Agenda

Art@ICH is a first-of-its-kind showcase of Indian art, textile, photography and print at the 22nd India Conference at Harvard. The exhibition brings together emerging artists and established voices who are actively reshaping the landscape of contemporary Indian art through their innovative approaches and global sensibilities.

Join us for an immersive session where ancient Vedic wisdom meets contemporary practice. Explore breathwork and meditation techniques rooted in India's rich spiritual and philosophical traditions. By learning how to harness the power of breath, participants will “experience” the power of simple techniques to enhance relaxation, focus, mental clarity and social connectedness. The workshop will be led by Internationally Certified Wellness Coaches: Christina Sabatini and Darsh Golechha.

Speakers

Christina Sabatini

Founder and Director, Vedanta Learning

Darsh Golechha

Internationally Certified Wellness Coach and Educational Technologist

As the Indian citizenry's needs evolve, how are innovative journalists redefining news creation and consumption in India? With digital news users expected to reach 700 million by 2026, Samdish Bhatia, known for his unfiltered interviewing style, and Saurabh Dwivedi, pioneering digital-first news at The Lallantop, in conversation with Hitesh Hathi, explore digital storytelling, engaging the audience, and serving broader societal needs beyond just information communication.

Speakers

Saurabh Dwivedi

Editor, The Lallantop

Samdish Bhatia

Digital Creator, and Founder, Unfiltered by Samdish

Hitesh Hathi
(Moderator)

Executive Director, Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute

This panel brings both the public & private sector perspectives to the table to explore critical sectors driving India’s future, the impact of policy on driving India's growth, and the role of education in aligning workforce skills with market demands. Speakers will discuss how a more unified growth narrative can attract investment and shape India’s long-term economic trajectory.

Speakers

Somik Lall

Senior Adviser to the Chief Economist, World Bank Group

Dr. Ritesh Mallik

Founder, Innov8

Pranav Pai
(Moderator)

Founding Partner & Chief Investment Officer, 3one4 Capital

India, the world's fifth-largest economy, is on track to become the third-largest by 2030. In this discussion, Nirmal Jain (IIFL) and Ashish Chauhan (NSE) explore how capital markets are driving India’s growth strategies, enhancing its financial leadership, and advancing its global ambitions, positioning the country as a dominant economic force.

Speakers

Nirmal Jain

Chairman, India Infoline (IIFL Group)

Ashish Chauhan

MD & CEO, National Stock Exchange, India

Prof. Akash Deep
(Moderator)

Senior Lecturer in Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School

Central to Indian governance is the State's capacity to provide public services effectively to the people. Governing a diverse, populous, and rapidly urbanizing nation like India presents unique challenges in policy implementation and service delivery. This panel brings together Hemang Jani, with his expertise in civil service capacity building and innovation, and Jasmine Shah, experienced in governance reforms, in conversation with Yamini Aiyar who is currently working on comparative welfare states in the Global South. They will explore the interplay between institutional frameworks, human resources, and data-driven approaches in enhancing State capability for 21st-century India.

Speakers

Hemang Jani

Senior Advisor to the Executive Director, World Bank

Jasmine Shah

Former Vice-Chairperson, Dialogue and Development Commission, Delhi Government

Yamini Aiyar
(Moderator)

Senior Visiting Fellow, Saxena Center for Contemporary South Asia and Watson Institute

The inaugural Policy Hackathon at ICH unites data enthusiasts, policy experts and innovators to develop evidence-based solutions for climate risk and adaptation issues in India. Ten finalist teams from across the world will pitch actionable strategies to a jury of Harvard and ISB faculty, government policymakers, and climate experts, to identify high-risk regions in India and foster innovative solutions to climate challenges.

Jury

Amita Baviskar

Dean, Faculty and Professor of Environmental Studies and Sociology and Anthropology, Ashoka University

Ankur Bansal

Founder & CEO, GDi Partners

Vikram Gandhi

Gerald P. Kaminsky Senior Lecturer of Business Administration, Harvard Business School

Dr. Aarushi Jain

Policy Director, Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business

Learn the basics of Gond Folk Art from one of India’s leading Gond artists, Saroj Venkat Shyam, and create your own first piece! Gond is a vibrant folk art from Madhya Pradesh's Gond tribes, known for its intricate patterns, rhythmic flow, and storytelling. Using fine lines, dots, and vivid colors, Gond artists depict mythology, nature, and daily life through mesmerizing visual compositions. Once painted on walls and floors, it now thrives on canvas, preserving a rich cultural and spiritual heritage. This workshop is supported by MeMeraki.

Facilitator

Saroj Venkat Shyam

Gond Artist

The Constitution of India stands as a living document that has steered the nation's democratic ideals, fundamental rights, and vision of social justice. As we mark 75 years since its adoption, the Constitution has evolved significantly through amendments and judicial interpretation. In this fireside conversation moderated by Arvind Kurian Abraham, Delhi High Court Judge Sachin Datta explores a critical question: has India's constitutional framework effectively adapted to meet the complex challenges of our times?

Speakers

Justice Sachin Datta

Judge, Delhi High Court

Arvind Kurian Abraham
(Moderator)

SJD Candidate, Harvard Law School

This panel explores how women leaders are reshaping India’s social and professional landscape. Through storytelling, advocacy, and policy change, Karishma Mehta amplifies unheard voices, Pallavi Pareek drives workplace inclusion, and Shoba Viswanathan guides the conversation on challenges, breakthroughs, and the future of women’s leadership in India.

Speakers

Karishma Mehta

CEO, Humans of Bombay

Pallavi Pareek

Founder & CEO, UNGENDER and Founder, Conduct

Shoba Viswanathan
(Moderator)

Senior Vice President – Development and Civic Engagement at Indiaspora

Delving into the ethos of the medieval Saints of the Indian subcontinent from diverse social and philosophical backgrounds, Amardeep Singh will share a captivating audio-visual presentation about the relevance of their messages in creating and leading a strong economic and ethical society. Amardeep will also share his journey in unfurling the purpose of his life.

Speakers

Amardeep Singh

Founder, Lost Heritage Productions

India is revolutionizing healthcare by designing solutions that are affordable, accessible, and scalable—offering a playbook for global health equity. From pioneering low-cost vaccine innovations to establishing last-mile care models, India’s healthcare system is proving that quality healthcare need not be expensive or exclusive. Join Suchitra Ella, co-founder of Bharat Biotech, in a fireside chat with Gaurie Dwivedi on how India’s public health strategies and biotech advancements are shaping a healthier world for all.

Speakers

Suchitra Ella

Co-founder, Bharat Bio-tech

Gaurie Dwivedi
(Moderator)

Executive Editor, NDTV 24x7

Understand how caste activism is evolving with a changing media landscape and diaspora organising. Join a conversation with award-winning author Meena Kandasamy, activist Prachi Pathankar, and artist Shrujana Shridhar as they share their experiences and visions for anti-caste movements.

Speakers

Prachi Patankar

Writer and Activist

Meena Kandasamy

Poet-author

Shrujana Shridhar
(Moderator)

Artist and Illustrator

What does it truly mean to live happily? How can we cultivate lasting happiness? India has long stood as a global beacon of wealth, knowledge, community, belonging, and love. For centuries, its rich cultural traditions and wisdom have shaped the lives of millions and inspired the world. Today, leading neuroscientists and psychologists at institutions like Yale and Stanford are unlocking the secrets of this ancient knowledge. Programs such as TLeX have transformed leaders, ministers, prime ministers, presidents, and government officials from over 42 countries around the world.
‍
Join us as we explore the profound insights from Indian culture and wisdom. Discover how modern science is validating these time-tested practices and how today’s leaders are embracing them to enhance their lives and influence the world around them.

Speakers

Ajay Tejasvi

President and Board Member, TLEX Institute. || Director, Leadership and Governance, International Association of Human Values

Emma Seppala PhD

Yale School of Management Faculty, Psychologist and Research Scientist

Swayam Bagaria
(Moderator)

Assistant Professor, Harvard Divinity School

Renowned chef Suvir Saran shares his journey from childhood in India to finding his calling in New York’s kitchens. Food became his vocation, healing, and hope. This panel explores how India’s culinary heritage nourishes body, mind, and soul, shaping lives, cultures, and the evolving landscape of global cuisine.

Speakers

Suvir Saran

Chef and Culinary Director, Neuma, Qora and Murphies, Jolene

Mehr Singh
(Moderator)

Food and Culture Journalist

As global geopolitics continues to evolve toward a multipolar world, emerging economies are reshaping international trade, investment, and strategic development partnerships. With BRICS expanding its footprint, countries of the Global South are not only advancing their own growth agendas but are also fostering greater cooperation around technological innovation. Join us for a discussion where we will explore how these nations are navigating the complexities of ongoing world conflicts and global competitive dynamics, while charting a path toward a more resilient and self-reliant future.

Speakers

Amb. Rahul Chhabra

Senior Advisor to UNDP, Former Ambassador and Diplomat

Mukesh Aghi

President & Chief Executive Officer of the US- India Strategic Partnership Forum

Fatema Sumar
(Moderator)

Executive Director of the Harvard Center for International Development (CID)

In a world that’s more connected than ever, technology wields the power to do more than streamline processes or drive economic growth—it has the potential for solving social problems furthering accessibility and inclusion for all. At its best, technology could be deployed as an enabler for bridging divides,and expanding access to opportunities and avenues that were once out of reach.
This panel will explore how digital innovation in India, could create pathways for achieving social impact and equity across different contexts. From advancing financial inclusion to bringing connectivity to communities, and providing solutions for urban spaces in complex environments like the Kumbh Mela, the discussions will delve into understanding effective models of leveraging technology to improve access of services towards rendering better quality of lives for the last mile in India.

Speakers

Rohit Bansal

Group Head of Communications, Reliance Industries

Mitul Thapliyal

Partner, Microsave

Ramesh Raskar

Associate Professor, MIT Media Lab

Ankur Bansal
(Moderator)

Founder and CEO,GDi

This panel, moderated by Shashi Buluswar, features Bharati Chaturvedi and Sonam Wangchuk discussing the global influence of India’s sustainable practices. From urban recycling innovations to transformative education models, discover how these leaders are crafting a greener planet.

Speakers

Bharati Chaturvedi

Founder, Chintan Research and Environmental Action Group

Sonam Wangchuk

Educational reformist and environmental activist

Shashi Buluswar
(Moderator)

Founder, Institute for Transformative Technologies