ABP Network CEO Sumanta Dutta concluded the fifth edition of the Ideas of India summit by reflecting on two days of discussions that focused on ideas shaping the future, calling it “an amazing two days” that had “really flown by.”
Describing the summit as a break from the negativity of the digital age, Dutta said it was “such a refreshing change to step away from the online doomscrolling and sheer brainrot and to take a look and focus on ideas.”
He emphasised that ideas are rooted in learning from the past while helping shape the present and future, adding that they enable people to move forward with confidence.
Dutta said the summit began with conversations on the emerging global landscape but acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding it.
“Yesterday we started off thinking about the new world order, but immediately we are challenged as there is a complete lack of a world order as what has happened last night and today,” he said.
He referred to insights shared by global thinkers during the event, noting that John Mearsheimer had argued that the world order would continue to evolve while retaining some continuity.
“At the same time Profesor Yangshutong said that we should forget any order as the world has moved on and in this world of AI and cyber reality there will be no world order,” Dutta said, adding that the coming years would be “a very interesting time.”
Beyond geopolitics, Dutta highlighted how the summit celebrated human resilience and inclusivity.
“What matters is inclusivity in seeing the bravery and courage in the people around us, in sports people, of differently abled individuals of meeting and beating expectations that surpass even our own,” he said.
He added that a key takeaway was that “life is full of struggle but there is joy in that struggle.”
Dutta noted the participation of prominent figures from the film industry, including Pankaj Tripathi and Anil Kapoor, who concluded the sessions.
He said one of them, with a career spanning 42 years, remarked that he was “just getting started,” while the other reflected on dreaming of reaching Bollywood from Bihar and continuing to dream.
Dutta also referred to lessons shared by major film personalities, saying, “We learnt from the Badshah of Bollywood and from the king of romance yesterday that it isn't what he does but what really inspires him as he looks around from everyday heroes.”
Dutta said the summit reinforced the importance of drawing inspiration amid global uncertainty.
“So even as the new world order emerges, it is important that we find inspiration and drive ourselves forward to what we believe is a brilliant future,” he said.
He also highlighted ABP Network’s wide reach, stating, “At ABP we are indeed very priviledged that over half a billion viewers tune into us every month.”
The summit concluded with a call to continue focusing on ideas as a source of inspiration and progress in an increasingly uncertain world.
