Geetika Saigal, a seven-time TEDx speaker, four-time bestselling author, and founder of Beeja House, has launched The Sabha, India's first invite-only intellectual gathering. The event is curated around a single question, with two evenings held so far, each running three hours.
Origin of The Sabha
The idea emerged from Saigal's frustration after years of working with CXOs, doctors, founders, and senior professionals. These individuals, despite decades of expertise, often left conferences and networking events disappointed because the real questions troubling them were never asked. Saigal wondered what would happen if the format was simply removed.
India already has numerous summits, conclaves, and leadership forums, but they are designed for ready ideas and transactions, not for exploring unresolved questions. The Sabha aims to fill this gap.
Global Context and Need
The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025 found that analytical thinking is the most in-demand skill globally, cited by seven in ten employers. By 2025, three in four knowledge workers used AI, which excels at answering questions but cannot handle the discomfort of not knowing. An Ipsos global survey revealed that 43% of urban Indians report feeling lonely most of the time, placing India among the top three countries worldwide. A Harris Poll from March 2026 found that 79% of US hiring managers say professional networking feels like a business transaction rather than genuine connection.
By 2030, India will have the world's largest working-age population, yet no space exists for its professionals to gather around a single unresolved question without panels, agenda, or performance.
The Sabha Experience
"I wanted a room where you don't have to perform, pitch, or be 'on'. Where the quality of the conversation inside matters more than the quality of the photographs leaving it," said Geetika Saigal, Founder of The Sabha.
The Sabha 1 took place on 22 March 2026 at Titlewaves Bookstore in Bandra, Mumbai, anchored by the question: "Can humanity mature as fast as it scales?" Several co-authors of Saigal's book "Wevolution" attended, followed by an Ask The Doctors open house with physicians from Beeja House's "What Your Doctor Wants You To Know" book series.
The Sabha 2 occurred on 23 May 2026, featuring Dr. Jatin Kothari, a nephrologist and social entrepreneur. The question was: "We built systems that don't need people. Did we forget that people need people?" Dr. Kothari spoke candidly about thirty years of medicine. At the end, Padma Shri recipient Swanand Kirkire sang spontaneously, a moment Saigal attributes to the room being built correctly.
Institutional Ecosystem
The Sabha is part of a broader ecosystem Saigal has built over a decade. Beeja House, India's first Mentored Publishing House, has mentored numerous professionals into published authors. Its books have been recognized by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, blessed by the Dalai Lama, featured on Times Square billboards, and endorsed by Naveen Jindal, Hari Bhartia, Ajay Piramal, and appreciated by cricketer Rohit Sharma and Dia Mirza.
The Sabha 3 is in planning. Those interested may write to support@beejahouse.com for invitations, which are extended by selection.
