This year’s The Hindu Huddle theme, ‘A World in Transition,’ reflects the rapid changes unfolding around us — from geopolitical shifts and Artificial Intelligence-driven disruptions to evolving ways of learning, communicating, working, and addressing mental health.

A marquee event of The Hindu Group, The Hindu Huddle will be held in Bengaluru on June 5 and 6. It brings together meaningful debates and conversations on this era of uncertainty, creating space for listening, reflection, and authentic exchange.

This edition will bring together leading Indian and global voices to discuss some of today’s most important issues, including the role of regional parties in strengthening India’s democracy, diplomacy in times of conflict, women’s representation in Parliament, India and China’s role in shaping a new global order, balancing ecological restoration with development, the use of chatbots in mental health, the influence of OTT platforms on acting careers, and the future of work.

Speaking about this edition, Narayan Lakshman, Opinion Editor, The Hindu, and Curator, The Hindu Huddle, says, “The Hindu Huddle has already made a name for itself over four previous editions. Presented year on year in a cosmopolitan city like Bengaluru and exemplifying The Hindu’s contemporary spirit of journalistic inquiry, The Hindu Huddle is known for consistently bringing cutting-edge dialogues to our audiences, with experts from across the world engaging in fruitful conversations for change.”

Speakers at The Huddle this year include Union Ministers Hardeep Puri and Nitin Gadkari; Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah; former President of the Maldives Mohamed Nasheed; Chief Economic Adviser Anantha Nageswaran; MPs Aparajita Sarangi, Thamizhachi Thangapandian, Sagarika Ghose, and Shrinkant Shinde; Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong; EU Ambassador Hervé Delphin; Brazilian Ambassador Kenneth Felix Hascynzki da Nobrega; Australian High Commissioner Philip Green; and former Ambassador Nirupama Rao; artists and curators Seema Kohli, Shilo Suleman, Abhishek Poddar, and Ranvir Shah; and mental health advocates Amit Malik and Amrita Tripathi.

Sessions in colleges

Like the previous edition, The Hindu is also taking The Huddle to the youth. Sessions have been curated specifically for young minds. In the run-up to the main event, The Hindu will be hosting mini-Huddles — thought-provoking discussions on topics that matter — across colleges in various cities.

As Mr. Lakshman says, “As a brand, we have stood firm through the vicissitudes of time and flux in the media ecosystem to deliver a premium product that puts the interests of the reader, the viewer, and the listener above all else. The Hindu Huddle is back with a bang, and it will be an ideas conclave like no other.”

The presenting partner for The Hindu Huddle is the Sami-Sabinsa Group.