Hyderabad, November 14, 2026: The seventh edition of Symposium, a Hyderabad-based knowledge forum, convened over 200 participants on Friday evening at The Debut, HITEX, to discuss whether governments should set limits on welfare expenditure and how to balance compassion with fiscal responsibility.
The event featured humanitarian and actor Sonu Sood, Goonj founder and Ramon Magsaysay Award recipient Anshu Gupta, and was chaired by Girish Mallpani, Chairman of Symposium. The discussion was moderated by independent journalist and former NDTV Executive Editor (South), Uma Sudhir.
Calls for parliamentary debate on welfare
Girish Mallpani advocated for a responsible fiscal framework, suggesting that States should allocate a reasonable and transparent proportion of their annual budgets to welfare programmes, considering revenue capacity, debt position and development priorities. He distinguished between essential welfare measures such as healthcare, education, nutrition and social security, and non-essential subsidies or electoral freebies. Mallpani called for a serious parliamentary debate on the subject, emphasising that welfare is a State responsibility but must remain financially sustainable.
Participants highlighted the need for Parliament to deliberate on establishing a transparent fiscal framework for welfare spending, cautioning against inflexible ceilings that could impact essential social security or States facing extraordinary challenges.
Speakers stress dignity and empowerment
Sonu Sood reflected on his humanitarian work during the COVID-19 pandemic, recounting his decision to help migrant workers reach home safely. He attributed his values to his parents’ example and advocated for charity that addresses immediate suffering while enabling self-reliance. “Charity should begin by addressing immediate suffering. When someone is hungry, give them food first. But don’t stop there; help them find opportunities to become self-reliant and build a better future,” Sood said.
Anshu Gupta shared how his experience during the 1991 Uttarkashi earthquake and encounters with people lacking basic clothing inspired him to found Goonj. He emphasised dignity-driven charity, connecting urban surplus with rural needs, and said, “Charity should not create dependency. It should address the real needs of people, preserve their dignity and empower communities to find sustainable solutions for themselves.”
Social Stock Exchange and impact financing
Uma Sudhir discussed the Social Stock Exchange’s role in creating transparent channels for social investments, noting the need for accountability among non-profits. Shruti Mallpani, Managing Trustee of Symposium and Executive Director of MPM Group, cited the recent NSE bell ringing by Hyderabad-based Grace Cancer Foundation, which raised ₹1 crore through its Social Stock Exchange listing to fund early detection initiatives and 10,000 cancer screenings in North Telangana. She stressed the importance of preserving dignity for beneficiaries of social assistance.
White Paper presented; Symposium’s ongoing work
Wing Commander Asha Vashist, CEO of Symposium, outlined the forum’s mission to foster thoughtful dialogue. A White Paper based on the previous Symposium edition was presented to S.P. Singh, IAS. Over the past year, Symposium has hosted six editions covering topics such as sports, environment, spirituality, space technology and cyber security, and has published White Papers in collaboration with academic institutions.
The seventh edition, titled The Humanity in Us, continued Symposium’s efforts to bring together thought leaders to address issues of social relevance. The event concluded with consensus that welfare should create opportunities and strengthen livelihoods, combining compassion with financial prudence.
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