Nalanda Vada Mahotsava: Reviving India’s Tradition of Sastrartha at Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam Conclave 4.0

The Nalanda Vada Mahotsava, a landmark revival of the Bhartiya parampara of Sastrartha and a dialogue-based academic initiative, was organised by Jyot on the sidelines of the seven-day Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam Conclave 4.0 on 19–20 January 2026 at August Kranti Maidan, Mumbai, in collaboration with Nalanda University.

The Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam ki Oar Conclave is a platform for dialogue and engagement on contemporary public policy and governance themes, convening stakeholders from government, academia, and allied institutions to deliberate on issues of national and international relevance. Apart from facilitating high-level deliberations, the current edition of the Conclave also focused on the next generation by actively engaging students and creating avenues for youth-led participation and dialogue.

Nalanda Vaad marked the first outreach programme of Nalanda University, aimed at reviving India’s ancient tradition of structured intellectual discourse. The initiative is rooted in the concept of Vaad Parampara, which emphasises the pursuit of truth through dialogue and reasoning, rather than adversarial notions of winning or losing.

The programme was conducted under a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Gitarth Ganga, Jyot, and Nalanda University, reflecting a shared commitment to academic engagement and civilisational dialogue. The evaluation criteria were based on five parameters: Pramāṇa Integrity (evidence-based reasoning), Tarka (logical reasoning) and Saṅgati (coherence), Vyāpti–Avyāpti (pervasion and non-pervasion), Samvāda-Śailī (civil and constructive dialogue), and Ānvikṣikī depth (nuanced inquiry).

Discussions during Nalanda Vaad covered a wide range of themes, including free speech and truth, rule of law versus rule of justice, and the joint family system vis-à-vis the nuclear family system, among others. The sessions encouraged open dialogue and critical reflection on societal and constitutional values.

The programme witnessed participation from around 170 students from across India, along with international students from countries of Global South like Indonesia, Kenia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, etc. highlighting the global and inclusive character of the discussions.

The Conclave was organised in partnership with various educational institutions, with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) extending its support to the event. The felicitation ceremony during the event was graced by Mr. Sachin Chaturvedi, Vice Chancellor of Nalanda University who acknowledged the significance of reviving traditional Indian knowledge systems through contemporary academic platforms.

Nalanda Vaad provided a platform for students to engage deeply with ideas rooted in India’s civilisational ethos while addressing contemporary legal, social, and philosophical questions.

International student participants taking blessings from His Holiness.

At its core, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam Ki Oar 4.0 attempted to bridge ancient Indian value systems with contemporary constitutional and legal frameworks. Drawing from ideas rooted in Indian Rajneeti, philosophy, jurisprudence, and civilisational ethics, the conclave explores whether India’s modern legal system is sufficiently equipped, both structurally and institutionally, to integrate indigenous constitutional thought while responding to present-day legal, political and governance challenges.

Former Supreme Court Judge Justice B.N. Srikrishna, while speaking at the opening ceremony of the event, emphasised the importance of understanding the culture and ethos of the country while engaging with constitutional principles. He underlined that faith, awareness and sensitivity to social realities are essential to ensure that constitutional values are meaningfully sustained during periods of change.

Drawing from ancient scriptures, he invoked the timeless maxim;

आत्मनः प्रतिकूलानि परेषां न समाचरेत्।

Do not do to others what is adverse or hurtful to yourself

Resonating with the idea of Vasudhaiva Kutumbhkam, he quoted:

अयं निजः परो वेति गणना लघुचेतसाम्। उदारचरितानां तु वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम्॥

“This is mine, that is yours” is the thinking of the small-minded. For the large-hearted, the whole world is one family.

The event featured a series of legal and geopolitical sessions from 17th-22nd January, 2026, each engaging with questions of power, legitimacy, and governance in a rapidly changing national and global order. While the geopolitical sessions examined India’s evolving role on the world stage, the legal sessions turned inward towards the Constitution as the cornerstone of democratic stability.