Society Speakers

Dia Mirza is a UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador for India and a UN Secretary-General Advocate for Sustainable Development Goals. She is an award-winning actor and former Miss Asia Pacific. As a champion of nature, she successfully led the #BeatPlasticPollution campaign, leading to India's single-use plastic ban declaration. Her keynotes focus on environmental conservation, gender equality, and how individuals can find their greater purpose in life by leveraging the creative arts for social change.

Chhavi Rajawat is a former Sarpanch of Soda village and is recognized as India's first Sarpanch with an MBA. She is an award-winning advocate for rural development and social empowerment. An alumna of Lady Shri Ram College and Sri Balaji Society Pune, her mission is to co-create a holistic model for rural development through education and upskilling. Her keynotes focus on leadership, social justice, and equity, inspiring audiences to commit to impactful change in business, non-profits, and government.

Pooja Bhatt is a celebrated Indian actor, producer, and director who rose to fame in the 1990s with films like Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin and Sadak. She is a leading advocate for mental health and an alcoholism survivor. Her sessions are known to be inspiring, taking audiences on a journey from "darkness to light," motivating them to speak their minds and embrace their unconventional life choices. She is currently writing a memoir that chronicles her year-long journey to sobriety.

Abhay Deol is an acclaimed Indian actor, best known for Dev.D and his biggest commercial hit, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011), which earned him a Filmfare nomination. He is noted for his portrayal of complex characters and is a vocal supporter of independent cinema in India. As a speaker, he draws on his work as an actor and producer to provide insights into the creative process and the importance of supporting diverse narratives in the entertainment industry.

Major Devender Pal Singh is India's first blade runner and a celebrated Kargil War hero who overcame severe injury to become an international athlete. He has completed 26 half marathons, including three in extreme high-altitude conditions. He is the founder of "The Challenging Ones," a group dedicated to shifting the perception of differently-abled persons in society. His keynotes, delivered globally, share his never-say-die attitude and provide powerful motivation to follow one's passion and achieve goals despite all odds.

Anand Kumar is the founder of the revolutionary Super 30 programme, which provides free coaching to economically backward students for the IIT entrance exam. He is an award-winning Indian mathematician and teacher. By 2017, 396 of his 450 coached students had successfully entered the IITs, demonstrating the impact of his model. His keynotes, delivered at MIT and Harvard, focus on Social Entrepreneurship, Motivation, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion through the lens of educational empowerment.

Sudha Chandran is an iconic Bharatanatyam dancer and actress who won a National Film Award for Mayuri. She is the only dancer to have successfully returned to the stage using a Jaipur foot after a tragic accident. Her incredible story of fortitude and determination—overcoming a life-altering disability—is immortalized in the acclaimed film Mayuri. Her keynotes provide audiences with the tools to inspire themselves, embrace the lessons of failure, and achieve astonishing success despite all odds.

Dr. Pratap Bhanu Mehta is a leading political scientist, former President of the Centre for Policy Research, and a Harvard/Princeton-trained academic. He is an expert in political theory, constitutional law, and governance. He has held teaching posts at Harvard, JNU, and NYU School of Law. His influence extends to public policy, having served on the National Security Advisory Board and the Prime Minister's National Knowledge Commission.

Sharmila Tagore is a legendary Indian film actress, Padma Bhushan recipient, and an influential social activist. She has won three National Film Awards and two Filmfare Awards for her performances. She served as the Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF India, where she helped raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and its impact on children. Her keynotes focus on social welfare, philanthropy, and leveraging her platform to drive meaningful change for vulnerable communities.

Twinkle Khanna is a WSJ bestselling author and former actress who won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. She is India’s highest-selling woman writer and a leading advocate for menstrual hygiene. Her book The Legend of Lakshmi Prasad was adapted into the National Award-winning film Pad Man. She is the founder of the digital media platform Tweak India for women and actively campaigns at the United Nations and on the BBC for menstrual hygiene and sanitation globally.

Shobhaa De is one of India’s most popular and influential writers. All 17 of her books have topped the charts, and four of her titles are used as course material at the University of London. She is a distinguished columnist for The Times of India and Asian Age, known for her sharp, "Politically Incorrect" observations on society, politics, and the economy. She is a highly influential voice, recognized as one of "India's Most Trusted People" by Reader's Digest.

Risha Grant is a leading expert in DEI and a captivating motivational speaker, known for her unique bias-busting process that leads audiences to Radical Acceptance. She is a recognized top HR and powerful woman leader. Her background—as a CEO, entrepreneur, and former Division 1 athlete—gives her a distinct perspective on team dynamics. Her keynotes provide executives, politicians, and academic directors with concrete advice on how to lead, manage, and behave more inclusively in business and drive sustainable cultural transformation.

Tisca Chopra is an acclaimed actress and author who won a Filmfare Award for her performance in Taare Zameen Par, which was India's official entry to the Academy Awards. Her career, which includes a nominated performance at the New York Indian Film Festival and acting in a Pulitzer Award-winning play, demonstrates her dedication to high-quality storytelling. Her keynotes share lessons on persistence, passion, and the ingredients needed to live a successful life.

Dr. Shelja Sen is a leading expert in child and adolescent mental health and the Co-founder of Children First. She is a TED speaker and the critically acclaimed author of books including All You Need is Love and Imagine. Her expertise is applied through Narrative Therapy and SFBT training, and her books focus on mindful parenting and the necessity of emotionally safe spaces for inclusive learning. Her talks, including a TED presentation, emphasize that such spaces are a prerequisite for children to grow, thrive, and flourish.

M. J. Akbar is a leading Indian journalist, former editor of major dailies, and a critically acclaimed author. He is a prominent expert on Indian policy and South Asian geopolitics. His first book, India: The Siege Within, had a deep impact on India’s policy in Punjab and Kashmir. His latest book, Tinderbox, discusses identity crisis and class struggle in Pakistan. His keynotes offer incisive commentary on current and political affairs and the complex dynamics of the Indian subcontinent.

Palki Sharma Upadhyay is a journalist and editor who translates complex international affairs into clear, evidence-led narratives. After early work in public broadcasting and print, she anchored WION’s global news coverage and later held senior editorial roles at Network18/Firstpost. Her on-air style privileges sourcing and context over spectacle. As a moderator and commentator she helps audiences and leaders read geopolitical signals, assess media risk, and shape communications that withstand scrutiny.