Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for Urban Development Babul Supriyo and Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore were among the ministers to take part in the initial part of the programme.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to come towards the end of the event.

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The Talkathon format allows participants in the social media space to post questions on Twitter which are answered by the guests in real-time.

The programme is being telecast live on various channels of Doordarshan including DD National and mediapersons have not been invited for the coverage.

"Media has not been invited for coverage. The event is being held in a studio format," an official of the Information and Broadcasting ministry said.

The government has hired Geometry Global Encompass Network, an event management company, for the programme.

The government had also organised a "Talkathon" last year to mark its first anniversary.