Ajay Jain, a first-generation entrepreneur and IIT-Kanpur alumnus, exemplifies innovation and creativity. His journey began in 2004, performing alongside renowned artist Pankaj Udhas, and since then, he has enriched Lucknow’s cultural scene by producing over 50 stage shows featuring esteemed artists. Inspired by icons like Gulzar and Javed Akhtar, Jain masterfully combines traditional themes with modern sentiments. His dedication to promoting art and culture has positioned him as a key player in Lucknow’s cultural revival, providing a platform for talented artists and delivering memorable experiences. Jain also serves as Co-Producer of AZ360 Productions, whose debut short film ‘Leela’ garnered nominations at prestigious film festivals, including the recent MAMI festival in Mumbai. Their upcoming feature film, ‘Dad Was a Good Man,’ is set for release in January 2025. Through his work, he celebrates creativity and preserves its essence in today’s world.

Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati is a prominent spiritual leader and motivational speaker based in Rishikesh. With over 27 years of dedicated service along the Ganga River, she blends ancient wisdom with modern insights to inspire audiences worldwide. Sadhviji is the author of the bestselling memoir ‘Hollywood to the Himalayas: A Journey of Healing and Transformation’ and holds a PhD in psychology from Stanford University. As the International Director of Parmarth Niketan and Secretary-General of the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance, she has made significant contributions to humanitarian efforts.

Duvvuri Subba Rao, former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, previously served as Finance Secretary of India and Secretary to the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council. Post-governorship, he has been a Visiting Fellow at the National University of Singapore and the University of Pennsylvania, and is currently Visiting Faculty at Yale School of Management. His acclaimed book, ‘Who Moved My Interest Rate’, offers insights into central banking in a globalized economy. His latest work, ‘Just a Mercenary’ ,reflects on his life and career.

Saurabh Kirpal is an Indian lawyer, author, and senior advocate at the Supreme Court and Delhi High Court. He studied physics at St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, and law at Oxford and Cambridge. He briefly worked with the UN in Geneva before returning to Delhi. Kirpal has represented clients like Anil Ambani and argued for the decriminalization of homosexuality and same-sex marriage. He is the managing trustee of the Naz Foundation Trust, the editor of ‘Sex and the Supreme Court’, an anthology addressing law, gender, and sexuality, and has authored ‘Fifteen Judgments: Cases That Shaped India’s Financial Landscape’ and ‘Who Is Equal: The Equality Code of the Constitution’.

Malavika Rajkotia, a distinguished legal expert in Family and Matrimonial Law since 1985, founded Rajkotia Associates. She has played a pivotal role in complex divorce and property disputes, and as Amicus Curiae, she champions women’s rights and civil liberties. An accomplished author, her works include ‘Unpartitioned Time: A Daughter’s Story’ and ‘Intimacy Undone’. Malavika also lectures on family law and gender sensitization, enriching legal discourse with her profound insights.

Saurav Jha, a geoeconomics expert, has worked as an energy economist and consultant to FICCI’s International Division. His first book, ‘The Upside Down Book of Nuclear Power’, is utilized by the Department of Atomic Energy for nuclear awareness. He co-authored the best-selling ‘The Heat and Dust Project’ with Devapriya Roy and wrote ‘Negotiating the New Normal: How India Must Grow in a Pandemic-Ridden World’. He is currently the Director of Delhi Defence Review, a think tank on technology, warfare and ideas.

Eric Chopra, founder of ‘itihāsology’, is a writer, speaker, curator and podcaster. His expertise spans art history, aesthetics, monuments, emotions and sexuality. He co-hosts the ‘For Old Times’ Sake’ and ‘Jaipur Bytes’ podcasts, and curates experiences at museums and festivals, celebrating heritage and the arts.

Sanjeev Sanyal, a Member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, was the Principal Economic Adviser to the Finance Minister until February 2022. He co-chaired the G20’s Framework Working Group and spent over two decades in financial markets, notably as Global Strategist and Managing Director at Deutsche Bank. An alumnus of Shri Ram College of Commerce and a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford, he received the Eisenhower Fellowship in 2007 and was named a ‘Young Global Leader’ by the World Economic Forum in 2010. Sanyal is a best-selling author of several books, including ‘Revolutionaries’, ‘Land of the Seven Rivers’, ‘The Ocean of Churn’, ‘India in the Age of Ideas’, and ‘The Indian Renaissance’. He has published over two hundred articles in leading publications.

Award-winning cinematographer Nusrat Jafri is the author of ‘This Land We Call Home’, which explores her family’s century-long history through the lenses of caste, identity and politics—factors that have shaped modern India. Her filmography includes titles such as ‘Kuchh Bheege Alfaz’, ‘Pilibhit’, ‘Sujata’, and ‘Chacha Vidhayak Hain Hummare’.

Aanchal Malhotra is an oral historian and author of the acclaimed non-fiction books ‘Remnants of A Separation’ and ‘In the Language of Remembering’, which explore the enduring impact of the 1947 Partition. Her novel ‘The Book of Everlasting Things’ was listed among NPR’s Best Books of 2022. Malhotra has received the Council for Museum Anthropology Book Award and has been shortlisted for the British Academy Book Prize and Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar. She co-founded the Museum of Material Memory.

Shubhra Gupta is a senior columnist and acclaimed film critic for The Indian Express, with over 30 years of experience in her popular weekly review column. A key figure in Indian film criticism, she regularly attends global film festivals and has served on both national and international juries. Gupta curates the highly regarded Indian Express Film Club in Delhi and Mumbai and has been a member of the Central Board of Film Certification. She received the prestigious 2012 Ramnath Goenka Award for excellence in journalism. Gupta is also the author of two books: ‘50 Films That Changed Bollywood 1995-2015’ and ‘Irrfan: A Life In Movies,’ a heartfelt tribute to the late actor.

Ila Arun is a multifaceted talent, renowned as a folk singer, actor, writer-playwright, music composer, lyricist, folk dancer and theatre producer-director.

Ira Mukhoty is a best-selling author of narrative history. Her notable works include ‘Akbar: The Great Mughal’, ‘Song of Draupadi: A Novel’, ‘Daughters of the Sun’, and ‘Heroines’. Her latest book, ‘The Lion and the Lily’, explores the rise and fall of Awadh amid the global Franco-British wars. Mukhoty crafts rigorously researched narratives that remain accessible to all readers.

Devika Rangachari is an acclaimed writer and historian. Her debut non-fiction work for adults, ‘The Mauryas,’ was published by Simon & Schuster India. For young adults, she has penned ‘Queen of Ice’—now part of the Penguin Classics series and optioned for a film—alongside ‘Queen of Earth’ and ‘Queen of Fire.

Shailja Kejriwal is a celebrated storyteller and producer known for her innovative content that challenges societal norms. Her work with major organizations like Star TV and Zee includes introducing Star Bestsellers, launching Zee Zindagi and reviving Indian theatre through Zee Theatre. She co-produced films such as ‘Qarib Qarib Single’ and ‘Madaari’, fostering cultural connections through powerful narratives.

Rana Safvi is a historian and author dedicated to India’s cultural heritage and legacy. She has written ten books, including ‘Tales from the Quran and Hadith’, ‘The Delhi Trilogy’ and ‘In Search of The Divine: Living Histories of Sufism in India’. She also translates significant texts like ‘Sir Syed Ahmad Khan’s Asar-us-Sanadid’. A regular contributor to national publications, she participates in conferences on history and food. Her blog ‘ranasafvi.com’ offers rich cultural insights, and she contributed to the best-selling anthology ‘Desi Delicacies’, focusing on Awadh cuisine.

TCA Raghavan, former Indian High Commissioner to Singapore and Pakistan, is the author of five books, including ‘History Men’ and ‘The People Next Door’. His book ‘Attendant Lords’ won the Mohammad Habib Memorial Prize in 2017. In 2023, he received the Sir Jadunath Sarkar Gold Medal from the Asiatic Society. His latest work is ‘Circles of Freedom’ (2024).

Prayaag Akbar is the author of the novels ‘Mother India’ and ‘Leila’. ‘Leila’ garnered the Crossword Jury Prize and the Tata Literature First Book Award and it has been translated into Hindi, Marathi and Turkish. The novel also served as the inspiration for a widely acclaimed Netflix series. In addition to his writing, Akbar teaches creative writing at Krea University.

Radha Kumar is a former Director-General of the Delhi Policy Group, where she served from 2010 to 2016, specializing in peace and security in South Asia. She chaired the United Nations University Council from 2016 to 2021 and is currently Vice-Chair of the SIPRI Board. From 2005 to 2010, she directed the Mandela Centre for Peace at Jamia Millia Islamia University and was a Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York from 1999 to 2003. Her latest book is ‘The Republic Relearnt: Renewing Indian Democracy, 1947-2024’ (Penguin Vintage, 2024).

Shenaz Treasury, India’s original MTV VJ and star of films like ‘Ishq Vishk’ and ‘Delhi Belly’, has become a prominent travel vlogger. She has expanded her career by writing, producing and hosting ‘Culture Shock’ for ‘Discovery Travel Channel’ in the US and selling a screenplay to Yash Raj.

In the US, Treasury appeared in ‘One Life to Live’, ‘The Nightly Show’, and the Oscar-nominated ‘The Big Sick’. Back in India, she dominates the travel vlogging scene. Her debut book, ‘All He Left Me Was a Recipe’, delves into relationship dramas and is set for a web series adaptation.

Diksha Bisla is a journalist at ‘WION: World is One’. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Miranda House and a Master’s degree in Literature with a special focus on violence and memory studies from Delhi University. Passionate about art, literature, and culture, Bisla applies her expertise across multiple verticals in her role at ‘WION’.

Prabhat Ranjan is a renowned fiction writer, translator and editor, acclaimed for his book ‘Kothagoi’, the first Hindi work exploring the history of the tawaif tradition. He has authored two short story collections, ‘Janaki Pul’ and ‘Bolero Class’, and has translated over 30 notable works, including Anne Frank’s Diary, Mohsin Hamid’s ‘Moth Smoke’, and Khushwant Singh’s ‘Khushwantnama’. His contributions have earned him several accolades, including the Sahara Samay Katha Samman and the Premchand Samman. In 2014, he received the ABP News Best Blogger Award for his blog ‘Janki Pul’ and the Krishna Baldev Vaid Fellowship in 2013. His book ‘Kothagoi’ won the inaugural Dwarika Prasad Agrawal Bhaskar Yuva Puraskar at the Jaipur Literature Festival in 2016. His recent novel ‘Kissagram’ has been widely praised. Prabhat teaches at Zakir Husain Delhi College and moderates the popular literary website jankipul.com

Vikas Swarup is a former Indian diplomat and internationally acclaimed author, who gained global recognition with his debut novel ‘Q&A’, which was adapted into the Oscar-winning film ‘Slumdog Millionaire’. His other works include ‘Six Suspects’, ‘The Accidental Apprentice’ and ‘The Girl with the Seven Lives’. His books are translated into 47 languages, and he holds four honorary doctorates.

Hindol Sengupta is a multiple award-winning historian and the author of 12 books. He trained as a filmmaker at the Mass Communication Research Centre, Jamia Millia Islamia, and pursued studies in history, international relations, and business as a Chevening Scholar at Oxford, as well as a Knight-Bagehot Fellow at Columbia University. He holds a doctorate in international relations from the Geneva School of Diplomacy. Additionally, he is recognised as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. Currently, he serves as a professor of international relations at the Jindal School of International Affairs at O. P. Jindal Global University. He is also a co-founder of the book publishing house ‘Grin’ and the global affairs digital publication, ‘Global Order’.

Harshita Gupta is a dynamic and multi talented artist who began her journey as a radio personality and has since become a prominent comedy content producer across all major social media platforms. In 2023, Harshita’s remarkable influence in the digital world earned her a coveted spot on Forbes India‘s List of Top 100 Digital Stars. Her stories on platforms like ‘Tape a Tale’ have touched the hearts of millions, showcasing her exceptional storytelling prowess. ‘Unloved: The Art of Moving On’ is her debut book.

Nishant Upadhyay is a conservation architect from Lucknow, trained at KU Leuven, Belgium as a recipient of the Erasmus Mundus EXPERT scholarship. He is a TEDx Speaker & a member of ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on Cultural Landscapes and Cultural Tourism and has been a consultant to UNESCO New Delhi, Dhaka and Jakarta offices on cultural heritage matters. Upadhyay is the founder of DHARATAL, an Indo European design & research atelier with focus on local communities, their heritage, cultural landscapes and climate action.

Devapriya Roy is the author of three novels, ‘The Vague Woman’s Handbook’, ‘The Weight Loss Club’ and, most recently, ‘Friends from College’, which was serialised in ‘The Telegraph’ for 42 weeks. In 2018, she published ‘Indira’, a graphic biography of Mrs Gandhi, created with artist Priya Kuriyan. Roy is best-known for the travel-memoir ‘The Heat and Dust Project: The Broke Couple’s Guide to Bharat’, co-written with partner Saurav Jha, the story of an eccentric journey around India on the princely budget of 500 rupees a day for bed and board, which debuted at no.1 on the ‘Hindustan Times’-A.C. Nielsen list.

Somya Singh is a Delhi-based lawyer with a diverse background in Philosophy, Mass Media and Law. She began her career as a TV and Radio correspondent but sought to carve her own niche. After earning her law degree from Delhi University’s Faculty of Law, she founded Avant-Garde Corporate Communications in February 2017. Her firm offers due diligence and compliance services, complemented by her expertise in Bankruptcy, Corporate, Business and Consumer Law. Somya also provides financial consultancy and startup mentorship, and she holds a certification in Prevention of Sexual Harassment. An active practitioner, she takes on pro bono cases and conducts seminars on legal topics available on YouTube.

Taiyaba is a chef and food writer from Lucknow. She documents Lucknow’s home kitchens to bring forth women’s contribution to the city’s cuisine. Her writings and menus draw inspiration from her heritage and the multifaceted culture she grew up in. Her work has been featured in independent food media platforms locally and internationally like ‘Goya Journal’, ‘Mint Lounge’, ‘Cosmopolitan India’, ‘Indian Express’, ‘The Hindu’ and more.

Jayant Krishna has played a pivotal role in the Prime Minister’s Skill India Mission as CEO of the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). Notably, he was the first Indian to become Group CEO of the UK India Business Council. Recently, he established the Foundation for Advancing Science and Technology in New Delhi. With over 30 years of diverse experience, primarily with the Tata Group, he has held key positions at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and has been involved in significant economic reforms in India.

Krishna is deeply passionate about art and culture. He serves on the Governing Council of INTACH and is the UP State Convenor, promoting heritage conservation. He founded the Lucknow Expressions Society and was the Chairman of the Lucknow Literature Carnival, enhancing cultural engagement. Additionally, he has initiated various programs to uplift artisans and promote Lucknow’s rich heritage, aspiring to achieve UNESCO World Heritage City status for his hometown.

Raj Smriti, an inspiring force in the realms of culture and education, is the visionary founder of FolkTales Incorporation and the FolkTales Foundation. Her literary journey includes evocative works like ‘Travel to Naimisharanya,’ ‘40 Lessons from the Ramayana,’ and ‘Inspiring Souls of Awadh,’ each a testament to her deep connection with heritage. A passionate educationist, Raj holds a Doctorate in Alternative Medicines, an MSc in Workforce Education & Development, and an MBA in Human Resource Management. With a vibrant presence on social media through “The Raj Smriti Show” and “Temple Tales,” she continues to engage and inspire. Smriti also plays a pivotal role as an editor, nurturing emerging voices in literature.

She is an alum of Pennsylvania State University, Harvard Summer School and recipient of UP Gaurav Samman, UP Rajkiya Sahitya Award and UP Artist Association Award amongst the many.

Chandra Shekhar Varma is a behavioural scientist and motivational speaker by profession, and a Hindi poet by passion. He has inherited literature from his illustrious grandfather, Padma Bhushan Shri Bhagwati Charan Varma, and also from his father, Shri Dhirendra Varma, who is a well-known Hindi author.

Purushottam Agrawal, an eminent historian of ideas and literature, has recently been honored with the Sahitya Akademi’s ‘Bhasha Samman’ for his significant contributions to the study of classical and medieval literature. His works, ‘Akath Kahani Prem Ki: Kabir ki Kavita aur Un ka Samay’ and ‘Kabir, Kabir: The Life and Work of Early Modern Poet-Philosopher,’ are considered path-breaking studies of Kabir and his times. His ‘Padmavat: An Epic Love Story’ (2018) is a poignant commentary (with some translations) on Malik Muhammad Jayasi’s epic poem.

Before serving as a member of the UPSC from 2007 to 2013, he was the chairperson of the Centre of Indian Languages at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, and a visiting professor at the Faculty of Oriental Studies, Cambridge University (UK), and at El Colegio de México.

Agrawal hosted a unique show on books called ‘Kitab’ on Rajya Sabha TV. One of the most celebrated among the numerous talks he has delivered is the Gandhi Peace Foundation lecture, ‘Majbooti ka Naam Mahatma Gandhi’ (2005), which sheds new light on the issues of violence and power. He is currently working on a book about the ‘Mahabharat.’

Suman Keshari, born in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, is an accomplished poet, academic and former government officer. With a research focus on ‘Surdas’ from Jawaharlal Nehru University and an MBA from the University of Western Australia, she later retired from the Government of India and taught management at ITM Gwalior. She has published five poetry collections, including ‘Yagyavalkya Se Bahas’ (2008) and ‘Monalisa Ki Aankhein’ (2013), which has been translated into Marathi and Rajasthani. Her critical works include ‘Kavita Ke Desh Mein’ (2022). She also narrates stories on her YouTube channel Kathanati Suman Keshari and has edited notable works.

Dr Nishi Pandey, Professor of Eminence at the Department of English and Modern European Languages, University of Lucknow, is renowned for her transformative role in academics and administration. Known as “the iron lady” in the academic and social community of Uttar Pradesh, she has served the University for over 40 years, breaking barriers as the first woman to hold key positions, including Dean of Student Welfare and Chief Proctor. A change maker, she revitalised campus life and restored order in 2006. Awarded the Saraswati Samman and Rani Lakshmi Bai Bravery Award, she continues to inspire women through her leadership, ethics and advocacy for education and empowerment.

Gaurav Prakash is a third-generation entrepreneur from the Universal Booksellers family, which has served the city for over 80 years. He is the State Chairperson for MSME Growth at CIMSME Uttar Pradesh and served as Co-Chairman of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry for 2018-2020. As a former Chairperson of the Young Business Leaders Forum in Uttar Pradesh and Founder Chairperson of Young Indians with the Confederation of Indian Industries, he has received numerous awards for his contributions to Lucknow. Passionate about the social, economic and industrial development of Uttar Pradesh, he is a true Lucknow boy at heart.

Aparimaya Shyam Das was born into a respected Kanyakubj Brahmana family, where spirituality and Bhakti were central to life. His spiritual journey began with his grandmother’s prayer for a son and a Bhagavata Katha, marking his birth on Trayodashi. Raised in a devout family, he began worshipping Lord Hanuman at the age of five. After completing his education in Etawah, Gwalior, and Kanpur, he worked in Delhi before marrying Achintya Rupani Dasi in 2007. In 2006, he joined ISKCON, where he came under the guidance of His Holiness Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj. By 2008, he decided to dedicate his life to Lord Krishna’s service. Despite early struggles, his devotion led to Harinam initiation in 2011 and Brahmin initiation in 2013. Returning to Etawah, he established a thriving spiritual community and ISKCON temple, conducting weekly discourses and organising major events like the Jagannath Rath Yatra. In 2015, he moved to Lucknow to serve as ISKCON President, where he initiated several successful programmes and festivals, further spreading spiritual awareness.

Dr Ravi Bhatt, an internationally acclaimed historian and columnist, has dedicated over 45 years to the study of Awadh’s rich history. Awarded an honorary D.Litt by Integral University, he is recognised for his pioneering work, with more than 500 papers and lectures globally. His book ‘The Life and Times of the Nawabs of Lucknow’ is a bestseller and widely quoted by scholars. Dr Bhatt has led heritage walks for G-20, SAARC, and various international delegations, and has been featured in prominent media like ‘The New York Times,’ ‘Zee,’ and ‘CNN/IBN7.’ He continues to contribute to historical research and heritage preservation through his publications and lectures.