A young audience member asks a question at Manthan — a speaker listens on stage under warm amber light.
The Founding Edition · 2026
Manthan

Conversations that shape society.

Three Conversations. One Stage. Unlimited Questions.

A one-day public dialogue platform bringing together speakers and young minds to discuss some of the most important questions shaping modern society.

Founding EditionOne Day EventOpen Public DialogueAudience Q&A Included
EditionFounding · 2026
DateSept 2026
VenueHowrah, WB
Mission Arya Karan Foundation
Presented in association withMission Arya Karan FoundationFounding Partner
The Premise

Why Manthan?

Modern society has no shortage of opinions.

What it increasingly lacks are spaces for thoughtful conversation.

Manthan is an attempt to create a platform where ideas can be presented, questioned, challenged and refined in public dialogue.

The goal is not agreement.

The goal is understanding.

The purpose is not to win arguments.

The purpose is to deepen conversations.

The Format

How Manthan works.

A structured flow — from a single perspective, through public questioning, to shared reflection.

प्रस्तुति

Speaker Presentation

Each speaker receives dedicated time to present their perspective on the session topic — with rigour, honesty, and depth.

20–30 minutes

01
संवाद

Open Public Dialogue

The speaker remains on stage while audience members directly ask questions, challenge assumptions and engage in meaningful conversation.

30–45 minutes

02
मनन

Collective Reflection

The audience leaves not with conclusions imposed upon them, but with new questions and new perspectives worth carrying forward.

The lasting outcome

03
SpeakerAudience QuestionsDiscussionReflection
Curated Dialogue

The Founding Sessions.

Three questions worth an afternoon.
01

बदलता समाज और बदलती नारी: स्वतंत्रता, सुरक्षा और जिम्मेदारियों का संतुलन

The Changing Society and the Changing Woman

As societies evolve, the role and expectations surrounding women continue to change. How should freedom, security and responsibility be balanced in a rapidly changing world?

Two profile silhouettes facing each other in editorial illustration.
02

युवाओं में बढ़ता नास्तिकवाद: विद्रोह, विज्ञान या अर्थ की खोज?

Rising Disbelief Among the Young

Why are many young people moving away from traditional religious frameworks? Is this shift driven by science, rebellion, disappointment or a deeper search for meaning?

Cracked terracotta earth with a golden thread — a texture of belief and rupture.
03

क्या सोशल मीडिया युवाओं की सोच चला रहा है, या युवा सोशल मीडिया को चला रहे हैं?

Who Steers Whom, Online?

Are algorithms shaping opinions, attention and identity, or do users ultimately control the platforms they use?

A glowing phone resting on a handwritten notebook, warm ambient light.
Voices at the Table

Speakers.

The Founding Edition roster is being curated. Announcements soon.

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To be announced

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To be announced

Speaker

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To be announced

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To be announced

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To be announced

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To be announced

Speaker

Coming Soon
Founder
Pranjal Singh, Founder of Manthan

Pranjal Singh

Founder, Manthan

Meaningful societies are not built merely through agreement, but through courageous conversations and thoughtful questions.

— A note from the founder

Inspiration

In the tradition of fearless inquiry.

An editorial portrait of Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati.
“Truth emerges through fearless inquiry and thoughtful dialogue.”

Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati

Thinker · Reformer · Seeker

Manthan draws inspiration from thinkers across generations who insisted that inquiry — patient, public, unafraid — is how a society learns to think for itself.

Founding Partners

Standing with us from day one.

Current Supporting Organisation

Mission Arya Karan Foundation

Mission Arya Karan Foundation

Become a Founding Partner.

We are inviting organisations and institutions that believe in thoughtful public dialogue to become founding partners of Manthan.

  • Title Partner
  • Knowledge Partner
  • Community Partner
  • Youth Partner
  • Hospitality Partner
  • Venue Partner
Become a Sponsor

Why partner with Manthan?

01

Engage with thoughtful young audiences

Reach an audience that shows up to listen, question, and think — not just to attend.

02

Support meaningful public conversations

Back a platform designed to lift the quality of public discourse in India.

03

Build association with intellectual discourse

Align your organisation with rigour, curiosity, and civil dialogue.

04

Be part of the founding edition

Founding partners carry a permanent place in the story of Manthan.

05

Gain visibility among engaged participants

Warm, high-attention presence — not banner clutter.

Volunteer

Join the team behind the first edition.

We are looking for people who want to help shape Manthan from the inside — thoughtful, dependable, and quietly ambitious.

  • Event Operations
  • Hospitality
  • Photography
  • Social Media
  • Speaker Management
  • Registration Desk
Become a Volunteer
Essential Information

Frequently asked.

Founding Edition

Join the conversation.

Become part of the founding edition of Manthan — as a participant, partner, volunteer, or contributor of ideas.