Building better cities requires informed dialogue, collaborative action, and strong data systems. Sharing two recent Janaagraha initiatives that bring these ideas to life.
The Bengaluru Debates: 4th Edition | Do Bengaluru’s Young Leaders Have Hope for the City?
Does every generation inherit the city it lives in or also the power to change it?
That was the question at the fourth edition of The Bengaluru Debates, hosted by Janaagraha and the Bangalore International Centre (BIC) on 1 July 2026, where young civic leaders, activists, and changemakers came together to discuss hope, participation, accountability, and the future of Bengaluru.
The panel featured young civic leaders and changemakers:
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Sarthak Sidhant – Student and Civic Tech Enthusiast
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Rishvanjas Raghavan – Founder, BNP NavaYuva; Governing Council Member, Bengaluru NavaNirmana Party
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Vibha Nadig – Founder & Director, Outlawed India
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Koushik Dhayal – Treasurer, Youth for Parivarthan
Across the discussion, these ideas stood out:
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Accountability begins with knowing who’s responsible.
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Strong local governments and elected representatives are essential for making accountability real.
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Technology and open data can make governments more transparent, but meaningful change happens when citizens stay engaged.
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Bengaluru doesn’t lack ideas or people who care - what moves the city forward is when residents ask questions, engage with local governance, and collectively push institutions to do better.
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Young people have the energy and intent to contribute. Creating the right platforms for participation can help turn ideas into action and strengthen communities.
The debate also drew participation from school students, underscoring the importance of engaging young people in meaningful conversations about civic participation, accountability, and the future of Bengaluru.
As Bengaluru prepares for the return of municipal elections, these conversations underscore the importance of strengthening civic participation, building trust in public institutions, and fostering more accountable local governance.
Watch the fourth edition of The Bengaluru Debates to hear these conversations on building a more accountable and participative Bengaluru: Link
Link to the LinkedIn Post: Link
City Data and Analytics Platform (CDAP): Roundtable on Building Stronger Data Systems for Urban Governance this is fine
How can better data help build better cities?
Strong data systems can help cities plan better, make informed decisions, and improve the way they are governed.
On 10 July 2026, Janaagraha convened a roundtable on Strengthening Data Systems for More Effective Urban Governance in New Delhi, bringing together representatives from government, think tanks, academia, and civil society.
A key highlight of the convening was the demonstration of the City Data and Analytics Platform (CDAP) a dedicated microsite on NITI Aayog’s National Data and Analytics Platform (NDAP). CDAP is conceptualised, developed, and operated by Janaagraha, in technical collaboration with IBM through the IBM Impact Accelerator Programme.
The event featured:
Dr. Saurabh Garg – Secretary, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Government of India (Keynote Address)
Ms. Anna Roy – Principal Economic Adviser, NITI Aayog (Special Address)
Ms. Sofiya Dahiya – Principal Chief Controller of Accounts, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (Special Address)
The roundtable explored the four pillars of data readiness:
Governance readiness | Technical readiness | Incentive readiness | Capacity readiness
Participants also reflected on data stewardship, the opportunities and challenges of AI-enabled systems, and the capabilities needed to build stronger urban data ecosystems.
Link to the LinkedIn Post: Link