WeThink Bharat, a new platform established to foster sustained collaboration between education, industry and society in preparing future-ready citizens, was officially launched at The Forum 2026 held in Gurugram on July 16. Founded by Dr. Neha Raghav, the non-profit organisation aims to facilitate continuous dialogue, research and partnerships among educators, industry leaders, policymakers and young people on issues related to education, employability, innovation and nation-building.
The day-long The Forum 2026, organised under the theme “Industry & Academia in Dialogue: Preparing Young India for the India We Are Building,” marked the inaugural edition of what is envisaged as an annual platform for meaningful engagement between academia and industry. The event brought together distinguished leaders from education, business, government and academia to exchange perspectives on workforce readiness, evolving educational priorities, and the skills and values required to build a developed India by 2047.
Introducing the purpose of The Forum, Dr. Neha Raghav, Founder and Director of WeThink Bharat, outlined the vision behind the newly launched platform and its mission to create sustained collaboration among key stakeholders shaping India’s future. The inaugural session also featured a welcome address by Lt. Gen. Surendra Kulkarni (Retd.), former Director of Mayo College, Ajmer, followed by keynote addresses from Dr. Biswajit Saha, Director, Training & Skill Education, CBSE, and Dr. S.P. Sharma, Chief Economist, ASSOCHAM.
Commenting on the launch, Dr. Raghav said, “The vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 calls for more than economic growth; it calls for a generation of young Indians equipped with the knowledge, skills, values and confidence to shape the nation’s future. WeThink Bharat has been created as a collaborative platform where educators, industry leaders, policymakers and young people can come together to reimagine readiness for the decades ahead. The Forum 2026 marks the beginning of that collective journey.”
A panel discussion titled “The India Inc. View: What the Economy Is Asking of Its Young Talent,” featuring leaders from NatWest Group, Mindler, Canva and Max India Ltd., examined how rapidly evolving business environments are reshaping expectations from the future workforce. The discussion underscored the importance of adaptability, digital fluency, innovation and lifelong learning as essential competencies for Young India, while highlighting the growing need for stronger collaboration between industry and educational institutions to bridge the skills gap.
The afternoon sessions shifted the spotlight to youth through “From Discourse to Declaration” and “Young Bharat Speaks,” where students and young leaders articulated their aspirations and expectations for India’s future. The discussions reinforced the importance of placing young voices at the centre of conversations on education, innovation and nation-building, while highlighting the need for stronger partnerships between academia, industry and policymakers to prepare the next generation for a rapidly changing world.
