Politics Speakers in India

Arun Anand is a bilingual author, columnist, broadcaster and journalist with three decades of experience. He has penned more than 15 books in English  and Hindi. He officially translated Barack Obama's 'Audacity of Hope in India'. A former media advisor to Union Health Minister  from 2014 to 2016, he contributes  columns to Navbharat Times, Dainik Jagaran,Indian Express, Hindustan Times and New Indian Express. He has worked with leading media houses of the country including India Today group,IANS, Mid Day, The Statesman, Dainik Jagaran, Dainik Bhaskar, The Print. He also sits on mainstream TV channels as an expert during prime time discussions and does regular podcasts and Vlogs in both English  and Hindi. Currently he is also a senior fellow with Dharampal Shodhpeeth in Bhopal under Swaraj institute of Madhya Pradesh govt. At present he is also consulting editor with Network18 group.

The expert is a thought leader and writer on the subjects of transformational change and leadership. He has held leadership positions in both the private and public sectors, bringing a perspective on how the two can work together to foster growth in India. He served as Chairman of Boston Consulting Group (BCG) India for eight years, and spent 25 years in the Tata Group, serving on the Board of Tata Motors. He has also led participative scenario building for the future of India in 1999 with the Confederation of Indian Industry and in 2005 with the World Economic Forum. He is the author of many books including Redesigning the Aeroplane While Flying: Reforming Institutions, Transforming Capitalism: Improving the World for Everyone, Discordant Democrats: Five Steps to Consensus, Remaking India: One Country, One Destiny, and Shaping the Future: Aspirational Leadership in India and Beyond.

Vikram Chandra is the founder of Editorji Technologies - a start-up that seeks to transform video news through innovation in user experience, using artificial intelligence. In his earlier avatar, Chandra was one of India's best-known TV news anchor, presenting shows like The Big Fight, 9 o’clock News and Gadget Guru together with programmes for social transformation such as the Cleanathon, Greenathon and Save our Tigers. Chandra has been named ‘Global Leader for Tomorrow’ by the World Economic Forum in Davos and has won the Indian Television Academy Award for ‘Best Anchor for a Talk Show’, the Hero Honda Award for Best Anchorperson and the Teacher's Achievement Award for Communication, along with featuring in the top 20 on the Impact list of the Digital Power 100. He was educated at Oxford University and St Stephen’s College, before attending the Mass Media Institute at Stanford University. 

Sanjaya Baru, a distinguished political commentator and policy analyst, currently holds the position of Distinguished Fellow at the Institute for Defence Studies & Analysis, New Delhi. With a profound background in economics and policy, he served as the Secretary-General of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) until April 2018. His extensive experience includes being the media advisor and chief spokesperson to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's PMO from 2004 to 2008. Mr. Baru's versatile roles also encompass Director for Geoeconomics and Strategy at the International Institute of Strategic Studies in London and various academic positions, solidifying his expertise in economic and strategic affairs.

Shyam Saran is an ambassador and a former foreign secretary and has served as the Prime Minister's Special Envoy for Nuclear Affairs and Climate Change. As a career diplomat, he served as the Former Ambassador of India to Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, and High Commissioner to Mauritius. Currently, Mr. Saran is a member of the National Executive of FICCI, an independent director at the Press Trust of India, and an Advisory Board Member of the World Development Forum.

Priyanka Chaturvedi is a distinguished Member of Parliament representing the Rajya Sabha. Currently serving as the Deputy Leader and National Spokesperson for the Shiv Sena, she holds key positions in parliamentary committees, reflecting her commitment to public service. Priyanka is an active participant in the Parliament Standing Committee on Commerce, the Select Committee on External Affairs, and the Parliament Committee on Women Empowerment. Her multifaceted role demonstrates her dedication to shaping legislative initiatives and advocating for significant issues. With a strong voice and a strategic leadership approach, Priyanka Chaturvedi is a dynamic force in Indian politics, contributing significantly to national discourse and governance.

Tuhin Sinha is a best-selling author and politician, acknowledged among the most prolific Indian writers. At present, Tuhin is a national media panelist of BJP and represents the party as a spokesperson. Tuhin is also a scriptwriter and has worked on several top-ranking TV soaps on Indian television. He once co-wrote the story of the popular soap on Star TV, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. He has the goal to bring the youth out of their political disconnect and generate their interest and opinion on whatever is the basis of decision-making at present.

Randeep Singh Surjewala has played a pivotal role in shaping the political landscape of Haryana and the Indian National Congress. He was an MLA in the Haryana state legislature until 2019 and a former minister. He has held water supply and sanitation, parliamentary affairs, electronics and information technology, science and technology and public works portfolios as a minister in Haryana cabinet. He was also given the responsibility of Transport and Parliamentary Affairs and thus became the youngest minister in Haryana. With a background in law, Surjewala entered politics with a passion for public service.Known for his articulate communication skills, Surjewala has been a prominent spokesperson for the Indian National Congress, articulating the party's stance on various issues. With a deep understanding of socio-economic challenges, Surjewala continues to be a driving force for progressive change in the political arena.

Vijay Kumar is an editor for Jansatta Digital atThe Indian Express Group. With 21 years of experience in his profession, he is the former Deputy Editor of Dainik Bhaskar. He had the privilege of honing his journalistic abilities on four widely different media houses. Heworked with Dainik Jagran/Dainik Bhaskar/Navbharat Times/Prabhat Khabar in various capacities.

Sandip Ghose is an experienced Business Leader, who has held a variety of leadership positions in industries such as Consumer Goods (FMCG), Media and Cement. Sandip has worked across India and Nepal and played a transformational role in the organisations he has worked with. As Chief Operating Officer of Birla Corporation, he played a pivotal part in making it one of the best performing Cement companies in the mid-cap segment – a feat that is widely acknowledged in the industry and the investor community. In Hindustan Unilever, he progressed on the fast-track gaining exposure across functions and businesses and went on to become Country Head and Managing Director of Unilever Nepal, making the domestic business self-reliant during a politically turbulent period (1998-2002) in the country’s history.

As a development leader, Satyendra Tripathi, is Director, LokNeeti India (www.lokneeti.co.in) and Fellow at India Foundation, Think Tank based in Delhi. He is also Ideator of Khajuraho Literature Festival. He has worked in North East India on various successful political assignment which lead to govt formation in respective states. Prior to join India Foundation as Senior Research Fellow, he worked with premier institutes like BITS Pilani, Hyderabad campus, IIT Kanpur, IISc Bangalore in various capacities.

Dr Nihar Amoncar completed his PhD in Business from University of South Wales with full scholarship and received an MBA degree from University of South Wales with Merit award. His doctoral thesis focussed on Socio-cultural contexts of traditional Indian business communities and their influence on Entrepreneurial Behavioural logics and strategic planning. He is also a Fellow of Higher Education Academy (UK).

Diwakar Jhurani works in the Global Response team at Meta. He is the Regional Program Manager for India, South Asia and Central Asia oversees Meta's election preparation efforts in the region. Prior to this role, he served as the Senior Economic Advisor and Deputy Head of Economics at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, British High Commission in New Delhi. His distinguished career includes notable contributions at the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, Government of India. A graduate of The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, he is recognized for his expertise in economic policy matters. Jhurani has written extensively in newspapers and has co-authored a book titled 'Reason and Reform' with Bibek Debroy on Indian economic policies and reform journey since independence. His commitment to shaping economic policies reflects a dedication to fostering positive change and promoting informed decision-making.

Dhwani Jain,an engineer turned social entrepreneur, quit her corporate career with a dream to build an inclusive society. She has been recognized as the 'Global Change Maker' and titled as Dhasu Womaniya by Niti Aayog powered Women Entrepreneurship Platform. She has been awarded the 'Leader Award' for displaying exemplary leadership during the COVID19 pandemic and recognized as a 'Habit Hero'.

The expert is a Former Senior Management Professional at Hindustan Unilever Ltd and has over 36 years of experience in managing Corporate Affairs, Public Advocacy, Reputation Management, Risk Management, Issues and Crisis Mangement. He is the Former Group Head of Corporate Affairs function at Hindustan Unilever Ltd. where he worked towards building and nurturing relationships. He led interventions with the government and diplomatic corps, civil society and other key stakeholders and provided advocacy on policy framing. He is a former Member of FICCI National Executive Committee.

Aman Sinha, a distinguished Senior Advocate and Senior Lawyer practicing in Supreme Court and High Courts for two decades, has handled significant cases in Constitutional, Civil, Criminal, and Taxation matters. His expertise extends to Domestic and International Arbitration and advising both Indian and International entities. A former Additional Advocate General, he led the Legal setup of Uttarakhand State in the Supreme Court. A legal reform advocate, he authored progressive legislation including the Uttarakhand Lokayukta Act 2011, introducing concepts like Whistleblower protection, Special Courts, and Restitution of illegal properties. A prominent speaker, he's addressed global conferences in the USA and Europe, sharing insights on legal challenges, including those arising from COVID-19.

Dr. Shashi Tharoor is a multifaceted individual, renowned as an award-winning author, seasoned politician, and former Under Secretary General of the United Nations. Currently serving as a member of Parliament in India, he represents the Thiruvananthapuram constituency for the third consecutive term. Armed with a doctorate in International Relations and Affairs from the prestigious Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Dr. Tharoor's literary prowess shines through in his numerous acclaimed books, which span a diverse range of topics encompassing history and politics. His captivating eloquence and profound intellect have propelled him to the forefront of Indian public life and have established him as a prominent voice in international discourse.

Abhysheq Shukla is an Internationally recognized trainer, speaker, coach in the Leadership Development, Network Marketing, Direct Sales and Personal Development. He specializes in Prospecting, Leadership, Live Presentations, Personal Breakthrough Coaching, Consciousness, Mindset Training, and all levels of effective marketing. Mesmerizing, Memorable, Momentum. Captivating stories, relatable examples, and powerful hooks to keep attendees coming back to what they learned, while accelerating meaningful change.

Vivek Agnihotri is an Indian filmmaker, author, and screenwriter, known for his thought-provoking and controversial works. He gained recognition for directing the 2019 film The Tashkent Files, which focused on the mysterious death of India’s former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri. Agnihotri is also renowned for his work in the socio-political genre, with his 2022 film The Kashmir Files shedding light on the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in the 1990s. As an outspoken critic of the Indian political establishment, Agnihotri has been a vocal advocate for freedom of expression and cultural preservation in India.