CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: The 5th Samarth Bharat Conclave 2026 was grandly inaugurated at the Kushabhau Thakre International Convention Center (Minto Hall) in the capital city of Bhopal. Based on the theme “Reimagining Impact: AI-Driven Skilling, Financial Inclusion and Social Enterprise for a Developed India,” the conclave was attended by the Governor of Madhya Pradesh, Mangubhai Patel, as the Chief Guest.
Dignitaries present on the मंच included Santosh Choubey, Chancellor of Rabindranath Tagore University; Dr. Siddharth Chaturvedi, Chancellor of Scope Global Skill University; Dr. Ravi Prakash Dubey, Vice-Chancellor of Rabindranath Tagore University; Dr. Vijay Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Scope Global Skill University; Dr. Aditi Chaturvedi Vats, Pro-Chancellor; and Colonel Santosh, Founder of Wadhwani Foundation. The program was anchored by Dr. Aditi Chaturvedi Vats, followed by the ceremonial welcome of the Governor with a memento.
Governor Mangubhai Patel appreciated the initiatives of the AISECT Group and stated that efforts like the “Kaushal Rath” are playing a vital role in enhancing technological literacy among children in the field of AI. Emphasizing innovation along with social and environmental protection, he said continuous efforts in skilling, entrepreneurship, and education are essential to bring prosperity to the poor and achieve the vision of a Developed India. He also referred to initiatives like Skill India, Khelo India, and Swachh Bharat Mission, noting that digital and technological collaboration is strengthening the country’s ecosystem.
Earlier, while presenting the concept of the conclave, Dr. Siddharth Chaturvedi stated that AISECT has been working for over 40 years in education, skilling, inclusion, and opportunities, and has now expanded as “AISECT India” with a pan-India network, reaching Africa, the Middle East, and Germany. He said AISECT’s role in building a Developed India is continuously growing, and through CSR partnerships, socio-economic impact is being strengthened. The Atal Incubation Center of Rabindranath Tagore University is among the top five centers in the country.
In his address, Santosh Choubey said that his institution integrates traditional Indian values with modern education. He noted that the focus has now shifted from basic computer literacy to an AI mission, with the launch of AI-based courses, short-term programs, and educational tours. Referring to Narendra Modi’s AI mission, he said concrete efforts are being made in collaboration with the government.
During the event, a documentary film on AISECT was screened. Annual reports of AISECT and Scope Global Skill University, a report on Kaushal Rath, and a Hindi book on Artificial Intelligence were also released and presented to the Governor.
For outstanding contributions, Prem Singh Gundiya and Swati Trivedi associated with AISECT centers were honored. Several important MoUs were signed, including partnerships between Scope Global Skill University and Reliance Animation, Wadhwani Foundation and AISECT, as well as collaborations with Next Wave Technology and HCLTech. The session concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Vijay Singh.
The second session, a “Knowledge Session,” featured a panel discussion on “AI for a Developed India.” Devvrat Vaishnav stated that 570 data centers are being set up, primarily in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, where students can access data-related courses free for three years. Gayatri Dharamraj emphasized that AI will not eliminate jobs but will enhance workers’ capabilities and improve quality. A senior representative from Next Wave, Naidu, highlighted that achieving the vision of Developed India by 2047 depends on youth participation and early adoption of AI. AISECT Director Abhishek Pandit noted that the AI mission is helping connect rural children with education. Manoj Tripathi, GM of AISECT Learn, presented on the AI Literacy Mission, explaining how AISECT is facilitating skill-based courses and faculty development training.
Reports such as the Vocational Education Program in Schools Annual Report (Ladakh, Meghalaya, Jharkhand, UP, Bihar), Impact Report on Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (National Health Mission), and AISECT Impact Report on UNICEF Passport to Earning Program were also released. Offer letters were distributed to candidates who secured employment through various projects. The session was moderated by Dr. Aditi Chaturvedi Vats.
The third session, titled “Co-Creating Impact: The Power of Collaborative CSR,” emphasized enhancing social impact through joint efforts between corporate and academic institutions. Key participants included Rachna Chugh (Vice President, Genpact), Colonel Santosh (Wadhwani Foundation), Barkat-ul-Nisa (National Skill Development Corporation), Abhijeet Jhalte (Polycab Foundation), and Arvind Chaturvedi (EVP, AISECT). An MoU between AISECT and Genpact for a skill-building program was also exchanged.
In the concluding session, key dignitaries included Santosh Choubey (Chairman, AISECT India), Dr. Siddharth Chaturvedi (Director Operations, AISECT India), Abhishek Pandit (Pro-Chancellor, Scope Global Skills University), Arvind Chaturvedi (Executive Vice President, AISECT India), and Dr. R.P. Dubey (Vice-Chancellor, Rabindranath Tagore University). During this session, the Madhya Pradesh State Profile was released, and entrepreneurs excelling in various categories were honored.
Kusum Bharpoda from Jhabua received the Best Woman Entrepreneur Award; Bhupendra Sharma, Deep Chand, Preeti Vishwakarma, and Pawan Mishra were honored with the Entrepreneur of the Year Award for quality training; and Subhash Rathore received the Chairman Medal of Excellence – Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Entrepreneurs also shared their experiences and inspiring success stories, providing new direction and motivation to the participants.
