Arvind Narrain
An eminent lawyer working on issues of human rights and an activist for LGBT rights, Arvind Narrain is one of the leading proponents of the LGBT rights movement in India. A founding member of the Alternate Law Forum in Bangalore, India, Narrain is among a group of lawyers who integrate an alternative practice of the law with critical research and use the law to effectively respond to issues of social and economic justice. He has also authored a book based on the societal struggles of the LGBT community titled “Queer: Despised sexualities and Social Change” and co-editor of “Because I have a voice: Queer politics in India’ and ‘Law Like Love: Queer perspectives on law”.
Saad Khan
Filmmaker, acting teacher, founder of “CENTERSTAGE” acting company, and host of the popular comedy show “The Improv”, Saad Khan is credited as writer and director of Bangalore’s first Hindi film, “Station”. Khan has made three short films in English, one of which was screened at the Cannes Film Festival. His company CENTERSTAGE has trained over 700 people in acting, theater, film production and communication.
Sanjana Tadepalli
Sanjana Tadepalli - currently studying at Yale-NUS College Singapore - is the founder of “Storybook Me”, an innovative solution to combat the dwindling interest in reading amongst the youth by making underprivileged students the heroes of their own books. "Storybook Me" has cultivated an enthusiasm for reading and learning in the minds of these children, while promoting their self confidence by changing the way in which they view themselves.
Subhashini Vasanth
Subhashini Vasanth is a renowned Bharatanatyam dancer who channeled her personal grief at the tragic death of her husband into setting up the “Vasantharatna Foundation for Art.” The foundation uses arts as a medium for projects in education and empowerment, creating a support system for the spouses and families of people in the armed forces. She is also recognized as a National Level dancer by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and has co-authored the biography of her husband, called “Forever Forty”.
Utpal Tatu
Dr. Utpal Tatu is a reputed professor at the Indian Institute of Science who is currently doing research on molecular chaperones in cellular context along with human and animal health. He aims to study potential cures for diseases like malaria, surra and giardiasis by identifying molecular chaperones essential for the pathogens' function as possible drug targets. He conducted his post doctoral research at Yale University, and aims to study neglected infectious diseases and veterinary healthcare using the powerful tools of modern biology.