Harvard Hosts Nita Ambani for Keynote Address on India's Transformative Journey

Harvard's India Conference to Feature Nita Ambani, Exploring India's Role in Global Affairs

The India Conference at Harvard (ICH), one of America’s largest student-led India-focused events, is organized by Harvard University students from a range of graduate and undergraduate schools. It will feature Nita Ambani delivering the keynote address on February 15-16, 2025, in Boston. Ambani, a leader in philanthropy, education, and culture, has impacted over 80 million lives through her social equity initiatives. This year’s program will explore the global influence of Indian innovations. Ambani's selection follows her recent achievements, including hosting India’s first IOC session in four decades and leading the country’s 2036 Olympics bid. Her keynote will align with the conference theme, “From India to the World,” celebrating India’s rise as a global leader in peace, prosperity, and innovation.

Ayush Shukla, Conference Co-Chair, stated that the India Conference has always aimed to push the boundaries of dialogue surrounding India’s growth story.  This year’s theme highlights India’s transformative journey, blending local ingenuity with global impact. It focuses on the country’s technological advancements, economic growth, and lessons in collaboration, culture, resilience, and entrepreneurship. The conference will include a fireside chat with Ambani and a policy hackathon focused on climate challenges in rural India, organized in partnership with the Indian School of Business and GDi Partners. A startup pitch competition will allow entrepreneurs to present solutions to India’s unique challenges.

Notable speakers will include Pramath Raj Sinha, the founding dean of the Indian School of Business and Ashoka University; Ashish Chauhan, the CEO of the National Stock Exchange of India; Anjali Bansal, the founding partner of Avaana Climate and Sustainability Fund; and fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee.

Harvard's connection with India has grown stronger over time, as seen in the increasing presence of Indian-origin leaders at the university. Srikant Datar serves as the dean of Harvard Business School, while Rakesh Khurana is the former dean of Harvard College. Recently, Manish Maheshwari, former head of Twitter India and AI entrepreneur, joined the Harvard Kennedy School as a Mason Fellow. The conference, hosted jointly at Harvard Business School and Harvard Kennedy School, brings together thought leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and cultural figures to discuss India's evolving role in global affairs.

The event will highlight India’s transformative journey through discussions on technology, culture, and sustainability. With notable speakers and sessions like a policy hackathon on climate challenges and a startup pitch competition, the conference emphasizes India’s role in global affairs and its increasing impact across various sectors.

Editor’s Note:

The India Conference at Harvard is a great opportunity to show the growing influence of India in the world. Nita Ambani, known for her important work in social equity, has been invited to speak at the conference. She will talk about how India is making a difference in technology, culture, and the economy. Her participation highlights India’s rising role as a global leader in peace, prosperity, and innovation. This year’s theme reflects India’s positive transformation, and the conference will spark important discussions on how India is contributing to the world.

Skoobuzz supports this initiative, believing it will help shape a meaningful global conversation about India’s future impact.