Jaipur: Preparations for ‘Lokmanthan 2026’, a prestigious platform dedicated to Indian knowledge traditions, folk culture, and national thought, are in full swing. On Wednesday, the Welcome Committee and Organizing Committee for Lokmanthan 2026 were formally announced at a grand event held at the Constitution Club in Jaipur. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma presided over the ceremony, inaugurated the event, and unveiled the official website of Lokmanthan 2026.
The chief speaker, J. Nandkumar, National Convener of Pragya Pravah, elaborated on the concept and objectives of Lokmanthan. He said, “India was built through meaningful dialogue, and the India of the future will also be strengthened only through continuous, creative, healthy, and multidimensional dialogue. This is not just a right, but our duty as well.”
Nandkumar explained that Lokmanthan was initiated to revive the ancient Indian tradition of dialogue in the modern context. The first edition focused on the theme “Liberation of the Indian Psyche from Colonialism,” which received enthusiastic participation from thinkers, scholars, and people from all sections of society across the country. Lokmanthan 2026 will now be held from 4 to 6 December in Jaipur on the theme “We the People of India”.
He emphasized that dialogue should not be limited to cities or the intellectual class alone. People from villages, rural areas, forests, and tribal regions must also be given full participation in the national discourse. “India’s dialogue should be the dialogue of the entire society, in which even the person standing in the last row has an equal voice,” he asserted.
Nandkumar reminded the audience that India was not built merely through the discourse of the so-called educated class sitting in big cities. Forest dwellers living in jungles, villagers in rural areas, and citizens in urban centres — all have collectively enriched India’s tradition of dialogue. Lokmanthan is an effort to carry forward this inclusive tradition.
While announcing the committees, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma assured that Rajasthan would ensure the successful organization of Lokmanthan 2026. He described the platform as a unique opportunity for the exchange of knowledge, culture, and national consciousness.
Lokmanthan will not only be a forum for discussions and seminars but a grand churning (manthan) on the diversity of Indian folk life, ancient knowledge systems, cultural heritage, and contemporary national issues. Scholars, researchers, artists, and social workers from different parts of the country will participate in the event.
The organizers believe that in the present times, when numerous challenges are emerging at the global level, it is extremely important to strengthen India’s ancient values and tradition of dialogue. Lokmanthan 2026 will prove to be a significant step in this direction.