The quote quite aptly captures the idea behind Alankar. India, a country with over one billion people is full of shining gems who have excelled in their respective fields. Alankar presents an opportunity to understand the persistent efforts put in and tribulations endured by such leaders who pursued their ambitions to reality. The immense knowledge and experience emanating from the speakers inspires the audience to gear up for the challenges. Alankar has an illustrious legacy with eminent personalities from diverse fields sharing their stories of success. Mr Adi Godrej (Chairman, Godrej Group), Mr. Subrata Roy (Chairman, Sahara Group), Padma Shri Kamal Hassan (actor and film maker), Shri Shri Ravi Shankar (Founder, Art of Living Foundation), Mr. Prahlad Kakkar (the Ad-Guru), Mr. S Gurumurthy (Co-convener of Swadeshi Jagran Manch, journalist and chartered accountant), J. M. Lyngdoh (Former Chief Election Commissioner), Dr. Sam Pitroda (Chairman,National Knowledge Commission), and many more has graced the event with their presence.

Alankar 2011 promises to bring to you many more awe-inspiring personalities from diverse backgrounds, watch out for this space for more updates on our speakers.

Mr Niranjan Hiranandani – Founder of Hirco and co-founder of the Hiranandani Group

Mr Niranjan Hiranandani is the founder of Hirco and co-founder of the Hiranandani Group, acclaimed for the famous Hiranandani Gardens in Powai. His Leadership roles include President of the Maharashtra Chambers of Housing Industry (MCHI); Chairman of Mumbai City, Development & Environment Committee of the Indian Merchants Chambers (I.M.C.) Mumbai; Member of the Task Force of the Government of India for reforms in Housing and Urban Development; and Member of the Study Group on Slum Rehabilitation Scheme, Government of Maharashtra. His past achievements include drafting the state policy for slum rehabilitation in Mumbai designed to improve the wellbeing of over 6 million slum inhabitants; acting as a trustee for the creation of Nathdwara Township as a heritage destination; serving on the board of the Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO), an organisation which distributes US$3 billion per annum to help fund the building of housing for low income families; acting as an adviser to the government of India on housing and habitat policy for over a decade; and serving as Real Estate President of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). Mr Hiranandani is a chartered accountant by qualification.

Mr Rajat Sharma – Chairman and Editor-in Chief of India TV

Mr. Rajat Sharma is Chairman and Editor-in Chief of India TV, the Nation’s most watched news channel. He is best known for his popular show ‘Aap Ki Adalat’. The show has continued to captivate viewers for a record 18 years. He has grilled over 750 personalities with a trademark smile in the longest running television show in India’s television history. This show got him the Best Anchor felicitation several times, including the Indian Television Academy Lifetime Achievement Award. Before branching out into television, Mr Sharma made a mark with distinguished 10-year tenure in the print media, where he was the Editor of important national publications. The transition from a successful print Editor to an international television news personality, and then from a `manager-entrepreneur’ to an `entrepreneur-manager’ are, perhaps, unique in the Indian media. He was acclaimed entrepreneur of the year 2009 at the National Convention organized by Exchange4media. In 1995 he created history by launching India’s first private television news bulletin.

Mr. Pritish Nandy – Chairman of Pritish Nandy Communications

Mr. Pritish Nandy is the Chairman of Pritish Nandy Communications and an exceptional contributor to the field of poetry, painting, journalism, politics, media and television, animal activism and film production. His journaling career has seen many miscellanies, ranging from being publishing director of The Times of India in the 1980s, editor of The Illustrated Weekly of India from 1983 to 1991, serving as the editor of The Independent and Filmfare, and publisher of The Illustrated Weekly of India, Femina, Science Today, Dharmayug and Madhuri. His distinguished contribution to society and other field of activities has been acknowledged by the highly prestigious Padma Shri award, the EM Forster Literary award, the United Nations Heritage award and over 300 award nominations for the films PNC has produced, from all over the world.

Dr. Pawan Girdharilal Agarwal – CEO of the Mumbai Dabbawala – Education centre

Dr. Pawan G Agrawal is the CEO of the Mumbai Dabbawala – Education centre, and has devoted his life towards enlightening and encouraging students in the Academic field. He possesses diverse academic credentials, and has authored a thesis on ‘A Study of Logistic & Supply Chain Management of Dabbawala in Mumbai’. A seasoned teacher and co founder of various educational institutions, he is the recipient of ‘Utkrusht Shikshak Sanmam 2010’ award of the Mumbai National Congress. He shall be sharing with the audience insights about the Operational success secrets of the much acclaimed Mumbai Dabbawalas. For his academic contributions, Dr. Agrawal has been felicitated by many organizations, and has been a speaker at various national & International universities & colleges of repute.

Mr Khurshed Batliwala & Mr Dinesh Ghodke – Directors WAYE

Mr Khurshed Batliwala and Mr Dinesh Ghodke are directors of WAYE (World Alliance for Youth Empowerment), an NGO which addresses and provides sustainable workable solutions for the contemporary issues faced by the today’s youth. They are immensely admired faculty of ‘The Art of Living’ foundation, and have been at the forefront of India’s youth transformation since over a decade. Through YES (Youth Empowerment and Skills) workshops, they have been training people all over the world to excel in their personal/professional lives, and at the same time, inspiring them to take up social responsibility. They are known for their inspirational oratory and have been speakers at various national and international conferences.