Centre will organize a Chintan Shivir for the minority welfare at Nalanda University, Rajgir, Bihar.

Patna, February 18, 2026: The Ministry of Minority Affairs is organizing a landmark two-day ‘Chintan Shivir’ at Nalanda University, Rajgir, Bihar, on 18-19 February 2026, aimed at deliberating on key challenges and future strategies for the socio-economic development of minority communities.

The high-level event will be graced by Union Minister for Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju and Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs George Kurian, along with State and UT Ministers, senior government officials, domain experts and key stakeholders.

Among the participating State and UT Ministers are Adv Kento Jini (Arunachal Pradesh), Imkongmar (Advisor & MLA, Nagaland), Samdup Lepcha (Minister, Social Welfare, Sikkim), Sukla Charan Noatia (Minister, Minority Welfare, Tripura), and MD Zama Khan (Minister, Minority Welfare, Bihar).

Senior officials from the Ministry and various State Governments will also actively take part in the deliberations.

The Chintan Shivir will address issues of the minority community:

The Chintan Shivir will host focused group discussions on five major thematic areas central to minority welfare, including: Infrastructure development under Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK), Socio-economic empowerment through PMVIKAS and the National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC), Waqf management, Hajj Management, Institutional reforms and service delivery mechanisms.

The sessions are designed to promote peer learning, identify implementation gaps, share best practices, and generate actionable recommendations.

Major technology initiatives:

During the inaugural session on 19 February, the Ministry will launch three major digital initiatives: PMJVK Mobile Application for enhanced project monitoring and transparency, Hajj Suvidha Smart Wrist Band to improve safety and convenience for Hajj pilgrims, and an AI-powered Chatbot on the Ministry’s portal for citizen services and grievance redressal.

Program structure:

Day 1 (18 February) will include briefings on the Chintan Shivir framework, thematic presentations by senior officials, and special presentations by the Industrial Finance Corporation of India (IFCI), FITT—IIT Delhi, and the Survey of India.

The day will conclude with a cultural program highlighting Bihar’s rich heritage.

Day 2 (19 February) will begin with a yoga session, followed by the inaugural ceremony led by Union and State Ministers.

The day will focus on group discussions, thematic consolidation, and the formulation of policy-oriented recommendations.

Significance of the venue:

The selection of Nalanda University carries deep symbolic value. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Nalanda represents India’s ancient legacy of knowledge, inclusivity, and dialogue—principles that align closely with the objectives of the Chintan Shivir.

The Chintan Shivir is expected to result in concrete action points for improved program implementation, innovative policy solutions, strengthened Centre-State coordination, and a comprehensive roadmap for the accelerated and inclusive development of minority communities in line with national development goals.

Also Read: Chirag Paswan criticized Tejashwi and Rahul Gandhi at the Bahujan Bhim Sankalp Sammelan in Rajgir.

EOM.