The Bengaluru Debates: Do Young Leaders Have Hope For This City?

India is making strides. Over the last few decades, the country's economy has expanded rapidly, unlocking new avenues for growth. Household consumption has nearly doubled in the last 10 years, and India remains the world's fastest-growing major economy, with private prosperity booming as never before. The city of Bengaluru exemplifies this story. Between 1991 and 2011, the city's population surged by 95%, while its developed land area grew by 170% between 1985 and 2015. Once known as the Pensioner's Paradise and the Garden City, it is now defined by the IT revolution and a young workforce that arrived chasing opportunity. Their energy shapes the city today, with cultural events and community spaces evolving around every conceivable interest. It is in this context that we turn to youth leadership and drive for the city — asking whether young people are missing from mainstream politics and civic action. The question is no longer whether young people care about Bengaluru, but whether they see themselves as helping shape its future. Speakers: Sarthak Sidhant, Student and Civic Tech Enthusiast Vibha Nadig, Founder and Director, Outlawed India Rishvanjas Raghavan, Founder, BNP NavaYuva; Governing Council Member, Bengaluru NavaNirmana Party Koushik Dhayal, Treasurer, Youth for Parivarthan