About the Event
Sashakt Nari, Viksit Bharat is a national conference that brings together policymakers, scholars, and practitioners to advance India's transition from women's development to women-led development. The event focuses on examining structural barriers, showcasing impactful women-led initiatives, and fostering solution-oriented dialogue on economic equality, political inclusion, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
Through an interdisciplinary and evidence-based approach, the conference aims to generate actionable insights that contribute to an equitable and inclusive Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Date
26 February 2026
Time
10:00 AM Onwards
Venue
Hyatt Regency, New Delhi
Key Speakers
Event Agenda
09:30
- 10:00 AM
Registration & Networking
Welcome Remarks
10:00 - 10:10 AM
Opening Remarks
Shishir Priyadarshi, President, CRF
10:10 - 10:25 AM
Keynote Address
Dr. Priti Adani, Chairperson, Adani Foundation
10:25
- 10:40 AM
Special Address by Chief Guest
Smt Annpurna Devi, Minister for WCD, Govt of India
10:40 AM Onwards
Book Launch
“Sashakt Nari, Viksit Bharat: Women-Led Development @ 2047”
11:00
- 11:45 AM
Enterprise, Equity, Empowerment: Women Driving Growth
Dr. Abhishek Lakhtakia, CEO, Adani FoundationDr. Archana Bhatnagar, MD, Haylide Chemicals & President MAWE
Pallavi Joshi Bakhru, Sr. Partner & Leader- Family Office, GT
Nidarshana Gowani, MD, Kamala Group
Shirley Daniel, Founder & CEO, Atna.AI Pte Ltd
Sita Pallacholla, CEO, WE Hub
Moderator: Gargi Rawat, Senior Anchor, NDTV
11:45
- 12:15 PM
Fireside Chat: Nurturing the economy : Unpaid Care Work at Homes
Dr. Shamika Ravi, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister andAmb. Veena Sikri, Founding Trustee and Convenor of SWAN
In conversation with Dr. Cchavi Vasisht, Associate Fellow, CRF
12:15
- 01:00 PM
Breaking Lines of Control and Patriarchy: Law and Defence
Justice Hima Kohli, Former Judge, Supreme Court of IndiaJustice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal, High Court of Delhi
Dipti Mohil Chawla, Additional Secretary, MoD
Gitanjli Singh, Wing Commander (Retd.)
Gathi Prakash, Partner, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas
Moderator: Devna Arora, Deputy Head (South Asia) at SIAC
01:00 - 02:00 PM • Networking Lunch Break
02:00
- 02:45 PM
Daughters of the Soil: Voices from Rural India
Sonalben Naran Goyal, Founder, Sri Gopal Gir GaushalaPushpalata Krushna Gautam, Sarpanch, Alezari Village, Tirora, Maharashtra
Kailashben Rajubhai Patel, Rural Entrepreneur
Dakshaben Keshavbhai Chaudhary, Rural Entrepreneur
Suman Vijay Parab, Rural Entrepreneur
Jyoti Pradip Deshmukh, Rural Entrepreneur
Suraja TK, Rural Entrepreneur
Anita Maran, Rural Entrepreneur
Avula Kumari, Rural Entrepreneur
Moderator: Subodh Singh, CSR Head, Mumbai, Adani Foundation
02:45
- 03:15 PM
Fireside Chat: Listen to Her
Nandita Das, Actor, Director, Writer, Producer and Social AdvocateIn conversation with Shishir Priyadarshi, President CRF
03:15
- 04:00 PM
Bearing the Brunt, Driving the Solutions: Women and Climate Action
Prakriti Srivastava, IFS, former PCCF of KeralaDr. Sonali Ghosh, Field Director, Kaziranga National Park
Aarushi Nishank, National Convener, Sparsh Ganga Foundation
Ruchi Kashyap, Executive Trustee and CEO, Atmashakti Trust
Anju Bisht, MD, Saukhyam Reusable Pads
Moderator: Gargi Rawat, Senior Anchor, NDTV
04:00
- 04:45 PM
Women Redefining Indian Leadership and Governance
Kalyani Raj, Patron in AIWCChhavi Rajawat, Former Sarpanch
Venu Dhingra, Author and Social activist
Bhakti Sharma, National Executive Member, Bhartiya Janata Yuva Morcha
Moderator: Sikta Deo, Senior Anchor, NDTV
04:45
- 05:30 PM
Fireside Chat: Diplomacy Through Her Lens: Women Leading Global Engagement
HE Diana Mickevičienė, Ambassador of Lithuania to IndiaHE Mahishini Colonne, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to India
HE Mary M. Mutuku, Deputy Head of Mission, Kenya to India
HE Marje Luup, Ambassador of Estonia to India
In conversation with Shishir Priyadarshi, President, CRF
05:30
- 06:00 PM
Changing the Script: Women, Media, and Cultural Power
Chhaya Sharma, IG, Bureau of Police Research & DevelopmentAntara Lahiri, Film Editor
Sheela Bhatt, Senior Political Journalist
Archana Borhade, Director, Producer, Screenwriter, Cinematographer
Moderator: Joyeeta Basu, Editor, The Sunday Gaurdian
06:00 - 06:30 PM • High Tea
Evening
Gala
06:30 PM
Cultural Programme
07:30 PM
Keynote Address
Smt. Rekha Gupta, Chief Minister, NCT of Delhi
Smt. Rekha Gupta, Chief Minister, NCT of Delhi
07:45 PM
Vote of Thanks
8:00 PM
Networking Dinner