Esteemed Panel Speakers

Dr. Bhaskar Chatterjee, widely hailed as the Father of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in India, has left an indelible mark on the landscape of corporate responsibility. His instrumental role in formulating and issuing CSR guidelines for Public Sector Enterprises in 2010 and shaping Section 135 of the Companies Act in 2013 showcases his pioneering contributions. As the Director General & CEO of the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), he led the National Foundation for Corporate Social Responsibility (NFCSR) with visionary zeal.

Over the past decade, Dr. Chatterjee has been a prominent voice on CSR and Sustainability at numerous national and international platforms. Actively engaged with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), he collaborates closely with the United Nations Global Compact and Niti Aayog. Serving on the United Nations Global Compact Governing Council, he aligns with major initiatives on sustainability, SDGs, and ESG.

In his current capacity as CEO, the Anil Agarwal Foundation (Vedanta Group), Dr. Chatterjee drives initiatives aimed at achieving zero carbon emissions by 2050, environmental stewardship, and innovative, greener business models. His leadership extends to the National Committee formulating Indian National Standards for ESG, overseeing CSR activities across 14 Business Units at the Vedanta Group, and supervising National Priority Programs focused on education, nutrition, rural health, animal welfare, and women's empowerment. His commitment to sustainable development resonates through every facet of his influential career.

Dr. Manoj Kumar Bharti, a seasoned diplomat, served as the Ambassador of India to Indonesia & Timor-Leste from January 2021 to March 2023, based in Jakarta, Indonesia. During his tenure, he managed high-profile visits by Indian dignitaries, including Prime Minister Modi, fostering trust and collaboration in defense, security, and education cooperation. Notable achievements include organizing successful visits by National Security Advisor Mr. Ajit Doval and Speaker of Lok Sabha Mr. Om Birla to Indonesia. In Timor-Leste, Dr. Bharti developed close relationships with top leadership and extended humanitarian support, gifting 2000 tonnes of rice and pharmaceutical supplies to assist flood-affected communities.

Throughout his diplomatic career, Dr. Bharti also held key positions, including Ambassador to Ukraine and Belarus, where he promoted education, Indian philosophy, and trade. As a published author, he wrote "Understanding Indian Philosophy through Modern Science" in 2018. Dr. Bharti is multilingual, with fluency in Hindi, English, Sanskrit, and Pharsi, and advanced proficiency in Bengali and Russian. He enjoys hobbies such as bridge, golf, music, and hiking.

Ambassador Bhaswati Mukherjee stands as a luminary figure with a rich tapestry of accomplishments in diplomacy, academia, and corporate governance. Holding an M.A. in History and a Degree (Superior) in French History and Civilization from Sorbonne University, Ambassador Mukherjee has been a stalwart in the Indian Foreign Service since 1976.

Throughout her diplomatic journey, she has served as the Ambassador of India to the Netherlands and the Ambassador/Permanent Representative of India to UNESCO, Paris, leaving an indelible mark on international relations. Notably, she played a pivotal role in inscribing the Indentured Labour Route Project for UNESCO and the Governments of Mauritius and India on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

In addition to her diplomatic endeavors, Ambassador Mukherjee is a prolific author, TV commentator, and corporate leader. Her authored books, including "India and the EU: An Insider View" and "Bengal and its Partition: an Untold Story," have received acclaim. Demonstrating her commitment to corporate governance, she has served as an Independent Director in esteemed companies and successfully completed courses on the subject.

Ambassador Bhaswati Mukherjee's multifaceted career, marked by diplomatic finesse, literary contributions, and corporate leadership, epitomizes excellence, making her a trailblazer in various fields. It is noteworthy that she launched her fourth book on December 23, 2023, titled "The Indentured and Their Route - A Relentless Quest for Identity."

H.E. Francisco de Assis Rodrigues, an eminent Brazilian political figure, has left an indelible mark on the nation's political and diplomatic landscape. Born on April 23, 1951, in Recife, Brazil, he currently resides in Brasília, serving as the Vice Leader of Government in the Senate and boasting the most mandates of any politician in the Amazon Region. With a Bachelor's degree in Agriculture Engineering from the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco and a specialization in Rural and Urban Development from the Catholic University of Pernambuco, Rodrigues is a seasoned expert in his field. 

His extensive career spans roles such as Governor of the State of Roraima and Congressman in the Chamber of Deputies for multiple mandates. Additionally, he has engaged in numerous official missions, representing Brazil globally, and received accolades and decorations for his contributions to the nation. His dynamic presence as a keynote speaker at seminars on Brazilian defense, privatization, and aerospace and defense underscores his dedication to Brazil's political and diplomatic progress.

Dr. Sanjay Kumar Pandey possesses a diverse range of knowledge and experience, boasting an illustrious career that spans over two decades in academia, administration, and the professional sphere. Currently serving as an Adviser with the Competition Commission of India, Dr. Pandey oversees the advocacy, international cooperation, and capacity-building divisions of the Commission.

A founding faculty member of the National Law University Jodhpur, Dr. Pandey dedicated a substantial portion of his academic and research endeavors to this institution. He also contributed to the Department of Science and Technology, Government of Rajasthan, focusing on promoting awareness of intellectual property.

With over 15 years of active involvement in competition law and policy research, Dr. Pandey holds the distinction of being an alumnus of the European Union Visitors Program (EUVP), representing India as a young university educator in the 2007 EUVP.

His contributions extend to the inter-ministerial committee on competition assessment of legislation, where he served as a member. Additionally, Dr. Pandey held roles as an officer on special duty and secretary to the late Union Minister Shri Arun Jaitley Ji.

Dr. Pandey plays a key role in representing the Competition Commission of India at national and international forums such as OECD, UNCTAD, BRICS, ICN, and others. His responsibilities include negotiating Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with various jurisdictions on behalf of the Government of India.

Instrumental in implementing innovative initiatives for the Commission, Dr. Pandey spearheaded efforts such as the State Resource Person scheme and the Network of Indian Competition Experts (NICE). A Delhi University alumnus, he has authored two books and contributed to over a dozen research articles. Dr. Pandey's research focus centers on the intersection of law, economics, and public policy.

Dr. Raj Bhandari is a senior Pediatrician, trained at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore USA, and currently is a member National Technical Board of Nutrition, GoI. He is also currently Chairperson of the Scientific Committee in ICMR - NIN, Hyderabad. Presently serving as Technical Advisor to the Indian Institute of Millets Research ( ICAR -IIMR), Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust, and domain expert in CSIR -CFTRI, Mysore. He is a Technical Advisor to several State governments namely MP, Rajasthan, Telangana, Maharashtra, etc. Besides being the co-author of " White Paper on Millets",  he is a co-author of seven articles published in open-access, peer-reviewed international journals on the health and nutritional benefits of millets. He is a member of the Health and Nutrition Task Force constituted by Agriculture Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, GoI. He works closely in the field of awareness and advocacy as an Advisor, Health and Nutrition, Maharashtra Village Social Transformation Foundation ( a joint initiative of Govt of Maharashtra, corporations, and Philanthropy ),  UNICEF,  World Bank, ILBS ( Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences), ICAR - IIMR, APEDA,  SNDT University, Decimal Foundation, and various academic institutions and development partners to name a few. He has been conferred the Life Lifetime Achievement award by ICAR- IIMR. He has in the past done assignments for DFID, ICRISAT, Micronutrient Initiative ( MI), and Food Fortification Initiative ( FFI). 

He has served in cross-sectional fields, to emerge as a thought leader in the field of Public Health and Clinical research.

Shailesh Tyagi is a distinguished leader with over two decades of experience in Climate Change and sustainability. Having served as a Big 4 partner and Oceania leader, his expertise spans ESG, Sustainable Finance, Impact Valuation, Risks, Carbon Markets, Due Diligence, Assurance, Safety, and NetZero. As the founder of "VIRIDI Global," he successfully integrates big 4 professionalism with an entrepreneurial spirit. Shailesh's impactful leadership is evident in his instrumental role at EY-CCaSS, where he fearlessly led a 72-member team, achieving a remarkable A$ 6M+ in newly sold books within a year. His contribution extends to building practices from the ground up, achieving a noteworthy 100% YoY growth across three countries. Recognized as a thought leader, Shailesh has made significant contributions through publications and keynote presentations, solidifying his influence in the field of sustainable business practices and impactful leadership. 

Shailesh Tyagi, a seasoned leader, has demonstrated influential leadership in driving top-line growth, recruitment, and cross-functional capacity across multiple locations. His entrepreneurial mindset is showcased through the establishment of "VIRIDI Global," a global boutique firm, and forging collaborations with entities like "GIST Switzerland" for ESG Impact Valuations. Instrumental in founding and leading successful practices, Shailesh has achieved outstanding 100% YoY growth in three countries, reinforcing his reputation as a strategic and results-driven professional in the realms of Climate Change, sustainability, and ESG.