Celebrated exponent of Odissi, Manipuri & Chhau, Sharon Lowen has spent over five decades preserving and elevating Indian classical dance. Trained by legends like Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, she broke barriers as the first female soloist in maledominated Chhau. Through powerful performances, choreography, and teaching, she continues to inspire generations.

With over 35 years in the field, Uma Nair is a pioneering art curator, writer, and cultural critic whose work has shaped India’s modern art landscape. Through powerful columns, landmark retrospectives, and critical writing on masters like Jamini Roy, Dhanraj Bhagat, and Paresh Maity, she has made art more accessible and impactful. A strong voice in both national and international forums, she continues to be a vital bridge between India’s visual arts and the world.

A visionary artist since the 1970s, Arpana Caur’s powerful visual language draws from spirituality, Bhakti poetry, and social justice. Her evocative works have been exhibited globally and are part of major collections including the V&A (London), MOCA (LA), and NGMA. Honoured with national and international awards, she continues to inspire through her art and tireless commitment to education, environment, and women’s empowerment.

A fearless human rights advocate, Anjali Gopalan is the founder of The Naz Foundation and a key force behind the decriminalization of Section 377 in India. Named among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People and a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, she has championed LGBTQIA+ rights, HIV awareness, and healthcare equity with unwavering courage, compassion, and global impact.

Known for her pioneering work in human fluorosis, neurobiology of pain mechanisms, and hormone therapy for postmenopausal stage, she led academic innovation with scholarly rigour and unmatched dedication. Her mentorship, research contributions, and leadership in medical education have left a lasting legacy in Indian medical science.

Mira Gupta is a leading textile expert and heritage revivalist whose work spans design innovation, craft curation, and sustainable retail strategy. From founding Spacebaby, a pioneering children’s wear brand, to creating Fabindia’s first Accessories category and leading collaborations at Good Earth— including the landmark Fabric of India exhibition with the V&A Museum—she has consistently championed India’s craft legacy. Her curation of the Swadesh Bazaar at the Ambani wedding and her ongoing digital storytelling platform have brought artisan voices into contemporary conversations. Mira continues to shape India’s creative and cultural narrative through design, preservation, and purpose.

Renowned fashion designer from Nagaland, celebrated for her couture bridal creations and her commitment to sustainable, Naga-rooted design. Under her label Bambi K and through her concept store Windfall in Dimapur, she promotes eco-friendly fashion grounded in cultural identity. She has represented Northeast India at international platforms including events in Istanbul, Paris, Hanoi, and New Delhi, with her work featured in the Horniman Museum, London. Beyond fashion, she actively volunteers with Team Better Dimapur, leading local environmental initiatives, and is also known for her creative pursuits in music.

Malavika Rajkotia is a pioneering Indian lawyer with over four decades of expertise in family and property law. Founder of Rajkotia Associates, she has been a fierce advocate for a rights-based, constitutional approach to personal law— championing autonomy, dignity, and equality in cases of inheritance, domestic violence, and custody. A thought leader beyond the courtroom, she anchored Shakti, India’s first legal TV show on women’s rights, and is the author of Intimacy Undone (2017) and Unpartitioned Time (2024), blending feminist legal insight with personal and political history. Appearing before the Supreme Court and multiple High Courts, she continues to use law as a tool for empowerment and justice, leaving an indelible mark on India’s legal landscape.

Rituparna Sengupta is a National Award-winning actress and one of Indian cinema’s most versatile performers, with acclaimed work across Bengali, Hindi, and other regional languages. She received the National Film Award for Best Actress for Dahan and has been recognised for her portrayals of complex, socially relevant characters in both mainstream and parallel cinema. With a career spanning over 200 films, she continues to influence Indian cinematic narratives through her depth, range, and crosscultural storytelling. Her contribution to meaningful cinema and her enduring presence make her a powerful voice in contemporary film.

Alison Barrett, Country Director of the British Council in India, is a senior cultural diplomat who has played a pivotal role in strengthening UK-India relations through education, arts, and people-to-people engagement. With over two decades of experience in international cooperation, she has led transformative programs that promote inclusive education, creative industries, and youth leadership. Under her stewardship, the British Council’s work in India has deepened cultural understanding, supported academic partnerships, and expanded opportunities for cross-cultural collaboration across sectors.

Nisha Narayanan, Director and COO at RED FM and Magic FM, is a transformative force in Indian broadcast media. With over 26 years of experience, she has led Red FM’s evolution into a Nat-local brand deeply rooted in cultural authenticity and regional pride. Under her leadership, Red FM has become a platform for bold, socially engaged content, amplifying independent artists, championing gender narratives, and elevating underrepresented voices. She has built campaigns and IPs that reflect India’s diversity while making radio more inclusive, youth-driven, and purpose-led. A Chevening Scholar and respected industry leader, she has been instrumental in driving innovation, authenticity, and inclusion in the audio industry, representing it on both national and global stages.

Shonali Bose is an award winning, internationally acclaimed filmmaker known for bold, socially engaged cinema led by strong female protagonists. Her recent work includes Ziddi Girls (Lead Director, Amazon Prime) and Raat Rani (Modern Love Mumbai), both feminist stories rooted in empowerment and resistance. Her landmark feature Margarita with a Straw broke taboos around queer and disabled identity, while her debut Amu exposed state-sponsored violence. Her biggest film, The Sky is Pink, premiered in the Gala at TIFF and centered a powerful mother-daughter narrative based on a true story. Her latest, A Fly on the Wall, a documentary on assisted dying, was called “poetic, profound, and philosophical… one of the most important films coming out of India” by Mohsen Makhmalbaf. Shonali splits hertime between Mumbai and Los Angeles, using art to challenge systems and amplify silenced voices.

A strategic powerhouse in the Indian entertainment industry, Karuna Badwal has exemplified excellence in celebrity management and film production. As a core team member of Red Chillies Entertainment, she has been instrumental in managing the business affairs and endorsements of superstar Shah Rukh Khan, playing a pivotal role in being the custodian of brand SRK. She was part of the founding team behind Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), setting the tone of the business by bringing powerhouse brands as sponsors. As a Board Member and Advisor at KidZania India, she continues to contribute to youth-focused experiential ventures. At Red Chillies, her innovative marketing for films like Ra.One set industry benchmarks that are still followed today. As a film producer, she has backed several high-profile projects under the Red Chillies banner, bringing a rare blend of business insight and creative sensibility. In a field where visibility often overshadows vision, Karuna Badwal stands out as a behind-the-scenes leader whose sharp strategy and quiet influence have helped shape some of India’s most successful entertainment ventures.

Winnie Singh is the co-founder and Executive Director of Maitri India, a leading NGO that has transformed the lives of abandoned, elderly widows in Vrindavan through its flagship Project Jeevan, providing shelter, meals, healthcare, legal aid, and identity documents to over 500 women. Honoured among the “51 Most Impactful Social Innovators” by the World CSR Congress in 2019 and awarded SAMBHAVAA – Woman of Infinite Possibilities by FICCI‑FLO, she has also co-produced the acclaimed documentary Widows of Vrindavan, which won Best Documentary at the Jagran Film Festival . Under herleadership, the organization has successfully advocated for widow inclusion and dignity, receiving widespread media attention and enabling widows to reclaim theirrights and agency.

Acharya Pratishtha is a renowned yoga and spiritual guru, author, and wellness educator who has dedicated her life to spreading the philosophy of holistic living through Indian yogic traditions. Formerly associated with the Ministry of External Affairs, she has represented India on global platforms in the field of culture and well-being. Through her books, TV shows, workshops, and strong digital presence, she continues to guide thousands toward balanced living, self-discipline, and preventive health grounded in ancient Indian wisdom. Her work seamlessly blends traditional knowledge with contemporary relevance, inspiring people of all ages to adopt conscious, purpose-driven lifestyles.

Neetu Bisht, hailing from a small town in Uttarakhand, has risen to become one of India’s most prominent social media influencers and content creators, amassing over 4.6 million Instagram followers and a YouTube audience exceeding 52 million. Versatile in her craft—ranging from comedy and cooking to fashion, travel, dance, and gaming—she is celebrated for her adaptability and consistency. In 2024, she received the prestigious National Creators Award from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recognising her excellence and impact as a digital content innovator. Neetu’s journey exemplifies how authentic storytelling and genre-diverse content can transform regional voices into national icons.

Sonalika Sahay is a celebrated Indian model and digital fashion curator who rose from being the face of Lakme Fashion Week to launching Style Arrest, her own e‑boutique showcasing top Indian designers. She has walked prestigious runways like Delhi Couture Week and served as the ambassador for Christian Dior watches in India. Through her boutique and online presence, she makes Indian couture accessible to a wider audience. Her recent involvement in the Monkey Bar campaign (as its creative/brand collaborator) further demonstrates her evolving influence in lifestyle branding and media-driven fashion initiatives.

Shubhra Gupta, Ramnath Goenka Award-winning film critic with The Indian Express, is known for her sharp, fearless reviews and cultural insight. With over three decades in film journalism, she has authored 50 Films That Changed Bollywood and Irrfan: A Life in Movies, contributing significantly to the discourse on cinema and society. Her writing bridges popular culture and critique, making her one of India’s most respected voices in film commentary. She is a regular panelist at national and international film festivals, and her work often explores the intersection of cinema, politics, and gender. Through her incisive columns, she continues to influence public opinion and shape critical understanding of Indian cinema.

Anshu Arora is a multidisciplinary designer and Cofounder of Small Shop, whose work spans fashion, space design, and crafts. With a background in Fashion and English Literature, she brings a poetic, empathetic approach to design, infusing colour, warmth, and joy into visual and tactile experiences. Passionate about artisanal processes and cultural storytelling, she collaborates with craft-based NGOs and fair-trade organisations to co-create products that are both meaningful and contemporary. Her work bridges design gaps through shared agency, deep engagement with technique, and a commitment to reimagining tradition. Featured in Vogue, Elle, Architectural Digest, and Condé Nast Traveller, Anshu’s journey is rooted in collaboration, cultural integrity, and the belief that design is a shared act of creating new ways of seeing the familiar.

A distinguished writer, translator, and cultural custodian, Bijoya Sawian has enriched Indian literature with her evocative storytelling and deep engagement with the heritage of the Khasi people. Her acclaimed translations, including The Teachings of Elders and The Main Ceremonies of the Khasis, preserve timeless indigenous wisdom. As a fiction writer, her works like Shadow Men and Two Stories (Tagore Literary Prize nominee) and Hill Songs of Love and Longing (longlisted for the Valley of Words Award) have been widely lauded for their lyrical depth and sensitive portrayal of life in the Khasi Hills. Her biography From Sylhet to Shillong offers a compelling glimpse into the socio-political history of the Northeast and Bengal, while her essays feature in noted anthologies by editors like Ruskin Bond and Namita Gokhale.

Ambassador Sangeeta Bahadur is a former IFS officer (1987‑2022) whose distinguished 35-year diplomatic career included postings in Spain, Bulgaria, Mexico, Belgium, Belarus, and as High Commissionerto Malta. A gifted storyteller, she is the author of the acclaimed Kaal Trilogy—a heroic fantasy rooted in Indian spiritual traditions—and her latest historical fantasy, Devadasi, explores ancient cultural narratives. As Deputy Director General at ICCR and faculty at the Sushma Swaraj Institute, she has shaped cultural diplomacy and mentored future leaders. Her literary work, diplomacy, and cultural insight have not only enriched India’s narrative presence abroad but also inspired a new generation of creative and strategic voices.

Dr. (Prof.) Basavi Mukherji is a distinguished Hindustani classical vocalist and academic, trained in the Gwalior, Kirana, and Jaipur-Atrauli gharanas. A senior professor at Sangit Bhavana, Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan, she has mentored generations of students with a unique blend of performance excellence and scholarly insight. A graded AIR artiste and recipient of the Surmani title by Sur Singar Samsad, Mumbai, she is widely respected for her pioneering research on Improvisation in Hindustani Classical Music, which bridges traditional practice and academic study. Her artistic depth extends to poetry and visual art, making her a holistic contributor to India’s cultural heritage.

Former Director General of Akashvani News, is a distinguished officer of the Indian Information Service with over three decades of service in public communication and media strategy. She has held key roles in institutions like the Press Information Bureau, NHRC, and Bureau of Outreach and Communication, consistently shaping public discourse on national priorities. Under her leadership, All India Radio has expanded its digital reach, launched thematic channels, and revived cultural programming, reinforcing its role as a national voice. Her career reflects a deep commitment to transparent, ethical, and inclusive communication in service of the nation.

Padma Shri awardee and former captain of the Indian women’s cricket team, is a pioneering figure in Indian sports. With over 17 years of international cricket, six World Cup appearances, and the distinction of being the first Indian woman to score an ODI century, she has set lasting benchmarks in women’s cricket. Off the field, she continues to shape the sports landscape as a commentator, author, and advocate for women in athletics. Her enduring legacy lies in breaking barriers and inspiring the next generation of athletes.

Key voice in India’s textile policy landscape, known for her strategic leadership at the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI). She has been instrumental in bridging industry and government through impactful advocacy on trade, sustainability, and innovation. Her work has shaped inclusive, future-ready policies that strengthen India’s global textile presence. A champion of alignment, equity, and sectoral growth, she exemplifies policy leadership with purpose.