Attraction
Conference 2026
Chief
Guest
Prof Bharat Bhasker
Prof. Bhasker obtained his Ph.D. and master’s degree in computer science at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, USA. He earned his Bachelor of Engineering from IIT Roorkee.
Prior to accepting the position of Director, IIM Ahmedabad, he served as a Professor of Information Technology and Systems at IIM Lucknow. He has also served as Director of IIM Raipur from March 2017 to March 2022, Acting-Director of IIM Lucknow during July 2015 to November 2015, as a Mentor Director/Convener (Nodal Prof.) at IIM Sirmaur in 2015. He was honoured with 'Best Director of Business Schools' award for transforming IIM Raipur to a great place to work and its exponential growth.
Prof. Bhasker has held various visiting academic positions such as International Expert Advisor at the University of Tenaga Nasional, Malaysia, International Expert, Research Grants at the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Visiting Professor at the ESSEC Business School, Paris, France, Distinguished Professor at the Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea, Research Professor at the University of California, USA, Visiting Professor at the University of Texas, USA and Adjunct Faculty at the University of Maryland, College Park.
Keynote
Speaker
Prof. Anish Sugathan
Prof. Anish Sugathan is a faculty at the Strategy Area of the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, and Co-Chairperson of Duggal ESG Centre for Research and Innovation at IIMA. He is a Research Affiliate at the International Growth Center at the London School of Economics and Political Science, and previously was an Associate at the Harvard Kennedy School Center for Business and Government. He is serving as a member of the expert committee appointed by the Honorable National Green Tribunal of India for environmental impact valuation, and a member of the Sectional Committee for Sustainable Finance of the Bureau of Indian Standards. He also serves on the board of state owned electricity distribution utility UGVCL, Govt. of Gujarat, as an independent director and advises several start-ups in the energy-tech and smart governance space.
Prof. Amitabh Kundu is currently Professor Emeritus at LJ University, Visiting Professor at Maulana Azad National Urdu University. He was Distinguished Fellow at Research and Information System for Developing Countries. He was Regional Advisor on Poverty at UNESCWA, Beirut during 2017 and Consultant to the Government of Sri Lanka during 2016. Until January 2014, he was Professor at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He has been the Dean of the School of Social Sciences and has served as a member of National Statistical Commission during 2006-08. He is also the chairperson of Samarthan, a large grassroots level institution working for the poor and vulnerable.
Currently, he is the co-chair of two Labour force surveys being conducted by the Ministry of Labour and Employment and advising the governments of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh on their statistical system and urban development. He chaired the committees on Swatch Bharat Mission (Rural), Housing Start Ups (Reserve Bank of India), Slum Database and Housing Shortages (Ministry of Housing and Poverty Alleviation).
Dr. Narottam Sahoo
Advisor and Member Secretary
Gujarat Council on Science and Technology (GUJCOST)
Gujarat, India
Dr. Narottam Sahoo is a distinguished scientist, science educator, and science
communicator, taking science to the community and common citizens. With a deep
passion for public engagement and a commitment to fostering curiosity and
wonder about the world, he has made significant contributions to science
education, research, and the popularization of science. Currently serving as
the Advisor and Member Secretary of the Gujarat Council on Science and
Technology (GUJCOST) under the Government of Gujarat, Dr. Sahoo has played a
vital role in promoting science and technology initiatives at both state and
national levels. He has been associated with Gujarat Science City, Ahmedabad
since 2001, where he held the positions of Senior Scientist and Executive
Director. Under his leadership, Gujarat Science City has become a renowned
platform for science popularization, benefiting millions of students, teachers,
and the general public in developing a keen interest in science and nurturing a
sense of curiosity. Dr. Sahoo's efforts in science education, communication,
research, innovation, management, governance, and policy development have had a
profound impact on the science and technology ecosystem. One of Dr. Sahoo's
notable achievements has been the design and development of four Regional
Science Centres at Rajkot, Patan, Bhavnagar, and Bhuj, which have elevated
science education and engagement among children and citizens. He has also made
significant contributions to the establishment of 33 Community Science Centres
and 3000 school science clubs in Gujarat, focusing on innovation, design labs,
tinkering labs, and various other programs aimed at enhancing scientific
learning and exploration
Panel
Discussion
