Echoes of India: Art for a Global Canvas at Indiaspora Forum for Good 2025

Wife of Mr. Ravi Ruia, the Vice Chairman of the Essar Group, Mrs. Madhu Ruia has always believed in continuous learning programs. She founded Avid Learning in 2009 as a platform that creates opportunities for curious lifelong learners to cross their existing boundaries and interact with experienced masters in arts, culture, and new-age topics like NFTs and cryptocurrency.  Her interest in Hindu religious thought led her to complete online and offline courses at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies. She was subsequently invited to join their board and now holds an honorary position at the prestigious institution. A firm believer in life-long learning, she pursued several courses at the New School in New York City, culminating in the establishment of the Avid Learning platform. An accomplished sitar exponent, she showcased her musical talent on the program titled "Ubharte Swar" on Lucknow TV. Additionally, she is a self-taught artist and sculptor, winning an award from the Lalit Kala Academy.Mrs. Madhu Ruia is also a founding committee member of the Sahachari Foundation Events, organizing the popular Design One exhibition 4-5 times a year. The foundation aims to empower new talent and raise funds for deserving NGOs. These events celebrate the incredible talent of creative designers, providing a platform for stakeholders to connect with consumers in a growing market. 

(Hon) Dr. Vibha Bakshi is a multi-National Award winning film director and producer known for her documentary films that are knocking down patriarchy the world over. She is the recipient of four National Film Awards, awarded by the President of India, the highest recognition in Indian cinema. Vibha was recently conferred the Honorary Doctorate from her alma mater Boston University for successfully activating global movements for change through the power of her films. She received this honour alongside civil rights icon John Lewis and scientist Dr. Anthony Fauci. Recent honourees to receive the Doctorate also included Steven Spielberg. Vibha's latest National Award winning film ‘SON RISE’ has been selected by the United Nations global HeForShe movement to be shown across 71 priority countries to change the narrative on gender inequality and injustice globally. Her previous groundbreaking National Award winning documentary 'Daughters of Mother India' holds the distinction of being THE MOST AWARDED SOCIAL CAMPAIGN IN THE WORLD – Global Creative Index 2017. Vibha is also co-producer and co-director with Oscar winning filmmaker Maryann DeLeo. Their films have aired on US networks.

Minal Vazirani founded Saffronart in 2000 and has been instrumental in growing its operations from startup to its current position. She has provided leadership in every area of the company, ranging from strategy and business development to technology and finance. She was instrumental in establishing and expanding Saffronart's presence in Mumbai, New York and London, and has driven the company's foray into new businesses, including jewellery, textiles and other collectibles. In addition, Minal has curated, planned and organised exhibitions of Indian art in India and internationally. She is also one of four co-founders of ART MUMBAI. ART MUMBAI is a meticulously curated array of modern and contemporary art from both India and South Asia as well as a robust roster of galleries and participation from foundations and distinguished art institutions. Minal is a regular panellist and guest speaker at Indian contemporary art events as an industry expert, and has served several industry organisations. She has been on the board of advisors to the Friends of Sir JJ School of Art Trust and Time Out magazine India, and has co-chaired the FICCI committee on Arts and Business. Minal has been featured in Art + Auction magazine's global power issue, and been a fellow of the Inaugural Class of Ananta Aspen’s Kamalnayan Bajaj Fellowship and a member of Aspen Global Leadership Network fellow at the Aspen Institute's India leadership programme.

Owais Husain’s work explores identity, iconography, and urban mythology and its evolution from one generation to the next, illustrating his relationship with and abstraction of a more traditional Indian aesthetic. Whimsical references can be seen in his series To Speak is to Disappear, 2009, a set of delicate ink drawings on handmade Khadi paper of figures trying to communicate and connect to each other to no avail. In the painting, Sympathy vs. Empathy, 2014, a young boy and a Bengal tiger confront each other face to face, the boy appropriates the identity of the tiger with a mask while the tiger’s own face is hidden from the viewer. More complex and abstract are Husain’s Heart of Silence, 2015, a multi-media installation comprised of video, large suspended paper houses, light and reflection, and My Body, A Fleet of Ships, 2014, in which acrylic panels densely layered with photographic images and paintings surround fragments of terracotta figures. Both installations also incorporate poetry into the mixture of visual elements. Using film, photography, painting, sculpture, installation and poetry - in various combinations or on their own - Husain creates visually textured works that both reference his roots in a traditional Indian figurative style and embody his constant pursuit to evolve and contemporize that iconography.

Asad Lalljee is SVP, Essar Group, CEO of Avid Learning, a public programming initiative and creative platform under the Essar Group, and Curator, Royal Opera House, Mumbai. Prior to relocating to India, Asad worked for 14 years as one of the ‘Mad Men’ advertising executives on New York's Madison Avenue. Asad has transformed Avid Learning into India’s leading cultural hub through international collaborations and partnering with the biggest art platforms in the country. Since the restoration of the Royal Opera House, Asad’a curatorial programming has re-established its reputation as the city’s cultural crown jewel. He is also serving on the Kala Ghoda Association’s Executive Committee and the advisory board of the Mumbai Urban Art Festival for 2022-23. In the midst of the pandemic (April 2020), Asad pivoted from AVID to AVID ONLINE, presenting 240 programs in a year. An early technology trend adopter, he takes a special interest in new media curating programs around NFTs and the cyberfuture. Asad holds a B.A. in Economics from St. Xavier's College and an M.A. in Global Marketing Communications from Emerson College, Boston.

Debottam is a trained international project finance lawyer with personal interest in art, cultural projects and philanthropy.Interconnections of art, philanthropy and fund raising has allowed his practice along with independent teams of diverse professionals to be involved in advising a cross section of clients from family offices, museums, foundations, artists and charities on legal, strategy and tax.His passion is community causes and initiatives to showcase the values and richness of India globally. Equally to bring Britain, India and US closer through various philanthropic initiatives.