The day began with an address by B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, CEO of NITI Aayog, who spoke about India’s next phase of growth. He outlined his vision of a cluster-based approach, where the nation could focus on specific sectors, replicate success stories, and build specialized centers of excellence. His call to “invest in your people” resonated deeply. It stood out for Labdhi Shah, a postgraduate student, who says it is “a reminder that skilling, education, and empowerment are the real engines of sustainable growth.” Her words struck a chord with the cohort, who agreed that the summit was not merely about macroeconomics or technology but about people—the ultimate source of India’s strength.

It stood out for Vishal Shah, another postgraduate student, who says, “India’s true advantage lies not only in its economy or technology, but in the spirit of its people.” For him, leadership meant empathy, empowerment, and purpose. This idea was reinforced by K.V. Kamath, Chairman of Jio Financial Services, who observed, “Transformation starts with building what you don’t have.” Kamath’s emphasis on structural reforms and financial resilience, coupled with his belief that India can stand independently while collaborating wisely, underscored the notion that true leadership is pragmatic optimism in action.

Artificial Intelligence emerged as a dominant theme across sessions—not as a buzzword, but as an important consideration for leadership. “AI is fast becoming the language of modern leadership across boardrooms.”
Niyati Gadhiya, a postgraduate student, says the summit was invaluable in understanding how AI is influencing strategic business decisions. Christophe De Vusser, CEO and Worldwide Managing Partner at Bain & Company, encapsulated this sentiment perfectly: “Those who are the first to develop and implement technology become the first to gain its incentives.” His call for proactive innovation was a wake-up call for future leaders to embrace agility and foresight.

The experience was eye-opening for Devansh Dalal, a student, who says it offered firsthand insights into the mindset of CEOs navigating the complexities of technology and innovation. Alisha Prusty, a postgraduate student, echoed a similar sentiment, saying, “Listening to some of the top leaders talk about India’s growth and future really opened my mind. I felt inspired to think beyond the usual and keep learning.” These reflections showed that the summit was not just about absorbing information but about redefining perspectives.
The sessions also shed light on India’s macroeconomic position. Subrahmanyam’s optimism about foreign direct investments, even amid global trade uncertainties, underscored India’s growing attractiveness as a market. Kamath pointed out that while market valuations fluctuate, the underlying strength of India’s balance sheets and corporate fundamentals remains intact. His call for the Global North to invest meaningfully in the Global South was a reminder of the larger interconnectedness of economic growth.

Adding a regional perspective, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis shared his roadmap for the state’s infrastructure development, citing projects such as the Bandra–BKC–Airport tunnel, the 24-kilometer bridge between Bhayandar and Virar, and the ambitious Bullet Train project. “In total, projects worth ₹4 lakh crore are under development,” he said, reinforcing India’s commitment to large-scale transformation. For students witnessing this announcement firsthand, it stood out as an affirmation that India’s growth narrative is as infrastructural as it is intellectual.