Every year the students of the Harvard Business School all with Harvard Kennedy School of Government and organize an India conference. I have spoken at this conference for twice, focusing on India’s manufacturting capability (Side note: the wintry weather in February meant that I faced three blizzards in these trips, so I decided to lay off going forward)
This year, the Harvard India Conference announced Nita Ambani as the keynote speaker for its upcoming February 2025 event in Boston. Ambani, a prominent figure in philanthropy, education, and culture, brings significant credentials to the conference, having impacted over 80 million lives through her social equity initiatives and recently hosting India’s first International Olympic Committee session while spearheading the country’s 2036 Olympics bid. (She is the wife of billionaire Mukesh Ambani)
The conference theme, “From India to the World,” aligns with India’s growing global influence and will explore how Indian innovations are shaping international narratives. This student-led event, among America’s largest India-focused conferences, brings together participants from various Harvard schools and features distinguished speakers from diverse sectors.
Conference Co-Chair Ayush Shukla emphasized that the event will highlight India’s transformative journey, showcasing not just technological and developmental achievements but also the country’s collaborative spirit, cultural vibrancy, and entrepreneurial ecosystem. The program structure includes a fireside chat with Ambani and innovative elements such as a policy hackathon focused on rural India’s climate challenges, organized in collaboration with the Indian School of Business and GDi Partners.
The speaker lineup features well-known figures from various sectors: Pramath Raj Sinha, who founded both the Indian School of Business and Ashoka University; Ashish Chauhan, heading the National Stock Exchange of India; Anjali Bansal from the Avaana Climate and Sustainability Fund; and fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee. These speakers represent India’s diverse achievements across education, finance, sustainability, and creative industries.
The conference also includes a startup pitch competition, providing entrepreneurs an opportunity to present solutions addressing India’s unique challenges. This component underscores the event’s commitment to fostering practical innovation and entrepreneurship.
Last updated: December 26th, 2025
