Government of the People: Karnataka’s tryst with equitable growth – address by D.K. Shivakumar, Chief Minister of Karnataka, at the sixth edition of The Hindu Huddle, in Bengaluru on June 05, 2026.
| Photo Credit: K. Murali Kumar
Karnataka Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar on Friday (June 5, 2026) described Bengaluru as “the biggest talent pool in Asia”, highlighting the city’s vast reserve of IT professionals, engineers, nurses, and other skilled workers who contribute to economies across the world. He said Bengaluru remains one of the safest cities to live and work in.
In pictures: The Hindu Huddle 2026 | Day 1
Day 1 of The Hindu Huddle in Bengaluru, inaugurated by Karnataka CM D.K. Shivakumar (R). Dr. Narayan Lakshman, The Hindu’s Opinion editor and the curator of The Huddle (L) is seen at the event.
The Hindu Huddle 2026 opens in Bengaluru, June 5, 2026.
The Hindu Huddle brought under a single roof, the most impactful experts in the time of shifting global priorities and polarities on June 5, 2026.
The sixth edition of the ideas conclave of The Hindu Group, was held in Bengaluru on June 5 and 6.
J&K CM Omar Abdullah said at the event, “Come and visit Kashmir. We don’t get enough visitors from the South of the Vindhyas. We are trying to encourage more people from this part of the country to come visit us.”
Xu Feihong, Chinese Ambassador to India, in a session with Suhasini Haidar, Diplomatic Affairs Editor, The Hindu, spoke about how India-China ties is one of the most important relationships in the world.
At the session – ‘The Power of Words: Diplomacy at a time of conflict’, moderated by The Hindu’s Suhasini Haidar spoke to diplomats.
Hervé Delphin, EU Ambassador to India
Nirupama Rao, Former Foreign Secretary and Former Indian Ambassador to the U.S.
and Philip Green, Australian High Commissioner to India were among those who spoke at the panel.
Karnataka CM D.K. Shivakumar in his speech said that Bengaluru has biggest talent pool in Asia.
Former Union Minister and Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh, and Dr. Krithi Karanth, CEO, Centre for Wildlife Studies spoke at a session moderated by Gargi Rawat, Consulting Editor, NDTV.
Former Union Minister and Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh, in a session said, “We have a very progressive system, but ease of business mantra overtakes”.
At a session on ‘The Architecture of Leadership: Designing blueprints for a volatile world’, moderated by L.V. Navaneeth, CEO, The Hindu Group, the panel includes, R. Ganesan, Senior Vice President & Head – Corporate Centre, L&T, Neeti Sharma, CEO, TeamLease Digital, Praveen Someshwar, MD and CEO, USL & Member, Global Diageo Executive Committee, Shailendra Katyal, VP & MD, Lenovo India.
At the session ‘The Matrix Can Hear You: Chatbots and mental health’, Dr. Amit Malik, Psychiatrist and Founder, AMAHA
and Dr Prabha S Chandra, Professor of Psychiatry and Director, NIMHANS, talk to author Amrita Tripathi.
Actors Huma Qureshi and Kritika Kamra in conversation with Rohit Khilnani, journalist and talk show host.
A mentalist named Naman Anand performed at the conclave.
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Speaking at the inauguration of the sixth edition of The Hindu Huddle at the Taj West End in Bengaluru, the Chief Minister said the event marked his first inauguration since assuming office.
This edition of The Hindu Huddle, themed ‘A World in Transition’, was curated by The Hindu’s Opinion Editor, Narayan Lakshman, and brought together heads of government, diplomats, policymakers, thought leaders, experts from diverse fields, and members of the arts and entertainment industry to discuss major geopolitical, economic, technological, and social changes shaping the world today.
The distinguished line-up of speakers included Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, former Union Minister and Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh, Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong, European Union Ambassador Hervé Delphin, former Foreign Secretary and former Indian Ambassador to U.S. and China Nirupama Rao, and Australian High Commissioner Philip Green.
Praising The Hindu for its commitment to independent journalism, Mr. Shivakumar said, “You write history, we believe in making history.” Commending the newspaper’s editorial integrity, he added that The Hindu had remained steadfast despite political and governmental pressures, saying, “You have not moved a budge with any political or government pressures. Your pen is very straight.”
Published – June 05, 2026 10:53 pm IST
