By: Arun Mundra

The Maheshwari Global Convention (MGC) has long held a respected position within the community, particularly after the widely regarded success of MGC 2019 in Jodhpur with all organization elements leadership. That edition set a high benchmark, featuring more than 500 business stalls, strong cultural programming, and well-structured NRI-focused initiatives including synergy workshops, C-level panel discussions, and participation from industrialists, senior bureaucrats, and political dignitaries.

In 2019, NRI leaders such as Arun Mundra and Dheeraj Rathi (IIT-MBA, Mumbai), along with representatives from several countries, coordinated strategic sessions across finance, healthcare, IT, and multiple business sectors. Youth and Mahila Samaj wings were actively involved, contributing with global NRI engagement and youth, women’s empowerment efforts. Cultural innovation was also evident, including the introduction of the Ravidrums performance, which received overwhelming response and even prompted a second show.

Against this backdrop, expectations for MGC 2026 were exceptionally high.

Business Expo Emerges as Major Success

In terms of scale and execution, MGC 2026 delivered strongly in certain areas. The Business Expo, led by Saurabh and his team, was widely regarded as a success. With approximately 750 stalls across diverse sectors—exceeding the scale of 2019—the expo demonstrated impressive growth. Organizers incorporated digital tools, including app-based information systems, enhancing accessibility for visitors.

The expo reportedly attracted hundreds of thousands of attendees and received appreciation for its organization, scale, and commercial potential. Cultural programming also remained a highlight, with Ravidrums once again drawing attention, alongside other performances such as “Spotlight.” Venue coordination and on-ground management were generally praised by attendees. Jaga coordination was superb that led to Maheshwari history. 

Global NRI Participation: Built on Long-Term Outreach

Global participation in MGC 2026 was the result of sustained international engagement over many years. Outreach efforts led by Arun Mundra and his team through the NRI Maheshwari Global Coordination platform mobilized NRIs from multiple continents. Video campaigns (posted at his you tube / provided to MGC by his team) and digital messaging played a role in encouraging attendance.

This mobilization was rooted in long-standing engagement. Over the years, the network had been involved in community support during crises such as the Nepal earthquake, Uttarakhand floods, Myaanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal and many others (can’t be named here) including the COVID-19 pandemic say global medical Maheshwari experts for Global panels, and a 3D Virtual Business Expo initiative led by women wing given global outreach by Arun getting them Golden book of world record. 

Though even during MGC 2026, interactions were facilitated by Arun Mundra between NRI representatives and senior dignitaries, including Speaker Om Birla, Minister Gajendra Singh, Members of Parliament, and MLAs, different organization elements —relationships reportedly developed over more than a decade/ rather decades.

Operational Lapses Raise Concerns

However, despite strong mobilization and international attendance, concerns emerged regarding the handling of NRI-specific events before or even during the convention.

Critical information related to startup showcases and award nominations was not circulated in NRI group before 1^st deadline already passed – by the person assigned from Jodhpur. As a result, several NRIs who had the capacity and interest to participate were unable to do so.

More serious that some NRIs who had traveled internationally—incurring significant personal expense—were denied access to most of NRI meetings! These reports led to frustration among delegates, with some attendees reportedly leaving the venue before the conclusion of the second day.

Serious concerns rising regarding inclusion and recognition. Many NRIs who had actively supported Bharat over decades, including mobilizing international advocacy during sensitive situations (Say Pahalgham), were excluded from NRIs meetings. At the same time, those who didn’t support BHARAT in Pahalgham or who restricted others to support BHARAT were given backdoor stage entry. This was contrary in the MGC with motto published for stronger & developed BHARAT and invited guests pitched in as global convention with strong developing BHARAT. 

The issue has raised serious concerns about alignment between the convention’s stated motto of “Strong and Developed Bharat” and its execution in practice. Even guests were invited from out of community, those in government in “global” convention with “strong/ developing BHARAT motto”.  

Missed Strategic Opportunity?

Significant financial resources, volunteer efforts, and community goodwill were invested in presenting MGC 2026 as a “global convention” and people gathered for same. With structured coordination event could have facilitated over 50 NRI-driven startups, thousands of investment linkages, and tens of thousands employment generation. More than 25 NRIs who have contributed globally over the years, missed opportunity of being awarded in MGC 2026 – the platform created on name of “Global” convention.

A Dual Outcome

MGC 2026 ultimately reflects a mixed outcome.

On one hand, it successfully delivered a large-scale Business Expo with 750 stalls, strong attendance, effective coordination, and vibrant cultural programming. On the other, reported lapses in communication, missed deadlines, and denial of meeting access to many international delegates have raised questions about the management of NRI engagement. Hence many NRIs left convention before day two as denied meeting access and few gone back to hotel. 

Compared to the integrated and structured NRI synergy seen in MGC 2019, the 2026 edition did not fully replicate that model of coordinated inclusion and show mismanagement & somewhere intent issue.

For a convention positioned as an international platform rooted in the values of “Seva, Tyag, Sadachaar,” the discussions following MGC 2026 suggest that while the event achieved significant success in business expo, may be some cultural events, spotlight or Jagas yet NRIs spending time money spirit coming to MGC & denied access to meetings says many things! And raised serious concerns not in community but also for pro BHARAT motto vs real actions and hence intent.