Adarsh Kumar
School Student, Entrepreneur
At just 17, Adarsh Kumar is redefining student entrepreneurship. Co-founding his first startup at the age of 13, this visionary from Bihar has already transformed over 1,300 families through Mission Badlao, focusing on education, health, employment, and women empowerment. As the founder of Skillzo, Adarsh has empowered 11,000+ students with entrepreneurial skills, inspiring change-makers of tomorrow.
A dynamic speaker and judge, he has graced platforms like IIT Guwahati and Banasthali Vidyapith, motivating countless individuals to embrace innovation and impact.
Ambassador Ajay Bisaria
Diplomat
From serving as an internal affairs specialist in Moscow during the dissolution of the Soviet Union to shaping India’s “Connect Central Asia” strategy, Ambassador Ajay Bisaria has been at the helm of Indian diplomacy for over three decades. As Private Secretary to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, he has been at the heart of shaping India’s foreign policy, economic strategy, and defense initiatives. Whether bridging borders in Berlin, representing India at the World Bank, or deepening cultural ties in Poland, he’s been there, done that—and done it with finesse.
Ayesha Singh
Interdisciplinary Artist
Ayesha Singh is an interdisciplinary artist who examines built architecture as spaces that embed power dynamics, expose the intricate politics inherent in nation-building exercises, migration, displacement, and functions as a location of identity—embodying aspiration, desire, and belief. Her research is experienced through participatory performances with poetry, kinetic sculptures, sculptural line-drawings, public installations of scaffold and images that are created with community involvement, video, sculpture, and often graphite drawings on paper.
Ms. Singh, co-founded Art Chain India, driven by the potential for localized assistances and commonalities to create global solidarities within artist communities. It is a movement that seeks to exist beyond the uncertainties of today, to cultivate a politics of autonomy and collaboration, and to decenter conversation, economy, and resources.
Dr. Rajesh Bhojwani
Surgical Gastroenterologist
As a pioneer Surgical Gastroenterologist of the state and one of the leading advanced laparoscopic surgeons in India, Rajesh Bhojwani has transformed the landscape of minimal access surgery for cancers and complex diseases in central and northern India. With a career spanning over 30,000 surgeries, he has trained hundreds of surgeons in India and abroad through more than 400 lectures and live operative demonstrations, showcasing his deep academic insight and unparalleled expertise. This has earned him the status of a revered surgeon of international repute at a remarkably young age.
Lakshya Mutha
School Student
Pianist by day; researcher by night, Lakshya Mutha merges artistry with cutting-edge science. Through his groundbreaking work in cortisol detection, he’s uncovering the fascinating connection between stress and human performance. Driven by the principles of optimal deprivation and daily Wim Hof practices, he challenges the understanding of how cortisol-induced stress can be harnessed for peak achievement through his research.
Meghna Puri
Entrepreneur
As the President of Whistling Woods International (WWI), Meghna Ghai Puri has transformed the institution from a top-tier film school to a global hub for media, entertainment, and creative arts. Under her leadership, WWI is empowering the next generation of filmmakers, storytellers, and innovators to revolutionize entertainment consumption. With a focus on immersive learning experiences and global industry partnerships, Ms. Puri is shaping a new era of education in the arts industry.
Ovais Sarmad
Diplomat, Climate Change Activist
From driving climate action at the UNFCCC to pioneering reforms at the IOM, Mr. Ovais Sarmad has spent his career shaping a sustainable future for ages to come. As Deputy Executive Secretary of UNFCCC, he played a key role in advancing the Paris Agreement and establishing the Loss & Damage Fund at COP27. As a Chartered Management Accountant and seasoned diplomat, he has led transformational initiatives in multilateralism, climate diplomacy, and migration policy. Now as Vice Chair of the GHG Protocol Steering Committee, he continues to mentor leaders and inspire global change.
Saachi Sood
School Student
Scientist, innovator, and avid debater, Saachi Sood blends a passion for dialogue with groundbreaking solutions to global challenges. From developing ECOpad, the world’s first sanitary pad infused with D-mannose to prevent UTIs, to founding Project Janam, a mobile birthing clinic transforming rural healthcare, her work exemplifies sustainable innovation. A musician at heart, Saachi delves into the therapeutic power of music, recognizing its ability to heal both minds and souls. Guided by empathy and fueled by creativity, she is dedicated to leaving a meaningful impact on people and the planet.
Samya Raniwala
School Student
Born prematurely with spastic diplegia, Samya Raniwala was once told she would never walk or keep up with her peers. Yet, fueled by resilience, she defied the odds, turning her determination into her strength. Inspired by kaizen, the philosophy of continuous improvement, she faces daily battles with physical pain, social challenges, and self-doubt. Through it all, she embraces her struggles as her greatest teachers. Supported by her unwavering family, Samya chooses to fight, grow, and smile—proving that her journey is one of grit, growth, and grace.
Shresht Mangal
School Student
A relentless seeker of growth, Shresht views every challenge as an opportunity to refine, rebuild, and rise. Rooted in a passion for philosophy, he believes that true progress is achieved by questioning, reflecting, and embracing the unknown. Inspired by the Kaizen principle of continuous improvement, Shresht sees each moment as a chance to align action with purpose. Through stories of resilience and self-discovery, he explores how philosophical introspection—paired with small, meaningful changes—can lead to profound personal transformation. For Shresht, improvement is not a destination but a way of life—a dynamic journey of learning, unlearning, and evolving.
Vivek Atray
Motivational Speaker, Ex-IAS Officer, Author
Meet Vivek Atray—the man who’s done it all, from spearheading Chandigarh IT Park as an IAS officer to authoring multiple acclaimed books. As the driving force behind groundbreaking initiatives like e-SAMPARK, he redefined governance with innovation and impact. Now, as a motivational speaker and mentor to young minds, he continues to change lives. Whether through his acclaimed column, Random Forays, or his ever-expanding repertoire of TEDx talks, Mr. Atray reminds us that optimism, reinvention, and consistency are keys to thriving in every phase of life.