The Jury
Dr. R. A. Mashelkar
Dr. Raghunath Anant Mashelkar is known for his own world class scientific research, transformative science and innovation institution leadership, pioneering different Indian movements ranging from traditional knowledge protection to creation of strong yet balanced IPR systems, to inclusive innovation movement based on the concept of Gandhian Engineering that he pioneered. He has been an influential thought leader in shaping Science, Technology & Innovation policies in post liberalised India. Dr. Mashelkar was the longest serving (1995-2006) Director General of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), also Chairman of National Innovation Foundation (2000-2018). He was the President of Indian National Science Academy (2004-2006), as also the President of Global Research Alliance (2007-2018). 45 universities from around the world have honoured him with honorary doctorates, which include Universities of London, Salford, Pretoria, Wisconsin, Swinburne, Monash and Delhi.
Dr. Mashelkar has many firsts to his credit. He was the first Indian to win the most prestigious TWAS-Lenovo Science Prize (2018), which is considered as mini – Nobel Prize for developing world scientists, first Indian from India to be elected as Fellow of US National Academy of Inventors (2017), first Asian Scientist to win the Business Week (USA) award of `Stars of Asia’ at the hands of George Bush (Sr.), the former President of USA and the first and only scientist to win the JRD Tata Corporate Leadership Award (1998) so far. He is only the third Indian engineer to have been elected as Fellow of Royal Society since 1660, seventh Indian scientist to have been elected as Foreign Fellow of US National Academy of Science since 1863, and seventh Indian to have been elected as Foreign Associate of American Academy of Arts & Science since 1780. Dr. Mashelkar has been on the Board of Directors of India’s most reputed companies, which include Reliance Industries Ltd.,Tata Motors Ltd., Hindustan Unilever Ltd., Thermax, Piramal Enterprise, KPIT Technology, etc
Deeply connected with the innovation movement in India, besides chairing India’s National Innovation Foundation, he chaired Reliance Innovation Council, KPIT Technologies Innovation Council, Thermax Innovation Council, Persistent Systems Innovation Council and Marico Foundation’s Governing Council. He co-chairs the Maharashtra State Innovation Council. He has been a member of External Research Advisory Board of Microsoft (USA), Advisory Board of VTT (Finland), Corporate Innovation Board of Michelin (France), Advisory Board of National Research Foundation (Singapore), Corporate Innovation Board (Michelin), among others. The President of India honoured Dr. Mashelkar with Padmashri (1991), with Padmabhushan (2000) and with Padma Vibhushan (2014), three of the highest civilian honours.
Ms. Roma Balwani
Roma Balwani is currently Director, Strategic Resources, Brand & Communications, an advisory firm specialised in ESG, Sustainability, CSR, stakeholder engagement & CEO, Indian Deaf Cricket Association. Former Sr. Advisor & President, Vedanta Group. Her role encompassed advising on a robust brand strategy for the group which has focus on giving back to communities & society at large and as a natural resource major contributing towards nation building that will help in economic development of our country and position One Vedanta brand to diverse stakeholders across India and globally.
She is also an Independent Director of Godavari Power and Ispat Ltd. Roma has over three decades of experience in various aspects of strategic communications. In her previous role as President, Group Communication, CSR and Sustainable Development at Vedanta Resources plc. She was instrumental in bringing sustainable development goals as a key focus area for the group. She has been the member of the Group Executive Committee which comprises the leadership team at Vedanta. She personally believes in giving back. She is actively associated with disability cricket and promotes deaf cricket as an enabler to instil a sense of pride and purpose for the hearing -impaired youth with sporting talent.
She speaks at several summits on Brand, Sustainable Development & Communications. In over 30 years of experience, she has won several Indian and International awards and accolades. She is the recipient of the Adgully, Exchange4media, Lifetime Achievement awards 2022, 2020 and PRCI, Lifetime Achievement award, 2018. Roma has the distinction of being included in the PR Week Global Power Book 2015, South East Asia. For the last seven years at Vedanta, Roma has been recognized as among the most important and influential In-House communicators from around the world by the Holmes Global Report's Influence 100 now Provoke Media: from 2015 to 2021.
Mr. Siddharth Pai
Siddharth Pai is the co-founder and managing partner of Siana Capital, a venture fund focused on deep-tech and deep-science innovations. A seasoned technology consultant, he has personally overseen over USD 20 billion worth of complex technology deals and now advises boards, CEOs, and investors on technology strategy. His extensive prior experience includes leadership roles at ISG Inc., IBM, KPMG Consulting / BearingPoint, and Tekinroads, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.
Prof. T. N. Singh
Prof. T. N. Singh currently serves as the Director of IIT Patna, a premier technology institute recognized as an Institute of National Importance. He is a former Professor at IIT Bombay and has held leadership roles including Vice Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith, Varanasi. An expert in rock mechanics, slope stability, underground space technology, mining, blasting, and soft computing, Prof. Singh holds a Ph.D. in Rock Mechanics from IIT‑BHU. He has been honored with multiple awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from NEEM International Foundation, the John C. Gammon Prize from the Institution of Engineers (India), multiple Best Paper Awards at ICESE and ISRMITT, plus the Gopal Ranjan Rock Mechanics Award and the P.N. Bose National Mineral Award.
Dr. Chenraj Roychand
A visionary educationist, entrepreneur, angel investor, and philanthropist, Dr. Chenraj Roychand has over 40 years of experience driving educational excellence and entrepreneurial mentorship across India. He founded the Sri Bhagawan Mahaveer Jain College in 1990, which later grew into Jain (Deemed‑to‑be) University, where he serves as Chancellor. Under his leadership, the university has launched 40 incubation units, creating employment for more than 3,500 youths in nine years. A recipient of numerous prestigious awards—including the Rotary Vocational Service Award, Dr. B.C. Roy Award, SEVAK Award, Seva Ratna, Kempegowda Award, and an honorary D.Litt from Mangalore University—Dr. Roychand continues to champion holistic education and social impact.