Economics Speakers in India

The expert is a thought leader and writer on the subjects of transformational change and leadership. He has held leadership positions in both the private and public sectors, bringing a perspective on how the two can work together to foster growth in India. He served as Chairman of Boston Consulting Group (BCG) India for eight years, and spent 25 years in the Tata Group, serving on the Board of Tata Motors. He has also led participative scenario building for the future of India in 1999 with the Confederation of Indian Industry and in 2005 with the World Economic Forum. He is the author of many books including Redesigning the Aeroplane While Flying: Reforming Institutions, Transforming Capitalism: Improving the World for Everyone, Discordant Democrats: Five Steps to Consensus, Remaking India: One Country, One Destiny, and Shaping the Future: Aspirational Leadership in India and Beyond.

Rajdeep Sardesai is a senior journalist and the author of the best-selling book 2014: The Election that Changed India. With 26 years of experience in print and television, he served as managing editor of the NDTV network before founding the IBN 18 network, where he was the founding editor of CNN IBN. He began his career with the Times of India as city editor of its Mumbai edition. Currently a consulting editor with the India Today Group, he anchors a prime-time show on India Today. Sardesai specializes in national politics and has received numerous awards, including the prestigious Padma Shri for Journalism in 2008.

Vikram Chandra is the founder of Editorji Technologies - a start-up that seeks to transform video news through innovation in user experience, using artificial intelligence. In his earlier avatar, Chandra was one of India's best-known TV news anchor, presenting shows like The Big Fight, 9 o’clock News and Gadget Guru together with programmes for social transformation such as the Cleanathon, Greenathon and Save our Tigers. Chandra has been named ‘Global Leader for Tomorrow’ by the World Economic Forum in Davos and has won the Indian Television Academy Award for ‘Best Anchor for a Talk Show’, the Hero Honda Award for Best Anchorperson and the Teacher's Achievement Award for Communication, along with featuring in the top 20 on the Impact list of the Digital Power 100. He was educated at Oxford University and St Stephen’s College, before attending the Mass Media Institute at Stanford University. 

Sanjaya Baru, a distinguished political commentator and policy analyst, currently holds the position of Distinguished Fellow at the Institute for Defence Studies & Analysis, New Delhi. With a profound background in economics and policy, he served as the Secretary-General of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) until April 2018. His extensive experience includes being the media advisor and chief spokesperson to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's PMO from 2004 to 2008. Mr. Baru's versatile roles also encompass Director for Geoeconomics and Strategy at the International Institute of Strategic Studies in London and various academic positions, solidifying his expertise in economic and strategic affairs.

The expert is a 1996 batch DANIPS officer having served in NCR and Andaman and Nicobar Island. Presently, she is posted as DCP- Training and Principal, Police Training School. She was earlier working as Dy. Commissioner of Police in Special Police Unit for Woman and Children, a nodal unit of NCR Police on women and children issues. She is a strong advocate of women rights and has also worked as Sub-Divisional Officer in the Crime against Women and in Anti-Corruption Units. As an additional deputy commissioner, she is in charge of the Delhi police's special unit for women and children.

Dr. Muhammad Yunus, a distinguished social entrepreneur and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, revolutionized the BFSI sector by founding the Grameen Bank and introducing groundbreaking concepts of microcredit and microfinance. His strategic vision in utilizing microcredit for economic and social development earned him global acclaim and the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize. Recognized with the United States Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal, Dr. Yunus is also ranked #2 on Foreign Policy magazine's 'Top 100 Global Thinkers.' Beyond his impactful contributions, he advocates for business strategy evolution through social businesses and corporate social procurement partnerships. Dr. Yunus believes organizations can drive positive impact by integrating social responsibility into their supply chains, emphasizing the transformative potential of strategic collaborations for societal benefit.

Yash Mishra is the Founder of VoxWeb social-media platform and provides perspective on matters related to Technology, Government, Economics, Fin-tech, Capital Markets and World Affairs. After graduating from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Yash Mishra worked for investment bank J.P. Morgan where he was the coordinator of the bank's Asia-Pacific real estate team based across key Asia-Pacific business centres. At J.P. Morgan Yash Mishra was the author of one of the bank's acclaimed reports titled 'J.P. Morgan Bricks and Mortar Report' and shared his views on market movements and macroeconomy in several conferences and seminars in the region.

After Founding VoxWeb social-media, Yash Mishra has voiced his opinion on technology, tech-trends, regulations, world-affairs and macroeconomy through conferences and one-to-one interviews. In his public speaking initiatives and stints, Yash has given unique perspective on identification of Tech Trajectory, Valuations, and the tailwinds or headwinds provided by Geopolitics and Government Regulations.

Deepak Bagla boasts a distinguished three-decade career in global economics, notably with the World Bank, Citibank, and in Private Equity across Europe, Africa, and Asia. As the Former Managing Director and CEO of Invest India, the National Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency, he played a pivotal role in advancing economic initiatives, including Start-up India and the Prime Minister’s Science and Technology program. Bagla's economic influence extends to high-level government committees, with a specific focus on Fintech and Innovation. His involvement in managing significant funds, such as the US $1.5 billion "Fund of Funds for Start-ups" and the Government's $7 billion "Fund of Funds for MSMEs," showcases his commitment to fostering economic growth and innovation. Additionally, Bagla's role as the President of the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies showcases his global economic leadership.

Gurcharan Das is an author, management guru and public intellectual, known for a much-acclaimed trilogy on the classical Indian ideal of life's goals. He graduated in philosophy with honors (phi beta kappa) from Harvard University and later attended Harvard Business School (AMP) where he is featured in three case studies. He was CEO of Procter and Gamble India and Managing Director, Procter and Gamble Worldwide (Strategic Planning). He is a speaker to some of the world's largest corporations.

Indradeep Ghosh is Executive Director of Dvara Research where he drives the research agenda and leads research priorities in coordination with the practice heads. Dvara Research is an independent, non-partisan, not-for-profit policy research institution based in India. Dr. Ghosh brings an interdisciplinary orientation to understanding and solving the problems of financial inclusion and social protection in India, and an enthusiasm for co-creating solutions in a style of constructive engagement with other research organizations, academic researchers, and practitioners.

Dr. Ghosh also interfaces regularly with policymakers and regulators to advocate for sensible pro-poor financial inclusion and social protection policies. In 2020, Dr. Ghosh led the drafting team for the Social Stock Exchange report (by SEBI’s Working Group), and in 2021, Dr. Ghosh served on the Insolvency & Bankruptcy Board of India’s Research Guidance Group. 

Vikas is a seasoned diplomat with a 35-year career, serving in New Delhi and various Indian missions abroad, including Washington DC, Addis Ababa, London, and Pretoria. He was the Consul General in Osaka-Kobe, Japan, and India's High Commissioner to Canada (2017-19). As the official spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (2015-17), he enhanced the Ministry's social media presence. Vikas is also a celebrated author of three novels: Q&A (adapted into the Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire), Six Suspects (adapted into the popular web series The Great Indian Murder), and The Accidental Apprentice. His books have been translated into over 45 languages. Additionally, Vikas has participated in prestigious literary festivals, written for major international publications, and delivered motivational talks worldwide.

Rajnish Kumar, the former Chairman of India's largest bank, the State Bank of India, has been a pivotal figure in the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector. His illustrious career commenced as a Probationary Officer in a small Uttar Pradesh town in 1980, where he confronted local mafias and formidable trade unions, setting the stage for his unwavering dedication.

An advocate for technological innovation, Rajnish Kumar spearheaded the ascent of SBI YONO, propelling it into the upper echelons of top fintech and lifestyle apps. His visionary leadership redefined processes, facilitating the provision of pre-approved loans through astute data analytics, while significantly enhancing the bank's digital lending portfolio.

Rajnish Kumar's indomitable spirit and technological acumen have left an enduring impact on the BFSI sector, driving its digital transformation and guiding it towards a dynamic, technology-driven future.

Procyon Mukherjee has been an Industry Expert in the field of Supply Chain Management having worked for 34 years in every aspect of supply chains. He has held transformational roles with specialization in procurement, manufacturing, supply chain, logistics, operations planning, integration and sustainability, to name a few. He is the author of The Search for Value in Supply Chains and the designated Senior Leader in LafargeHolcim Global Team. He has worked in Global Multinationals starting from Philips, Alcan Inc., Novelis and LafargeHolcim as well as in Indian Global Conglomerate, the Aditya Birla Group in its flagship company Hindalco. His career started in eastern part of India and then he went on to work in various parts of India.

Sandip Ghose is an experienced Business Leader, who has held a variety of leadership positions in industries such as Consumer Goods (FMCG), Media and Cement. Sandip has worked across India and Nepal and played a transformational role in the organisations he has worked with. As Chief Operating Officer of Birla Corporation, he played a pivotal part in making it one of the best performing Cement companies in the mid-cap segment – a feat that is widely acknowledged in the industry and the investor community. In Hindustan Unilever, he progressed on the fast-track gaining exposure across functions and businesses and went on to become Country Head and Managing Director of Unilever Nepal, making the domestic business self-reliant during a politically turbulent period (1998-2002) in the country’s history.

A distinguished academician, eminent author, and renowned management expert, Prof. Joshi holds significant roles, including his nomination by the President of India as Member, University Court, Delhi University. Serving as an Independent Director on the Board of Ramagundam Fertilizers & Chemicals Ltd and a Management Council Member at the All India Management Association (AIMA), he brings a wealth of expertise in compliance and governance. With an international footprint, he has conducted training programs, research, and consultancy across numerous countries. Prof. Joshi's acclaimed books, "International Business" and "International Marketing," published by Oxford University Press, showcase his scholarly aptitude. His reputation extends to being a Chief Resource Person for prestigious e-Learning courses, highlighting his global impact and recognition. Prof. Joshi is a sought-after expert, speaker, and author in national and international conferences, workshops, and forums.

Smita D Jain, a seasoned Personal Empowerment and Executive Life Coach, is dedicated to empowering professionals to craft fulfilling careers and lead lives aligned with their aspirations. A compelling Writer and Speaker, she shares insights on Emotional Intelligence, Personal Finance, and Work-Life Integration through engaging workshops. A proud member of the International Coaching Federation and an NLP practitioner, Smita draws from over 14 years of Senior Leadership experience with Fortune 500 giants like KPMG, JLL, and United Technologies Corporation. A distinguished alumna of Columbia Business School, IIM Indore, and S.R.C.C. (Delhi University), Smita continues to inspire positive transformations.

Aunindo Ghosh, once entrenched in corporate realms, now channels his expertise towards climate change advocacy and research. With a robust background spanning 17 years in corporate domains, he made a pivotal shift towards environmental causes. Co-founding Alaap, a non-profit organization dedicated to Himalayan reforestation, and serving as a Climate Action fellow at Bhoomi Network, Aunindo spearheads initiatives tackling issues such as lake rejuvenation and sustainable agriculture. Aunindo's speaking engagements delve into diverse topics, ranging from contextualizing climate change and its root causes to exploring sustainability, technology's role, and global case studies. Armed with degrees from Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, SPJIMR Mumbai, and Jadavpur University, he actively contributes to organizations like the Rethinking Economics India Network and the Indian Society for Ecological Economics, where he focuses on the intricate intersections of climate economics.

Pulak Ghosh is IIMB Chair of Excellence and Professor of Decision Sciences at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB). He is a member of Center of Public Policy at IIMb. Prior to Joining IIMB, he was a Professor at the Georgia State University and Emory University, Atlanta, USA. He was also senior associate Director for Novartis Pharmaceuticals, USA. He has a Phd, Msc., Bsc in Statistics. He was named as the "top 10 most Influential Analytics Leader" in 2015 and was the only academician in the list. He has been named as the top 5 Indian data Scientist in the WORLD, by techradar. His rise from Assistant to Full Professor in mere 8 years is widely considered in the top 5 fastest in the history of Statistics, Analytics and Marketing globally.

Diwakar Jhurani works in the Global Response team at Meta. He is the Regional Program Manager for India, South Asia and Central Asia oversees Meta's election preparation efforts in the region. Prior to this role, he served as the Senior Economic Advisor and Deputy Head of Economics at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, British High Commission in New Delhi. His distinguished career includes notable contributions at the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, Government of India. A graduate of The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, he is recognized for his expertise in economic policy matters. Jhurani has written extensively in newspapers and has co-authored a book titled 'Reason and Reform' with Bibek Debroy on Indian economic policies and reform journey since independence. His commitment to shaping economic policies reflects a dedication to fostering positive change and promoting informed decision-making.

Major (Retd) Gaurav Arya is the consulting editor for strategic affairs with Republic TV, on defense, national security and strategy. A former Indian army officer, he served in the army from 1993 to 1999 and was attached to the Kumaon Regiment. He is a public speaker and talks about defense, leadership, motivation, team building, strategic affairs, national security and capability building. He is often seen on prime-time TV debates and has also spoken at various TED Talks (TEDx).

Som Mittal is the Former President and Chairman of NASSCOM. He has been advising companies, CEOs, trade bodies, and senior business leaders on business, management, government, and global policies. He motivates and mentors entrepreneurs to help succeed in growing and managing business ventures to managing mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures across diverse business cultures. He has been working with governments worldwide to formulate trade, taxation, and immigration policies that balance business, national and social interests.

Montek Singh Ahluwalia is an Indian economist and civil servant who was the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission of India, a position which carried the rank of a Cabinet Minister. He is currently a Visiting Professor at the New York Stern School of Business.  Prior to taking up his position at the IMF, Mr. Ahluwalia was a Member of the Planning Commission as well as a Member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister. A key figure in India’s economic reforms from the early 1980s onwards, he has held several important positions including Special Secretary to the Indian Prime Minister (1988–90); Commerce Secretary (1990–91); Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance (1991–93); and Finance Secretary, Ministry of Finance (1993–98). Former Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission of India until 2014. His extraordinary contributions to public service and economic policy earned him the prestigious Padma Vibhushan in 2011, India's second-highest civilian honor.

Dr. Shashi Tharoor is a multifaceted individual, renowned as an award-winning author, seasoned politician, and former Under Secretary General of the United Nations. Currently serving as a member of Parliament in India, he represents the Thiruvananthapuram constituency for the third consecutive term. Armed with a doctorate in International Relations and Affairs from the prestigious Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Dr. Tharoor's literary prowess shines through in his numerous acclaimed books, which span a diverse range of topics encompassing history and politics. His captivating eloquence and profound intellect have propelled him to the forefront of Indian public life and have established him as a prominent voice in international discourse.

Deepak Mahurkar is a Mechanical Engineer, and post graduate in Finance and Marine Engineering. He started his career with Armed Forces as a Naval Officer. Later, he worked with the Power Generation sector to move into the Oil & Gas Sector. During his 31 years of professional career, Deepak gained diverse consulting, marketing, commercial, sales and operations experience. In consulting, his experience spans investment advisory, policy & regulations advisory, operational efficiency improvement, and business strategy related consulting.