Theme: The Challenge of Change

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Sumant Moolgaokar Auditorium
MCCIA Trade Tower, ICC Complex
403, Senapati Bapat Road
Pune, Maharashtra, 411016
India

Girish Prabhune

Reformer + Educationist

The condition of nomadic societies in India today is pathetic. During the times of the British Raj the Criminal Tribes Act 1871, it criminalised the Pardhi community. Even as it had been repealed in 1952, the hostility faced by the community from Indian administration has not died down. They continue to be stigmatized as thieves. It is in this context that Mr. Girish Prabhune has become the most vocal voice for the community, especially the "Pardhi" community. As part of the Bhatke Vimukt Vikas Pratishthan (started in 1991 and based in Sholapur), he has helped the community overcome the shackles imposed on them by society at large by providing schools for children to continue their education, setting up abodes for tribes, enrolling them in the voter's list and much more. For his efforts, he was awarded the Antyodaya Puraskar in 2000 and the Krutadnyata Sanman in 2009 for his book "Pardhi". He is helping grow by helping those who are in most need of it at the grassroots level.

Gladson Peter

One Man Band

One man, 45 instruments. Multi talented isn't even close enough to describe this Mumbaikar. After discovering two holes in his lungs in Class IX and facing physical and emotional turmoil he turned to one picture he drew during a camp in Class VIII. It was one about what he wanted to do in the future and was of him playing a number of instruments at once. Starting with joining the NSPA (Natural Streets for Performing Arts) and learning the ukulele despite being a proficient drummer; he now plays 13 instruments at once and can learn any instrument in an hour.

Hitesh Jain

Lawyer

Hitesh Jain is a litigation lawyer with several years of experience in all branches of litigation- civil, criminal, commercial and constitutional matters. He heads the Dispute Resolution, Real Estate and Entertainment law practices at ALMT Legal. He has represented clients in the Supreme Court of India, various High Courts in India, district courts (civil, criminal and rent act matters), consumer forums, competition commission, TDSAT, etc. He has advised clients on a range of contentious issues including international corporate commercial transactions, banking and labour matters. He has also advised on real estate transactions, property and intellectually property matters. He has advised pharmaceutical companies as well as several multinationals across various industrials sectors. Hitesh also has experience with sports law and is advising various sports authorities in India. Hitesh has also been involved with arbitration proceedings in India and abroad.

Sundeep Bedi

Disabled or Differently Abled

True heroes are those that despite losing sight never lose their vision. This is true both figuratively and literally for Mr. Sandeep Bedi. Losing 95% of his vision at birth has not come in the way of him becoming a renowned economist with over 22 years of experience in the field of Finance, IT, Business fields in leading companies. He is currently the CEO of Knowaysys Technologies, a Pune-based IT and Management consultancy firm. He also serves as the mentor director of Handicap Welfare Association Pune, India. He is also the recipient of the prestigious FIE Foundation award for his pioneering contribution in the field of development of an Indian language speech synthesizer, a Braille data entry system and obstacle detector prototype for the benefit of the visually challenged.

Urmila Samson

Unschooling Mother

Urmila Samson is one of the most distinguished homeshooling mothers in India. She, with her husband John, have radical ideas about learning and have opted to un-school their three children aged 25 years, 21 years and 18 years, who have never been to school. Her favourite definition of education is engaging with everything – living and non-living. Urmila is the co-founder of Swashikshan-Association of Indian Homeschoolers and has always been connected with people to guide them on right information and resources, with a burning desire to change the current scenario of the education system.