Global
Impact Forum
Edition II:
Civilisational Legacy

Shri Piyush Goyal is the Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Member of Parliament from North Mumbai. India's longest-serving Commerce and Industry Minister, he has previously served as Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha and helmed the Ministries of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Textiles, Railways, Finance, Corporate Affairs, Coal, Power, New & Renewable Energy, and Mines. After fourteen years in the Rajya Sabha, he won the 2024 Lok Sabha election from North Mumbai with the highest vote margin in Maharashtra. He has led the signing of India's FTA with the UAE — the fastest-negotiated such agreement globally — and the India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, and oversaw the conclusion of the India–UK Free Trade Agreement and the first-ever legally binding investment commitment of $100 billion under TEPA with the EFTA countries. He is a Chartered Accountant with an all-India rank two, a second-rank law graduate from Mumbai University, and a former investment banker.

Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat is the Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, and Member of Parliament from Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Born in Jaisalmer in 1967, he was elected to the 16th, 17th and 18th Lok Sabha from Jodhpur. His ministerial career began as Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare from September 2017, before he was elevated to Minister of Jal Shakti in May 2019. He assumed charge of the Culture and Tourism portfolios in June 2024, and has since framed India's cultural heritage as a central instrument of national soft power. He recently opened the XI BRICS Culture Ministers' Meeting in Bhopal, convening Culture Ministers and Heads of Delegation from BRICS member and partner countries. He holds an M.A. in Philosophy from JNV University, Jodhpur.

Shri Devendra Fadnavis is the 18th Chief Minister of Maharashtra, having assumed office on 5 December 2024, and holds the Home Affairs, Finance, Planning, Energy, Law & Judiciary, General Administration and Information & Public Relations portfolios. He previously served as Chief Minister from 2014 to 2019 and as Deputy Chief Minister from 2022 to 2024, making him one of the few leaders to have returned to the state's highest office across multiple terms. During his first tenure he was the second-youngest person to hold the position after Sharad Pawar, and oversaw landmark projects including the Samruddhi Expressway, the Police Digitisation Project and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Krishi Sanman Scheme. A Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly since 1999, he represents Nagpur South-West and formerly served as Mayor of Nagpur and as State President of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Janhavi, born and raised in India, has been immersed in the entrepreneurial landscape from a young age, engaging in workshops and programs that fostered her passion for building impactful, socially-driven enterprises. She earned her undergraduate degree from Reichman University in Israel, bringing a global perspective to her role at AP Globale, where she joined in 2022. AP Globale is a diversified holding company with interests across multiple sectors, focused on sustainable growth and societal impact. Janhavi works extensively on leading CoE for relationships, the family office, the AI vertical, creation of new IPs, foreseeing international expansion and events, and new product development. Her commitment to creating sector-agnostic projects with a positive societal impact underscores her vision and drive.

Ananda Shankar Jayant is an Indian classical dancer and choreographer known for her mastery of Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi, and also served as the first woman officer in the Indian Railway Traffic Service. After a 2008 breast cancer diagnosis, her 2009 TED talk on fighting cancer through dance became widely acclaimed. She has received major honors including the Padma Shri (2007) and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2009). She founded the Shankarananda Kalakshetra dance academy and has choreographed numerous notable productions.

Professor Reza "Baba" Massah is credited with introducing capoeira to India, founding the country's first capoeira academy in Mumbai in 2005 after training in Israel under the Cordão de Ouro lineage. What began with a single student has grown into a network of centers across Mumbai, Delhi, Jaipur, and Gurgaon, with programs integrated into several international school curriculums. He has trained India's first generation of home-grown instructors and remains the academy's chief instructor today.

Marcos Evangelista de Morais, known as Cafu, is a former Brazilian footballer widely regarded as one of the greatest right-backs in history. He is Brazil's most-capped player with 142 appearances and remains the only player ever to appear in three consecutive FIFA World Cup finals. A two-time World Cup winner (1994 and 2002), he captained Brazil to victory in 2002 and won major domestic and European trophies with clubs including São Paulo, AS Roma, and AC Milan.

Bhaichung Bhutia, nicknamed the "Sikkimese Sniper," is widely considered the torchbearer of Indian football. He made history as the first Indian footballer to sign with a European club, joining England's Bury FC in 1999, and went on to earn 80 international caps for India over the course of his illustrious career. Today, he continues to shape the sport as an active analyst and commentator for the FIFA World Cup 2026 on ZEE5, while championing grassroots sports development across the country, making him one of Indian football's most influential and enduring voices.

Sadhvi Satish Sail is an Indian model and entrepreneur from Goa. She made history by becoming the first contestant from Goa to win the 61st Femina Miss India World 2026 title, crowned at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Bhubaneswar, on 18 April 2026. Known for her intelligence, confidence, and grace, Sadhvi is a strong advocate for Financial Literacy and Rural Representation, using her platform to promote meaningful social impact. She is now preparing to represent India at Miss World 2027.

Winning Miss Universe Brazil 2024, Luana Cavalcante is the first woman from Pernambuco and first mother to win the title representing Brazil at Miss Universe 2024. She uses her global platform to spotlight causes in culture, beauty and advocacy.

Balancepoint Chinese Med Clinic is a leading TCM and acupuncture practice in India. Founded by Priya Samwani, Licensed Acupuncturist, and her son Prateek Samwani — Chinese Medicine Practitioner and India’s youngest licensed acupuncturist — the clinic treats chronic pain, fertility, neurological disorders, digestive conditions, stress, skin issues, and more using Traditional Chinese Medicine as a complete medical system.

As one of India’s youngest licensed acupuncturists, Prateek Samwani is redefining perceptions of traditional Chinese medicine for a new generation of practitioners and patients.

Prof. Dr. Brijesh Mishra is a distinguished Ayurvedic academic, researcher, and educationist, serving as Dean and Professor at Shri Ayurved Mahavidyalaya, Nagpur, a Government of Maharashtra-aided institution. With extensive experience in Ayurvedic education and research, he has guided undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral scholars and contributed to the advancement of Ayurveda through teaching, academic leadership, and research. As a recognized Ph.D. guide, he is actively engaged in nurturing the next generation of Ayurvedic scholars and promoting the systematic study and application of India’s traditional medical knowledge.

Tuhon Shifu Kanishka Sharma is an expert in 9 different martial arts and the driving force behind the introduction of Pekiti-Tirsia Kali to India’s military and special forces. With over 40 years of training under Grandmasters worldwide, he holds the prestigious title of Tuhon 10th Hagdan in Pekiti-Tirsia Kali and numerous high-ranking certifications across martial arts systems.

Mr. Shinto Mathew is the Founder of the organization – Kalari Kendram Delhi, the first-ever traditional Kalaripayattu temple in Northern India functioning in Delhi-NCR. He is a professional Kalaripayattu master and has completed his training in Kalaripayattu under Shri K.K. Vijayan Gurukkal, Calicut, Kerala, and has practiced both, northern and southern distinctive styles of this martial art. He also has presented Kalaripayattu on various national and international platforms in countries like the USA, Israel, China, Indonesia, South Korea, and Palestine. Currently, the organization offers daily Kalaripayattu classes and informal training to the enrolled students. Alongside this, he is also running a Kalari Marma Chikitsa which is an ancient indigenous system of musculoskeletal treatments based on the traditional science of Ayurveda. He conducts Kalaripayattu workshops for schools, government organizations, international embassies, and cultural centers, and various performing arts institutions.

Shifu Sahil — also known as Sahil Attar and Shi Heng Liang — is a Shaolin Kung Fu practitioner, martial arts instructor, and 35th-generation Shaolin warrior. He heads the Mumbai Shaolin Centre and is a certified instructor and official representative of Shaolin Temple India in Maharashtra. Trained at the Shaolin Temple in China and under Shifu Kanishka Sharma, he has developed expertise across traditional Shaolin Kung Fu and other martial arts disciplines. Through his teaching and workshops, he is committed to promoting martial arts as a practice of discipline, physical fitness, self-defence, and personal development.

Abhishek Vardhan Singh is an interdisciplinary calligrapher, researcher, and academician whose practice explores the confluence of letterforms, culture, and history. As the Founder and Executive Director of The Calligraphy Foundation, he has played a pioneering role in establishing calligraphy as both a refined visual art and an academic discipline in India. With a strong grounding in the historical and aesthetic dimensions of writing, his research foregrounds the scriptural heritage of the subcontinent. He has taught and mentored at prestigious institutions including Banaras Hindu University, Delhi University, and the National Institute of Fashion Technology, nurturing a growing community of calligraphy practitioners and scholars. His work bridges classical traditions with contemporary expressions, reflecting a deep commitment to preserving and reimagining the written form as a vessel of cultural identity and creative exploration.

Achyut Palav transforms ancient scripts into contemporary art, reviving the lost tradition of Indian calligraphy. Through his school, Achyut Palav School of Calligraphy, and the innovative Callifest festival, he has inspired a new generation to discover the grace of Devanagari and Modi scripts. A Padma Shri awardee (2025) and advocate for preserving India's written heritage, his work bridges tradition and modern artistic expression.

A percussionist known for his command of the djembe, Shikhar Naad Qureshi channels rhythm as a universal language, bridging cultures through the pulse of live performance.

Uma Dasgupta is an eminent historian, biographer, and leading authority on Rabindranath Tagore's educational philosophy and global humanism. A former professor at the Indian Statistical Institute and a Fulbright scholar, her seminal works explore the deep intellectual and moral exchanges between Indian and Western thinkers. Her extensive research on Tagore makes her an ideal voice to examine the shared ethical legacies of Rabindranath Tagore and Leo Tolstoy.

Sibusiso Mpungose joins the Global Impact Forum as a speaker, contributing insight and perspective to the session's conversation.

Vice Consul, Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Mumbai Represents Russian diplomatic, academic, and tourism interests in India; accompanied Consul General Ivan Fetisov on official visit to BITS Pilani Goa to discuss academic collaboration; part of Russian delegation discussing Maharashtra-Russia tourism cooperation, including proposed direct Mumbai-St. Petersburg flights

President of India awardee, Purbayan Chatterjee is known as India's leading sitar maestro, who specializes in building bridges between different world genres and leads the band Classicool. He has several international albums to his credit which have topped the charts and are well recognised across the world. His recording and live performance collaborations includes artists such as Ustad Zakir Hussain, Béla Fleck, Antonio Sanchez, Michael League with the Band Snarky Puppy, Gary Husband, Selva ganesh, U. Rajesh, Shankar Mahadevan, Jordan Rudess, Jazz legend Herbie Hancock, Dianne Reeves and the list goes on. His collaboration in 2024 with Red-Bull's hip-hop artist Stalamuerte from the USA is trend setting in the creative branding field. Performed at almost all well known festivals in India and several international festivals including the Roskilde Festival - Denmark, OzAsia Festival - Australia and Traumzeit Festival - Germany. His latest track Garaj Garaj (Rock Version) in Amazon Prime's most popular musical Bandish Bandits Season 2 is creating buzz worldwide.

Aleksandr Fursov is a Russian diplomat serving as Deputy Consul General of Russia in Mumbai, representing Russia's diplomatic and economic interests in India. He has spoken at the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) 2026 in Surat on strengthening India-Russia bilateral economic cooperation, and has engaged with Indian business and industry leaders to advance opportunities in trade, investment, and industrial growth, including in sectors such as semiconductors and renewable energy, making him a key voice in deepening the economic and diplomatic ties between the two nations.

Sanjay Rodrigues is the Founder and CEO of Phenomenal AI, an organization working at the forefront of AI filmmaking and generative AI video tools like Seedance 2.5. Based in Mumbai, he also serves at VAT Films (Visual Art & Technology Films), an award-winning production house with a presence in Europe. Educated in Commerce at the University of Mumbai, his expertise spans artificial intelligence, machine learning, and creative visual storytelling, making him a compelling voice on the intersection of modern technology, film, and digital creation.

H.E. Ivan Fetisov leads Russian diplomatic engagement in Western India, spanning trade, defence, academia, infrastructure, and culture, in his role as Consul General of the Russian Federation in Mumbai. He presented a draft Moscow-MMRDA Cooperation Program covering urban mobility and digital governance, and has led delegations to institutions including BITS Pilani, Goa Campus, and the National Defence Academy to strengthen academic and defence ties. Speaking at Advantage Vidarbha 2026, he addressed India-Russia relations, nuclear energy cooperation, and Rosatom's Small Modular Reactor technology, making him a key figure in deepening the diplomatic, economic, and cultural relationship between Russia and India.

Neelima Sona is an emotional intelligence expert, author, and youth mentor known as the “Architect of Vedic Emotional Intelligence”. She blends ancient Vedic philosophy with modern mental health practices to focus on youth empowerment, conscious leadership, and emotional wellness.

Mr. Mashudubele Sedula Mamabolo serves as Counsellor for Multilateral and Bilateral Affairs at the South African High Commission in India, having previously held postings as Deputy Head of Mission at the South African Embassy in Bulgaria and as First Secretary in Vienna. Earlier in his career he served as Deputy Director at South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation, working on policy analysis and bilateral relations. He holds a Master's in International Diplomacy and Policy from Staffordshire University, a BA in Political Science from the University of Pretoria, a BA (Hons) in Development Studies from the University of Limpopo, and post-graduate diplomas in International Development Studies from the University of Portsmouth and in Business & Management from Essex University. He is currently a doctoral candidate pursuing a combined PhD/DBA.

Shri Anand Shinde, founder of Trunk Call The Wildlife Foundation, is a pioneering figure in elephant conservation. Once a photojournalist heading the photo department, he shifted his life’s focus in 2012 toward protecting elephants.

Prof. Manish Karmwar’s research and teaching in African studies bring depth to conversations about civilisations, historical connections between India and Africa Global South perspectives, tracing the threads that connect the past to the present.

Gideon Labane leads South Africa's diplomatic presence in Mumbai as Consul General, focusing on strengthening India-South Africa trade, investment, and bilateral relations. He presided over South Africa's Freedom Day celebrations in Mumbai and has represented South Africa at major events, including the Global Textile Technology & Engineering Show (GTTES) 2025 and a delegation visit to the Bharat Diamond Bourse. A strong advocate for dialogue-based resolution of regional conflicts, he brings a thoughtful and collaborative approach to diplomacy, making him a key voice in deepening ties between South Africa and India.

Shreya Hegde builds community as a content creator and entrepreneur, while helping others grow through her work as a soft skills trainer.

Hemant Rajopadhye moderates this session at the Global Impact Forum. He is a Sanskrit scholar, Indologist, and scholar of South Asian religions with extensive experience across academia, cultural research, public policy, and strategic communication. A Gold Medallist in Sanskrit, he has contributed to research and public discourse on Indian knowledge traditions, history, culture, and religion. He currently serves as Group Head at Adfactors PR and continues to engage with scholarship, writing, teaching, and initiatives focused on India’s intellectual and cultural heritage.

Radhika Warikoo moderates this session at the Global Impact Forum. She is a professional dancer and digital creator known for her distinctive approach to dance, movement, and visual storytelling. Through her platform, Dance with RW, she creates engaging content that blends artistic expression with contemporary digital media. Her work reflects a strong commitment to creativity, performance, and building meaningful connections with audiences through the art of dance.

Omkar Bhatkar moderates this session at the Global Impact Forum. He is an educator and theatre practitioner whose work bridges the disciplines of theatre, cinema, literature, and cultural studies. As a playwright, filmmaker, actor, and director, he has contributed extensively to Mumbai’s performing arts landscape. His practice combines creative expression with academic inquiry, with a particular focus on culture, film, aesthetics, and the performing arts.

Jose Costa moderates this session at the Global Impact Forum, drawing on his career as a Portuguese retired footballer to guide a conversation shaped by the world of professional sport.

Rajvardhan Kadam moderates this session at the Global Impact Forum. A Kalaripayattu practitioner, visual artist, and interdisciplinary creative, his work brings together traditional Indian martial arts and contemporary artistic expression. He is the Co-founder of Kadambavan Cultural Foundation, an initiative focused on reviving Indic knowledge systems with Kalaripayattu at its core. Through performance, visual art, and cultural practice, he explores movement, storytelling, and the deeper philosophical dimensions of India’s traditional knowledge systems.

Raghunita Gupta moderates the “Ink, Line and Meaning” session at the Global Impact Forum. A calligraphy expert, educator, and cultural practitioner, she is dedicated to preserving and promoting the art of calligraphy and India’s diverse script traditions. She is the Founder and Managing Director of The Calligraphy Foundation, an organisation working to build awareness, education, and opportunities around calligraphy across India. Through workshops, training programmes, and community initiatives, she works to make calligraphy more accessible while nurturing a new generation of artists and educators.

Pooja R. Bhale moderates the “Guardians of the Wild” session at the Global Impact Forum. A Conservation Biologist and environmental educator dedicated to biodiversity conservation and ecological awareness, she is the founder of Protecterra Ecological Foundation, working to promote nature education, sustainable living, and stronger connections between people and the natural world. Her work brings together conservation, community engagement, and environmental learning to encourage meaningful socio-ecological change. She is also involved in creating spaces and initiatives that inspire people to understand, appreciate, and protect biodiversity.

Rishika Bhargava moderates the “The Face of a Nation” session at the Global Impact Forum. She is the Founder and CEO of Pali Beauty, a modern Indian beauty brand built around accessible, high-performance, and thoughtfully designed makeup. She began developing Pali Beauty in 2023, drawing on her passion for beauty, design, and Indian cultural influences to create a brand with a contemporary global outlook. Her entrepreneurial journey spans product development, sourcing, brand building, and storytelling, with Pali Beauty focused on making beauty more intuitive, expressive, and inclusive.

Narendra Kusnur moderates the “The Sound of the Soul” session at the Global Impact Forum. A senior music journalist, critic, and columnist with more than three decades of experience covering the Indian and international music scene, he has written extensively for leading publications including The Hindu, Mid-Day, Hindustan Times, and Rolling Stone India, covering genres ranging from Indian classical and film music to rock, jazz, blues, and Western classical music. Over the years, he has interviewed and written about some of the most influential musicians and performers from India and around the world, establishing himself as a respected voice in music journalism.

Narendra Bandabe moderates the “Frames of a Civilisation” session at the Global Impact Forum. A film scholar, critic, author, and academician with extensive experience in cinema, journalism, and media studies, he is a member of FIPRESCI and has taught film criticism, theory, and appreciation, serving on juries at prominent international film festivals including the International Film Festival of Kerala. He is the author of “Kubrick,” a Marathi book on acclaimed filmmaker Stanley Kubrick, and continues to contribute to critical conversations on world cinema, film culture, and society through his writing, research, and teaching.

Prof. Yogesh Gokhale moderates the “Voices Carried Forward” session at the Global Impact Forum. He is a Professor at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Policy Research and International Studies (AIPRIS), The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. A conservation and sustainability expert with a background in botany, biodiversity, ecology, and natural resource management, his work focuses on connecting environmental research with policy and sustainable development. He has contributed extensively to biodiversity conservation, climate change, agroforestry, and community-based natural resource management, and is actively involved in developing and teaching programmes on Sustainable Development Goals in the Indian context, bringing together scientific knowledge, policy perspectives, and grassroots experiences.

Leema Malla moderates the “Ancient Systems of Healing” session at the Global Impact Forum. A Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner dedicated to holistic approaches to health and wellbeing, she draws on the principles of traditional Chinese healing, with a focus on understanding the individual as a whole and supporting balance between the body, mind, and environment. Through her work, she seeks to make traditional healing practices more accessible and relevant to contemporary lifestyles.