At the closing session of India Today Conclave 2026, Kalli Purie, Vice Chairperson and Executive Editor-in-Chief, India Today Group, reflected on a turbulent global moment, warning that the world order appears to be “in free fall” as war, shifting alliances and powerful leaders reshape politics. Speaking about the strain on democratic systems, she described the emergence of what she called “persona-cracies” — a phase where the “big personalities of leaders” begin to eclipse the institutions meant to contain them.

Kalli Purie said that many of the principles once seen as sacrosanct — borders, decorum, safety, ethics and even the rules of war — now appear negotiable in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape. Yet, she also emphasised the importance of dialogue and debate, saying democracies and newsrooms are strengthened “not by silencing but by challenging” difficult voices. Reflecting on the human cost of conflict, Kalli Purie said war ultimately reduces “all, yours and theirs, to rubble,” urging the world to stand on “the side of humanity.” Watch the full speech here.