Alkesh Agarwal is an entrepreneur and author, known for building and scaling businesses across multiple industries in India. His entrepreneurial journey began early when he started selling denim while still in school, sparking a path shaped by curiosity, risk, and self-belief. … He went on to found Re-feel, one of India’s largest printer cartridge refilling networks, and currently leads a national awards and trophy manufacturing business serving brands and institutions across the country. Alongside this, Alkesh is an active angel investor and is closely associated with India’s startup ecosystem. Across two decades of entrepreneurship, he has experienced the realities of building from scratch, navigating failure, pivoting under pressure, and rebuilding with conviction. He is the author of Live Evil, a book that reflects his belief that meaningful growth is shaped not by comfort, but by the challenges one chooses to face.

Lt Col Ankita Srivastava is a decorated Indian Army veteran and trailblazer who became the first woman from Allahabad to join the Indian Army in 1993

Atul Sharma is a dynamic entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in Retail and the FMCG industry. Known for his innovative thinking and strong risk-taking abilities,

Jaspal is a disciplined entrepreneur and a creative force behind some of the famous brands of North Bengal like Punjabi Kadhai , Cafe Kurseong Diaries , Baking Diaries and Karmaa Diaries – The first mindful cafe of the country . All of the restaurants lead by Jaspal are purpose driven instead of profit driven . … He blends hospitality with story telling in a way that resonates with today’s audience . His journey shows resilience , compassionate leadership and a burning desire to create restaurant spaces as he strongly believes that restaurants are made to bond people , create community and not just serve food and beverage .

Kamal Agarwala is an entrepreneur, ecosystem enabler, and community builder who believes that entrepreneurship is not just about building businesses, but about building ecosystems that help others grow.

Lokesh Nathany is a Sales Trainer, Coach, Motivational Speaker, and TEDx Speaker who blends 25 years of corporate leadership with the art of storytelling. Having led sales and business development across India and the Middle East for brands like HDFC, Franklin Templeton, … ICICI, and Motilal Oswal, he is known for driving growth while building deep trust with teams and clients. Recognized among the 100 Most Impactful L&D Minds and 50 Most Innovative Storytellers by the World HRD Congress, Lokesh has conducted 500+ sessions, inspiring thousands toward sales excellence and personal transformation. One of his curated talk shows has crossed 4.5 million views. He was recently felicitated by the Honourable President of India Smt. Draupadi Murmu for his work in storytelling and mentoring. A people person who enjoys black coffee, his mantra is simple: If you can tell a story, you can influence; if you can influence, you can change lives.

Sasha Sharma is a media entrepreneur, wellness advocate, and storyteller redefining how India experiences lifestyle and culture.

Shivani Shah is a Chartered Accountant with over two decades of expertise in indirect taxation. Known for her depth of knowledge in GST compliance, advisory, litigation support, and strategic planning, she is the National Faculty for ICAI and has trained CBEC officials through NACEN. … Currently the Vice President at Association of Corporate Advisers and Executuves, she holds various positions at Chambers of Commerce, Associations and Study Circles across the country.She was awarded the top 40 finfluencers by the ICAI and is on the Womens Committee of EIRC ICAI as its Chairperson. Her professional journey reflects a commitment to clarity, precision, and real-world applicability in the field of GST. What sets Shivani apart is her extraordinary achievement outside the world of finance—she is the only Chartered Accountant in India who is also a World Champion in a sporting event, having won six World Championship titles in kettlebell sport. A TEDx speaker, award-winning athlete, and respected GST practitioner, Shivani embodies the belief that discipline, excellence, and consistency can transform both personal and professional arenas. She brings this philosophy into every platform she speaks at, inspiring audiences across industries.

Utsow grew up in the verdant hills of Kurseong, a small town nestled in the Eastern Himalayan belt of Darjeeling. His significant early childhood memories include spending a lot of time in the lap of Mother Nature. … Be it catching crabs in the nooks and corners of the gushing mountain rivers (that used to be Hussel Khola) or foraging Katus (chestnut) in the old wood forests around Dowhill, in the upper ridge of Kurseong.He then spent the next couple of decades studying and working in various cities around India. His last stint in the corporate world was as the National Product head for Next Education India Pvt. Ltd. – an education-technology startup. His love for the mountains kept drawing him towards mountaineering and trekking in the Himalayas. During one of those backpacking sojourns is when he discovered the philosophy of Permaculture in one of the remote farms in Northern Himalayas. Getting introduced to Permaculture helped him connect the dots between regenerative living, climate action, community development, human ingenuity and most importantly living in harmony with Mother Nature. He completed his Permaculture Design Certification course under the tutelage of Rico Zook and founded TIEEDI in 2016. TIEEDI today is at the forefront of climate action in the hills of Darjeeling through its projects related to Zero Waste, Responsible Tourism and Experiential Environment Education. He has been recognised as a Local Environment Champion, by Scavengers Darjeeling in 2019, Young Indians, Siliguri in 2022 and Green Entrepreneur award by COFAM in 2024. The work of TIEEDI has been recognised under the following platforms: 1. Outlook Responsible Tourism Award Winner 2021 – Sustainable Leaderships under the homestay category 2. SABERA – Social and Business Enterprise Responsible Awards National Winner for three consecutive years 2021, 2022 and 2023. 3. CNBC Thinkers of Tomorrow Award – East Zone April 2022 4. The National Geographic documentary on Tieedi won the Best Non Fiction Film Award in Redwood Film Festival, California in 2024. 5. Gold Award in the South East Asia Responsible Tourism Award at Delhi in September 2025. 6. Silver Award in the Global Responsible Tourism Award at London in November 2025.

Vikram Rai is an Assistant Professor of Mass Communication & Journalism and the first PhD scholar in the field of Mass Communication from North Bengal University. His doctoral research is titled: “Bollywood, Sports Biopics, and Indigenous Exclusion: A Study of Cultural Narratives and National Identity.” … His academic interests include media representation, identity studies, indigenous narratives, digital activism, and the sociology of sports.Over the years, Vikram has worked extensively in media education, community storytelling, and youth engagement. He has curated film festivals, mentored emerging filmmakers, and strengthened platforms that amplify the voices and heritage of the Eastern Himalayas. Through his work, he has contributed to the growth of regional media literacy, cultural documentation, and identity-focused research while encouraging creativity through journalism, cinema, and digital media. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vikram played a key humanitarian role through the VikRun Foundation. He led oxygen support services, free ambulance mobilisations, ration distribution, educational support for students, and community-based mental health outreach. His efforts ensured relief, dignity, and access to critical care for vulnerable families during one of the most challenging phases in the region’s recent history. As the Founder of the VikRun Foundation, he continues to pioneer initiatives that integrate environmental responsibility, fitness, youth leadership, and civic action. A committed marathoner, Vikram has helped foster a running ecosystem in the Eastern Himalayas while advancing plogging and sustainability—introducing the now-iconic bamboo chimta as a symbol of community care and environmental pride. His work bridges academia, sports, culture, and grassroots leadership—mentoring youth, empowering athletes, and inspiring citizens to take pride in their land, identity, and shared responsibility.