First India Week speakers announced | Venture philanthropy in India (27 March)
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Dear all,
We’re delighted to be hosting a reception on 27 March with Naina Subberwal Batra, CEO of the Asian Venture Philanthropy Network, Asia’s largest network of social investors that aims to increase the flow of financial, human and intellectual capital for impact. Scroll down for more.
Our first list of speakers for India Week® and Ideas for India® is now out. We have a diverse range of speakers across industries, including representing the non-English, vernacular language part of India, which often goes unrepresented at international events. For example, Saurabh Dwivedi was the founding editor of the Hindi digital news platform The Lallantop. In January 2026, he took charge of the Hindi digital initiative of The Indian Express.
And here’s why that’s important - the platform is non-partisan and not funded by any political parties. We seek to help India-watchers better engage with all part of India. Scroll down for more.
Member news
Welcome to our newest Member Nikhil Jejurikar, who has a background in strategy, product management, digital acquisition and marketing. He is currently a Senior Advisor at recruitment firm WisdomCircle and earlier in product and strategy roles at American Express and Travis Perkins Group. Via Bridge India, he sees opportunities for collaboration via cultural exchange and diplomacy, diaspora engagement, music and arts related partnerships that can strengthen long-term India–UK cultural exchange.
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Upcoming events
Invitation: AVPN x BI Reception with Naina Subberwal Batra (5:30pm, Fri 27 March)
US and European foundations, development agencies, and multilaterals remain among the largest sources of impact capital flowing into Asia. Yet fewer than 10% of global impact investors are headquartered in the region itself, and even well-intentioned external funding can miss local realities, sometimes fuelling accusations of a “colonial” approach in markets such as India.
With US institutions beginning to step back from their traditional leadership in the impact space, 2026 marks a pivotal moment. Will European capital step forward? And can Asian investors scale fast enough to help meet the US$1.5 trillion the UN estimates Asia needs each year to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030?
At the heart of the AVPN mission is a clear ambition: mobilising Asian capital for Asian impact, at scale. In a region where giving ranges from deeply informal traditions to highly structured philanthropy, the rise of blended finance demands a fresh lens on how capital can be deployed for maximum effect.
This invitation-only drinks reception brings together venture philanthropists, impact investors, and leaders from traditional finance. We will introduce the new AVPN and Bridge India partnership and hear directly from AVPN’s CEO, Naina Subberwal Batra, a recognised voice who is at the forefront of mobilising impact capital into Asia.
When: 5:30pm Arrivals, drinks and canapes, 6:30pm Introduction from Kurt Peleman (Director of Global Markets, AVPN), followed by Sangeeta Waldron (Board Member, Bridge India) in conversation with Naina Subberwal Batra (CEO, AVPN), 7pm Drinks, canapes and networking continues, 7:30pm Close | Friday 27 March
Where: 146 Bar, Hilton Paddington, 146 Praed St, London W2 1EE
Who: 20-30 impact investors, philanthropists and finance professionals, as well as AVPN team members
RSVP: Request to attend here
Ideas for India (Fri 29 May, Royal Lancaster London | Book here)
Our flagship conference of the year is back, part of the wider India Week of events. You should expect senior political, business, media and other personalities from across India attending. Check out some of the pictures and videos from last year here and an event summary here. Bridge India Members attend for free.
First speakers’ list for India Week is out
To hear all of these speakers, book your India Week pass today (Early Bird price £400+VAT until 13 March, £100 less for BI Members).
Eugene Robinson, Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist; contributing writer for The Atlantic; Political analyst, MS NOW
Rajdeep Sardesai, Consulting Editor, TV Today Network
Smita Prakash, Chief Editor, Deputy CEO, Asia News International (ANI)
Suhasini Haider, Diplomatic Editor, The Hindu
Kamlesh Singh, News Director, TV Today Group
Anubhav Sinha, Filmmaker and producer (Assi, Thappad, Article 15, Mulk, Bheed)
Saurabh Dwivedi, Editor, Indian Express, Hindi
Tony Matharu, Founder and Chairman, Integrity International Group
Monisha Advani, Founder Partner, Emmay Entertainment (Rocket Boys, Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway, Mumbai Diaries)
Vee Bharkhada, Director, Navigate Business Recovery
Dr Amrit Chandan, Co-founder, Lorefully
Sachin Marya, Managing Director, Franchise India
Emile Nawagamuwa, Commissioning Editor, UKTV
Michelle Jenkins, Head of Production Services, Film London
Helena Mackenzie, Head of Inward Investment & Business Development, Film London
To find out more about speaking, exhibiting or sponsoring, reply to this email today.
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The Bridge India Team
contact@bridgeindia.org.uk | www.bridgeindia.org.uk
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About Bridge India: Bridge India is a progressive non-profit think tank dedicated to discourse on public policy. Bridge India is a company limited by guarantee Companies House number 15283062.