In pictures: Bengal’s and the country’s sharpest minds star at The Telegraph National Debate

A filled up ground at the Calcutta Club. All pictures by: Amit Datta

Samik Bhattacharya, Sambit Patra, Jisnu Basu and Swapan Dasgupta during The Telegraph National Debate at Calcutta Club on February 21, 2026.

Abhirup Sarkar.

Saira Shah Halim during The Telegraph National Debate at Calcutta Club on February 21, 2026.

Jaideep Gupta during The Telegraph National Debate at Calcutta Club on February 21, 2026.

Sambit Patra recites the Mahalaya mantra on stage.

Jisnu Basu.

The panelist before the debate.

Samik Bhattacharya.

Sugata Bose.

Vir Sanghvi.

Swapan Dasgupta.

Kasturi Raha.

Ramaditya Ray, Director of Calcutta Club.

The panelists gather on stage.

The audience vote for or against the motion.

Audience engaged in the debate.

Snapshots from the Sister Nivedita University presents Calcutta Club The Telegraph National Debate 2026