India’s most influential thought leaders, changemakers, and innovators discussed solutions for climate resilience, rural prosperity, and sustainable development.
Mumbai, India – January 29, 2025: Manthan 2025 – The Global Dialogue for Nation-Building successfully took place at Imaginarium, Awas, Alibaug, Maharashtra, bringing together some of the world’s most influential thought leaders, changemakers, and innovators. The summit, hosted by Global Vikas Trust, focused on fostering solutions for India’s development challenges, with particular emphasis on rural prosperity, climate action, innovative resource management, youth leadership, and the importance of impactful partnerships.
Under the visionary leadership of Shri. Mayank Gandhi, Managing Trustee of Global Vikas Trust, and Shri. Sushil Jiwarajka, Chairperson of the Advisory Board, Manthan 2025 provided an invaluable platform for thought-provoking discussions that addressed India’s development trajectory. The summit served as a catalyst for exploring how India can leverage its strengths, confront its challenges, and secure a sustainable, equitable future for all its citizens.
According to Shri. Mayank Gandhi: “Manthan is not just a dialogue; it’s a movement to align the aspirations of every Indian. Together, we can rewrite the story of rural India and build a stronger, self-reliant nation.”
Shri Sushil Jiwaraka said “This summit serves as a beacon of hope, bringing together diverse voices with a shared vision. It’s an opportunity to brainstorm ideas and create tangible solutions for the challenges that lie ahead.”
The summit featured prominent speakers and experts from diverse sectors, including Rajendra Singh, Waterman of India; Satya Tripathi, General Secretary, Global Alliance for Sustainable Planet; Raamdeo Agrawal, Co-founder and Chairman – Motilal Oswal Financial Services Limited; Vishal Tulsyan, Founder, CEO & MD, IC Member, Motilal Oswal Private Equity; Ravi Jhunjhunwala, Chairman HEG Limited; Arun Purwar, Former Chairman – State Bank of India; Govind Agarwal, Director – AlfAccurate Advisors; Sanjiv Saraff, Joint Managing Director – BOB Capital Markets Ltd; Ashish Singh, IAS – Government of Maharashtra; Shailesh Haribhakti, Chartered Accountant – ESG and many more. Their thought leadership, grounded in real-world expertise, catalyzed crucial conversations about India’s development and sustainability.
Key Sessions & Discussions
The summit commenced with an engaging opening session, Framing the National Challenge – Rural Prosperity and Climate Crisis, where Sushil Jiwarajka chaired a panel discussion with Rajendra Singh, Satya Tripathi, and Raamdeo Agrawal. The panel highlighted the intersection of rural prosperity and climate challenges, offering practical insights on fostering national growth while addressing climate impacts.
Shri Sushil Jiwarajka, Chairperson of Advisory Board – Global Vikas Trust, Ex-chairman FICCI, Hon. Consul General of Greece (Western India) said, “This summit serves as a beacon of hope, bringing together diverse voices with a shared vision. It’s an opportunity to brainstorm ideas and create tangible solutions for the challenges that lie ahead.”
In a notable session, Stories from the Ground, Mayank Gandhi shared inspiring on-the-ground initiatives that are driving change at the grassroots level. Attendees were given an opportunity to connect with real-world solutions that are shaping India’s future.
Additional impactful sessions included:
- Creative Resource Management for Scaling (Chaired by Vishal Tulsyan, Founder, CEO & MD, IC Member, Motilal Oswal Private Equity): Discussions on how creative resource management can drive scalable impacts, focusing on mobilizing resources for resilient growth.
- Partnerships – National & Global (Led by Ashish Singh, IAS – Government of Maharashtra): A session on unlocking the power of partnerships to share expertise and resources for large-scale development solutions.
- From Soil to Harvest (Led by Nandkishore Kagliwal, Chairman & Managing Director, Nath Industries Ltd): Exploration of sustainable agricultural practices for long-term ecological balance, productivity, and India’s food security.
- Die With Zero (Led by Amitabh Jaipuria, CEO – Accelerate Indian Philonthropy): A philosophical conversation that invited participants to reconsider wealth and legacy, focusing on maximizing experiences and contributing to society.
- Forward Linkages (Led by Vivek Bharti, Executive Director – Corporate Affairs, PepsiCo India): Focus on innovative distribution models and technology-driven market access for farmers.
- Climate Challenge and India’s Role (Led by Satya Tripathi, Secretary General, Global Alliance for Sustainable Planet): A session exploring India’s leadership potential in sustainable development, green technologies, and climate-smart agriculture.
- The Young Will Inherit the World (Chaired by Vivek Bhargava, Co-founder – Consumer.ai): A forward-thinking discussion on the vital role of youth in shaping the future of rural development and climate action.
- Climate Finance (Led by Satya Tripathi, General Secretary, Global Alliance for Sustainable Planet): A crucial discussion on innovative funding models and cross-sector collaboration to mobilize global investments for addressing the climate crisis.
- The summit concluded with two impactful sessions: The Way Forward, led by Vallabh Bhansali, Chairman – Enam Group; and Free Flowing Interactions & Conclusions, facilitated by Mayank Gandhi, Managing Trustee – Global Vikas Trust; Sushil Jiwarajka, Chairperson of Advisory Board – Global Vikas Trust, Ex-chairman FICCI, Hon. Consul General of Greece (Western India); Vallabh Bhansali, Chairman – Enam Group; Satya Tripathi, General Secretary, Global Alliance for Sustainable Planet and Raamdeo Agrawal, Co-founder and Chairman – Motilal Oswal Financial Services Limited. These discussions allowed all participants to reflect on the key takeaways from the summit and commit to actionable steps toward nation-building.
- The event closed with a powerful rendition of the National Anthem, symbolizing the collective commitment to building a sustainable, equitable, and resilient future for India.