The Child Education Society (CES) hosted the 4th CES Vidya Utsav on 7 February 2026, at the Manekshaw Centre Auditorium, ND – bringing together policymakers, educators, cultural thinkers and education stakeholders in a meaningful dialogue on reimagining education to shape future-ready citizens.
The event was graced by Mr Sanjay Kumar, IAS, Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India, who addressed the gathering on the theme “Shaping Futures Beyond Classrooms” .He emphasised the need for experiential and application-based learning to nurture critical thinking, adaptability and real-world skills among students. He also highlighted the importance of multilingualism in enhancing access, inclusivity and the overall impact of education.
Mr Nikhil Channa, President, Child Education Society, in his address, focused on redefining education to make it more relevant, holistic and inclusive, underscoring the importance of a value-based and humane approach that nurtures empathy, character and social responsibility alongside academic excellence.
A panel discussion examined key contemporary themes, including building employability skills, strengthening Public–Private Partnerships, effective utilisation of school-level autonomy, and the responsible integration of Artificial Intelligence, acknowledging its irreversible impact on the education system. The panel comprised Dr Buddha Chandrasekhar, Chief Coordinating Officer, AICTE and CEO, Anuvadini AI; Ms Lakshmi Kaul, expert in public policy, trade policy, skilling and education; Dr Vinnie Jauhari, educationist, author and Director – Education Industry, Microsoft Elevate; and Dr Biswajit Saha, Director, Skill Education and Training, CBSE. The session was moderated by Mr Sharad Arora, Member, Board of Management and Advisor (IT), CES.
The afternoon session, themed “Vidya, Vivek, Vikas – The Indian Triad of 21st Century Education,” featured a compelling address by Mr Ashutosh Rana, renowned actor, author and cultural thinker. He held the audience spellbound with his wisdom and artistic articulation, stimulating intellectual engagement and earning widespread appreciation. He reflected on the significance of knowledge (Vidya), wisdom (Vivek) and progress (Vikas) in education, advocating a shift from livelihood-centric learning to living with purpose, and lauded CES for celebrating the arts and nurturing values among children.
The cultural segment featured a choir-orchestral presentation “Ragamala — A Garland of Ragas” and a classical dance recital, offering a tribute to India’s rich and diverse intangible cultural heritage.
The felicitation of distinguished alumni and stalwart leaders emerged as a defining moment of the event, recognising their enduring contributions to society and their deep association with CES.
The conclave concluded with Vote of Thanks proposed by Mr L. V. Sehgal, Joint Secretary, CES, who acknowledged the pivotal role of all stakeholders—especially educators—in shaping the future of the nation, and commended their unwavering commitment to nurturing responsible, value-driven citizens.
The 4th CES Vidya Utsav reaffirmed CES’s vision of education that integrates knowledge, wisdom and progress, preparing learners to contribute meaningfully to society and nation-building.