Students enact Modi, Yogi and Rahul in engaging budget debate
Lucknow: With the objective of providing management students a practical learning experience beyond the classroom and enabling them to interact with experts while enhancing their understanding of various aspects of the Union Budget, Amity Business School, Amity University Lucknow Campus organized a panel discussion titled “Aarthik Manthan 2026” focused on the Union Budget 2026.
The event was inaugurated by lighting the ceremonial lamp by Sachin Sahni, Founder, Keeros Superfoods and TEDx Speaker; CS Tanu Agarwal, Founder, TALKLAWS and Group Head Legal & Compliance, Sahu Group; Virendra Singh Rawat, Financial Journalist, Business Standard; CA Jatin Srivastava, Co-founder and Partner, Seth & Associates; and Chandra Shekhar Varma, Deputy Director, PR & Communications, Amity University, along with Officiating Director, Amity Business School, Prof. (Dr.) Alpna Srivastava.
The occasion was also graced by Prof. (Dr.) Anil Vashisht, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Amity University Lucknow Campus.
The programme was divided into two major segments. The first segment featured a skit and simulation based on Budget 2026, where students enacted pre-budget scenarios through a mock live news telecast, presentation of the budget in Parliament, and a newsroom debate involving political leaders and economic experts.
Students skillfully portrayed prominent personalities such as Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, Rekha Gupta, Yogi Adityanath, S. Jaishankar Prasad, and TV journalist Anjana Om Kashyap, presenting their perspectives and statements on the budget.
The second segment consisted of a panel discussion where distinguished experts shared their insights and analysis on the Union Budget.
Speaking during the discussion, CS Tanu Agarwal highlighted that the budget includes special provisions for women, addressing concerns related to education and employment. She noted that schemes such as Lakhpati Didi and MSME initiatives aim to empower women, particularly in rural areas.
CA Jatin Srivastava emphasized that while discussing India’s GDP, the contribution of nearly 50 percent of the female population engaged in household and childcare responsibilities is not formally accounted for, whereas in countries like the United States, such services are included in GDP calculations. He stated that if similar parameters were applied in India, the country’s actual GDP ranking would rise significantly, possibly placing India among the top three globally. He also noted that while the budget includes income tax reforms, further simplification is needed so that ordinary citizens can file income tax without requiring professional assistance.
Sachin Sahni spoke about the impact of Artificial Intelligence, stating that while AI may displace certain jobs, both employers and employees must adapt and explore new opportunities. He emphasized the need for transformative, rather than incremental, changes to rebuild systems in line with evolving expectations.
Virendra Singh Rawat noted that today’s citizens are increasingly aware of their role in nation-building, understanding how individual contributions collectively drive economic growth. He added that in the current global scenario—shaped by factors such as wars and climate change—the budget reflects a long-term vision aimed at sustainable national development.
The panel discussion was moderated by Chandra Shekhar Varma.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Samarth Pandey, Assistant Professor, Amity Business School. The session proved to be highly informative and engaging for students, providing them with deeper insights into the Union Budget 2026 and the functioning of the government.
