* Old Politics is dead: Rahul Gandhi champions Compassion and Connection at Bharat 

* Summit-Telangana charts a new course with the two-day summit that concluded on Saturday

metro india news  I hyderabad

Senior Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi laid emphasis on a fundamental shift in democratic politics-from one driven by hatred, anger and confrontation to one rooted in love, listening, and genuine connection with the people.

Reflecting on the evolving nature of politics, Gandhi pointed out that "the rules that applied a decade ago no longer hold now. He was speaking in the valedictory session of the two-day Bharat Summit 2025 hosted by the Telangana government in Hyderabad

“In today’s aggressive political atmosphere, he said, the aim often is to crush the opposition and undermine free media. "Democratic politics has fundamentally changed across the globe. The old political strategies simply do not work anymore, especially against the backdrop of concentrated capital and the power of modern media and social media," Rahul observed.

He emphasized that a new type of politician must emerge — one who understands the current landscape and works towards creating democratic spaces based on listening and compassion rather than aggression. Sharing insights from his transformative Bharat Jodo Yatra, where he walked nearly 4000 kilometers from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, Rahul Gandhi said, “Initially, we did not realize the full impact of what we were undertaking. But as we walked, thousands and thousands joined us, turning the journey into a movement of solidarity and hope."

He recounted that the Yatra taught him one of the most valuable political lessons: the art of truly listening. "As politicians, we are trained to talk, to persuade. But during the Yatra, I discovered that real power lies in listening — not merely hearing, but deeply listening with empathy," Rahul said, sharing an emotional story about a woman who simply needed to be heard rather than helped or advised.

Going beyond traditional politics, the Congress leader spoke candidly about the role of love and affection in public life. He admitted that earlier in his political career, he rarely expressed love openly. However, through the Yatra and his deeper engagement with people, he realized that love is a transformative political force. 

He stressed that while policies, programs, and promises are important, true political connection happens at a personal, emotional level. "We often think we'll connect through policy — a better education plan, financial help. But true connection happens through love, affection, and being present in someone’s reality," he said.

In a powerful metaphor, Rahul Gandhi described the current political environment as a marketplace of hatred and appealed for the opening of "shops of love" instead. "The most effective way to counter hatred is not confrontation or argument, but love and compassion. This should be the lens through which we see politics, governance, and public life," he declared.

Further, Gandhi underlined the need to reconstruct political thinking itself: “Our lens should be love. Our lens should be affection. Our lens should be listening deeply to the will and voices of the people,”  Rahul Gandhi also thanked the international delegates for standing in solidarity with India in the wake of the recent Pahalgam terror attack and acknowledged the need for a politics that unites, not divides.

CM Revanth Reddy appeals to foreign delegates to become “Telangana Rising” Brand Ambassadors/

Speaking earlier, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has appealed to all international and national delegates to share their experiences, knowledge, and skills with the Telangana state government and become proud "Telangana Rising" brand ambassadors. He urged everyone to showcase Telangana's greatness to the world.

Highlighting Telangana’s rich history and resilient struggle for statehood, the Chief Minister outlined the transformative journey the state has embarked upon. Under the People’s government, Telangana has launched India's largest-ever welfare programs, including a Rs 20,617 crore farm loan waiver, free 24-hour electricity for farmers, input subsidies, and the promotion of women entrepreneurs through initiatives like solar power plants and electric buses.

CM Revanth emphasized landmark achievements such as the Indiramma Housing Scheme, free RTC bus travel for women, investments exceeding Rs 2.5 lakh crore, and pathbreaking environmental efforts like the Musi River Rejuvenation Project.

Pioneering reforms like the caste survey, SC categorization, and recruitment of third-gender individuals in the police force underline Telangana’s progressive vision. "Together, let us make Telangana a global model of inclusive development and innovation," CM Revanth concluded, inviting the world to be a part of Telangana's historic journey.

Bharat Summit to become an annual affair!/

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka expressed confidence that the Bharat Summit, following the resounding success of its first edition concluded on Saturday, will now become an annual event for Telangana. Speaking on behalf of the state government, he emphasized that the summit was a valuable platform for sharing development experiences and strengthening the values of non-violence, freedom, and peace through future policies and welfare programs. Politicians and decision makers from various countries that are part of the Progressive Alliance also spoke briefly in the valedictory session.