An article by Team Samanway Pratishthan :
In a defining moment for emerging changemakers, Policy BootCamp 2025—India’s premier leadership and policy immersion—began its 9th edition with an extraordinary opportunity: a high-level engagement with the Hon’ble Vice President of India and Shri Om Birla, Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Their words of wisdom and calls for youth-led governance set a powerful tone for the transformative journey ahead.
Hosted by Rashtram at Rishihood University, this 15-day residential program brought together the nation’s finest aspiring policymakers, civil servants, development economists, and social leaders to not just study policy—but to embody the spirit of #BeAndMake.
From Vision to Impact: The Legacy Continues!
Started by Vision India Foundation in 2015, Policy Boot-Camp (PBC) has grown into India’s most prestigious public policy program—steeped in civilizational wisdom, yet dynamically attuned to contemporary governance challenges. Now in its 9th edition, the 2025 Boot-Camp was not merely an academic initiative; it was a nation-building movement.
This year’s edition witnessed:
- 100+ hours of intense policy immersion
- 100+ speakers including policymakers, diplomats, and grassroots leaders
- 25+ policy themes explored through masterclasses, workshops, and simulations
- Participants from 6 countries & 26 Indian states, creating a rich diversity of perspectives
- Credits & Certifications, offering academic and professional value
The 15-Day Odyssey: Knowledge. Culture. Leadership.
At the heart of PBC 2025 was an experience designed for total transformation. Through carefully curated sessions, students delved into the foundations of governance, economics, geopolitics, technology, and Indian knowledge systems.
Key components of the BootCamp included:
- Masterclasses with pioneers like Dr. Shamika Ravi, Rajiv Kumar (ex-Vice Chair, NITI Aayog), and Sanjeev Sanyal (PM-EAC)
- Policy Simulations on legislative bills, budget design, and crisis response
- Wellness Retreats, Yoga sessions, and meetings with spiritual mentors for inner leadership
- Field Visits to Delhi and Sonipat for real-world exposure
- Policy Hackathons, Op-Ed Writing Labs, and the high-stakes Idea Haat
- Strategic Communication Workshops to master the art of public persuasion
Electives That Redefined Learning
PBC 2025 introduced a wide range of electives that allowed participants to tailor their policy learning. Some of the most popular ones included:
- International Relations and India’s Diplomacy
- Political Campaigns & Consulting
- Urban Governance & Smart Cities
- Technology & Society
- Social Entrepreneurship for Impact
Each elective offered actionable insights, case-based discussions, and mentorship from subject experts.
Team Samanway: Curating the Experience
We, as Team Samanway from Vadodara, were honored to be part of the 9th edition of Policy BootCamp 2025 an experience that exceeded every expectation.
What began as a curiosity for policy and nation-building soon turned into a life-changing journey. From the very first day, when we met the Hon’ble Vice President of India and Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla, we realized we weren’t just attending a camp; we were stepping into a transformative ecosystem.
Throughout the 15 days, we immersed ourselves in:
- Masterclasses by India’s top economists, administrators, and visionaries
- Rigorous policy simulations that sharpened our analytical thinking
- Field visits that connected our classroom insights to real-world governance
- Electives that allowed us to explore international relations, urban planning, and political strategy
- Meditation, yoga, and cultural evenings that grounded our learning in India’s civilizational values
We came as students; we left as thoughtful, confident, and purpose-driven individuals ready to serve Bharat.
Beyond academics, what touched us the most was the culture of collaboration. We met peers from across India—each with a unique background but a common dream: to contribute meaningfully to our nation.
PBC 2025 didn’t just educate us. It elevated our vision, expanded our networks, and empowered us to lead.
“This BootCamp didn’t just teach us policy; it taught us how to live with purpose and act with courage.”
– Team Samanway, Vadodara
Final Reflection: #BeAndMake
The essence of Policy Boot-Camp 2025 was encapsulated in its motto: #BeAndMake — be the change, and make leaders of change. Participants didn’t just walk away with knowledge; they walked away with a mission, a network, and a sense of national responsibility.
“India needs leaders who can think civilizationally and act globally. PBC 2025 created them.”
– Team Samanway Pratisthan
Honestly, it was really nice✨️ You captured the whole journey so well. Reading it brought back a lot of good memories from the sessions, discussions, and all the fun moments we had as a cohort. Thanks for writing and sharing this. It’ll be a great memory for all of us😌🫂