Sustainability – Events

• November 23, 2023 – “Transforming Capitalism to Make the World Better for Everyone” – Mr. Arun Maira
  Mr. Arun Maira, former member of India’s Planning Commission and ex-Chairman of BCG India, is a leading thinker on leadership and systems transformation. He is the author of books on ethics, institutional reform, and capitalism, including The Learning Factory and Shaping the Future.

• November 19, 2022 – [No title specified] – Mr. Bhaskar Bhat
  Mr. Bhaskar Bhat, former Managing Director of Titan Company Limited, led the company’s diversification and growth to a $13 billion market cap. A senior Tata Group executive, he serves on multiple boards and has received Distinguished Alumnus Awards from IIT Madras and IIM Ahmedabad.

• November 29, 2021 – “Business Ethics and Stakeholder Capitalism” – Dr. Edward Freeman
  Dr. R. Edward Freeman is University Professor at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business and a pioneer of stakeholder theory. He is best known for his book Strategic Management: A Stakeholder Approach and has authored over 100 volumes and 200 articles in business ethics and strategy.

• February 6, 2021 – “China: The Emerging Superpower: The Ethical Underpinnings” – Dr. Stephen Rothlin
  Dr. Stephen Rothlin, director of the Macau Ricci Institute and founder of Rothlin International Management Consulting Ltd., holds a PhD in moral theology. Fluent in six languages, he is an expert in international business ethics focused on China and corporate responsibility.

• November 29, 2018 – “Ethics in Action: Corporate Social Responsibility in the 21st Century” – Dr. Jennifer J. Griffin
  Dr. Jennifer J. Griffin, professor of business ethics at Loyola University Chicago, is a global expert on CSR and strategic corporate impact and an award-winning academic and author.

• November 29, 2017 – “My Experiences with JRD and His Principles” – J.J. Irani
  Dr. J.J. Irani, former Managing Director of Tata Steel, played a key role in modernizing India’s steel industry and chaired the committee advising on India’s Companies Act.

• November 26, 2016 – “The Place of International Law in Seeking Sustainable Development for India: Some Ethical Reflections” – Frank Brennan, SJ
  Fr. Dr. Frank Brennan, SJ, Australian Jesuit and law professor, is a noted advocate for Indigenous rights, social justice, and ethical leadership in public life.

• November 24, 2015 – “Changing Role of Media in Today’s India” – Shekhar Gupta
  Shekhar Gupta, veteran journalist and founder of Mediascape, is known for his fearless reporting and editorial leadership, with landmark coverage of key political and global events.

• November 29, 2014 – “Building Trust” – D. Shivakumar
  D. Shivakumar, former CEO of PepsiCo India and Nokia India, is a business leader and marketer known for growing global brands and mentoring young professionals.

• December 7, 2013 – “Ethical Challenges for India Today” – Pallam Raju Mallipudi
  Dr. Pallam Raju Mallipudi, former HRD Minister of India, has advanced education reform, skill development, and innovation and represented India at major international forums.

• November 24, 2012 – “Heroic Leaders: Who They Are and How They Live” – Chris Lowney
  Dr. Chris Lowney, former JP Morgan Managing Director and leadership author, advocates Jesuit-based leadership and founded initiatives supporting education in refugee communities.

• November 19, 2011 – “Values and Ethics in a Volatile World” – Laxman Narasimhan
  Laxman Narasimhan, former CEO of PepsiCo Latin America and McKinsey partner, is known for his leadership in global consumer markets and contributions to public policy and education.

• November 20, 2010 – “Business Ethics” – Tarun Das
  Tarun Das, former Director General of CII, shaped India’s industrial policy and international trade relations. He earned national and international honors including the Padma Bhushan and an honorary CBE.

• November 30, 2008 – “Atomic Energy in India – Emerging Scenario” – Anil Kakodkar
  Dr. Anil Kakodkar, former Chairman of India’s Atomic Energy Commission, was instrumental in developing indigenous nuclear technology and played a key role in India’s nuclear tests and energy programs.

• January 9, 2008 – “21st Century Business Paradigm” – Steven J. Snyder
  Steven J. Snyder, founder of Snyder Leadership Group and former Microsoft executive, co-developed collaborative filtering technology and pioneered online personalization as co-founder of Net Perceptions.

• December 1, 2006 – “All about Integrity, Values and Morals” – Subroto Bagchi
  Subroto Bagchi, co-founder of Mindtree, is a respected entrepreneur and author, known for his work in leadership development and values-driven business practices within India’s IT sector.

• November 26, 2005 – “Corporate Ethics and the Bottom Line: Why Fighting Corruption Matters for Business” – Peter Eigen
  Dr. Peter Eigen, founder of Transparency International, is a relentless global advocate against corruption. He has worked with the World Bank and led initiatives like the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.

• November 29, 2004 – “Tourism in Developing Countries: Neocolonialism or Nation Builder” – James J. Spillane, S.J.
  Fr. Dr. James J. Spillane, SJ, American Jesuit priest and academic, has worked extensively in Indonesia on international economics and the ethical dimensions of tourism.

• February 9, 2004 – “Corporate Governance and the Church’s Contribution” – Telesphore P. Cardinal Toppo
  Telesphore P. Cardinal Toppo, the first Adivasi Indian Cardinal and Archbishop of Ranchi, was a key church leader and advocate of social work and education.

• December 17, 2002 – “Ethics and Media” – Mark Tully
  Sir Mark Tully, veteran BBC journalist, is celebrated for his profound reporting on South Asia and for authoring numerous books on India and religion.

• November 29, 2001 – “The Past and Future of the Environmental Movement: Its Social and Ethical Perspectives” – Ramachandra Guha
  Dr. Ramachandra Guha, renowned historian and environmental thinker, has authored widely on India’s ecological and social history.

• December 21, 2000 – “Globalization and Corporate Ethics” – Robert F. Drinan
  Dr. Robert F. Drinan, SJ, was a Jesuit priest, lawyer, U.S. Congressman, and Georgetown law professor known for his work on legal ethics and international human rights.

• October 10, 1999 – “Role of Business in Ecological Security: An Ethical Perspective” – Amrita Patel
  Dr. Amrita Patel, former Chairman of the National Dairy Development Board, played a transformative role in Operation Flood and has been a dedicated environmentalist and development activist.

• October 16, 1998 – “Business Ethics: The Bitter–Sweet Ambrosia” – Suresh Krishna
  Suresh Krishna, Chairman and Managing Director of Sundram Fasteners Ltd., is a pioneering industrialist known for building a global manufacturing business from a modest start.

• January 17, 1998 – “Ethics in Media” – Chris Frost
  Prof. Chris Frost, former Head of Journalism at Liverpool John Moores University, is a media ethics expert and long-time member of the NUJ Ethics Council and UK Press Council.

• October 25, 1996 – “Business Ethics: Commandments of Truth, Sacrifice, Integrity and Trusteeship” – Tarjani Vakil
  Tarjani Vakil, the first Indian woman to head a financial institution, revolutionized ethical standards in banking and held leadership roles across major development banks.

• October 18, 1995 – “Development and Ethics: A Jesuit Perspective” – Fr. Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, S.J.
  Fr. Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, S.J., 29th Superior General of the Jesuits, was a theologian and linguist who led the Society of Jesus for over two decades.

• February 11, 1994 – “An Interpretation of Conscience in Business Life” – Dr. Kenneth E. Goodpaster
  Dr. Kenneth E. Goodpaster, business ethics professor at Harvard and the University of St. Thomas, contributed widely to ethical reasoning and corporate responsibility.

• January 27, 1993 – “Business Ethics – Some Reflections” – Justice Bakhtavar Lentin
  Justice Bakhtavar Lentin, distinguished Bombay High Court judge, was renowned for exposing corruption in public health administration through landmark judicial inquiries.

• February 28, 1992 – “Establishing and Maintaining an Ethical Business Climate” – Joseph M. Sciortino
  Joseph M. Sciortino, former CEO of Sysco Food Services, was a respected advocate for business ethics and an active philanthropist devoted to faith and community service.

• March 4, 1991 – “Ethics and Business Success” – J.R.D. Tata
  J.R.D. Tata, Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons Ltd., was a visionary industrialist who led the Tata Group for 50 years, championing ethical business practices and inclusive nation-building.

Dr. Verghese Kurian Memorial Oration on Sustainable Development Orators (2014–2024)

• 2024 – “The AMUL Model: Transforming Lives of Millions” – Jayen Mehta
  Jayen Mehta is Managing Director of Amul, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (GCMMF), and a leader in cooperative-based rural development and dairy transformation.

• 2023 – “Empowering the Next Generation: Taking Action on Climate Change & Sustainability” – Vaishali Nigam Sinha
  Vaishali Nigam Sinha is Chief Sustainability Officer at ReNew Power and Chair of the ReNew Foundation, advocating climate action and women’s leadership.

• 2022 – “India’s SDG Localization Model” – Suman Bery
  Suman Bery is Vice Chairperson of NITI Aayog and former Chief Economist at Royal Dutch Shell, with a strong background in policy research and sustainable development.

• 2021 – “Unpacking ESG – Putting ‘S’ at the Centre” – Shankar Venkateswaran
  Shankar Venkateswaran, founding head of the Tata Sustainability Group, is a sustainability advisor and co-founder of ECube Investment Advisors.

• 2020 – “Eco-Swaraj: Recovery towards Justice & Sustainability” – Ashish Kothari
  Ashish Kothari, co-founder of Kalpavriksh, is a prominent environmentalist and advisor on conservation and sustainability initiatives.

• 2019 – “Oneness vs. The 1%: Ecological Responses to the Threat for Planet and Humanity” – Vandana Shiva
  Vandana Shiva, environmental activist and founder of Navdanya, is internationally recognized for advocating biodiversity and ecological sustainability.

• 2018 – “Economic Growth and Social Development” – Jean Drèze
  Jean Drèze, development economist, is noted for his work on public policy and social rights in India.

• 2017 – “The Machine Revolution: Fulfilling the Aspirations of Rural India” – Ashok Khosla
  Ashok Khosla is Chairman of Development Alternatives Group and President of the Club of Rome, with extensive experience in environmental and sustainable development.

• 2016 – “Living with Anubandh: A Way to Sustainability” – Ela Bhatt
  Ela Bhatt, Gandhian and founder of SEWA, served as its general secretary and later as chancellor of Gujarat Vidyapith.

• 2015 – “The 21st Century Gandhian Model to Sustainability” – Bunker Roy
  Sanjit “Bunker” Roy, founder of Barefoot College, is a social activist recognized for empowering rural communities through education.

• 2014 – “Unequal is Unsustainable” – P. Sainath
  P. Sainath, Founder Editor of the People’s Archive of Rural India (PARI), is an acclaimed rural journalist and Ramon Magsaysay Awardee.