Sejal Gupta, a 13-year-old from Chandigarh, recently made headlines for winning the titles of Miss Teen International and Miss Teen India 2023, and there’s no stopping the dynamic and enterprising girl. Though she’s not new to the arc lights having worked with big cine stars like Akhshay Kumar in the film, Mission Mangal, and currently playing the daughter of actress Urmila Matondkar in web series, Tiwari, winning the beauty pageants is one of the few more feathers in her hat. She made her television debut in a TV serial Kya Haal Mr Panchal when she was just eight.

With the now global diva Priyanka Chopra as her role model, Sejal has big dreams and is passionate about inspiring others to break stereotypes and achieving their goals. Growing up in a close-knit joint family in Panchkula with working parents, she feels the peaceful environment of the Tricity provided her with the ideal environment to focus on fitness and other extra-curricular activities. Studying in Class IX, she credits her school, RIMT World School, Manimajra, for being supportive of her dreams.

Trained in western dance, she credits her success to Miss Teen Diva organisation’s national director Nikhil Anand, and her mother who have been the pillar of strength for her. CityWoofer caught up with her to know more:

Can you tell us how you prepared for these pageants?

Winning the titles of Miss Teen International and Miss Teen India 2023 means the world to me.  Since the age of 5, I wanted to see myself here. I started participating in local cultural events and ramp walks from a very young age and have worked with brands like Max and Biba. These experiences have played a significant role in strengthening my resolve to pursue my dreams.

In terms of preparation, I had to work on various aspects, including my walk, poise, posture, public speaking skills, and overall confidence. I also had to stay physically fit and maintain a healthy routine.  I  prefer workouts at home and often trained in the parks in the neighborhood with my father every morning.

What does winning these titles mean to you?

The pageant experience taught me a lot about discipline, determination, and resilience. It taught me that anything is possible if you work hard and believe in yourself. Winning these titles has given me the confidence to pursue my dreams. I want to become a global icon.

Mental health is an important issue, especially for teenagers. What do you have to say?

It’s important to prioritize mental health, especially for teenagers, and I hope to spread awareness about this important issue. There is no shame in seeking help, and it’s a sign of strength to recognize when you need support. We need to start talking more openly about mental health and reduce the stigma surrounding it. We need to create safe spaces where people can share their experiences and seek support without fear of judgment.

What advice would you give to other young people who want to pursue their dreams? 

Believe in yourself and your abilities.  Don’t be afraid to take risks and step out of your comfort zone. Failure is a part of the journey, and it’s important to learn from it and keep pushing forward.

What lies in store regarding your future projects? 

I have several exciting projects lined up, including the Peshawar series, Kun Faya Kun with Harshwardhan Rane and Sanjeeda Shaikh, Sukhee with Shilpa Shetty Kundra, and Tiwari with Urmila Matondkar.

(Shweta Yadav is an independent writer and researcher, passionate about uncovering untold narratives)

Where there is a will, there is a way… we’ve all heard this adage many times, but how many of us really follow it. An avid Bhagwad Gita reader and proponent of its philosophy, advocate Madan Mohan Vats, has found a novel way of making the scripture easy to read for himself by using VHS cassettes, earlier used in VCRs, which had been lying waste in his store room for over 30 years.

Imagine a charkha in your mind, the kind that Mahatma Gandhi used to spin cotton on. A similar apparatus has been set up by Vats in which a 15mm wide ribbon passes through a specially designed double acrylic sheet 2″ x 12″ which joins two cassettes of 10″ diameter each mounted on two vertical stands. The speed of the ribbon can be controlled by two 12 Volts motors and a battery. 700 Sanskrit shalokas, with meaning in Hindi, of all the 18 chapters of Bhagwad Gita have been written with white acrylic paint on the 1,365 mt long E126/T-90 casset ribbon.

Hailing from Panipat in Haryana and leading a retired life in Zirakpur, he finished the task of writing the entire matter in about a year in 2021 spending about 905 hours. “ Whenever I used to sit down to write, I used to note down the timings when I started and when I put my brush down. My intention is to create a world record,” says 72-yr-old Madan Mohan Vats. CityWoofer spoke with him to know more:

Where did the idea of using disused VHS cassettes come from?

I was a great fan of Hindi cinema and I used to watch them on my VCR ( video cassette recorder) which was a huge rage back then. As time passed, VCR went out of fashion but I did not feel like throwing the cassettes. I had about 100 of them lying in my store room for the last 30-35 years. So when I thought of writing the Bhagwad Gita, I realized a big paper roll would be required which would be too bulky and the paper would have to be of the same width, so I explored this idea. I used 10 VHS cassettes to complete the job.

What were the challenges you faced while making this self-created invention?

I wandered around a lot of electrical shops in Sector 19, Chandigarh, electrical engineers refused to work on it, so I researched on the Internet. I needed a motor which would help in moving the ribbon but the RPM of the motor was either too slow or too fast. Then, a young boy introduced me to a speed controller with which I could control the speed of the ribbon according to my reading speed.

What inspired you to write the Bhagwad Gita?  

The world’s heaviest Bhagwad Gita (800 kg, 9 feet high) which has been placed in the ISCON temple, Delhi, was prepared in Milan in Italy at a cost of Rs 2 crore. Another fascimile was prepared for a temple in Kurukshetra, the inauguration of which I saw on television. So I wondered why can’t we do something similar in India, where the Gita has originated. Gita has been translated in 578 languages across the world.

Do you read the Gita from your self-prepared apparatus? How often do you read it?

I am a disciple of Lord Krishna and I love him truly and deeply. Six adhyayas of the Gita, I remember ad verbatum and read aloud daily. Now that I  have a problem with my eyesight, I am not able to see and read on this apparatus, but most of it I know by heart.

How did your family help you in your project?

There only help was that they did not object to what I was doing.

Vats has a passion to present the Bhagwad Geeta in different ways. Earlier, he has presented the Geeta in Sanskrit on 44″ x 29″ single paper sheet and then on a sheet of 29″ x 14″ in verse form.

Another presentation of the Gita by him is a print of all the shaloka on artificial peepal tree leaves tucked on artificial tree. These presentations can be seen in the museum of Geeta Gyan Sansthanam, Kurukshetra.

Now, he is working on how to present Bhagwad Gita on real peepal tree leaves in the form of 3 feet high book and then tuck them on a 9-10 feet high tree, having 18 branches made out of sawdust.

For more you can visit his house at 38, Skynet Enclave (behind Buddha girls school), Lohgarh, Zirakpur.

Contact: 9814850667

Chandigarh has become the the 3^rd smart city across India to host the conference on data and technology after Kochi & Panaji. Around 200 delegates from 100 smart cities are in Chandigarh to attend Smart Cities CEO’s Conference on Data and Technology. It is being held by Chandigarh Smart City Limited (CSCL) in coordination with Smart Cities Mission, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India.

Anindita Mitra IAS, Chief Executive Officer, Chandigarh Smart City Limited welcomed Kunal Kumar IAS, Joint Secretary & Mission Director, Smart Cities Mission, Govt of India and the delegates came to participate in the conference.

“Smart cities require smarter governance. Effective utilization of technology is imperative for the management of smart cities. Very soon in Chandigarh, with the promising infrastructure created under Smart Cities Mission, 5G roll out and our Micro Gati Shakti initiative, we will be experiencing, new paradigms of business models, better services and enhanced sustainability of the city,”said Mitra.

“We have created a detailed roadmap, how every individual, every department shall be benefitted from ICCC (Integrated Command and control Centre) in the coming few months. We are making dedicated efforts to make Chandigarh a data-powered city,” she said.

During the context setting session, Kunal Kumar, IAS, highlighted the need for urban leaders and practitioners to ‘think like a city’ and understand the larger picture through the use of data and technology to be able to cater to the ‘expanding’ urban population of the future.

The objective of the conference is to enable peer learning and exchange of ideas that leads to development of the best practices across all smart cities.

The conference includes Chief Executive Officers, Chief Finance Officers and other officers of 100 smart cities along with officials from the Centre, state government, partners and sponsors. Participants got the opportunity to present and share the learnings on various topics like use case operation presentations by cities, ICCC Maturity Assessment Framework (IMAF) presentation by cities, and business plan overview & presentation by cities.

“What happens when a random pow-wow between an otherwise compatible couple, turns sour, leading to a non-stop bickering and badmouthing between them?”

“A place of complete bedlam, of course” one would say.

Acclaimed director and thespian from Mumbai Atul Satya Kaushik’s theme play ‘My Wife’s 8th Vachan’ fully attempts to answer the often-asked question, in a typical humorous way. The mega comedy show offers a queer mix of hilarious comic timings and high-end serious notes offering a midas touch.

‘My Wife’s 8th Vachan’, a seventy-five minute family drama inspired by the institution of marriage, turned out to be a show-stealer on the last day of the 3-day annual comedy theatre fest, staged by the Films and Theatre Society (Mumbai) at the packed-to-capacity Tagore Theatre in Sector 18.

The family drama ‘My Wife’s 8th Vachan’ enacted in a typical tongue-in-cheek style is all about a marriage mystery that deepens with each passing day, best efforts to contain the situation going out of hand notwithstanding. This play is the couple’s last-ditch effort to resolve the tangle amicably and save the institution of marriage.

The super cast which includes renowned film, TV and theatre icons, including actors Anoop Soni, Vinay Jain and debutant Monisha Singh Katiyal, Daksh and Vinay Jain, who take the viewers through this farcical episode of family drama, evoked full-throated encomium from the audience.

The stamp of a typical Atul Satya Koushik production brand, lavish sets, captivating costumes, and the music turned out to be an experience of a kind for the audience who intermittently broke into peals of laughter. Music for the play was scored by Anik Sharma while Abhay Tyagi and Latika Jain lent their voices.

The lead characters in the play, Madhur (essayed by Anup Soni) and Mehak (Monisha Singh Katiyal) are no different than any quintessential Indian married couple happily co-existing for more than fifteen years after their marriage, now indulging in frequent fracas for unknown reasons.

The situation reaches a flash point when their younger daughter, sick of the unending wordy brawls they indulge themselves in, reason or no reason, decides to go to a boarding school. The development mellows down their false egos and frayed tempers a wee bit, to say the least.

Mehak is desperate to talk to Madhur in a separate room and know about the status of their marriage, to which he agrees to instantaneously. A devastated  Madhur finds himself trapped in a tricky situation as Mehak tells him about the eighth sacred vow that she had made to Madhur at the time of their wedding, but had failed to keep that, inviting a flurry of trials and tribulations in their conjugal life. The play comes to a happy ending with the couple taking fresh vows to bury the hatchet and go back to their heydays.

The 3-day comedy extravaganza was organised by Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Akademi in association with the Department of Cultural Affairs, Chandigarh Administration and the Tagore Theatre Society, Chandigarh.

(The writer , Ramesh K Dhiman, is a former staffer of The Tribune and freelance writer. He has written extensively for leading newspapers and magazines on art, culture, mythology, besides travelogues.)

On Day 2 of the ongoing three-day annual comedy theatre festival-2023, Hasyam, a thrilling comedy play Udhaar Ka Pati (borrowed husband) was staged at the Tagore Theatre, Sector 18.

The play was staged by the Veena Pani Kala Mandir, a numero uno theatre-cum-musical group from  of Jaipur (Rajasthan) under the astute direction of Tapan Bhatt. The theatre group has to its credit more than 1000 stage shows and more than 500 music shows held across the country, every time  romping home with awards and accolades.

The story revolves around the lead character Sheela, who was raised by her grandfather. Though married to a poor man, she projects themselves to be a richie-rich couple enjoying all good things in life. She resorts to lying time and again to hide one or the other lie. She lies even to her grandfather about her ‘borrowed’ husband and her newly acquired high profile social status. A series of lies that she indulges in lands the couple in the police net.  They had to spill the beans to the police. The play ends on a happy note, breaking a seemingly charged audience into wide giggles and guffaws.

The star cast of the drama Udhaar Ka Pati included Vishal Bhatt, Abhishek Jhankal, Saurabh Bhatt, Jhilmil, Richa Paliwal, Aarushi Keshot, Chitransh Mathur, Shahrukh Khan and Kamlesh Chandani, who pulled out their characters with finesse.

The 3-day-long comedy fiesta is being organised by Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Akademi in association with the Department of Cultural Affairs, Chandigarh Administration and the Tagore Theatre Society, Chandigarh, featuring the prominent who’s who of theatre from across the country invited to perform and showcase their theatrical skills.

‘My Wife’s 8th Vachan’ , another comedy gig to be staged on Thursday  by the Films and Theatre Society group from Mumbai, will mark the end to the 3-day-long comedy fest.

(The writer , Ramesh K Dhiman, is a former staffer of The Tribune and freelance writer. He has written extensively for leading newspapers and magazines on art, culture, mythology, besides travelogues.)

When the curtains rise, a hush descends as the audience eagerly anticipates what ‘The Narrators’ have in store for them. This performing arts society, based in the vibrant city of Chandigarh, has been enchanting the audience with its captivating and experimental performances since its inception in 2018. Nisha Luthra, founder and curator of The Narrators, started this journey along with a group of passionate individuals who shared  their love for theatre, music, and dance.

As a curator and an artist herself, she believes that art should serve a purpose in society. The Narrators is not just about entertainment, it is committed to creating social impact through their performances. It regularly holdsfund-raising events for charity and have even held theatre workshops addressing mental health issues, shedding light on a topic that is often stigmatized. She uses the Physical Theatre significantly to mend the mental health of stressed professionals –students, writers, teachers, doctors.

Be it her poetry, her writings like Noor-e-Babur or on the play of life struggles of film actress Meena Kumari, she delivers the message and leaves it to the audience as food for thought.

What sets The Narrators apart from other performing arts societies is its focus on experimental theatre. It explores unconventional themes and pushes the boundaries of traditional theatre. The performances of artistes are thought-provoking, immersive, and highly engaging.

What makes The Narrators truly special is its unique approach to art. Not afraid to experiment and explore unconventional themes, the artistes make each performance a distinctive experience for the audience. Nisha shares more about The Narrators and her journey with CityWoofer.

Nisha Luthra

How did The Narrators come about?

When I was growing up, I harboured a deep-seated desire to express myself as an artist. However, it wasn’t until my eldest daughter, who is highly involved in theatre, encouraged me to wholeheartedly pursue my passion that I finally found the courage to take the leap. I began by offering my services to local theatre groups and assisting them in any way I could.

I found my mentor in acclaimed Punjabi playwright Dr Atamjit who recognized my unwavering passion and dedication. Together, we embarked on a meticulous research journey to write a play, and I had the privilege of performing in his first English play as the famous Irish playwright who was associated with Punjabi theatre, Norah Richards. She had always been an inspiration to me. When the lights were on me, I thought I was meditating, I felt connected to God. The play was an enormous success and opened the doors to a whole new world of possibilities for me. Since then, I have never looked back and continue to pursue my artistic aspirations with a renewed sense of purpose and joy.

The Narrators are committed to social causes. Could you tell us more about it? 

Another play that played a pivotal role in shaping my theatrical journey and transforming my outlook towards this art form was ‘Drama Queen’ directed by the esteemed theatre director Sahib Singh.

The profound impact it had on me was the realization of how crucial theatre can be for promoting mental health and wellbeing. This realization inspired me to integrate this concept into the work of The Narrators.

As a result, we began conducting workshops on mental health and received an overwhelmingly positive response. It was heartening to see the power of theatre being used as a tool to promote mental wellness.

What are the various other fields you work in? 

The notion of launching books through performance art germinated during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many writers were struggling to get their work published. Our first book launch was accomplished through the creation of a poetry film. We believe that by bringing together various artistic disciplines, we can create a more engaging and dynamic experience for our audience. Our team remains committed to exploring innovative ways to showcase literature and art in new and exciting ways.

The Narrators has two more avenues named Kala Kshetra and Kitaab Club which work pan-India to connect with likeminded communities. We are on a hunt for raw and rustic artists to perform and share their unique artistic journeys with us.

(Shweta Yadav is an independent writer and researcher passionate about uncovering untold narratives)

Reminiscent of Nek Chand’s Rock Garden who secretly started creating it in 1957 with concrete, home-made and discarded material, the first-of-its-kind scrap park, has come up six decades later in Chandigarh.

Christened as the “Waste-to-Wonder” Park, it is sedately nestled in Sector 48 with rows upon rows of housing society homes, offering a commanding view. The park was dedicated to the public by Mayor Anup Gupta on April 14.

Spread over a sprawling 1.75 acre of prime land, the “Waste-to-Wonder” park, a speactacle for kids especially, houses scintillating structures made out of industrial waste and other discarded material, including iron sheets, rods, tyre rims, fans, auto parts and so on. The imposing scrap images have been created out of the recycled waste with a razor-sharp precision, which speaks volumes of the magical hands which created them.

The entry gates to the park and benches placed in order there have been sculpted out of the recycled waste. Even the edges of plant and flower beds have been made out of the discarded bricks sourced from the Corporation’s Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste plant. A snakes and ladders board has been thrown up for the teeny-weeny tribe indulging in sheer fun-n-frolic.  Swings and other fun games are there to keep them charged with excitement.

An imposing 18-foot-tall sculpture of a Modulor Man by the master architect Le Corbusier himself, towards the rear of the sprawling park extends a warm welcome to the visiting guests. Another sculpture made of an outdoor metals lighting tower, which is flanked by a finely chiselled sculpture of the stone family among others, including some robotic images, dotting the park, leaving the visiting guests entranced.

This spectacular landmark, the brain child of Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (CMC), was conceptualised on the idea of three Rs – reduce, recycle and reuse – the  waste-to-wonder park was created under the innovative ‘Garbage Free City Mission’.

“This is yet another path-breaking initiative of the CMC to give a fillip to the flagship Swachhata mission spearheaded by the central government,” says the mayor.

Offering suggestions to make it better, one of the visitors, Shivani, a Maths teacher at a leading Chandigarh school, says, “It feels good to be here offering a divine moment amid all-pervading serenity and solitude. The dispensation needs to focus on adding more greenery to the place exuding paradisiacal ambience. Public facilities also need to be put in place to make it a must visit place for visitors.”

(The writer , Ramesh K Dhiman, is a former staffer of The Tribune and freelance writer. He has written extensively for leading newspapers and magazines on art, culture, mythology, besides travelogues.)

On the opening day of Hasyam , a three-day annual Comedy Theatre Festival (CTF)-2023, a thrilling comedy play Bade Miyan Deewane, was staged at the Tagore Theatre in Sector 18 on Tuesday to a full house.

Written and directed to precision by Imran Rasheed (from Mumbai), the theme play is based on Pakistani Urdu author Shaukat Thanvi’s bestselling novel Budhbhas, that kept the audience hooked to their berths for over an hour. The comic presentations evoked thunderous applause from the appreciative audience.

Meer, the protagonist, in blue dhoti

Presented by Rangbaaz Production from Mumbai, the play traces the idiosyncratic demeanour of a filthy rich octogenarian, Meer, who is used to a typical flamboyant lifestyle. His deadly infatuation for a beautiful young girl next door portrays him as the dark underbelly of our society. Puerile as it may sound, the girl whom he has fallen for is the love interest of his strapping young son as well.

Meer, the story further has it, falls headlong in love for his immediate neighbour Sheikh Inaayatullah’s doe-eyed daughter, Suraiya. Meer’s son, Tabish, is also madly in love with her and wants to marry her. He is waiting in the wings to express his ‘true’ love for the girl.

Sheikh, on the other hand, is looking for a compatible match for his daughter, with his eyes fixed on marrying her off to a charming young man and writer, Shaukat in the neighbourhood, who is known to both Meer and Sheikh.

Shaukat, who is a die-hard well-wisher of Meer, wants to persuade him from squandering his wealth on two courtesans of the region – Heera and Gulab – and return to his austere life back in the day. Meer wants Shaukat to chip in and coax and cajole Sheikh into accepting him (Meer) as his daughter’s soulmate. Sheikh on the other hand, wants Shaukat to help him caution Meer desist from indulging in amorous advances towards his daughter.

As a result of the ongoing tangle, Shaukat gets caught up in a whirlwind of vicissitudes that ends up in an utter state of confusion, misunderstanding, and, of course, a streak of jealousy playing out, leading to a series of farcical situations events that follow, leaving the audience in splits!

The 3-day-long festival, being organised by Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Akademi in collaboration with the Department of Cultural Affairs, Chandigarh Administration and the Tagore Theatre Society, Chandigarh, comprises three comedy plays, featuring prominent theatre legends from other parts of the country.

The plays that are slated for stage performance on April 26 and 27, include Udhar Ka Pati and My Wife’s 8^th Vachan respectively.

The daily play timings are from 6:30 pm onwards and entry to the mega show is for free.

(The writer , Ramesh K Dhiman, is a former staffer of The Tribune and freelance writer. He has written extensively for leading newspapers and magazines on art, culture, mythology, besides travelogues.)

The Panjab University is deliberating on the implementation of NEP-2020 recommendations, with a focus on the National Credit Framework. With an aim to expedite the implementation process, the university has adopted new guidelines, based on the National Education Policy 2020, for undergraduate (UG) programmes.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) revised the existing Choice Based Credit System to develop a new curriculum and credit framework. These guidelines offer multiple entry and exit options for students, who can choose between single majors, double majors or interdisciplinary subjects.

New system of under-grad courses

The new system will award a UG degree in three years after completing 120 credits, and a UG honours degree in four years with 160 credits. Under the current system, it takes at least three years to earn a UG honours degree.

Research students

Students aiming for research specialization at the undergraduate level need to secure a minimum of 75% marks in the first six semesters. They can then choose a research stream in the fourth year, complete a research project or dissertation under faculty guidance, and earn 160 credits, including 12 credits in project/dissertation, to be eligible for a UG degree with honours and research.

The university plans to implement these guidelines in the 2023-2024 academic session for UG level programmes in both teaching departments and affiliated colleges.

The PU Syndicate has passed the minimum passing percentage from 33% to 40% for undergraduate and postgraduate courses, which has sparked a debate among the students. This decision is yet to be approved by Senate and soon after the new syllabus will be implemented.

With the implementation of the NEP, the university and its affiliated colleges are set to take a giant leap forward in terms of providing a more comprehensive and inclusive education to its students.

About 202 colleges are affiliated to the Panjab University.

Innovation, Investment, Transformation… These are the hallmark of the sweeping changes happening in society, accompanied by the smartness of a digital world. TiECON Chandigarh 2023, North India’s largest conclave, is one such amalgamation of ideas and people.

Marking 20 glorious years of TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs), Chandigarh, a grand conclave is being held on 29 April, 2023 at Hyatt Regency, Chandigarh. With business leaders from around the globe, TiECON Chandigarh will draw inspiration from big names in entrepreneurship like Hitesh Oberoi, Co-Promotor MD and CEO at Info Edge India Ltd; Ashneer Grover, Founder of Third Unicorn; Brijesh Agarwal, Co-founder of IndiaMart; Rajesh Magow, Co-founder and Group CEO of MakeMyTrip, among many others. The budding entrepreneurs and investors will get a new exposition on how to take their ideas forward.

The robust and dynamic event will feature, among other things, exposition, startup shark soirée, extensive discussions, networking, and mentoring sessions by industry leaders. The event is a great opportunity for knowledge-sharing, networking, mentorship, and collaboration among like-minded individuals.

 You also get an opportunity to become a part of TiECON for the future with the provision of a new associate membership combo which includes Annual Associate membership (ONLY FOR NEW MEMBERS) plus entry to TiECON 2023, which does not include a ticket to the April 29 Gala Dinner where s ingers Prabh Gill and Ahen Vaatish will perform.

What are the benefits of Associate Membership?

Membership for one year

Invitations to selected events of the TiE Chandigarh Chapter will be sent to you.

Opportunity for mentoring, education, and networking.

Opportunity to connect with fellow members via ‘Whatsapp Groups’.

Price details of tickets:

Early bird TiECON Chandigarh 2023 – ₹ 1800

TiECON chandigarh 2023- associate members ticket – ₹ 2500

New associate membership combo – ₹ 12500

New women associate membership combo  – ₹ 10000

Business expo TiECON 2023 – ₹ 25000

Startup bazaar TiECON Chandigarh 2023 – ₹ 8500

Charter membership- tie Chandigarh (apply only) –  ₹ 0

Brochure in delegate kit – ₹ 15000

Networking gala dinner+musical night with Prabh Gill – ₹ 3000

Delegate tickets- TiECON Chandigarh 2023

Register your ticket with this link: https://www.citywoofer.com/e/tiecon-chandigarh-2023

TiECON Speakers 2023

Ashneer Grover – Founder, Third Unicorn

Product of IIM Ahmedabad and IIT Delhi, Shark in 1st Season of Shark Tank India, Previously MD and Co-Founder at BharatPe, Previously Head of New Business at PCJ, built Grofers business out as CFO, raised US$ 170 mn.

Anubhav Dubey – Co-Founder, Chai Sutta Bar
Anubhav Dubey, now (27) started his entrepreneurial journey at the age of 22. A small-town young boy who wanted to be an IAS officer but arrived to become co-founder of the Tea brand CSB (Chai Sutta Bar).

Harteerath Singh – Hemkunt Foundation

Director at Hemkunt Foundation, a NPO doing social service in various sectors,  he finds place in Forbes & HT City 30 Under 30, Grazia’s Social Activist of the Year and High Impact Men 2021 by MensXP

Jyoti Bharadwaj – Founder , Tea.Fit

Jyoti Bharadwaj is the founder of Tea.Fit, manufacturer of world-class, unsweetened beverages that are rooted in Indian ingredients and Ayurvedic heritage. A mother to two young boys, she participated in Shark Tank India showcasing her in-depth understanding of her business.

Bharat Sethi – Founder & CEO, Rage Coffee

Rage Coffee, a coffee company that manufactures, markets, and distributes innovative caffeine products in emerging categories. He has been a serial entrepreneur having built 2 successful businesses in the past: PosterGully in 2012, which was an online consumer brand for millennials to shop for clothing, and wall decor.

Brijesh Agrawal – Co-founder, IndiaMART InterMESH Ltd

IndiaMART is India’s largest B2B marketplace. He is one of the founders and trustees of Plaksha University. And was featured by Fortune India in its “40 Under 40” list.

Ankit Kedia – Director, Capital A

Ankit Kedia is an award-winning Indian entrepreneur, best known as the former Promoter Director at Manjushree Technopack Limited, India’s largest rigid plastic manufacturing organization with revenues of $500 million. Having grown up in an enterprising family of entrepreneurs, Ankit graduated from Western Michigan University with a business degree in Food marketing and then went onto complete his post-graduation from the prestigious SP Jain institute of Management and Research, Mumbai.

Aakash Chaudhary –  Co-Promoter and Ex- Managing Director , Aakash 

Aakash Chaudhry He has led AESL as Managing Director and revolutionized the test preparation industry in India. He is also the Founder and Trustee of Plaksha University and serves on the board of VLCC Healthcare Ltd. and HONO. Aakash is an alumnus of Harvard Business School and has a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Sciences and an MBA from the Indian School of Business.

Ankit Maheshwari – Founding Team Member, Innovaccer

Ankit is the Chief Technology Officer and President of India Operations at Innovaccer. As a founding team member, he has been at the helm of Innovaccer’s engineering vertical ever since its inception. In his cross-functional role, Ankit heads Innovaccer’s overall India operations while leading the entire engineering and R&D verticals, and brings a unique strategic advantage in maintaining and solidifying the organization.

Inderveer Singh – Founder CEO, EVage Ventures

Ivee’s entrepreneurial journey started in 2014, which led to the formation of EVage and conception of their first product – a four-wheeler, 1-Tonne commercial vehicle. As founder and CEO, Ivee is on a mission to lead EVage’s mobility transformation dream for India and the world. A graduate from Amity University, he has around ten years of extensive automotive experience spanning R&D, Plant Management, and Business and Sales Experience.

John Cabeca – US Intellectual Property Counselor for South Asia, American Embassy, New Delhi

Working through the American Embassy in New Delhi, India, Cabeca is the US Intellectual Property (IP) Counselor for South Asia and serves as the principal officer within the US embassies and consulates throughout South Asia on policy matters related to intellectual property protection and the enforcement of IP rights. A veteran of the US Department of Commerce for over 33 years, he has dedicated his career to working across the innovation ecosystem at all levels to raise IP awareness.

 Kiran Deshpande – Co-Founder, Mojo Networks

Kiran Deshpande has been a technology professional since 1978, having played a role in founding years of the Indian software industry. Kiran has built and commercialized first time technologies for global usage. His experience combines 25 years in software services from as software engineer to CEO, and 18 years in a deep tech products startup. Kiran has been TiE Pune Charter Member since 2009, served as its President for four years and is now a Global Trustee.

Pratik Gauri – CEO, 5ire

Pratik Gauri is the founder & CEO of 5ire.org, one of the world’s fastest-growing unicorns that achieved the coveted billion-dollar valuation less than one year from the day it was founded.

Rajat Jain – Founder at Spandan ECG, Sunfox technologies

Rajat Jain, the founder of Sunfox Technologies, is a social entrepreneur with a background in incubation management. He started Sunfox Technologies with his friends in Dehradun with a mission to develop affordable and portable medical devices for cardiac health. His innovation, Spandan, which diagnoses heart attacks on a smartphone for less cost than a cup of tea, has been recognized by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Rajesh Magow – Co-Founder And Group CEO Makemytrip

Rajesh Magow is the Co-Founder & Group Chief Executive Officer of MakeMyTrip Limited, the holding company of India’s leading travel brands MakeMyTrip, Goibibo and redBus. A part of the founding team that built MakeMyTrip ground up, Rajesh is a believer of India’s digital opportunity and a backer of many young Indian tech companies that are raring to make their mark.

Sanjiv Singhal – Founder & COO Sripbox
Scripbox  is a friendly digital investment service that helps you save and grow your wealth without confusing you with complex financial terms. Whether you are a seasoned investor or a beginner (even a “non-finance” person), Scripbox cuts through the jargon and helps you invest better with clear options and powerful tools.

Date: 29 April , Saturday, 2023

Time: 10 am

Venue: Hyatt Regency Chandigarh