spirited debate featuring Kerala's Opposition Leader V. D. Satheesan and CPM state secretary M. V. Govindan delved into the intricacies of Kerala politics and their respective alliances.

India’s Space Dreams: ISRO Chairman, S. Somnath, shared his optimism regarding Chandrayaan-3 and the remarkable scientific contributions it promises to deliver.

Future of Cinemas & Theatres: A discussion on the challenges faced by the film industry was led by Malayalam film personalities, including Basil Joseph, Jude Anthany Joseph, and Nikhila Vimal.

Widening Space for Women in Politics: Notable women leaders in politics, including K. K. Shailaja (CPM), K. K. Rema (RMP), and Shoba Surendran (BJP), explored the imperative of enhancing female representation in politics. They addressed diverse issues, including women's entry at Sabarimala and the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Possibilities of Artificial Intelligence: Google DeepMind research director, Dileep George, delved into the potential of AI and whether it could surpass human intelligence.

Reverse Brain Drain: Ashok Mani and Vivek Venugopal discussed solutions to counteract the brain drain issue in Kerala, focusing on the identification of strengths and the enhancement of social and entertainment infrastructure.

The Conclave incorporated unique and engaging activities, including a digital "hope wall," where dignitaries like Smriti Irani, Omar Abdullah and Basil Joseph penned well-wishes for India's future. In a unique pre-event activity, college students were invited to pose impactful questions about India's future. These students were subsequently given the opportunity to ask their questions directly to the experts at the Conclave.

Notable mentions at the Conclave included Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who shared insights about the 'INDIA' front's plans for the upcoming general elections. He noted the growing anti-incumbency sentiment, particularly in the Hindi belt, and emphasized the importance of a well-crafted manifesto for the Congress party.

The Conclave concluded on a thoughtful note with a session featuring spiritual guru and orator Gaur Gopal Das, who explored "The yardstick of happiness in the era of Artificial Intelligence." Gaur's philosophy emphasized that happiness is unrelated to possessions, and the key lies in how one lives, not what one has.

In the valedictory address, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, D. K. Shivakumar, acknowledged the indispensable role that media plays in Indian democracy. He expressed appreciation for Malayala Manorama's significant contributions to India's progress over its 130-year history.

The Manorama News Conclave 2023 offered a platform for enlightening discussions and unique activities, bringing together diverse voices and perspectives on the future of India.