Dr. Neelima Alam

Scientist F & Associate Head
Climate Energy and Sustainability Technologies (CEST)
Department of Science & Technology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India

Dr. Neelima Alam is a Senior Scientist at the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. She holds a Doctorate from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, and has served as a Postdoctoral Fellow on a prestigious NIH-funded project in Boston, USA, for four years. Since joining DST in 2007, she has played a key role in supporting early-stage funding and incubation mechanisms for tech-based start-ups, and later steered national initiatives on water technology solutions. In recent years, Dr. Alam has led pioneering efforts in advancing Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) and methane mitigation technologies, critical to India’s Net Zero ambitions. She has been instrumental in shaping DST’s research ecosystem for low-carbon technologies by fostering international collaborations through platforms such as ACT, CETP, and Mission Innovation. Her leadership has also been vital in promoting translational R&D and academia-industry partnerships to deploy decarbonization technologies in hard-to-abate sectors like thermal power, cement, and steel.

Varun Chopra

Executive Chairman - GEAR Group

Mr. Varun Chopra is the Executive Chairman of GEAR India, where he leads the company’s strategic direction, business operations, and overall P&L. Since taking charge in 2021, he has transformed GEAR into a leading player in Sustainable Intralogistics in India, while expanding its presence internationally and delivering consistent financial growth. With over 25 years of global leadership experience, he has held senior roles across Pharmaceuticals, Consumer Healthcare, and FMCG sectors, having worked with industry leaders like GSK, Unilever, and Sun Pharma. Mr. Chopra has lived and worked in India, the USA, China, and the UAE, bringing a broad global perspective to business transformation and growth. He is known for his dynamic leadership style, deep P&L expertise, and ability to build high-performance cultures. He has successfully scaled, turned around, and led businesses to valuations of up to $1 billion, consistently driving revenue and profit growth. His strategic focus includes developing new Go-To-Market (GTM) models, expanding into new markets, and nurturing strong leadership teams. A passionate advocate for innovation and talent development, he continues to shape GEAR India’s vision as a sustainable, forward-looking logistics solutions provider.

Pradumn Kumar Dixit

Director (Projects) - MECON Ltd.

Mr. Pradumn Kumar Dixit is the Director (Projects) at MECON Limited, a leading public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Steel, Government of India. Since assuming charge in September 2023, he has been driving MECON’s strategic initiatives with a strong focus on sustainability, decarbonization, the hydrogen economy, and large-scale infrastructure development. With over 36 years of experience, Mr. Dixit has led diverse engineering consultancy and EPC assignments across the Steel, Oil & Gas, Power, and Environment sectors. An alumnus of IIT Kharagpur (B.Tech, Civil Engineering) and IIT Kanpur (M.Tech, Industrial & Management Engineering), he also holds a PGDBM in International Business from IMT Ghaziabad. Starting his career with MECON as a Management Trainee (Technical), he has steadily advanced through roles in project execution, planning, contract management, and strategic advisory. Mr. Dixit has over 25 years of specialized experience in the Oil & Gas sector, notably as EPMC for City Gas Distribution, LNG, and pipeline projects for GAIL, IOCL, and BPCL. He has led more than 30 CGD projects nationwide and contributed to the modernization of steel plants and regulatory studies for PNGRB. Internationally, he has handled infrastructure feasibility projects in the Middle East. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers (India) and a Life Member of the Institute of Directors.

Debabrata Dutta

Executive Director (EMD) - Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)

Mr. Debabrata Dutta is the Executive Director (of the Environment Management Division) at Steel Authority of India Ltd. (SAIL). In this leadership role, he oversees environmental management across all SAIL plants and mines, with key responsibilities including regulatory compliance, ESG performance, decarbonization, climate change strategies, waste management, carbon border adjustment mechanisms, and integration of sustainability into core business practices. A strategic thinker, he is instrumental in aligning environmental goals with corporate objectives, fostering innovation, and promoting the adoption of cutting-edge carbon abatement technologies. Before assuming his current role, Mr. Dutta held senior leadership positions including Chief General Manager I/c (Services) and officiating Executive Director (Works) at Rourkela Steel Plant. He has successfully led critical production departments such as the Plate Mill and Hot Strip Mills, and played a pivotal role in the commissioning and stabilization of the 3 MTPA Hot Strip Mill at Rourkela a Rs.3,600 crore project demonstrating exceptional project execution and technical acumen. An expert in ferrous metallurgy, he holds a B.Tech in Metallurgical Engineering from NIT Durgapur and an M.Tech in Ferrous Process Metallurgy from NIT Rourkela. His deep understanding of process optimization and sustainability makes him a key figure in SAIL’s transformation towards greener, future-ready operations.

K. Ganesh

Director Sustainability & Corporate Affairs
Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd.

Mr. K. Ganesh is the Director – Sustainability & Corporate Affairs at Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd., where he leads the company’s environmental, regulatory, and corporate engagement initiatives. With over 30 years of diverse industry experience across Shaw Wallace, Mohan Meakins, and CavinKare, he has been a key driver of Bisleri’s sustainability agenda since joining in 2010. At Bisleri, Mr. Ganesh has spearheaded the development of greenfield packaged drinking water projects and led significant cost optimization through packaging standardization and redesign. A notable achievement under his leadership is the establishment of India’s first zero-liquid discharge plant in the packaged water segment reflecting his strong commitment to sustainable manufacturing practices. Mr. Ganesh plays an active role in shaping environmental policy and standards in India. He collaborates closely with regulatory bodies such as BIS, FSSAI, CGWA, MOEFCC, and CPCB, and is a member of the Plastic Committee of India. He also contributes to industry dialogues through associations like CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM, IBA, and PACE. An engineer by training and a strategist by experience, Mr. Ganesh holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA, with an Advanced Strategic Management Programme from IIM Calcutta. Under his stewardship, Bisleri’s community-led OSR (Ozone, Sustainability, and Recharge) projects have scaled across several states, delivering measurable local impact.

Manoj Jain

Chairman & Managing Director
Bharat Electronics Limited

Mr. Manoj Jain is the Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. He assumed the role on June 20, 2024, after serving as Director (R&D) since September 26, 2022. He also held additional responsibilities as Director (Bangalore Complex) from August 1, 2023, and Director (HR) from November 1, 2022, to May 31, 2023. Mr. Jain joined BEL in August 1991 as a Probationary Engineer after earning his BE in Electronics from REC Jaipur (now MNIT Jaipur), where he graduated with a Gold Medal. Over his career spanning more than three decades, he has made significant contributions in the fields of R&D, defence networks, avionics, and radar systems. He began at BEL’s Kotdwara unit, working on digital multiplexers and CDOT exchanges, and later contributed to secure defence communication technologies and radar display systems at BEL’s Central Research Laboratory in Bangalore. He served as Chief Scientist at CRL-Bangalore and later as General Manager at BEL’s Product Development & Innovation Centre and the Electronic Warfare & Avionics Strategic Business Unit. A recipient of multiple R&D and defence excellence awards, he has published technical papers, filed patents, and regularly engages with DRDO and armed forces stakeholders.

Uma Mahadevan, IAS

ACS-cum-Development Commissioner
Govt. of Karnataka

Ms. Uma Mahadevan is a senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 1992 batch, Karnataka cadre, currently serving as Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner, Government of Karnataka. With a distinguished public service career spanning over three decades, she has held key roles at both the central and state levels, bringing policy depth and administrative insight to sectors critical to inclusive development. She has served in departments such as Women & Child Development, Education, Planning, Health & Family Welfare, and Skill Development, Entrepreneurship & Livelihoods. Her work reflects a consistent focus on human development, equity, and institutional reform. At the central level, she has contributed to the Department of Atomic Energy and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, demonstrating her ability to engage with complex scientific institutions. Holding a postgraduate degree in English Literature, Ms. Mahadevan is also a writer and public thinker. She has authored several articles and publications exploring sociocultural issues, public policy, and the arts, reflecting her interdisciplinary perspective. Known for her intellectual rigor and people-centric approach, she is widely respected for integrating cultural insight with administrative effectiveness.

Major Manivannan P. IAS

Commissioner
Bangalore Development Authority, Govt. of Karnataka

Major Manivannan P., IAS, is the Commissioner of the Bangalore Development Authority, Government of Karnataka. A senior officer of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), he has over two decades of experience in public service, with a strong focus on citizen-centric and transparent governance. He has served in a wide range of leadership roles, including Commissioner of districts with populations exceeding one million and CEO of utility companies. In these capacities, he has effectively leveraged social media and digital platforms to engage citizens, build trust, and promote accountability in governance. Major Manivannan is a strong proponent of participative governance. He works closely with citizens, leveraging their technological and managerial expertise to co-create solutions for pressing public challenges in Karnataka. His vision is to build sustainable governance systems that are transparent, responsive, and inclusive. Through sustained engagement with diverse stakeholders, he strives to deepen democratic participation and equity in public administration. His leadership reflects a commitment to empowering communities and fostering a collaborative model of governance in the world’s largest democracy.

Dr. Ram Prasath Manohar V, IAS

Chairman
Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB)

Mr. Ram Prasath Manohar V is the Chairman of the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB). Since assuming the role, he has positioned the Board as a national exemplar in sustainable urban water management. Under his leadership, BWSSB won the prestigious World Water 2025 Award, a Water?Digest/UNESCO accolade, by implementing a suite of initiatives including replenishment of 23 lakes with treated water, collaboration with IISc to form a groundwater task force, and construction of 3,000 rainwater harvesting tanks. During his tenure, the Board also deployed 986 percolation wells in a month ahead of monsoon and introduced a “green star” rating system to incentivize all sectors toward rainwater harvesting. Mr. Manohar led the adoption of IISc’s “Zero Bacteria” technology in apartment sewage plants, delivering 60 million liters per day of treated water to IT parks for sustainable groundwater management. He championed innovative ground water solutions at the UN Climate Change Innovation Workshop. His proactive, tech-driven, and inclusive governance, spanning lake rejuvenation, rainwater harvesting, reuse of recycled water, and equitable delivery to underserved communities, has set a national benchmark for climate-resilient urban water systems.

Hilary McGeachy

Consul General for Karnataka and Telangana
Australian Consulate-General

Ms. Hilary McGeachy is the Consul-General for Karnataka and Telangana at the Australian Consulate-General in Bengaluru. She is a career officer with Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and was most recently the Director of the CPTPP Section. Her diplomatic experience includes previous overseas postings in India and Germany, reflecting her strong regional expertise and global engagement. Ms. McGeachy holds a Bachelor of Arts/Law from The Australian National University and a Master of International Affairs from King’s College London.

Vijay Menon

COO - Tata Motors
Smart City Mobility Solutions

Mr. K Vijay Menon, the Chief Operating Officer of Tata Motors Ltd Smart City Mobility Solutions (TSCMSL), is a an Automobile Industry Professional with a stellar track record of handling challenging assignments & delivering superior Business results across the Automotive value chain; with rich experience in Product Creation, P&L Management, Building & handling large teams of Knowledge Professionals, Brand & Channel management, Manufacturing Technology & IT systems, at India’s largest automobile company. He has vast experience of both the Passenger and Commercial vehicle businesses. He has also worked in various cities and travelled extensively in India and globally. In his current role as COO TSCMSL, he had led the planning, creation, and delivery of India’s largest Electric Bus deployment across 11 cities in the country, covering more than 34cr km with a fleet of over 3300 e-buses supported by a robust charging infrastructure. TSCMSL has successfully deployed a fleet of over 920 e-buses in the city of Bengaluru with a fleet uptime of more than 97%, contributing significantly to reducing the tailpipe emissions in the city of Gardens, with another order of close to 150 e-buses in progress.

Shailesh Nigam

Chief Operating Officer - EEMEA
SAARC & CIS
AAF International, India

Mr. Shailesh Nigam, a distinguished HVAC professional and the Chief Operating Officer at AAF International, a 103-year-old pioneer in clean air solutions and part of the Daikin group. AAF is a leader in the air filtration industry, specializing in advanced technology for air filters, purifiers, and IAQ products that set the standard for air quality excellence. Mr. Nigam is responsible for overseeing the company's operations across India, the Middle East, Africa, and the CIS regions, spearheading a campaign to promote air filtration as a vital health and wellness solution. He also serves as a Director at AAF India and is a board member for AAF LLC Dubai, AAF JAFZA Dubai, AAF Saudi Arabia, and AAF Turkey. With 32 years of expertise, Mr. Nigam excels in regional and global operations management, profitability enhancement, business expansion, strategic client relationships, HVAC systems, project management, and stakeholder management. Known as a visionary leader, he has a proven track record of building motivated teams and driving processes that deliver superior results. Over the years, he has held key leadership roles at prominent organizations such as Fedders Lloyd, Blue Star, McQuay, Trane, and Daikin. He is widely recognized as a ‘change agent’ for his ability to challenge the status quo and drive transformative improvements, leading to successful turnarounds in every company he has led.

Dr. Gopi Prasad S.

Head - ESG & Sustainability
Provident Housing Ltd.

Dr. Gopiprasad Srinivasan is an urbanist currently leading the ESG initiative at Provident Housing Limited. He is based in Bengaluru, bringing over two decades of invaluable experience in urban development, planning, and real estate. Throughout his career, Dr.Gopiprasad has engaged with the public and private sectors, holding various leadership roles that have given him a unique, 360-degree perspective on development and sustainability challenges and opportunities. With a Ph.D. in Development Studies from the University of Mysore and a Master's degree from the prestigious School of Planning and Architecture in New Delhi and the National Law. He's a familiar face in expert committees and has worked on the conceptualization and implementation of sustainable development at the World Bank, USAID, the Asian Development Bank and Indo-French protocol. At Provident, Dr. Gopiprasad has been instrumental in putting together a workable net zero plan for 2031 and is overseeing the implementation across the organization. The results he envisages from this action will make Provident a top contender for being a responsible and sustainable real estate developer at scale in the country.

Ramachandran R, IAS

Managing Director
Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation Ltd.

Mr. Ramachandran R is a 2012 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Karnataka cadre and currently serves as the Managing Director of Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC). In this role, he addresses critical urban mobility challenges in Bengaluru. He has held several key positions in the state, including Director of Pre-University Education, Chairperson of the Karnataka School Examination Board, and State Mission Director of the National Health Mission, where he led Karnataka’s public health response during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also served as Managing Director of the Karnataka State Warehousing Corporation, gaining expertise in procurement, logistics, and food grain storage. Mr. Ramachandran has held pivotal administrative roles as Deputy Commissioner in Bagalkote and Bidar districts, handling land acquisition, flood management, forest rights, and farmer welfare. Earlier, he served as CEO of Zilla Panchayats in Koppal and Belagavi, and as Assistant Commissioner in Chikkamagaluru. He holds a B.Sc. in Zoology from Loyola College, Chennai, and a Law degree from Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Law College. A graduate of LBSNAA, he has also served as Returning Officer and Central Observer in various state and national elections.

R. Ravishankar IFS

Chief Conservator of Forests
Govt. of Karnataka

Mr. R. Ravishankar, an officer of the Indian Forest Service (IFS), is currently serving as the Chief Conservator of Forests (Development), Karnataka Forest Department. He also serves as the Executive Director of the World Bank–funded K SHORE Project, steering key developmental and conservation initiatives across the state. With over two decades of experience, Mr. Ravishankar has worked across diverse forest landscapes in Karnataka, including the tropical wet evergreen forests of the Western Ghats and semi-arid zones. He has twice managed Tiger Reserves, focusing on man-animal conflict mitigation, community engagement, and tribal welfare. He led the successful relocation of 171 tribal families from the core area of Nagarahole Tiger Reserve. An advocate of e-Governance, he has implemented digital systems in timber operations and received commendation from the Head of Forest Force. He has also served as a faculty member at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie, teaching natural resource management, forest conservation, and leadership. Mr. Ravishankar holds a BSc in Forestry and a diploma from the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, recognized as equivalent to an MSc. He also completed executive training in Ethics and Governance at the University of California, Berkeley in 2017.

Sanjay Kumar Singh, IAS (Retd.)

Director - Strategy & External Relations
Jindal Steel & Power Ltd.
Former Secretary, Ministry of Steel
Govt. of India

Mr. Sanjay Singh is the Director, Strategy and External Relations at Jindal Steel & Power. He brings in more than 36 years of professional experience in Policy, Management, Administration, Project Implementation and Strategic Planning from the Government as an Indian Administrative Service Officer in the Central Government and State Government at implementation level and top level. His noteworthy work has been in the sectors of Steel, Telecommunication, Research Management, Human Resource Development, Information Technology. During his tenure in Steel Sector as Secretary, Government of India he worked towards formulation and preparing the implementation roadmap of medium and long term vision of the Sector with particular emphasis on sustainability in the sector and adoption of Industry 4.0. In the Telecom Sector he was instrumental in implementing a country-wide Broadband project; BharatNet to connect all 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats in the country by Broadband.

Dr. Zelalem Birhanu Taffesse

Chief of Field Office for Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana
UNICEF

Dr. Zelalem Birhanu Taffesse is currently serving as the Chief of Field Office for UNICEF in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana, based in Hyderabad, since 2023. He brings over 15 years of experience in international development, with a strong focus on system building and strengthening to ensure equitable access to essential services for vulnerable and marginalized populations. A seasoned development professional, Dr. Taffesse has held leadership roles across various contexts, contributing to multi-sectoral initiatives that improve outcomes in health, education, child protection, and social inclusion. His work reflects a commitment to equity-driven programming and evidence-based policy implementation. Dr. Taffesse’s approach is rooted in collaborative engagement with governments, civil society, and communities to create sustainable, rights-based systems that advance the well-being of children and families.

Desh Deepak Verma, IAS (Retd.)

Principal Advisor - Institute of Directors
Former Secretary General, Rajya Sabha

Mr. Desh Deepak Verma, IAS (Retd), an experienced multi-disciplinary professional with a demonstrated history of working with the Governments, utilities /industry and non- Government sectors in strategic planning and policy making at the top level, He has proved himself to be of unmatched value to every organization that he worked for. With strong leadership and consulting skills in Team Management, Project implementation, Governance and Public Policy, he has been recognized, nationally and internationally, for developing strategies and finding out of box solutions through innovative thinking, for some very complex and challenging work environments.

Dr. Richard Vincent D Souza, IAS (Retd.)

Hony. Chairman - Institute of Directors (Bengaluru Region)
former Secretary, Govt. of Karnataka

Dr. Richard Vincent is a senior officer of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), 2014–2024 batch, with extensive experience in administrative, managerial, and technical roles across sectors. Known for his commitment to public service, he has contributed significantly to areas including public welfare, road safety, resource management, and governance reform. Over the course of his career, Dr. Vincent has held several key positions in the Government of Karnataka, including Secretary to Government in the Industries & Commerce Department (Mines, MSME, Sugar & Textiles) and the Planning Department, and as Secretary of the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC). He has also served as Managing Director of both the Hutti Gold Mines Company Ltd. and the Karnataka State Warehousing Corporation, playing a pivotal role in industrial and logistical development. His leadership as Mission Director of the National Health Mission and Deputy Commissioner & District Magistrate of Kodagu reflects his wide-ranging impact on public health and district administration. Additional roles include Joint Commissioner, BBMP, Bengaluru, and CEO, Zilla Panchayat, Raichur. Dr. Vincent is recognized for his integrity, people-centric approach, and results-driven leadership in delivering public services effectively and efficiently.

R. G. Rajan

Honorary Zonal Director, Institute of Directors
Former CMD, RCF/NFL/PDIL, Former Chairman, FAI/SCOPE

Mr. R. G. Rajan has four decades of experience in a wide range of industries including Gas Processing, Gas Pipelines, LPG pipelines, LNG terminals and associated facilities, Petrochemicals and Fertilisers and Chemicals. His areas of expertise include conceptual design, process design, preparation of pre-feasibility reports and detailed feasibility reports (DPR), technology section, plant operations, project management, etc. He was Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of PDIL, a consultancy PSU from Jan 2007 to Nov 2010 and CMD of Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilisers (RCF) from Nov 2010 to June 2016. He also had the additional charge of CMD of National Fertilisers Limited (NFL) from Jan 2013 to August 2013. He also served as Chairman of Fertiliser Association of India (FAI) from September 2012 to September 2014 and as Chairman of Standing Conference of Public Enterprises (SCOPE) from June 2015 to June 2016. Since July 2016 He is an Independent Consultant available for giving advice in the areas of his expertise. He is also a Board Member of National Governing Council and All India Honorary Director of IOD.

H. D. Kumaraswamy

Hon'ble Union Cabinet Minister of Heavy Industries and Steel
Govt. of India

Shri Haradanahalli Devegowda Kumaraswamy is currently serving as the Union Cabinet Minister of Heavy Industries and Steel in the Government of India (since 2024), where he continues to play a significant role in shaping India’s industrial policy and national development agenda under the leadership of the Prime Minister of India. Shri Kumaraswamy is a senior Indian political leader, seasoned parliamentarian, entrepreneur, and a prolific film producer. He is the President of the Karnataka State Janata Dal (Secular) and a Member of Parliament from Mandya in the Lok Sabha. At the state level, he has been representing the Channapatna constituency in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly since 2018. Over his expansive career, he has twice held the office of Chief Minister of Karnataka (2006–2007 and 2018–2019), during which he focused on rural development, pro-farmer policies, and social welfare initiatives. Shri Kumaraswamy began his political career with a victory in the 1996 general elections from Kanakapura, entering the 11th Lok Sabha. He has since, held multiple terms in both the Karnataka Legislative Assembly and Lok Sabha, contributing to parliamentary committees on rural development and food management. His leadership has also extended to the role of Leader of the Opposition in Karnataka (2013–2014). Born in Haradanahalli, Karnataka, he is the son of H. D. Deve Gowda, former Prime Minister of India and Chief Minister of Karnataka. He is an honorary graduate in science from National College, Kumaraswamy is also known for his work in Kannada cinema, producing several successful films. A multifaceted personality, Shri Kumaraswamy blends governance, grassroots politics, and cultural engagement with a deep commitment to public service.

Hon’ble Justice U. U. Lalit

former Chief Justice of India

Hon'ble Justice Uday U. Lalit enrolled as an advocate in June 1983. He specialised in criminal law and practiced at the Bombay HC from 1983 to 1985. Following his stint at the Bombay HC, he worked in the chambers of then Attorney General of India, Soli Sorabjee, from 1986 to 1992. Justice Lalit was designated as Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court in April, 2004. He aided the Court as amicus curiae in many important matters pertaining to forests, vehicular pollution and pollution of the Yamuna river. Justice Lalit was elevated as a Judge of the Supreme Court directly from the Bar on August 13th, 2014. He was the sixth Judge elevated directly to the SC without having served as a Judge in a lower court or High Court. As an SC Judge, he was appointed as the Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) on May 14th, 2021. Justice Lalit took over as the 49th Chief Justice of India on August 27th, 2022, becoming the only second CJI to be elevated directly from the bar.

Hon’ble Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi

Judicial Member Lokpal of India
Former Chairperson, Law Commission of India
Former Chief Justice, Karnataka High Court

Hon'ble Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi was the former Chairman of the Law Commission of India. He was the former Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court. A leading legal luminary who has had an illustrious journey in the field of law, Justice Awasthi graduated in law from Lucknow University in the year 1986. Since beginning, his expertise included civil, service and education matters at the Lucknow Bench of Allahabad High Court. Hon'ble Justice Awasthi was also nominated as the Senior Judge at High Court in Lucknow in 2021. Thereafter he was elevated as Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court in 2021. During his tenure as a distinguished Judge for more than 13 years, Hon'ble Justice Awasthi decided around 44,000 cases out of which more than 600 judgements were approved for reporting. Most of the cases decided by him had nationwide impact, as well as international relevance.

Ashish Agarwal

Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer Seros Energy Private Ltd.

Mr. Ashish Agarwal is the Managing Director & CEO of Seros Group, a leading multi-sector enterprise with strong footprints in energy, offshore, shipping, and logistics. With a distinguished career spanning over 25 years, he has held leadership roles across diverse industries and geographies, demonstrating a consistent ability to drive strategic transformation and operational excellence. Mr. Agarwal began his career as a Group Management Trainee at the Adani Group, contributing to early-stage projects at Adani Wilmar. He later founded and led multiple successful ventures in injection moulding, ginger processing, and air-conditioner manufacturing for global brands like Samsung, LG, and Daikin. In 2007, he joined Essar Group, where he spearheaded its entry into the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) sector and rose to become Senior Vice President in the Chairman’s Office, overseeing strategic initiatives across energy, steel, infrastructure, and shipping. Since 2019, he has led the transformation of Seros Energy into India’s largest integrated onshore oilfield services company, offering advanced drilling, hydrofracking, well testing, and allied services. A CFA charterholder, he is an alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad and Harvard Business School, and an active member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO). His deep expertise spans strategy, finance, operations, and digital transformation, with a strong focus on sustainable and scalable growth.

Arun Balakrishnan

Independent Director in Multiple Companies
Former CMD - HPCL, Founder Chairman, HPCL-Mittal Energy Ltd.

Mr. Arun Balakrishnan is the founder Chairman of HPCL-Mittal Energy Ltd. and is currently a member of the Board. He was the CMD of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd., Currently Mr. Balakrishnan is on the Boards of a number of companies as Independent Director, besides being a Member of the Board of Governors, University of Petroleum & Energy Studies, Dehradun. He is also the immediate past President of Indian Institution of Industrial Engineering. A Chemical Engineer with a Post Graduate Diploma from the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, he is the recipient of the "Distinguished Alumni Award 2008" from his alma-mater. In the recent past, the All India Management Association has conferred a fellowship and the Institute of Engineers (India) has presented a Scroll of Honour for recognition 'of his outstanding contribution to the profession of Chemical Engineering'.

Sri Basavaraju, K.A.S.

Managing Director - Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Ltd. (KRIDL)

Sri Basavaraju, K.A.S. is the Managing Director of Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Ltd. (KRIDL), a key government undertaking responsible for executing infrastructure projects across rural Karnataka. A senior officer of the Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS), he has served in various administrative and developmental roles, contributing significantly to grassroots governance and rural development. With deep experience in project implementation, planning, and public works, Sri Basavaraju is known for driving efficient execution and transparency in government infrastructure initiatives. Under his leadership, KRIDL continues to play a vital role in strengthening rural infrastructure and supporting inclusive growth across the state.

Rajeev Kumar Gupta

Director - (Rail & Metro Business), BEML Limited

Mr. Rajeev Kumar Gupta, currently serves as Director at BEML Limited. He is an Electronics Engineering graduate from BIT Sindri and brings over 35 years of experience in the public sector. His distinguished career spans key roles at SAIL and BHEL, with diverse expertise across manufacturing, strategic management, marketing, project execution, international business, and corporate communication. At BHEL, Mr. Gupta held several leadership roles, most recently as Executive Director (Corporate Strategic Management & Corporate Communication). In this capacity, he aligned BHEL’s strategy with evolving global energy trends, enhanced media presence, built in-house creative capabilities, and modernized communication through digital storytelling. As Chief Investor Relations Officer (CIRO) and Chief Risk Officer (CRO), he led investor engagement, post-result calls, and risk management initiatives. As General Manager of BHEL’s Transportation Business (2018–2022), he spearheaded marketing and execution of major rail projects, including electric locomotives and semi-high-speed trains, securing the prestigious Vande Bharat order. With two decades in international business, Mr. Gupta significantly expanded BHEL’s footprint across Africa, Europe, and Southeast Asia, driving export growth and market entry strategies. He has represented India in global trade forums including CII, FICCI, and various bilateral trade commissions, shaping export policy and industry growth.

Motupalli Prasanna Kumar

Chairman & Managing Director - NLC India Ltd.

Mr. Motupalli Prasanna Kumar is the Chairman and Managing Director of NLC India Ltd. (formerly Neyveli Lignite Corporation), a Navratna public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Coal, Government of India. He assumed office in January 2023, bringing over three decades of experience in the power and coal sectors. An accomplished professional, Mr. Kumar is a gold medalist in Mechanical Engineering and holds an MBA with specializations in operations, marketing, finance, and HR. He began his career at NTPC and went on to hold leadership roles at Coal India–NTPC Urja, Gujarat State Electricity Corporation, and Mahaguj Collieries Ltd., where he led large-scale coal and renewable energy projects, including the addition of over 2,500 MW of solar PV capacity. He is also a certified Energy Auditor and an IPMA-certified Project Director. At NLCIL, he is leading the company’s transition towards a sustainable 20,000+ MW energy portfolio, combining lignite, coal, renewables, and power generation.

Thulasi Maddineni, IAS

Secretary - DPAR (AR), Govt. of Karnataka

Ms. Thulasi Maddineni, IAS, is a senior Indian Administrative Service officer of the Karnataka cadre, currently serving as Secretary, Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (Administrative Reforms), Government of Karnataka. An officer of the 2005 batch, she has held diverse leadership roles in the state, including Deputy Commissioner of Udupi and Managing Director of Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation. Known for her efficient governance and people-centric approach, she has worked extensively in urban administration, tourism, and rural development. She holds degrees in engineering and management and is widely recognized for her progressive initiatives and commitment to public service reform.

Sudhir Balkrishna More

General Manager- HOD, HSE
AFCONS Infrastructure Limited

Mr. Sudhir B. More is the General Manager – Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) at Afcons Infrastructure Ltd., a Shapoorji Pallonji Group company, where he leads the HSE function across multiple national and international infrastructure projects. With over 34 years of experience, he has served in leadership roles across sectors including oil & gas, marine, civil, manufacturing, and government regulatory bodies. Mr. More holds dual Master’s degrees in Occupational Health & Safety Management (UK) and Environmental Science (India), along with several advanced certifications such as NEBOSH (UK), ADIS (CLI), and GDCSM (NICMAR). He has worked with globally reputed organizations like Dubai Municipality, Saudi Aramco, Shell, PDO, and ADNOC, and has trained over a thousand professionals in NEBOSH, IOSH, IEMA, and first aid courses. A certified lead auditor in ISO systems and a recognized safety consultant, he is also pursuing a PhD in Occupational Health and Safety from a European university.

Nirupa Shankar

Jt. Managing Director - Brigade Group

Ms. Nirupa Shankar is the Joint Managing Director of Brigade Group, one of India’s leading real estate development companies. With over 16 years of experience, she oversees the Group’s Hospitality, Office, and Retail verticals and has been instrumental in its growth and diversification. She is a serial entrepreneur, and has successfully conceptualized award-winning F&B destinations such as HIGH Ultra Lounge and Glass Kitchen & Bar in Bengaluru. In 2016, she founded Brigade REAP, Asia’s first real estate accelerator, mentoring startups driving innovation in urban development. She launched BuzzWorks, the Group’s flexible workspaces brand, in 2019, and more recently, the Earth Fund, a SEBI-registered CAT II fund focused on sustainable urban technologies. Before joining Brigade, she worked with Ernst & Young LLP in New York and North Carolina as a Senior Business Analyst. Nirupa holds a Bachelor’s in Economics from the University of Virginia and a Master’s in Hospitality Management from Cornell University. She has been recognised with numerous accolades including CNBC Young Turk, ET 40 Under 40 (2021), Business Today’s Most Powerful Women (2024), and Fortune India’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women (2025). A fitness enthusiast, Ironman triathlete, and 2X TEDx speaker, she exemplifies dynamic and purpose-driven leadership.

Prof. S. R. Niranjana

Vice Chairman - Karnataka State Higher Education Council

Prof. S.R. Niranjana is the Vice-Chairman of the Karnataka State Higher Education Council, appointed by the Government of Karnataka in recognition of his lifetime contributions to the advancement of science and technology in India. He is the former Vice-Chancellor of Gulbarga University and currently serves as a Distinguished Professor (Life-long) at the Department of Studies in Biotechnology, University of Mysore. An eminent academician and researcher, Prof. Niranjana has made significant contributions to the fields of biotechnology and agricultural sciences over a distinguished career spanning decades. His work has been widely recognized at the national level, earning him several prestigious honours. He is a Fellow of The National Academy of Sciences, India (FNASc), a Fellow of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (FNAAS), and a Fellow of the National Academy of Biological Sciences (FNABS). Prof. Niranjana continues to play a leading role in shaping higher education and scientific research in Karnataka and across the country.

Dr. Nishith Gupta

Chief Technical Officer - SYSTRA India

Dr. Nishith Gupta is currently working as CTO at SYSTRA India. His role includes providing innovative design solutions, client management and mentoring multidisciplinary design teams for smooth completion of major projects within cost and time. He has 32 years of professional experience primarily in the field of design and management of underground structures and tunnels. This includes a PhD from Japan and a long stint with a design consultant with global presence in Australia. As a construction industry professional with work experience in Australia, Singapore and India, he has worked with both multinational design consultants as well as big civil engineering contractors.

Rajeev Khillan

Chief General Manager - MECON Ltd.

Mr. Rajeev Khillan is the Chief General Manager (I/c) of MECON’s regional office at Bangalore. He joined MECON Limited as Management Trainee (Technical) in 1991 after graduating in Mechanical Engineering from Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh. Also, he has done Post Graduate Diploma in Steel Technology from IIT, Kharagpur in 2007. He has 34 years of experience in engineering consultancy and in equipment design, mainly in Rolling Mills. He was associated with SAIL modernisation projects of Bokaro Steel Plant, Bhilai Steel plant and Second Launch Pad Project of ISRO. He was the nodal officer from MECON for implementation of PLI scheme for Specialty Steel.

Sanjay Agarwal

General Manager - Corporate Services
Bharat Electronics Limited

Mr. Sanjay Agarwal working as General Manager, Head Corporate Services in Bharat Electronics Limited(BEL) a Navaratna Defence Public Sector under the Ministry of Defence. BEL is a Premier Professional Electronics Company engaged in the design and manufacture of state-of-the-art Defence professional grade electronics products and systems for Indian Armed forces & other esteemed customers.

Mr. Sanjay Agarwal is an Engineering graduate from MNIIT Allahabad. He has executed various strategic projects for Indian armed forces and other customers during his 35 years of service tenure at various capacities in the organization.

Presently he is heading Central Services /Corporate, involved in creation of Infrastructure for BEL and Defence projects. In addition he is also heading Environment, Sustainability and Climate Action initiative for BEL. Under his leadership BEL has achieved the goal of transitioning from fossil fuel based electricity to completely on 100% Renewable Energy since March 2025, two years ahead of Ministry target. He is also the sphere heading initiative of achieving mission” Net Zero “ and other initiatives to address climate risk such as water positive, low carbon path ways, cleaner technologies, GRIHA compliant infrastructure, E- mobility, ban on single use of plastic and creation of carbon sink initiatives.

As an Apex Member of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) team, he is also involved in implementation of multi dimensional project for upliftment of society.

His Personal Motto is “If not we then who else will take care of the Mother Earth”.

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