India Conference at Harvard: Bridging past triumphs to future challenges
Student-led initiative, being held on Saturday and Sunday, aims to illuminate India’s progress and path ahead with diverse conversations.
The annual India Conference at Harvard, organized by graduate students, is set to commence on Saturday, February 17, under the theme “India Rising.”
Recognized as one of the largest student-run events in the United States, the conference aims to spotlight India’s evolving role as a significant international player. Drawing over 800 attendees, including students, academics, business leaders, policy experts, and members of the Indian diaspora, this 21st edition seeks to explore the diverse landscape of India and provide insights into its current trajectory and promising future.
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Central to the conference’s agenda is showcasing India’s growing influence on the global stage, spanning geopolitics, business, and culture, among other domains.
“We have assembled a diverse panel of experts and leaders from various fields to engage in critical discussions about India’s trajectory. Our lineup includes distinguished academics, activists, business figures, and legal professionals who are widely recognized on the global stage,” stated Taniya Bajaj, one of the Co-Chairs of the Conference.
This year’s lineup boasts an impressive roster of over 50 speakers, featuring renowned figures such as Indermit Gill, Chief Economist at the World Bank; K.T. Rama Rao, Member of the Legislative Assembly, Telangana; Aroon Purie, Editor-in-Chief of India Today; Madhabi Puri Buch, Chairperson of SEBI; Anil Swarup, Former Coal Secretary; Indian athlete Deepa Malik; Niren Chaudhary, Chairman of Panera Breads; Radhika Gupta, MD and CEO of Edelweiss Mutual Fund; Abhinav Shashank, Founder and CEO of Innovaccer; and Bollywood actress Karisma Kapoor.
Event details
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“From insightful discussions on geopolitics to exploring the dynamics of Indian business, and even shedding light on the burgeoning influence of Indian cinema on the global stage, our objective is to present a multifaceted view of the country,” said Shruti Agarwal, Co-Chair of the conference. “By bringing together experts and thought leaders, we aim to present a well-rounded view of India’s ascent on the global stage.”
On the first day, attendees can explore a diverse range of panel discussions covering various topics such as strategies for user-centric public service delivery, India’s efforts to combat inequality, climate and agricultural innovation, funding education enterprises, the evolving role of media, and India’s economic trajectory. The second day offers a fresh lineup of panels including discussions on venture capital, the soft power of Bollywood, fintech’s role in driving India’s growth, climate financing, international investment in Indian real estate, and disrupting India’s consumer market, among others.
Harvard faculty members are also actively participating in the conference. Notably, the opening remarks will be delivered by Douglas W. Elmendorf, Dean of the Harvard Kennedy School. Leading academic experts from various departments, including Professors Tarun Khanna, Asim Khwaja, Vikram Gandhi, Fernando Reimers, and Sunil Gupta, will participate in diverse panels, ensuring more engaging and enriching conversations than ever before.
The conference is backed by several centers across Harvard, including The Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Center for Public Leadership, Center for International Development, and Women and Public Policy. Additionally, the students have undertaken the monumental task of raising funds independently and express pride in their title sponsors – Cosmic Birla Group and Selendy Gay.
“We have a variety of initiatives to allow people to meet and interact, even before the conference begins,” said Ishaan Poddar, Co-Chair. “First, the conference app allows individuals to search for other attendees based on their interests and schedule coffee chats prior to the event; second, besides panel discussions, we are also organizing smaller “Know-Your-Speaker” breakout sessions for interested participants to get the speaker’s feedback on particular topics; and finally, we have organized a networking cocktail on Sunday, 18 February for participants to connect with each other and celebrate the two-day event”.
An organizing team consisting of approximately 75 students representing various graduate schools within Harvard University, led by four Co-Chairs, has worked for months to ensure that the 21st edition of the India Conference becomes one of the largest in its history. This platform aims to showcase both the successes of India’s past and the obstacles it faces in shaping its future, fostering curated discussions on topics that resonate with effective changemakers.
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“The theme “India Rising” was chosen with the intent to highlight India’s ascent into a country of significance globally. India is uniquely positioned whether it is with regards to geopolitics, business, or culture. As a conference hosted in the US, centered completely around India, we chose a theme which is all-encompassing allowing us to forge engaging conversations for a global audience. It is forward-looking and aspirational”, said Ananya Chhaocharia, Co-Chair for the Conference.
