We Think, Therefore, We Are: Nobel laureates inspire India’s youth at Nobel Prize Dialogue 2025

Bengaluru: The Nobel Prize Dialogue India 2025 — held in exclusive partnership with the Tata Trusts — turned the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) into a vibrant confluence of ideas, as Nobel Laureates, scientists, thinkers, and students came together to explore the theme “The Future We Want.”

The event aimed to inspire synergies between science, society, and youth, with conversations spanning knowledge, inclusion, sustainability, and hope.

Opening the day’s discussions, Siddharth Sharma, CEO of Tata Trusts, said India’s strength lies in the “power of its people and their capacity to learn,” reaffirming the Trusts’ commitment to building ecosystems that empower youth and nurture innovation.

“Our collaboration with Nobel Prize Outreach was forged through a shared belief – that knowledge must be harnessed to serve humanity,” he said, calling this moment an inflection point as India moves toward becoming the world’s third-largest economy.

Nobel Laureate David Macmillan (Chemistry, 2021) delivered an inspiring address on the transformative power of ideas, particularly his pioneering work in organocatalysis.

Urging the world to recognize the importance of science in solving global challenges, he remarked, “We’re one catalytic reaction away from solving climate change. We have to do a better job of explaining to the world how important these types of scientific areas are — because we really are that close.” Experiencing India for the first time, he added with enthusiasm, “It feels like this is India’s moment — and India knows it.”

James Robinson (Economic Sciences, 2024), co-author of Why Nations Fail, examined the global crisis of progress and the need for cross-cultural exchange.

“Societies grow by exchanging ideas in many directions. It’s not a one-way street — it’s a multi-way street where everyone borrows, learns, and recreates,” he said, calling for more inclusive frameworks of development and governance.

Urban epidemiologist Tolullah Oni brought a human dimension to the dialogue, exploring the idea of hope through the voices of youth. She emphasized democratizing knowledge and creating platforms for young people to envision the future they want.

A panel discussion featuring Robinson, Oni, and former Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia tackled the complexities of development challenges, underscoring the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to address global inequities.

Renowned microbiologist Dr. Gagandeep Kang shared insights on India’s pioneering vaccine development efforts and the country’s leadership in global health innovation.

In the closing session, Kang joined Macmillan and biotech entrepreneur Kush Parmar to explore how science and technology can drive human and planetary well-being.

The sessions were moderated by Owen Gaffney, Chief Impact Officer at Nobel Prize Outreach, and Jayaram Chengalur, Director of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.

Reflecting on the day, Hanna Stjärne, Executive Director of the Nobel Foundation, said, “By reflecting on common challenges, exchanging new ideas across boundaries and learning from one another, we create a dialogue that makes a difference.”

Adding a creative dimension to the scientific discourse, the Parag Art Wall, a collaborative installation by 200 children from Bengaluru, Koppal, and Mumbai, showcased vivid depictions of the futures young minds dream of.

The event concluded with a soulful performance by Dr. L. Subramaniam and Kavita Krishnamurti, celebrating the harmony between music, science and culture.

The dialogue will continue in Mumbai on November 5, where corporate leaders and policymakers will explore how philanthropy and institution-building can help shape a more empathetic, science-driven future.