In today’s political landscape, elections are often dominated by sensational headlines, celebrity-like drama, and endless debates about candidates’ personal lives, caste, or regional backgrounds. This narrow focus on the personalities running for office leaves little room for meaningful conversations about the issues that directly affect people’s everyday lives. Social media along with mainstream media play a significant role in amplifying this spectacle, turning politics into a form of entertainment rather than a serious discussion about governance and policy.
In response to this, Town Hall was created as a platform to engage citizens in conversations that matter—discussions focused on public policy, governance, and the issues that truly shape society. The goal is simple – shift the conversation away from personalities and election theatrics and bring it back to substantive, issue-based dialogue that can lead to real-world impact.
At its core, Town Hall is an issue-based platform for discussion. It brings together ordinary citizens, experts, and changemakers to discuss the issues that matter most to society. The format is simple yet impactful, incorporating several stakeholders for a varied perspective.
At the heart of each Town Hall session is Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan, who plays a vital role in guiding the conversation. With his expertise and experience, he ensures that discussions remain focused on real-world issues and practical solutions. His leadership helps keep the dialogue rooted in governance and accountability, rather than drifting into political drama.
The host is a key moderator, typically someone with a strong social media presence and alignment with the topic of the session. Their role is crucial in making the conversation accessible to a broader audience, especially younger generations. The host keeps the discussion engaging, ensures it stays on track, and fosters an inclusive environment for dialogue. The guests present at the event come from two main categories. Public figures, that are individuals whose opinions carry weight in the public sphere, such as politicians, activists, and experts. And second, ground level changemakers that are individuals or organizations working on the ground to address the issues discussed. Their on-the-ground perspectives add depth and practicality to the conversation.
The event is held once a month, typically on Saturdays. Each session is designed to be unique, with different formats and styles of discussion to keep the conversations engaging and relevant. Each Town Hall is thematic, and based around a crucial public policy and governance issue. Our first Town Hall session, held just before the elections, addressed a theme that was largely ignored: ‘Making Governments Work’. Rather than asking “Who will win or lose?” We asked, “Whoever wins, what should the government do after?” This shift in focus was intentional—designed to prioritise practical governance and accountability, no matter which party holds power. Our Town Hall session on ‘Agriculture: From poverty to prosperity’ focused on the simple objective of increasing farmers’ incomes. Divorced from the politicisation and clamour surrounding the sector, we focused on policy issues, existing distortions, and effective reforms. The Town Hall on ‘Education and Skills’ was centered around reclaiming the discourse to the core issue in our educational system – abysmal learning outcomes. The Town Hall on ‘Small Town Development and Employment’ focused on the need to preserve urban-rural linkages through the creation of vibrant small towns that serve as an economic hub of activity, preventing rural distress migration for an inadequate income. These urban magnets will be the means to promote inclusive growth for low and semi-skilled workers.
To ensure high-quality engagement, participants of the Town Hall are selected through an application process. About 7-10 days before each event, an application form is released, asking individuals to provide their details and answer 2-3 questions related to the upcoming discussion. We prioritize responses that demonstrate thoughtfulness, passion, and a genuine interest in the topic. Once selected, participants receive a confirmation call and a reminder the day before the event. While the format may evolve to reflect the times, the essence of the forum remains the same: each Town Hall is centered on meaningful, issue-based discussions that directly impact people’s lives.