A grand celebration of South India’s collective progress and rich socio-cultural heritage marked the commencement of the inaugural ‘The Southern Rising’ Summit, organized by ABP Network.

The event, held in Chennai, brought together an array of esteemed speakers and influencers to discuss and reflect on the accomplishments and challenges faced by the southern states of India.

Avinash Pandey, CEO of ABP Network, set the stage for the summit by underlining the thriving success of the southern states. He stated, “The South has already risen. It tells us that when governance is dedicated to improving the health and education of the people, it is a recipe for success. The Southern states boast the highest GDP and the lowest population growth rates, embodying the essence of the human spirit.”

Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan, Governor of Telangana and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry emphasized the vital role of the Governor as a bridge between the central and state governments and the people. She stressed the importance of fostering a healthy relationship between the Chief Minister and the Governor.

Udhayanidhi Stalin, Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development in the Government of Tamil Nadu, expressed concern about an impending delimitation exercise of Lok Sabha Constituencies, which he suggested might penalize the southern states for their effective population control programs. He highlighted the impact of population control measures in the 1970s, which have now led to a reduced population share for the southern states.

The summit witnessed participation from renowned personalities such as actor Rana Daggubati, actress and director Revathy, and Grammy Award-winning music composer and environmentalist Ricky Kej. They engaged in discussions touching on a variety of issues during the event.

In a session titled ‘India on the World Stage: Rhythm Divine,’ Ricky Kej praised India’s commitment to addressing climate change, asserting that the country’s concern about this issue is unmatched globally.

Renowned public intellectual, author, and commentator Gurcharan Das delivered an impassioned address on the pivotal role that freedom plays in shaping human progress, particularly emphasizing the challenges faced by liberals.

The summit also featured an exceptional musical journey titled “Making Music: Crafting A New Style,” showcasing the talents of Mahesh Raghvan and Nandini Shankar, who blended tradition and innovation through their music.

P. Thiaga Rajan, Hon’ble Minister of Information Technology & Digital Services, Tamil Nadu, discussed the benefits of federalism, advocating for a system that listens to the voices of a thousand. He noted the importance of recalibrating policies when necessary.

A panel of political visionaries explored the future of India in a session titled “Whose New India? Past, Imperfect, or Fast Forward,” offering contrasting viewpoints. John Brittas, a Member of Parliament from CPIM, emphasized the significance of free and independent media in a multi-religious country like India. Narayanan Thirupathy, Vice President of the BJP, expressed confidence in the party’s growth in Tamil Nadu following the vacuum left by prominent leaders, Jayalalitha and Karunanidhi. M V Rajeev Gowda, Vice Chairperson, of the State Institute for Transformation of Karnataka, and Ex-Member of Parliament (INC), argued that South India is experiencing a BJP-free era and outlined his party’s plans for the region.

The session “Mahatma Forever: Why We Need Him Now” featured Prof. Gopalkrishna Gandhi, former Governor of West Bengal, who underscored the pivotal role South India played in propelling Mahatma Gandhi’s journey toward India’s freedom struggle.

The summit also delved into the impact of social media, featuring a session titled “Social Media: Playground or Business School?” where digital content creators shared their insights and responsibilities as influencers.

A session titled “Women in Politics: A Different Kind of Leader” emphasized the need for fundamental changes within political parties to empower women in politics.

The event culminated in a high-stakes political debate titled “General Election 2024: Who Wins, Who Loses?” where political leaders discussed the upcoming elections.

The ‘Southern Rising Summit was conceived by ABP Network as a tribute to the southern states’ extraordinary growth, cultural richness, and societal harmony. It aimed to celebrate the spirit and diversity of the southern states while uniting them on a mission of driving transformative progress for India. The summit provided a platform for profound deliberations and the exchange of insights by key figures from South India and the Union Territories.