MEET THE SPEAKERS
AJAY SOHAL
Topic: Character Building & Leadership
Master's in Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing from the University of Nottingham and an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from Swansea University. Ajay works as a Data Quality Analyst at SJP. He is a Civilian Instructor in the Royal Air Force Air Cadets, instructing in Leadership, Radio Communications and STEM.
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DR AKSHAYA RAJANGAM
Topics: Culture, Dharma, Healthcare & the Arts, Character Building
Akshaya is the Vice-president of National Hindu Students' Forum (UK) the largest Hindu student movement outside of India.
Akshaya is a Junior doctor at Leicester Royal Infirmary with a focus in medical education. She is also a keen Bharatnatyam dancer.
DR BANSRI LAKHANI
Topic: Leadership, Sustainable Healthcare, Developing Character & Capacity
Bansri is an Ophthalmology surgeon and is currently completing a Masters' in Medical Leadership. She worked with NGOs in Ahmedabad and Aurangabad for 6 months before starting Youth for Sewa, a summer internship program developing individuals with a strong sense of community responsibility through sewa projects. Bansri is the former National co-ordinator for Youth for Sewa.
DRISHTI MAE
Topics: Leaving islam and Hindu Identity, Leadership, Feminism in the light of Dharma
Drishti is currently the president of the National Hindu Students’ Forum (UK), the largest Hindu student movement outside of Bharat. Founded 29 years ago, NHSF (UK) is active in almost half of all universities in the UK and reaches over 10,000 students annually through its activities. A graduate of Chemistry from the University of York, and the Unilever Future Leaders’ programme, Drishti now works in technology at Unilever in the UK.
HEENA SOLANKI
Women Empowerment, Motherhood, Parenting, Children
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HITANSH SINGALA
Hindu worldview and how the world views Hindus, Hindu contribution to humanity’s progress and the Hindu renaissance.
Hitansh is a CA & MBA by academics, a management consultant by profession and plays at the intersection of business process and business technology. His primary interests are in Indic history, Indic worldview, how technology is solving some of India's toughest developmental challenges, Bharat's past and present contributions to human progress. He is a member of Vichaar Manthan and also supports Insight UK.
FALGUNI BHATT
Topics: Instilling values in children, Dharmic traditions
Falguni is the National Balagokulam Pramukh, and also one of the National Coordinator's for ICCS UK (International Center for Cultural Studies).
Studied Media & Communication and currently works as a Data Protection and Compliance Coordinator for Toyota UK.
Sevika for over 15 years. Dedicated full time volunteer for HSS UK in 2018 for 1 year.
HARSH HARIA
Topics: Teachings from Bharat
BSc (Hons) in Business Information System and has a career working as a Programme Manager in the Banking Industry. Swayamsevak for over 29 years, dedicated 1 year as a full time Vistarak. Held Kendriya responsibilities from Shareerik, Baudhik, Vistaar and Balagokulam Pramukh. Currently Kendriya Saha-Baudhik Pramukh and supports Sangh projects like Vaani and E-Samvad.
PRAVAR PETKAR
British politics, political theory, critical thinking.
Pravar Petkar is a Researcher at the International Centre for Sustainability, a London-based think-tank fostering a deeper alliance between India and the West. His expertise is in sustainable democracy, including issues such as the role of citizens, voting systems and the importance of education. Pravar is also part of Vichaar Manthan UK, which explores issues in British society through a Hindu civilisational lens. He is a graduate of the University of Cambridge and the LSE, and recently completed a PhD in Law at the University of Edinburgh.
KAJOL DESAI
Topics: Character Building, Being an active Hindu student
Kajol is currently a full time volunteer (Vistaarika) for NHSF (UK), passionate about education and the dialogue around cultivating mental strength, particularly for young people.
She is an alumnus of the University of Birmingham and Bangor University with an undergraduate degree in Sport & Exercise Science and masters in Sport & Exercise Psychology.
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MITALI PATEL
Healthcare & Wellbeing, British Hindu Identity, Education
Mitali is the Campus Co-ordinator of the National Hindu Students’ Forum (UK), the largest Hindu student movement outside of Bharat, supporting almost half of all universities in the UK.
A graduate of Pharmacy from the University of Reading, Mitali now works at Imperial College Hospital in London as a Resident and Rotational Pharmacist. She is also undertaking a post-graduate diploma in Clinical Pharmacy at the University College London.
PARESH MISTRY
Topics: Bharat's contribution to the World
Paresh completed his Mathematics and Management degree at the University of Manchester in 2004. Paresh qualified as a Chartered Accountant and worked in Financial Services industry for over 10 years. He now runs his own business providing care and support services to people in the own homes in Yorkshire. His current HSS (UK) responsibility is Vibhag Karyawaha for Yorkshire, North East & Scotland. Paresh was a vistaarak for 1 year from September 2004 to September 2005
DR PAVNI LAKHANI
Topics: Leadership, Value building in Individuals and Team, Hindu epics and symbolism
Pavni is currently a mentor for Vaani Speakers and has spoken at the Home Office and taken workshops for the Ministry of Justice.
Pavni is a dentist working in Paediatric and Special Care Dentistry.
Pavni completed her undergraduate in dentistry from King's College London and recently completed a Master's in Dental Law and Ethics.
RITU VADHERA
Feminism
Ritu is married with three children and works in sales for a Pharmaceutical Company. Ritu holds a graduate degree in Commerce from Delhi University and is a qualified yoga instructor. She currently has the responsibility of Saha Kendriya Baudhik Pramukh for HSS(National Assistant)
RITESH THAKRAR
Topic: Hindu Identity
By profession a trainee solicitor working in the Government Legal Services’ Prosecution Team at HMRC. A Master’s graduate in Law from BPP Law School, London, where he was President of the Hindu Society. Ritesh has delivered a number of speeches during his time on the Former National Vice-president of NHSF (UK) and current the NHSF Alumni Coordinator and Shararek Pramukh in NL Vibhag.
DR SACHIN NANDHA
Topics: Hindu identity, Christianity and Islam in the light of Dharma, Dharma, Political Philosophy
Sachin Nandha (Ph.D) is a public philosopher with a special interest Political and Indian/Hindu Philosophy. He has a special interest in Hindu identity and advocates for the need to evolve all our institutions based on the lines of Dharma. He is also the International Coordinator for Vichaar Manthan, a platform to discuss Dharma in a western context.
SANGITA CHHABHADIYA
Topics: Bharat's contribution to the World, Indian Freedom Fighters, Yoga
Sangita is a former Campus Co-ordinator for NHSF (National Hindu Student's Forum) and is a Sevika from Woolwich Pannabai Shakha and currently Kendriya Shareerik Pramukh for Hindu Sevika Samiti. She Studied Law with Management at Aston University and currently works as an senior investigator for the Financial Ombudsman Service. Sangita is also a trainee yoga therapist and qualified as a Yoga teacher from S-VYASA university in 2017. Has taken out 4 months to do Vistaar work in the UK.
SHYAM MAVANI
Topics: Sewa
Shyam is a Mechanical Engineer, who has recently been working as an Engineer on the new deep tube train for the Piccadilly Line.
He has experience in the Power and Aerospace industry and has project managed and led quality improvements in organisations such as organisations such as Alstom Power and Rolls Royce.
Shyam is also a Vichaar Manthan Karyakarta.
SUMIT SHARMA
Topics: Technology, Communication, Wellness
Senior Cloud Solutions Architect for a global technology firm and Former Toastmasters’ president, Sumit ji Sharma looks after a portfolio of projects involving all things Technology, Communication and Wellness.
As well as coaching corporates and charities on Public Speaking and effective communication, Sumit ji also leads the Vaani Speakers Academy; an upskilling programme for participants through spirited learning, oration techniques and professional development.
Sumit ji is also a core member of Vichaar Manthan; having led the London chapter and supporting national IT initiatives, his latest project is The VM podcast.
SUNIL PALA
Topics: British Hindu Identity
Studied BSc Physics at Imperial College London and completed a Masters in Optics & Photonics.
An experimental scientist for 5 years at the National Physical Laboratory and now work in Capital Markets at Accenture as a Technology Consulting Principal.
Member of the Advisory Board for NHSF (UK), with a role to guide and further the growth of the organisation, and moreover the karyakartas that make up the organisation.
SUSHIL RAPATWAR
Mindful Living
Sushil completed an engineering degree
and worked briefly as an engineer.
He is currently the Chief Operating Officer at Ciribloom, an Ed Tech organisation that has pioneered various courses on metacognition in various streams for schools and colleges.
Sushil loves to be involved in social projects and was spearheading Maharashtra Mandal London (est. 1932) for six years. Since then he has been involved with various initiatives and is currently an active member of Sanskrit Bharati in the UK and also a core member of FISI (Friends of India Society International) UK.
VIPASHA SURANGE
Role models
Vipasha graduated with a degree in International Relations and a Master's in International Development from King's College London. She currently works for the Civil Service. Vipasha has held various roles on the National Committee of the National Hindu Students' Forum (UK), including joint 30th Anniversary Coordinator, National Sanskaar Coordinator and National PR Secretary. In 2017 she completed the Youth For Sewa summer volunteering internship where she worked with girls and women from slum communities in Pune for 2 months.
MADHURESH MISHRA
Delivery focused Programme Manager with over two decades of experience in management and IT consultancy across Banking and Financial domains. Executive team member of the Friends of India Society International (FISI), UK organisation promoting and strengthening relations between India and United Kingdom since 1975. Founder and President of Uttar Pradesh Community Association (UPCA), UK organisation with objective unite the people living in the United Kingdom whose roots are in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. Madhuresh‘s passion is to inspire, enable and empower individual & team, work with local communities and social activities.
PAVEN SHARMA
Paven specialises in using technology to automate business processes so individuals can focus on the work they enjoy doing. He also coaches beginners from all backgrounds on how to become a programmer to help them find new opportunities and broaden their career prospects.
After travelling across northern India to remote and impactful areas such as Kargil in Ladakh, Amarnath Trek in Jammu and Kashmir, and then living and working in Singapore, Paven is keen to open discussions on Indian History, and the relationship between Bharat and East Asia.
BHAVYA SHAH
Bhavya Shah is currently the national president of NHSF (UK) which is the National Hindu Students Forum UK, the organisation for Hindu university students. He is a swayamsevak from Wembley. He graduated from Queen Mary University in London studying Computer science and now works as a software engineer.
PRUTHVI MAYUR TRIVEDI
Pruthvi specialises in branding and campaign marketing. She is an Fine Art Artist with a specialism in painting. Pruthvi also completed her Rang Manch Pravesh (graduation) in Kathak, in 2010, and has a deep interest in both Visual and Performing Arts. Pruthvi has served various responsibilities for HSS UK, most recently coordinating activity for 17-30 year olds. She currently serves as the local coordinator in the South Midlands.
DIP LODHIYA
Self Development/Motivational, Dharma and Sport, Dharmic Finance
Dip was born in Tanga, Tanzania and moved to the East Midlands where he has been since the age of 8. A graduate of Aston University in BSc Politics and Economics. Currently, Dip is an ACA chartered accountant working in the Value Creation team at PwC. He is passionate about community work and thus has served as National Treasurer alongside various other roles in the National Committee of the National Hindu Students' Forum (UK) as well as being an active member of the PwC Hindu Network where he currently serves as Deputy Chair. Personally, Dip likes to spend his time partaking in and watching sport, reading self-improvement books and following politics.
RAJNI NEGI
Empowerment
Rajni ji Negi, originally from Uttarakhand, Bharat, holds degree in Electronics and Telecommunication and a Master's in Information Technology. With over a decade of experience in Service delivery and transition, she has successfully led impactful projects and high-performing teams. Currently, she serves as Karwahika (General Secretary) of Sita Shakha Slough and overseeing Bhaudhik (intellectual activities) for Slough Shakha. She is also involved in community work through organization like Friends of India Society International (FISI). Having completed her Vishwa Karyakarta Vikas Varg (VKVV) - 2nd Year in Bharat, her passion lies in working with women and young children, advocating Hindu identity, and creating meaningful platform to celebrate their leadership and the true essence of womanhood.
NEELIMA CHEERLA
Womanhood, Femininism, Parenting, Work Life Balance, Hindu Festivals
Neelima has an academic background with a masters in computers after which she has gained over 15 years of banking experience in a variety of roles ranging from retail banking to financial crime. Personally, she is a mother of two, based in the North West and has been an active member of the Hindu community engaging with and supporting various activities for over 10 years with HSS (UK). She is currently serving the responsibility of 'Kendriya Yuvati Pramukh' meaning she oversees the activity held for Hindu women across the country and Shakha Sampark pramukh where as involvement with Hindu Community on various projects. Currently she is also the part of FISI-UK( Friends of India Society International).
MILAN NAKUM
Youth Leadership
Milan holds a master’s degree in chemistry from the University of Sheffield. Following his studies, he joined the Civil Service, where he currently works in the Major Projects team at the Department of Health & Social Care. Originally from Luton, Milan has been actively involved in community initiatives, supporting local mandirs and charities like the OM Group, which led to his involvement with the National Hindu Students' Forum (UK) at university. He co-led the NHSF Sheffield Hindu Society as Co-President and went on to join the National Committee for several years. Over the years, Milan served in various leadership roles, including three years as National Vice-President of NHSF (UK).