Expect to hear from grassroots changemakers, frontline climate activists, social entrepreneurs, and rural visionaries who aren’t just talking about a better world- they’re actually building it. From keynotes to interactive panels, our speakers will share real-world solutions, spark debates, and answer your burning questions.
Raj Mariwala
Raj Mariwala
Designation: Director, Mariwala Health Initiative (MHI)
Bio: Leading advocacy efforts to make mental health care accessible to underrepresented communities, with a dedicated focus on youth and marginalized populations.
Panel: Mental Health Equity & Access
Date & Time: Friday, Oct 2 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Dr. Vaishali Sonavane
Dr. Vaishali Sonavane
Designation: Grants Manager, Mariwala Health Initiative
Bio: senior impact and systems leader with 25 years of experience across grants governance, CSR strategy, foundation program leadership, monitoring and evaluation, institutional partnerships, advocacy coordination, and cross-sector program design in India
Panel: Mental Health Equity & Access
Date & Time: Friday, Oct 2 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Prof. M. Sivakami
Prof. M. Sivakami
Bio: Senior researcher specializing in public health, demographic studies, and the critical intersections of gender equity and healthcare.
Designation: Professor & Researcher, TISS
Panel: Gender, Health Inequities & Community Well-being
Date & Time: Friday, Oct 2 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Bela Sanghvi
Bela Sanghvi
Designation: Founder, ‘Purnakala’, Textile Revivalist & Sustainable Fashion Pioneer
Bio: Leading advocacy efforts to make mental health care accessible to underrepresented communities, with a dedicated focus on youth and marginalized populations.
Panel: Sustainable Textiles & The Future of Indian Fashion
Date & Time: Friday, Oct 2 | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Rukmini Dhanlobhe
Rukmini Dhanlobhe
Designation: Program Manager, ‘The Banyan’
Bio: Grassroots leader driving community-based mental health programs across tribal regions, committed to ethical practices and child rights.
Panel: Mental Health Equity & Access
Date & Time: Friday, Oct 2 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Rahul Bole
Rahul Bole
Designation: Director, FPO
Bio: Coordinates agricultural and livelihood programs across major organic cultivation clusters (such as Akola and Amravati in Maharashtra).
Panel: Sustainable Textiles: The Way Forward
Date & Time: Friday, Oct 2 | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Nutan Kajbaje
Nutan Kajbaje
Designation: Head – Craft Innovation, Product Development & Training
Bio: Passionate about transforming traditional craft techniques into innovative, market-ready products while inspiring others to develop their creative skills.
Panel: Sustainable Textiles: The Way Forward
Date & Time: Friday, Oct 2 | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Arup Rakshit
Arup Rakshit
Designation: Founding member of MG Gramodyog Sewa Sansthan Foundation (MGGSSF)
Bio: Plays a key role in strengthening village-level systems, artisan welfare, training structures, and sustainable production models.
Panel: Sustainable Textiles: The Way Forward
Date & Time: Friday, Oct 2 | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Ashish Kothari
Ashish Kothari
Designation: Founder, Kalpavriksh (Indian environmental NGO)
Bio: Has spent over four decades championing biodiversity, forest rights, and grassroots sustainability movements across India and globally
Panel: Exploring Radical Alternatives
Date & Time: Saturday, Oct 3 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Rajni Bakshi
Rajni Bakshi
Designation: Author, Speaker & Founder of Ahimsa Conversations
Bio: Her award-winning books and monographs on Gandhian philosophy, nonviolence, and alternative economics have inspired the film Swades and earned her roles on prominent cultural, policy, and non-profit boards.
Panel: Exploring Radical Alternatives
Date & Time: Saturday, Oct 3 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Medha Patkar
Medha Patkar
Designation: Social Worker
Bio: Medha Patkar is an Indian social and environmental activist best known for founding the Narmada Bachao Andolan to protect communities displaced by large dam projects.
Panel: Development, Rights and Adivasi Movements
Date & Time: Saturday, Oct 3 | 11:00 PM – 12:30 PM
Bittu Sahgal
Bittu Sahgal
Designation: Environmental Activist; Founder, Sanctuary Nature Foundation
Bio: Bittu Sahgal is a pioneering Indian environmental activist who spends over four decades championing nationwide conservation education and landmark eco-sensitive policy reform.
Panel: Development, Rights and Adivasi Movements
Date & Time: Saturday, Oct 3 | 11:00 PM – 12:30 PM
Milind Thatte
Milind Thatte
Designation: Director, TEER & Trustee Vayam Movement Maharashtra
Bio: A tribal empowerment activist, researcher, and policy influencer who strengthens village-level democracy, conserves local ecosystems, and advises state and central governments on tribal rights and forest governance laws.
Panel: Tribal Health Rights & Grassroots Care
Date & Time: Friday, Oct 2 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Bhagwan Kesbhat
Bhagwan Kesbhat
Designation: Founder, Waatavaran
Bio: Over 22 years of experience leading social and environmental programs dedicated to building a climate-just environment for present and future generations.
Panel: Climate Action in Rural and Urban Spaces
Date & Time: Saturday, Oct 3 | 04:00 PM – 05:30 PM
Mr. Jay Anand
Mr. Jay Anand
Designation: Director of Project Origination &Development for South Asia at GREENIPATH AG, Switzerland.
Bio: Worked on various issues related to natural resource management, climate change risk assessment and mitigation, ecosystem services, and community-based adaptation to climate change
Panel: Climate Action in Rural and Urban Spaces
Date & Time: Saturday, Oct 3 | 04:00 PM – 05:30 PM
Vikas Waghmare, YUVA
Vikas Waghmare, YUVA
Designation: Leader, Social Work, YUVA
Bio: Empowers Malwani-Malad slum communities by strengthening local leadership, advocating for housing and fundamental rights, and advancing citizen-led governance.
Panel: Climate Action in Rural and Urban Spaces
Date & Time: Saturday, Oct 3 | 04:00 PM – 05:30 PM
Kurush Dalal
Kurush Dalal
Designation: Director of the School of Archaeology of INSTUCEN (India Study Centre) Trust
Bio: An archaeologist, culinary historian who combines his research in early Indian history and food culture with public workshops and field excavations.
Panel: Just Food Systems
Date & Time: Saturday, Oct 3 | 02:00 PM – 03:30 PM
Shahu Patole
Shahu Patole
Designation: Author, Ann he Apurnabrahama
Bio: Shahu Patole is a retired government official and author of five Marathi books—including Dalit Kitchens of Marathwada—who writes on food culture, socio-economic issues, and regional histories.
Panel: Just Food Systems
Date & Time: Saturday, Oct 3 | 02:00 PM – 03:30 PM
Swati Satpute
Swati Satpute
Designation: Research Associate, SOPPECOM
Bio: Gender and agroecology researcher and activist who empowers smallholder women farmers through chemical-free agriculture, policy advocacy, and collective action.
Panel: Just Food Systems
Date & Time: Saturday, Oct 3 | 02:00 PM – 03:30 PM
Dr. Soumya Dutta
Dr. Soumya Dutta
Designation: Co-convener of South Asian Peoples’ Action on Climate Crisis (SAPACC), Former UN Climate Technology Centre & Network
Bio: Veteran people’s science and climate justice activist with over 30 years of leadership across South Asia, including founding roles in SAPACC and the landmark Bharat Jan Gyan Vigyan Jatha campaign.
Panel: Jal, Jangal and Jameen
Date & Time: Sunday, Oct 4 | 04:00 PM – 05:00 PM
Rajendra Singh
Rajendra Singh
Designation: Founder of Tarun Bharat Sangh
Bio: Known as the “Waterman of India, an award-winning environmentalist celebrated for reviving rivers and building thousands of rainwater harvesting structures across Rajasthan.
Panel: Jal, Jangal and Jameen
Date & Time: Sunday, Oct 4 | 04:00 PM – 05:00 PM
Dr. Priyadarshini Karve
Dr. Priyadarshini Karve
Designation: CEO, Clean Energy Access Network (CLEAN)
Bio: Pune-based physicist and social entrepreneur who pioneers sustainable cooking and decentralized renewable energy solutions.
Panel: Jal, Jangal and Jameen
Date & Time: Sunday, Oct 4 | 04:00 PM – 05:00 PM
KULPREET SINGH SAHNI
KULPREET SINGH SAHNI
Designation: Founder, PSYXI Machines
Bio: Building next-generation personal thermal-management solutions for a heat-resilient future, focused on innovative technologies for a more comfortable and adaptable world.
Panel: Jal, Jangal and Jameen
Date & Time: Sunday, Oct 4 | 04:00 PM – 05:00 PM
Praveen sawhney
Praveen sawhney
Designation: Ex-Indian Army, Editor of FORCE
Bio: Former Indian Army officer, defense analyst, and editor of FORCE magazine with extensive experience in security journalism and strategic studies literature.
Panel: Defending Indian National Sovereignty
Date & Time: Sunday, Oct 4 | 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Feroze Mithiborwala
Feroze Mithiborwala
Designation: Convenor, Awami Bharat
Bio: Mumbai-based Indian political activist, columnist, and convenor of Awami Bharat, recognized for his work in anti-imperialist and pro-Palestinian campaigns.
Panel: Defending Indian National Sovereignty
Date & Time: Sunday, Oct 4 | 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Devparna Kalbag
Devparna Kalbag
Designation: Leader, Nalam Project
Bio: Grassroots leader driving community-based mental health programs across tribal regions, committed to ethical practices and child rights.
Panel: Tribal Health Rights & Grassroots Care
Date & Time: Friday, Oct 2 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Mahesh Naik
Rukmini Dhanlobhe
Designation: Leader, Nalam Project
Bio: Grassroots leader driving community-based mental health programs across tribal regions, committed to ethical practices and child rights.
Panel: Tribal Health Rights & Grassroots Care
Date & Time: Friday, Oct 2 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Yatish Chavan
Rukmini Dhanlobhe
Designation: Leader, Nalam Project
Bio: Grassroots leader driving community-based mental health programs across tribal regions, committed to ethical practices and child rights.
Panel: Tribal Health Rights & Grassroots Care
Date & Time: Friday, Oct 2 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Mythili Shetty
Rukmini Dhanlobhe
Designation: Leader, Nalam Project
Bio: Grassroots leader driving community-based mental health programs across tribal regions, committed to ethical practices and child rights.
Panel: Tribal Health Rights & Grassroots Care
Date & Time: Friday, Oct 2 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Siddhanth Padte
Rukmini Dhanlobhe
Designation: Leader, Nalam Project
Bio: Grassroots leader driving community-based mental health programs across tribal regions, committed to ethical practices and child rights.
Panel: Tribal Health Rights & Grassroots Care
Date & Time: Friday, Oct 2 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Sabah
Rukmini Dhanlobhe
Designation: Leader, Nalam Project
Bio: Grassroots leader driving community-based mental health programs across tribal regions, committed to ethical practices and child rights.
Panel: Tribal Health Rights & Grassroots Care
Date & Time: Friday, Oct 2 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Devparna Acharya
Devparna Acharya
Designation: Leader, Nalam Project
Bio: Grassroots leader driving community-based mental health programs across tribal regions, committed to ethical practices and child rights.
Panel: Tribal Health Rights & Grassroots Care
Date & Time: Friday, Oct 2 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Paresh Mangaliya
Rukmini Dhanlobhe
Designation: Leader, Nalam Project
Bio: Grassroots leader driving community-based mental health programs across tribal regions, committed to ethical practices and child rights.
Panel: Tribal Health Rights & Grassroots Care
Date & Time: Friday, Oct 2 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Satyajit Hange
Rukmini Dhanlobhe
Designation: Leader, Nalam Project
Bio: Grassroots leader driving community-based mental health programs across tribal regions, committed to ethical practices and child rights.
Panel: Tribal Health Rights & Grassroots Care
Date & Time: Friday, Oct 2 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Sagar Ranadive
Sagar Ranadive
Designation: Project Manager (Livelihood Program), Rural Communes
Bio: Livelihood professional and agriculture expert managing grassroots programs in Ambernath Taluka. His work spans sustainable agriculture, springshed-based watershed management, and innovative technological interventions for water and community livelihoods.
Panel: Roots to Resilience: Community Livelihood Innovations from Konkan Region
Date & Time: Friday, Oct 2 | 02:30 PM – 04:30 PM
Vikas Kharmale
Vikas Kharmale
Designation: General Manager (Economic Development Department), Swades Foundation
Bio: Development sector professional with over 11 years of experience in rural and community development across Maharashtra. Leads initiatives in community livelihoods, Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) promotion, women-led enterprises, market linkages, and sustainable income enhancement.
Panel: Roots to Resilience: Community Livelihood Innovations from Konkan Region
Vinita Gursahani Singh
Vinita Gursahani Singh
Designation: Founder, We The People Abhiyan (WTPA)
Bio: She has facilitated more than a hundred trainings that help marginalised communities use the constitutional and legal framework to solve problems in their own communities.
Panel: Exploring Radical Alternatives
Date & Time: Saturday, Oct 3 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Chandra Shekhar Bhadsavle
Chandra Shekhar Bhadsavle
Designation: Founder & Managing Trustee, Saguna Rural Foundation | Chief Promoter & Managing Director, Saguna Sustainability Solutions Pvt Ltd
Bio: Pioneer in agricultural innovation and eco-tourism who conceptualized and popularized “Krishi Paryatan” (Agritourism) in India at Saguna Baug. He developed the revolutionary Saguna Rice Technique (SRT)—a zero-till conservation agriculture method—and the Saguna Vana Technique (SVT) for forest fire prevention.
Panel: Roots to Resilience: Community Livelihood Innovations from Konkan Region
Date & Time: Friday, Oct 2 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Akash Upase
Akash Upase
Designation: Lead, WISE City Initiative at Blue Ribbon Movement
Bio: Social change leader with over nine years of experience bridging technology consulting and human-centered activism
Panel: Exploring Radical Alternatives
Date & Time: Saturday, Oct 3 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM