Panel Discussion: The Hindu Mini Huddle on Campus 2026

The Hindu Huddle on Campus is a flagship event of The Hindu designed to engage students in meaningful conversations and discussions on various topics. It aims to foster critical thinking, debate, and dialogue among the youth, addressing issues such as society, education, politics, technology, and mental health. It also serves as a gateway to a two-day The Hindu Huddle, a thought leadership conclave held every year.

This prestigious ‘The Hindu Huddle on Campus ’for the year 2026 was held at Khaja Bandanawaz University, Kalaburagi on 26/05/2026 from 12pm-2pm. This interactive event brought together experts, academicians and students to confront the growing psychological challenges of the internet era with a Panel discussion focused on the theme ‘The Age of Distraction and Doomscrolling: Its Impact on Student Behaviour and Mental Health’ encouraging the young minds to reflect on the impact of digital overload and social media dependency on their attention spans, emotional well-being, productivity, and social interactions through powerful discussions, debate and critical thinking. The chosen student panelists from Khaja Bandanawaz University gets an opportunity to showcase their ideas and perspectives alongside leading thinkers and policymakers at the two-day The Hindu Huddle to be held in Bengaluru on 5^th and 6^th of June 2026.

Inauguration Ceremony

The Hindu Huddle on Campus at Khaja Bandanawaz University, Kalaburagi began with the Invocation of Divine Blessings. Dr. Anup Desai, Dean – Student Welfare, KBN University, welcomed the chief guest - Prof Ali Raza Moosvi, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, KBN University, Prof. Syed Ashfaq Ahmed, Hon’ble Pro – Vice Chancellor, KBN University, Dr. Zama Moosvi, Dean Academics, KBN University, Mir Vilayat Ali, Registrar, KBN University, Dr. Md. Abdul Baseer, Director IQAC and COE(i/c), KBN University and special invitees- Mr. Rishikesh Bahadur Desai, Senior Assistant Editor, The Hindu Group, Mr. Vikram Murali, Head of Events Operations, The Hindu Group and Mr. Sagar Chabria, Manager – Operations, The Hindu Group. The Event was formally inaugurated by watering the plant which symbolises growth, nurturing, knowledge and prosperity.

Felicitation of Dignitaries

Prof. Ali Rafa Moosvi, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, KBN University felicitated The Hindu Team with Khaja Bandanawaz University memento and welcomed them to the event. Prof. Syed Ashfaq Ahmed, Hon’ble Pro – Vice Chancellor, KBN University felicitated Prof. Ali Rafa Moosvi, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, KBN University. Mir Vilayat Ali,Registrar, KBN University felicitated Prof. Syed Ashfaq Ahmed, Hon’ble Pro – Vice Chancellor, KBN University. Dr. Anup Desai, Dean – Student Welfare, KBN University felicitated Mir Vilayat Ali,Registrar, KBN University. Dr. Geetanjali Jeevangi, Asst. Dean- Student Welfare, KBN University felicitated Dr. Zama Moosvi, Dean – Academics, KBN University. Dr. N. M. Maroof, Asst. Dean- Student Welfare, KBN University felicitated Dr. Md. Abdul Baseer, Director – IQAC and Controller of Examinations(I/C), KBN University.

Overview of The Hindu Huddle

Dr. Maroof, Asst Dean, Student Welfare – FOET introduced the Special invitees from The HinduMr. Rishikesh Bahadur Desai, Senior Assistant Editor, The Hindu Group and Mr. Vikram Murali, Head of Events Operations, The Hindu Group. Mr. Rishikesh Bahadur Desai, Senior Assistant Editor, The Hindu Groupdetailed the Inception and evolution of The Hindu. He also spoke on the vital role the dialogue and debate have played significant role in shaping the human civilization. Mr. Vikram Murali, Head of Events Operations, The Hindu Group observed that the Huddle on campus has been created to engage young minds through powerful discussions and thought-provoking dialogue. Also, gave the Overview of The Hindu Huddle to be held at Bangalore on 5th and 6th June 2026.

Presidential Address

Prof. Ali Raza Moosvi, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, KBN University emphasised the critical need for actions that enables youth to engage in meaning conversation and actively debate the issues. He also opined, referring to The Argumentative Indian, by Nobel Prize winning economist Amartya Sen, that the spirit of argumentation and discussion is inherently present with every Indian and specified that this event keeps the spirit of conversation alive among Students and Academicians.

Briefing of selection process

Dr. Geetanjali Jeevangi, Assistant Dean, Student Welfare, briefed the selection process of the panelists. In response to this remarkable opportunity to participate in The Hindu Huddle on Campus, the students across all Faculties of KBN University came forward with unique perspectives and thought-provoking ideas. To ensure fair selection, a distinguished panel of judges carefully evaluated each participant on the basis of content, clarity of thought, articulation and depth of understanding on the topic and selected the following six student panelist

1. Maktedar Abubakar, FOET

2. Rahman Mujahid, FOMS

3. Anirudh Rajeev Kulkarni, FOMS

4. Aamera Mariam, FOMS

5. Firdous Sabha, FOMS

6. Dr. Premika Vallabhaneni, FOMS

Panel Discussion

The interactive Panel discussion on ‘The Age of Distraction and Doomscrolling: Its Impact on Student Behaviour and Mental Health with six student panelists and the moderator Mr. Rishikesh Bahadur Desai featured a comprehensive debate and active participation. Together they discussed the issue from multiple angles, tracing the problem from backend algorithms to the psychological toll of these designs. In an era dominated by constant notifications, endless scrolling, and shrinking attention spans, meaningful conversations have never been more important. Balanced professional utility of the social medias was maintained throughout the session with immediate information access to vulnerabilities like shortened attention span.

The discussion progressed with every speaker exploring various aspects of the topic like Age of Distraction, Doomscrolling and Bloomscrolling, modes of distraction before and after the development of technology, the merits and demerits of social media, its impact on social behavior and mental health and most importantly how to overcome doomscrolling. Every speaker comprehensively explored the topic. Questions from the audience were encouraged.

The panel discussion concluded with a message to have a mindful conversation, to connect with people offline and to work towards avoiding doomscrolling at a Personal level, Institutional level and Regulatory level.

Vote of Thanks

The brainstorming event of The Hindu Huddle at Khaja Bandanawaz University campus concluded formally with vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Sushma D S, Coordinator, Medical Education Unit, KBN University.