I.I.M.U.N. founder Rishabh Shah (Left), RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat (Right)
Mumbai: As Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat prepares to interact with nearly 2,000 Gen Z and Gen Alpha students in Mumbai on August 6, organisers have clarified that the engagement is neither unprecedented nor politically timed.
Instead, they describe it as a continuation of a long-standing association between Dr Bhagwat and India’s International Movement to Unite Nations (I.I.M.U.N.), where he has previously addressed young participants and shared his vision with the next generation.
The event, organised to mark I.I.M.U.N.’s 15th anniversary, will be held at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) and will bring together students aged 15 to 19 from more than 100 cities across India under the theme “The Role of Youth in Uniting the World: The Indian Perspective.”
Responding to the attention surrounding Dr Bhagwat’s interaction with Gen Z and Gen Alpha, I.I.M.U.N. Founder Rishabh Shah said the organisation has been conducting similar youth engagement programmes every August for the last 15 years.
“This may be new for many people, but our organisation has been working for the past 15 years. Every year, our culmination event is held between August 1 and August 15. Throughout the year, we organise programmes across India and in several countries for children and young people aged 11 to 19. Today, this age group is referred to as Gen Z and Gen Alpha,” Shah said.
He emphasised that the annual event has always focused on nurturing leadership, debate and civic engagement among young participants and that the timing has remained consistent over the years. “I understand why this has become such a major topic now because the discussion is centred around Gen Z. But all 2,000 participants at this event belong to Gen Z, and this has been our format for years,” he added.
Rejecting suggestions that the RSS Sarsanghchalak’s appearance marks a new outreach initiative, Shah pointed out that Dr Mohan Bhagwat has addressed I.I.M.U.N. participants on multiple occasions in the past.
“He will attend the event in person. We had invited Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat in 2016 and again in 2020 to interact with young people, guide them and share his views. He attended on those occasions as well, and we are delighted that he is once again joining us.”
According to the organisers, Dr Bhagwat’s participation is part of an ongoing relationship with the platform rather than a one-off event.
Shah also highlighted that I.I.M.U.N. has consistently invited personalities from diverse ideological and professional backgrounds, stressing that the platform is non-partisan and focused on youth leadership.
The four-day programme follows a structured format that has been replicated across I.I.M.U.N.’s national and international chapters. The opening day features keynote addresses by distinguished speakers, while the remaining three days are devoted to debates and discussions on local, national and global issues.
According to the organisers, this format is conducted across 108 cities in India and 15 countries, culminating in the annual August gathering. Students participating in the Mumbai event will deliberate on contemporary challenges while engaging with public figures and policymakers.
This year’s theme, “The Role of Youth in Uniting the World: The Indian Perspective,” seeks to encourage students to articulate India’s approach to global challenges and explore the role of young people in promoting dialogue, cooperation and leadership.
