PRINCIPAL SECRETARY TO CM BIHAR AND ACS HOME AND CABINET, GOB
Dr S.Siddharth is a 1991 batch IAS officer. He obtained his Doctoral Degree in Information Technology from the IIT, Delhi. He had graduated in Computer Science and Engineering from IIT, Delhi (1987), and also an MBA to his credit from IIM, Ahmedabad (1989).
He is presently the Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department, Government of Bihar. He also holds the additional charge of Principal Secretary, Industries Department and also Industrial Development Commissioner.
He has held various posts in his long career of more than 25 years as District Magistrate of Districts of Muzzafarpur, Bhojpur, Aurangabad and Lohardaga. He served in the Government of India as Director, Ministry of Heavy Industries. The officer also worked in the capacity of Secretary to Hon’ble Chief Minister, Bihar, Secretary Urban Development, Secretary Rural Works Department, Secretary Labour, Secretary Info & Tech Dept. and Principal Secretary Industries Department. He was responsible for drafting the Bihar Urban Planning and Development Act 2014, Bihar Urban Planning and Development Rules 2014, Bihar Building Bye-laws 2014. He was very instrumental in initiating the process of preparation of DPR for the Patna Metro and the master plan for Patna Metropolitan Area.
Dr Siddharth was the one who drafted the Bihar Industrial Policy 2016, Bihar Investment Act 2016, Bihar Investment Rules 2016 and Bihar Startup Policy 2017. The officer was also responsible for guiding Ease of Business reforms in all other departments which are responsible for giving clearances with respect to setting up of Industry.
The officer was also the Principal Secretary, Sugar Cane Department, Chairman BIADA, Chairman Bihar Khadi and Village Industries Commission and CEO Bihar Foundation.
Dr. Siddharth specializes in areas of Commerce, Industrial Investments and E-Governance.
He is also a professional wild life photographer, loves to play badminton, and has recently edited a book on Handicrafts in Bihar.
DDG, ICCR, G20 (POET - DIPLOMAT)
Abhay K. is a poet, diplomat, editor and translator. He is the author of a dozen poetry books including ‘Monsoon’ (Sahitya Akademi) and the editor The Book of Bihari Literature (HarperCollins India). He received the SAARC Literature Award 2013. His poem-song 'Earth Anthem' has been translated into over 150 languages.
IG OF POLICE
Vikas Vaibhav, IPS (2003 batch), an alumnus of IIT Kanpur (1997-2001) currently IG of Police and serving as the Special Secretary, Home Department, Government of Bihar, Patna, is one of the most Popular and Successful Police Officers from Bihar, highly applauded by the public at large for his utmost dedication in service. Awarded by IIT Kanpur with the prestigious Satyendra K Dubey Memorial Award in 2019 for his unshakeable integrity, Vaibhav is known as an icon of change and a hard task master in all the regions he has been posted to with crowds erupting spontaneously upon his transfer. As a young SP, he is credited with control of crime in Bagaha Police district of Bihar, which had earned the infamous reputation over decades as “Mini-Chambal”, and also for control of Maoist activities in Rohtas district, where by conducting police operations along with effective community oriented policing, he virtually restored freedom for the historic Rohtas Fort, then reeling under the grip of the Maoists marked by the significant hoisting of the Indian Tricolour, for the first time post independence, on 26th January, 2009. He also served with the National Investigation Agency (NIA), where he investigated important cases related to the activities of the Indian Mujahideen including the infamous ‘Yasin Bhatkal’ and the Bodh Gaya Blasts of 2013. Remembered and known for his tough action against deviant politicians found on the wrong side of law in most regions and especially as the SSP of Patna in 2015, he is also known for having earned the trust of the common people at large as the DIG of Bhagalpur Range, where he regularly conducted Janata Darbars and Police-Public Meetings for the resolution of public grievances. Apart from his professional work, Vaibhav is an avid traveller and has visited more than 200 heritage sites and has been blogging on the neglected aspects of history at his famous blog titled as ‘Silent Pages’. Widely followed on social media, he has also shared experiences from field policing at his blog titled ‘Cop in Bihar’ and regularly addresses youth in schools and colleges inspiring them to contribute positively towards society for a better future
PRESIDENT & CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, SBI FOUNDATION
Nixon Joseph, President & Chief Operating Officer, SBI Foundation, is a post graduate in English Language and Literature, joined State Bank of India in 1985 as probationary officer. As a career Banker, he has extensive experience in various facets of Banking like Corporate Credit, Retail Operations, International Banking etc., has worked all across India. He was also Manager(Operations), SBI Bahrain and Chief Executive Officer, SBI Tokyo branch(2008-2012). He is a Certified Credit Professional, Certified Banking Compliance Professional and Certified Information Systems Banker.
He was President of the Sakura Toastmasters Club, Tokyo and also started the Tokyo debating society.
His interest in long distance running has led to his completion of 46 full marathons (42.195km), thus being the only official among the 1.1 million bank employees in India to have the achievement, making him popular as “SBI’s marathon legend”. That he was never an athlete, yet started full marathon running at the age of 45 years, went ahead completing full marathons and still running, has been inspiring thousands of people especially youth. Various institutions have been inviting him to share his experiences of running 46 full marathons and motivate the youth. He has been running in all the SBI Green marathons to spread the message of sustainability.
Inspite of lockdown he dared to complete 8 full marathons by jogging inside his apartment giving the message that “where there is a will there is an inspiring way”.
As Coordinator, SBI Youth for India fellowship program, he was instrumental in inspiring and mentoring 100 youths every year, and has taken the fellowship to a higher level. He has been mentoring many social entrepreneur units started by SBI Youth for India fellows. Has completed the ‘Social intrapreneurship” course of Ashoka Changemakers with distinction.
As President of SBI Foundation, the CSR arm of State Bank of India he has been supporting strong impact projects to help the underprivileged and needy. He has been a regular speaker in various CSR forums all across India. Till date during the lockdown period he has participated in 115 webinars as chief guest/guest of honour /panelist speaker.
He is the recipient of Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam award 2018 for excellence in public service and Dr Kalam Memorial Ignited Minds award. His name figures in the “Be the Inspiration” Book released by Rotary Club, Mumbai where 45 inspiring Indians were listed. He was recently facilitated by the Governor of Maharashtra for spearheading covid relief activities.
VICE CHANCELLOR - NALANDA UNIVERSITY & VICE PRESIDENT - INDIAN COUNCIL FOR CULTURAL RELATIONS
Prof. Sunaina Singh is among the most prominent leaders in higher education in the South Asian region. She is currently the Vice-Chancellor of Nalanda University, an internationally acclaimed historical university with the Ministry of External Affairs, located in the state Bihar. Prof. Singh is engaged with the naissance task of rebuilding the renowned ancient Nalanda University. The honour of reestablishing this International University of ‘National Importance’ has been entrusted to her largely because of her inventive and compelling leadership. Prof. Singh is also the Vice President of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
Prof. Singh has the distinction of being an institutional builder, as the first Indian woman President of Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute (a bi-national research institution with headquarters in New Delhi and Calgary under the MHRD and Canadian Government) and as the former Vice Chancellor of English and Foreign Languages University. Prof. Singh has played a dynamic role in creating innovative research clusters, streamlining the administration, reinvigorating the academic culture, and bringing about transparency and accountability into the system. These crucial interventions have helped the University steer forward and assert itself as an important institution of higher learning in the Asian region. It is due to her sterling leadership that after a span 17 years, this Central University was accredited with an ‘A’ grade by NAAC. It is also widely accepted that the University has emerged out of a critical period in its history largely due to her determined and indefatigable leadership. She also held the first convocation in its history of over 50 year’s journey. The then President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee, complemented her for her diligence visionary dynamism.
As a distinguished academician and administrator, she plays a key role as a member-designate on several distinguished Boards such as, Member of the Governing Council, Association of Indian
Universities (AIU); Member, Comprehensive Language Policy of India; Visitors’ (President of India) Nominee on the Executive Board of more than 12 Central Universities; Bihar Audit Advisory Board; President, Shastri Indo-Canadian Institue (a bi-national Research Institution); Academic Advisor, National Cyber Safety and Security Standards, India; Member of the Board of Trustee, India Foundation (a think tank); Member, Board of Directors, Divi’s Laboratories Limited, India; Member, Advisory Committee, Samajik Nyay Sandesh, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, to name a few. Prof. Singh has been engaged in the tectonic task of restructuring and redesigning university pedagogical and governance systems. Few academics can match her integrity, intellectual caliber, and dedication to teaching, research, and administration. As a Visiting Professor at reputed Universities abroad, she has played a crucial role in drawing the attention of the West towards Indian culture and literature, pedagogical systems, epistemological concerns, and educational policies.
Prof. Sunaina Singh, was given the unique honour of presiding over the Hon’ble President of India’s Address on “Building a Happy Society” to 126 Central Institutions of the country through the e–platform, National Knowledge Network, on 10th January 2017. The Hon’ble President complimented her for her leadership role.
Inspired by her sterling commitment to philanthropy, a group of citizens have established, as a tribute to her, a foundation in her name in 2015. It is primarily driven by her vision of building a better society through the education of girl child from the economically challenged sections of society.
Prof. Sunaina Singh has always believed in and has worked towards setting new benchmarks in both the personal and public spheres. What motivates her in her endeavour in life is the persona of her guru and father Prof. Satyanarain Singh, himself a value-driven scholar, a Humanist with innate compassion. As a dynamic teacher, she touches many hearts and inspires many minds. She is widely known for her leadership and integrity.
Email : prof.sunaina@gmail.com / vcnalanda@gmail.com
Mobile: +91 9000501357
SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR & FOUNDER XTREMEROADS
Vaishali is a perfect example of an Executer. Challenges and difficulties make her shine. A Gujarati born in Mumbai is someone who has known Bihar more than any Bihari you know. A very strong headed person, Vaishali is a very successful serial entrepreneur working out of Bihar. Some of the most popular firms are her brainchild – Aamatya Media, Artzindia and Xtremeroads. Her work has brought many accolades and awards, and is a very popular outsider’s face of the state.
Her expertise includes Research, Exploration, Documentation and Design. Her prominent work includes the Retracing, Documentation and Publication of the footsteps of Lord Buddh in Bihar, detailed documentation of Art and crafts form of Bihar, Expert paper on development of Tourism in Bihar and recently concluded Exploration, Discovery & Rediscovery and documentation of 200 Rock Shelters containing Rock Paintings of Bihar.
She along with two other colleagues are responsible for the change, Bihar is now looked at with.
PUBLISHER ADULT PUBLISHING GROUP, PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE INDIA
Milee Ashwarya is the Publisher of the Adult Publishing Group at Penguin Random House India. During her career, she has published a range of bestsellers across genres. An award-winning publisher, her focus has been on championing diverse voices, discovering talented debut writers, and building on the inclusive programme at Penguin Random House India.
GENERAL MANAGER , STRATEGY AND BRAND DEVELOPMENT , DAINIK JAGRAN
A native of East Champaran, I graduated from Presidency College Kolkota and completed his Master in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University.
I started my career in media from Times of India and thereon worked for leading dailies of India for the last 20 years. Presently I am working as General Manager , Strategy and Brand Development , Dainik Jagran. I initiated and established Jagran Film Festival , the largest travelling film festival of the world, Jagran Hindi Best Seller List, and Samvadi, an exclusive Hindi Literary festival.
ENTERTAINMENT CONTENT STRATEGY & PARTNERSHIP CONSULTANT, EVENT CURATOR, ANCHOR-MODERATOR, COLUMNIST, AND AUTHOR
Priyanka Sinha Jha is a leading Entertainment Content Strategy & Partnership Consultant, Event Curator, Anchor-Moderator, Columnist, and Author.
As Group Editor and Editor, with experience across digital, TV, and print, she has helmed print, text, video, and audio entertainment content for various media brands such as Network18, Hotstar, Screen (Indian Express), HT Style, HT Saturday (Hindustan Times) and Society Magazine.
For over a decade, she's been the Curator for the Star Screen Awards. She has conceived, produced, and hosted celebrity-based digital-video shows on Firstpost.com, News18.com, Voot, Indianexpress.com, and Hotstar.
Priyanka is also the author of a popular self-help book, Supertraits of Superstars.
NATURALIST, B. TECH. (IIT ROORKEE)
Richa did B.Tech. from IIT ROORKEE and was in the corporate world for around 11 years. She quit it as VP in Morgan Stanley. Since then she has applied science and traditional wisdom to understand different aspects of lifestyle which are against Nature.
INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT COMMUNICATION STRATEGY
CO-FOUNDER & CEO OF DeHaat
Shashank Kumar, an alumnus of IIT Delhi (’08), co-founded the full-stack, business-to-farmer (B2F) agritech platform DeHaat, in 2012, and currently serves as its CEO. DeHaat is a one stop destination for small farmers, catering to all their agricultural needs. Under his leadership, DeHaat is grown into one of India’s fastest growing AgriTech startups employing a brigade of 1000+ professionals, and working with over 700,000 farmers and 3400+ micro-entrepreneurs.
Shashank was awarded ‘The Most Innovative Personality For Rural Development & Agriculture’ at the Desh Ratna Conclave 2021 and in 2018, his alma mater, IIT Delhi, felicitated him with the Distinguished Alumni Award. He has also been featured on the BW Disrupt 40 Under 40 list as well Forbes 30 under 30 list in the years 2017 and 2014 respectively. In 2014, he was recognised by Time Now among their list of Amazing Indians and in 2013, he was awarded the honour of “Ashoka Fellow”, recognising the world’s leading social entrepreneurs.
Shashank has led his team to many milestones including winning The Company of The Year (Agro) award at The TV9 Dare 2 Dream Awards (2021), RaboSustainableAg Asia Challenge (2019), Action for India-AFI (2016), Vodafone Mobile for Good (2015) and Millennium Alliance (2014). He has also been invited to speak among esteemed dignitaries at gatherings such as TiE Global Summit 2021 held at Dubai, TEDx Patna in 2018, TiECon Silicon Valley in 2016 & TEDx IIT Kanpur in 2012. He was selected for PM-India delegation to Kenya for promoting technology in Agriculture for small farmers in Kenya & featured as Champions of Change in 2017 by Niti Aayog.
HEAD INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS - WIPRO
Kunal Sinha is also IT professional, Farmer, Entrepreneur and Co founder Escape.
DIRECTOR OF IIM BODHGAYA
Dr. Vinita Sahay is the second women in the country appointed by the Government of India to be a Director of an IIM. She joined IIM Bodh Gaya as the Founder Director in February 2018. Prior to joining IIM Bodh Gaya, she was Professor of Marketing at IIM Raipur and worked at different capacities: Chairperson (International Relations), Chairperson (Doctoral Program) and Chairperson (Students Affairs).She is also Member of All India Board of Management Studies constituted by All India Council of Technical education (AICTE) under Management Expert category. She also serves an Expert for Scrutiny committee for Graded Autonomy granted by AICTE to standalone Institutions running PGDM programmes. She also serves as an expert member for UGC for various committees.
Dr. Sahay has widely travelled world over and is also a Visiting Professor at Aarhus University Denmark for last ten years. She was an Adjunct Professor at GlobalNxt University (earlierU21, Singapore). She attended ‘Global Colloquium on Participant-Centered Learning (GloColl)’ at the Harvard Business School, Boston, U.S. and Harvard Centre, Shanghai, China. She also participated in “Developing Leadership, Governance & Management in Higher Education” programme conducted by Leadership Foundation for Higher Education & UKIERI in Birmingham, UK.As Chairperson (International Relations), she increased Partner Institutions to 18, the number students exchange increased by about 100%. Two-Third of the batch went for IR exchange
As Chairperson (Fellow Programmes), Prof. Sahay started FPM in 2012 and EFPM in 2013, making it one of the sought after Doctoral programme within a short span of five years.
Dr. Sahay secured first class with high ranks throughout her academic career. She did her PGDM with Marketing as a major concentration area. She secured first class first with Gold Medal in M.A. in Economics and has done Ph.D. on Customer Value. With about 25 years of experience, she has published and presented a large number of research papers in International/National journals/ conferences and book chapters. She has organized three large international conferences and edited five books.
DEAN NALANDA UNIVERSITY
Professor Anand Singh specializes in Buddhist history and archaeology, the origin of Buddhism, its expansion and sects, sacred spaces in the Ganga Valley, ecological consciousness in Buddhism, and studies related to sacred spaces of Sārnāth, and Nālandā. As a researcher, he has been involved in active field research for over twenty years. He served as Dean and Associate Professor, School of Buddhist Studies and Civilization, Gautam Buddha University for approximately seven years and made this School as a leading institution of Buddhist learning in India. He has done a Major Research Project awarded by University Grant Commission and has been fellow of SAARC. He was visiting Professor at the Sanchi University of Buddhist-Indic Studies, Madhya Pradesh and Dhammaduta Chekinda University, Yangon, Myanmar. He has authored Planet, Plants, and Animals: Ecological Paradigms in Buddhism (2018), Buddhism at Sārnāth (2014), Pracheen Bhartiya Dharma (2010), and Tourism in Ancient India (2005). He edited Dāna: Reciprocity and Patronage in Buddhism (2017). This book earned ‘Outstanding Academic book on Buddhism’ award by Dhammachai International Research Institute, New Zealand. He also received Dr. I.G. Khan Memorial Prize, given by Indian History Congress in 2008 and 2010. He has published 25 peer-reviewed research papers, articles and book chapters.
PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, SUGAR CANE INDUSTRIES DEPARTMENT, BIHAR GOVERNMENT
Dr.N.Vijaya Lakshmi is an IAS officer of 1995 batch, Bihar cadre who is currently serving as a Principal Secretary, Sugar Cane Industries Department to the Government of Bihar. She has two Masters Degrees and a PhD in Management from IIT Delhi. Such is her passion for education that she has recently pursued an Advanced Management Programme in Public Policy (AMPPP) from Indian School of Business, Hyderabad, one of the premier Institutes in Management education in India. In her long career of 25 years she served as District collector and in various higher positions in both Government of India and in Government of Bihar and contributed immensely for public welfare and governance. She has many publications and national and International awards to her credit. She has contributed immensely for the growth of the sector where ever she was posted and implemented many development programmes and policies. She is an expert in several sectors especially in Agriculture and allied sectors and on Gender and women empowerment. She has many passions and currently pursuing Bharatanatyam, an Indian classical dance form.
Out of her 25 years of experience as a senior civil servant, she has at least six and half years of experience working in the Agriculture and allied sectors in Bihar as Secretary Agriculture, Mission Director, Horticulture (2011-13) Principal secretary Animal husbandry and Fisheries (2016-2020) Principal secretary Sugar Cane Industries Department (2020-2021). She was instrumental in changing the outlook and turning around the Department of animal husbandry and Fisheries and won several awards for the State. During her tenure as Secretary Agriculture, Bihar had recorded highest production in Paddy, wheat and potato and established record growth. The record of paddy production is still the highest till date. She has introduced several innovative schemes and the results and fruits are still to be seen in the State.
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, IIT PATNA
Dr. Rishi Raj is an Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Principle Investigator,
Thermal and Fluid Transport Laboratory (TFTL)
Indian Institute of Technology Patna.
His major scientific fields of interest :
Energy, Boiling, Condensation, Micro-/Nano-Scale Thermal and Fluidic Transport, Colloids
and Interface Science, Microgravity Science
VICE PRESIDENT, RBL BANK
Kaushik Chatterjee is Vice President of RBL Bank looking after business development of the bank in the states of Bihar and West Bengal for government and institutional segments.
He is an alumnus of NMIMS, Mumbai and Institute of Management Accountant, USA.
PRINCIPAL, BHARAT INCLUSIVE TECHNOLOGIES SEED FUND
Saras is a Principal at Bharat Inclusive Technologies Seed Fund (BITSF), a prominent venture capital fund based out of Bangalore. Saras has been an investor in the early stage start up ecosystem in India for over a decade and has led investments in multiple prominent start-ups in the financial services and technology domain. Few of his investments include Kissht (Lending), Seclore (Enterprise software), Setu (Financial Infrastructure), Riskcovry (Insurance), Kaleidofin (Neo bank) amongst others. He currently serves on the board of multiple start-ups in India and helps them with his strategic inputs and network.
Saras started his professional journey with the private equity practice at D.E Shaw & Co., a prominent US based hedge fund but his calling to work with start-up ecosystem brought him to Ventureast, a prominent early stage fund in India. Saras grew up in Patna and is an alumnus of St. Michaels High School, Patna. He earned his MBA from Indian School of Business, Hyderabad and is a Bachelor's in Commerce from Shri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi.
Policies can be thought of as ‘rules of the game’ of everyday life. These rules affect
the way people choose to pursue their goals and thus influence the combined,
overall, and unintended results of everyone’s actions
