Arman Sood
Founder, Sleepy Owl
From being a lawyer to an entrepreneur, to now being the co-founder of Sleepy Owl, Arman Sood and his partner revolutionised the coffee game in India by introducing cold brew coffee in a country that has always only known the existence of hot brew alternatives. His focus on the quality of brew and his customer obsession helps his company stand out in a market with many other players. His aspiration and determination serve as an inspiration, just as his words say, “the water is always murky and deep, but the only way to find out is to wet your paws, and that’s something I will keep doing.”
Captain Dharmveer Singh
Entrepreneur, Army Veteran
Capt. Dharamveer Singh (Retd.) showed the world how being a part of the Army teaches one the fundamentals of life. He attended a modest Hindi-medium school in Gorakhpur and Allahabad. Later, he made the decision to join JNU Delhi to pursue a Japanese (Hons.) degree. He joined the Army rather than pursuing another career, and he firmly believes that his five years of military service is what made him who he is now. After serving the Short Service Commission, he enrolled in a post-graduation course at NMIMS. Subsequently, he spent 8 to 9 years working in the corporate world in positions ranging from upper middle management to leadership. He also participated in numerous television programs such as 'Khatron ke Khiladi' and 'Zor ka Jhatka,' and won many awards.
Kuldeep Ruhil
Writer, Actor
From humble beginnings in a tiny hamlet in Haryana, Kuldeep Ruhil has risen to fame as a triple threat in the entertainment industry - an actor, writer, and director. His path to success began when he discovered his passion for the stage during his Masters at the Department of Indian Theatre in Chandigarh. With determination and talent, he made his way to the bustling city of Mumbai to hone his skills as an assistant director. But it was not long before he began to make a name for himself as a versatile actor, starring in both Hindi and South Indian movies. His portfolio of work is a showcase of his versatility, including the acclaimed hit series Aashram, the film Cheer Haran, which he directed and produced, and the script he wrote for the movie Mickey Virus.
Manjul
Satirist, Cartoonist
A masterful Indian satire cartoonist who has left a lasting impression on the nation's publications over the past 33 years. Manjul's thought-provoking illustrations have graced the pages of some of India's most prominent publications. In 2009, he was honoured with the prestigious Maya Kamath Memorial Award for Excellence in Cartooning. Manjul's work has not only graced the pages of India's most prominent publications but also captured the hearts and minds of an online audience with a massive following on social media.
Mini Mathur
Actor, Host, Model
Mini Mathur is an Indian television host, actor and model. She was the host of the Indian reality singing contest Indian Idol for 6 seasons. Earlier, she was a VJ on MTV India where she hosted many shows. Mini is one of the most popular TV hosts in India. She holds a degree in English literature from Lady Sriram College and in business management from Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad. She recently played the lead in the Amazon original series Mind the Malhotras for which she received 7 best actor awards for her role as Shefali Malhotra. She hosts the Discovery School Super League on Discovery India and is the producer presenter of her travel series Minime, the first season of which aired on TLC.
Casting Director, Director, Acting Coach
Mukesh Chhabra is a trailblazer in India's film industry, leading a new generation of casting directors. After dedicating 7+ years to teaching theater to children and NGOs through theater In Education and the National School of Drama, he made his way to Mumbai in 2007. He quickly established himself as a casting director, known for his contributions to films such as Chillar Party and Kai Po Che. Today, he is the go-to choice for some of the biggest names in the industry, including Anurag Kashyap, Vishal Bhardwaj, Aamir Khan, and AR Rahman, as well as Indie filmmakers looking to cast their festival circuit films.
Chef, Entrepreneur
Pankaj Bhadouria inspires all women who aspire to fulfil their dreams. She had to quit her 16-year-old teaching job to debut in 'MasterChef India' and emerge as a winner in its inaugural season. She then decided to come back to Lucknow and start her own venture Pankaj Bhadouria Culinary Academy, in 2012. She won the prestigious "First Ladies" award, which was felicitated by the former President of India, Shri Ramnath Kovind. She is also widely known for her charity work in Lucknow in collaboration with NGO - 'Ahsaas.'
Prachi Tehlan
Actor, Sportsperson
Prachi Tehlan, a polymath, excels as an actor, sportsperson, business consultant, entrepreneur, and social activist. In 2010, she made history as the youngest captain of the Indian Netball Team, leading them to victory in the 2010 Commonwealth Games and other major Asian Championships in 2010-11. Under her leadership, the team achieved its first medal in the 2011 South Asian Beach Games, earning her the accolades of "Queen of The Court" from The Times of India and "Lass of The Rings." Additionally, she has established a successful acting career, garnering widespread acclaim for her portrayal of Arzoo Rathi in the popular TV soap "Diya Aur Baati Hum."