RS Conference 2026: Rajkumar College, Rajkot, India

Posted on: 31 January 2026

School: Rajkumar College, Rajkot, India
Location: Gujarat, India
Theme: Maned Warriors Beyond Frontiers
Age Group: 10-12 Years
Date: 27-31 January 2026

When The Rajkumar College, Rajkot hosted the Round Square Conference 2026, it marked a first for the state of Gujarat. The conference brought together 236 student delegates and educators from 25 schools across India and overseas, centred on the theme Maned Warriors Beyond Frontiers. Inspired by the Asiatic lion and the Gir landscape, the theme anchored the programme in courage, coexistence, and conservation, values that were explored not as abstractions, but through place-based learning and student-led dialogue.

The opening ceremony at Bhavsinhji Hall set this tone with restraint and purpose. A keynote address by Dr Divyabhanusinh, historian, conservationist, and alumnus, reminded delegates of their responsibility as young global citizens and environmental stewards. From the outset, the message was clear. Leadership in today’s world requires understanding, empathy, and accountability beyond borders.

For the student hosts, these ideas quickly moved from theory into lived experience. As Nihal, one of the hosts, reflected, “The most impactful moment for me was realising that leadership beyond borders begins with empathy, not authority.” Another student Hermashriba spoke of how collaboration across cultures reshaped their thinking: “Working with students from other countries challenged my assumptions and helped me see global issues through a shared human lens.”

Baraza sessions became a particularly powerful space for this learning. Leading discussion groups demanded confidence, openness, and humility in equal measure. One Baraza Leader Udbhas noted, “Leading the Baraza taught me that real courage is listening to perspectives very different from my own,” while Tejaswini reflected, “Facilitating discussions across cultures pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me grow as a leader.”

The experiential component at Gir National Park deepened these insights. Safaris, field interactions, and structured reflection allowed delegates to engage directly with questions of conservation and coexistence. For many, the theme took on a new meaning in this context. As student Tirth succinctly put it, “This conference showed me that warriors beyond frontiers are those who build bridges, not walls.”

Behind the scenes, the conference also provided significant organisational learning for the host school. Kirnesh Jhala, Round Square Coordinator, identified structure as a key factor in the conference’s success: “The biggest success was having clearly defined roles from the start. Well-structured student mentors’ roles gave them confidence and ownership.” She also reflected on future possibilities, adding, “If I host again, I would make community service a core part of the event, giving it purpose and a lasting impact.”

Senior staff echoed the value of adaptability and teamwork. Vice Principal Keyuri Gohil reflected on the operational realities of hosting: “Hosting the conference taught us flexibility as registrations continued until the last moment.” Adventure Day Head Sheetal Savita highlighted the complexity of planning at Gir, noting that “arranging accommodation and securing safari permits with verified IDs required good decisions and constant coordination.” Gohil added that “these challenges strengthen our system, teamwork, and ability to manage complex logistics.”

For Principal and Conference Director Yash Saxena, the experience reinforced several guiding principles for schools considering hosting a Round Square conference. “Define the theme based on the strongest Round Square pillar of your school,” he advised, emphasising that “all the activities throughout the conference should be woven around the central idea.” He also stressed the importance of early clarity and planning: “The levelling out of the conference should be envisioned right at the beginning… and don’t wait for the last moment. The better the planning is, the smoother and more effective the execution.”

What emerges from the Rajkumar College experience is a compelling case for hosting as a form of institutional learning. For students, it is an opportunity to practise leadership, empathy, and collaboration in real time. For faculty and school leaders, it sharpens systems, strengthens teamwork, and brings Round Square values into daily practice.

Ultimately, the impact of the conference was not defined by scale or ceremony, but by the shifts in understanding it enabled. Through shared responsibility, thoughtful design, and student voice at the centre, Maned Warriors Beyond Frontiers became a reminder that the most meaningful conferences are those that leave both students and schools changed by the experience.

Four takeaways for leading a Round Square conference

1. Student Leadership Thrives with Responsibility

When students are given meaningful roles—such as facilitating Baraza discussions or mentoring peers—they develop empathy, courage, and cross-cultural understanding. As one student reflected, “Leadership beyond borders begins with empathy, not authority.” Clear roles and ownership empower students to lead confidently while learning collaboratively.

2. Experiential Learning Makes Themes Tangible

Immersive activities, such as field visits and structured reflection, turn conference themes into lived experience. Encounters with local environments and communities help students connect values to action. As a delegate noted, “This conference showed me that warriors beyond frontiers are those who build bridges, not walls.”

3. Thoughtful Planning Supports Flexibility

Well-defined roles, structured domains, and early logistical preparation enable smoother execution and allow schools to adapt to challenges. Vice Principal Keyuri Gohil emphasised, “Hosting the conference taught us flexibility as registrations continued until the last moment.” Strong planning underpins both student learning and operational success.

4. Hosting Strengthens School Systems and Culture

Beyond immediate logistics, hosting a conference reinforces teamwork, decision-making, and institutional resilience. Principal Yash Saxena advised, “Define the theme based on your strongest Round Square pillar… The better the planning, the smoother and more effective the execution.” Hosting becomes a catalyst for holistic development across the school community.