MUMBAI: From politics to pop culture, policy to pop-up enterprises Maharashtra’s growth story got a turbocharged rewrite at News18 Lokmat’s Samruddha Maharashtra 2025 conclave. In a state that rarely slows down, News18 Lokmat’s Samruddha Maharashtra 2025 brought the brakes to the rhetoric and the spotlight to substance. Held in Mumbai, the high-octane conclave brought together an eclectic mix of ministers, entrepreneurs, artists, and policy wonks to discuss what it’ll take to future-proof the state’s prosperity.

The day kicked off with a sharp, youth-forward panel on the “Future of Maharashtra”, where young leaders like Meghana Bordikar, Varun Sardesai, Rohini Khadse, Shaina NC, and Sangram Kote Patil discussed sustainability, policy innovation, and the missing script of youth engagement. The verdict? Maharashtra’s tomorrow needs fresh ideas, and fresher faces at the helm.

Aaditya Thackeray turned the political lens inward in a session on the so-called "Maharashtra Pattern of Politics". Equal parts legacy and local aspiration, his take blended ideology with youth participation underscoring transparency and environmental consciousness as essentials, not options.

Politics got punchier in a high-decibel discussion featuring Jitendra Awhad, Girish Mahajan, Uday Samant, Imtiyaz Jaleel, Sandeep Deshpande, and Anil Parab. Even as they sparred across party lines, there was one common goal: Maharashtra’s progress must trump political posturing.

In the economic ring, industry bigwigs like Hemant Rathi, Girish Chitale, Lalit Gandhi, and economist Ajit Ranade headlined “Udhyemi Maharashtra”, championing entrepreneurship and industrial investment as the state’s twin growth engines. The message was clear start-ups and scale-ups are Maharashtra’s real capital.

Culture took a graceful turn in “Kalapatadi Maharashtra”, with cinema and theatre stalwarts Mahesh Manjrekar, Kedar Shinde, Om Raut, and Bharat Jadhav waxing lyrical about the soft power of storytelling and the soul of Marathi identity.

Deputy CM Eknath Shinde outlined priorities across infrastructure, rural outreach, and welfare, while chief minister Devendra Fadnavis wrapped up the conclave with a blueprint for a globally competitive and resilient Maharashtra, fuelled by economic reforms and mega infrastructure plans.

Powered by MIT Design Technology – Pune and Reliance Industries Ltd, with support from MIDC, Sandip University, Rotomag Solar Pump, Pimpri Chinchwad University, LIC Housing Finance Ltd, and Mahagenco, the conclave was anything but a talking shop.

With meaningful dialogue, sharp provocations, and a collective vision, Samruddha Maharashtra 2025 wasn’t just another networking event, it was a real-time draft of the state’s next growth chapter. Or as one panellist quipped, “Less gyan, more game plan.”