Finance Minister meets 30 students after budget – On Feb 1 2026, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman interacted with 30 university students who had watched the Union Budget 2026‑27 live from the Lok Sabha gallery, marking a shift from the usual post‑budget media rounds. [1]
Interaction stemmed from team’s “out of the ordinary” idea – Sitharaman said her team suggested inviting students instead of heading to studios, creating a different engagement format during the Youth Dialogue on Budget 2026. [1]
Students asked to share live‑parliament experience – She invited the group to describe what it felt like to sit in Parliament and listen to the budget, seeking direct feedback from young observers. [1]
Sitharaman contrasted past and future India for youth – The minister told the students that the India of her childhood differs from today and emphasized a vision of a “better India” they should inherit. [1]
Acknowledged past growth delays due to post‑colonial factors – While not condemning history, she noted that post‑imperial economic and governance structures slowed growth, implying reforms are needed for faster development. [1]
Budget context linked to broader “difficult times” narrative – The session tied into the Union Budget 2026‑27, which The Hindu described as addressing challenging economic conditions. [2][3]