At The Times of India Group’s Navbharat Times “Leadership Excellence Summit,” leading industrialists and entrepreneurs of the country shared their experiences. Maharashtra’s Additional Chief Secretary for Urban Development, Asim Gupta, while emphasizing the importance of leadership, said that today’s India is no longer afraid to dream big. This has been made possible because the nation and the state now have better leadership; leaders who envision a self-reliant India. Asim Gupta attended The Leadership Excellence Summit as the Chief Guest, and while addressing the leaders present at the event, he shared these thoughts.
1) Pankaj Lidoo Managing Director and Vipin Lidoo Director of Landmark Crafts LimitedThe Screw That Turned: How Two Brothers Fastened India’s Industrial Independence. They saw opportunity where others saw tedium. “The entire construction industry was hostage to foreign suppliers for something as basic as a screw,” recalls Pankaj “We realized that India’s infrastructure dreams were literally being held together by imported fasteners.”Rather than becoming another middleman in the import chain, the Lidoo brothers embarked on an ambitious journey.
2) Dr. Aneel Kashi Murarka the visionary behind Samarpn – C.B. Murarka Charitable Trust and Ample Missiion, where infrastructure-led philanthropy drives lasting social impact.Through Samarpn, he has built Shivdham Crematorium (Goregaon), AC bus stands, housing for women constables, lawyers’ chambers, public washrooms, and temple complexes across multiple states — projects rooted in dignity and community empowerment.Via Ample Missiion, he champions education, inclusion, sanitation, and livelihood programs for marginalized groups including acid attack survivors, differently-abled, and transgender individuals.His self-funded, dignity-driven initiatives redefine CSR by fcusing on long-term transformation and nation-building — one community at a time.
3) Dr. Vinay M. Agrawal is the Founder & Chancellor of ISBM University. Holding a Ph.D., MBA, and BE in Computer Science, he is a recognized educationist and visionary leader. Under his leadership, ISBM University has been acknowledged as the “Best Upcoming University” in 2017 by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India.heis committed to transforming education through innovative learning programs and a focus on experiential learning. He has been honored with prestigious awards such as the Shiksha Bharti Puraskar (2010) and Bharat Vikas Ratna (2012) for his contributions to education in India. In 2016, he was recognized as the Youngest University Chancellor in the World by the World Book of Records, UK.
4) Dr. Ganesan Jegannathan is the Managing Director of Ideal Flow Control Private Limited (IFCPL), a leading Chennai-based company specializing in valve refurbishment, testing, and in-situ services. With over 15 years of experience, he has transformed IFCPL into a trusted partner for major industrial players, including BHEL, Adani, Jindal, Tata, and various state electricity boards.his commitment to innovation and quality has positioned IFCPL as a pioneer in steam valve testing and servicing in India. His leadership extends beyond the company, as he actively mentors startups and contributes to the growth of the engineering sector. In recognition of his entrepreneurial excellence, he was awarded a Doctorate of Business in Innovative Excellence by Southwestern American University in 2024.
5) Mr. Rajesh Johnny is the visionary CEO and Co-Founder of BranchX, India’s first AI-powered neobank dedicated to empowering 14 million retailers. BranchX is on its way to transform how local kiranas do business by giving them voice-powered, AI-enabled business insights in local languages. A frequent speaker at global forums like the Global Fintech Fest and World AI Summit, Rajesh is redefining inclusive finance with platforms like Xenie, Xpandifi, and Tramo. His mission: to make intelligent banking accessible to every Indian, regardless of their location or background.
6) Ms Poonam Sharma :-Chairperson Accurate Group of Institutions. where she founded the first institute in 2006 and has since overseen its growth into a multi-institute educational group. She holds an MBA in International Business Management and is known for her principled, visionary leadership, expanding student strength from 300 to about 4,500. Her work has won multiple awards, including the “Devi Award for Excellence in Education” for her contributions to transforming education.
7) Miss Mandavi Sanjay Mishra is the visionary Director of Redmonk Wellness Private Limited, a Mumbai-based wellness startup founded in August 2025. Transitioning from a homemaker to an entrepreneur, she launched Redmonk Wellness with a mission to empower individuals through holistic health and beauty services. Guided by a customer-first philosophy.she emphasizes sustainable growth and authentic service, ensuring that every client experience reflects the company’s core values. Her commitment to purpose-driven business has ganered recognition, including an award for exceptional customer support. She continues to lead Redmonk Wellness with passion, aiming to make a lasting impact in the wellness industry.
8) The Multifaceted Marvel of Leadership and Innovation. Miss Chandni Kapadia, Executive Director, GLS University a dynamic leader and visionary, has excelled across multiple domains, from fashion to education and law. Her journey exemplifies innovation, empowerment, and a commitment to creating opportunities for women in business. Chandni Kapadia is a remarkable professional who seamlessly integrates diverse roles: leader,lawyer, designer, educationist, and speaker.
9) Dr Udayraj Mishra, Founder & CEO, Amar Aquatic. As the country’s first and oldest producer of fish collagen, Amar Aquatic is synonymous with purity and excellence, offering 100% natural fish- derived products under its trusted “Diamond” brand. With a range of applications across seafood, textile, health, and poultry industries, the company has set high standards that are now widely recognized both domestically and internationally.
10) Khalid Khan,the Chairman and Managing Director of PPPL Ushering in a revolution in Logistics in India. Khalid’s innovative approach, adaptation to new technology and keen interest towards sustainability has radically improved efficiency, transforming the logistics sector.The high-tech machinery, the skilled manpower, the know-how on managing the projects & giving them a lift in their productivity all has contributed to the success story of 100 MMT + Paradip Port achieved & now to surpass this record and to become No.1 Port in India.Disclaimer: Content Produced by Navbharat Times Go to Source
