Latest news with #IGFLondon2025
News18
23-06-2025
- Business
- News18
‘IIT to Inner Transformation': At IGF London, ISKCON's Gauranga Das Hails Dharmic Values
Last Updated: Spiritual leader Gauranga Das urges a return to purpose-driven living, cultural humility, and inner well-being in a world dominated by material success and digital stress On the final day of IGF London 2025, spiritual leader and ISKCON monk Gauranga Das delivered an address at Taj St. James' Court, urging global leaders and changemakers to reimagine progress through the lens of Dharma, cultural wisdom, and inner balance. 'Indians across the world are having immense impact in terms of Artha or economy. I stand here to testify that Indians also have a powerful role to play in the transformation of Dharma." Defining Dharma as 'Samaan" – the principle of respect – he addressed the deepening crisis of digital addiction, loneliness, and anxiety. 'We have a huge problem. Globally, 230 million are addicted to social media. In Bharat alone, 70% of teenagers spend seven hours daily online. One in seven people around the world is suffering from mental health issues." Sharing his own transformative journey—from an IIT Bombay student to a spiritual teacher— Gauranga Das offered a deeply personal reflection: 'I went to IIT in the same batch as Sundar Pichai. Years later, we met, and he said, 'You look younger than me." I replied, 'You deal with Google, which creates stress. I deal with God, who releases stress." Highlighting the extraordinary impact of the Indian diaspora, Gauranga Das noted: 'Today we have 36 million Indians globally. Almost 16 million NRIs, 20 million of Indian origin. Out of the Fortune 500 companies in America, 22 are led by Indian CEOs who employ 1.7 million people and represent a net worth of $1 trillion. More than 60% of hotels in America are owned by Indians, and 72 out of 650 US unicorns are led by Indians." He closed with a tribute to India's spiritual heritage: 'I never imagined I'd wear saffron. But the Geeta changed my life. Our Vedic tradition is an ocean of wisdom, and I'm proud to be part of a movement from technology to transcendence." Das's remarks were a part of three-day forum that convened business leaders, policy thinkers, and cultural icons, reminding the world that in forging global partnerships, spiritual and cultural grounding remains essential. The forum forms part of IGF London 2025. With over 100+ speakers, 1000 participants, and events across iconic venues in London, IGF London 2025 encompasses a spectrum of topics – from technology and trade to culture and commerce. This year's edition marks a powerful milestone – a decade since Prime Minister Narendra Modi's landmark 2015 visit to the UK, and the two nations have finalised the long-awaited Free Trade Agreement. IGF London is the first major international platform to celebrate and analyse this historic achievement, unlock new opportunities that emerge from its conclusion, and shape the next phase of UK-India collaboration.
Business Standard
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Standard
"The Most Important Thing About Art is Freedom," says AR Rahman at IGF London 2025
PRNewswire London [UK], June 23: In a deeply personal and expansive conversation at the final day of India Global Forum London 2025 at Taj St. James' Court, Academy Award-winning composer AR Rahman urged artists, institutions, and governments alike to nurture creative freedom and cultural innovation. * Oscar-winning composer on scent cinema, AI, and the reinvention of Indian music culture "In cinema for over 40 years now, I was bored with the same rectangle form," Rahman confessed. "It's just seeing and hearing--what else can we do?" That question sparked Le Musk, Rahman's pioneering immersive project which brings scent, touch, and narrative together. "The idea came from my ex-wife who loved perfumes. I thought, why not create a theatre experience with perfume and haptics?" Now coming to London for a year, Le Musk is more than a film--it's an artistic manifesto, showcasing Rahman's continued defiance of convention. The fireside chat turned from personal to philosophical, as Rahman explored the urgent need to preserve traditional Indian music, asking: "Where is the next shehnai player? Where is the next Bismillah Khan Sahib? Unless we find them, recognize them, and let the world see them--they'll vanish. That's where the inspiration for JHAALA came in." JHAALA, Rahman's initiative to platform and preserve Indian classical arts, seeks to make the invisible visible--through technology, talent discovery, and global exposure. On artificial intelligence, Rahman struck a balanced note of caution and curiosity: "AI is like Frankenstein--it just steals from human experiences, human knowledge, human art, and then puts together multiple thoughts. It's copied from us. And now it gets faster, because we feel with emotion--and it just runs on data." "We should use it for what it is--for speeding up the mundane. Don't fear it, use it." Beyond technology, Rahman called for a national cultural renaissance: "If you look at South Korea and K-pop, it emerged in the last 10 years because of government involvement and economic growth. It was a collective movement. That needs to happen with Indian music too. We need to reinvent the wheel." Throughout the session, one sentiment rang clear: true art is unbound by formats, expectations, or institutions. "The most important thing about art is freedom," Rahman stated. "You can't do that with a film studio." He ended with a reminder of music's enduring universality: "Music transcends religion. It heals. It connects. It's a shared soul." IGF London 2025's closing conversations made one thing certain: in a world fractured by algorithms and agendas, it is artists like Rahman who restore harmony--not just in sound, but in society. The forum forms part of IGF London 2025. With over 100+ speakers, 1000 participants, and events across iconic venues in London, IGF London 2025 encompasses a spectrum of topics - from technology and trade to culture and commerce. This year's edition marks a powerful milestone - a decade since Prime Minister Narendra Modi's landmark 2015 visit to the UK, and the two nations have finalised the long-awaited Free Trade Agreement. IGF London is the first major international platform to celebrate and analyse this historic achievement, unlock new opportunities that emerge from its conclusion, and shape the next phase of UK-India collaboration. About India Global Forum India Global Forum tells the story of contemporary India. The pace of change and growth India has set itself is an opportunity for the world. IGF is the gateway for businesses and nations to help seize that opportunity. To know more, click here Social Media Handles & Hashtag to Follow Twitter: @IGFUpdates & @manojladwa LinkedIn: India Global Forum #IGFLondon Logo -
Business Standard
23-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
From IIT to Inner Transformation: Gauranga Das Calls for a Revival of Dharmic Values at IGF London
PRNewswire London [UK], June 23: On the final day of IGF London 2025, spiritual leader and ISKCON monk Gauranga Das delivered a profound address at Taj St. James' Court, urging global leaders and changemakers to reimagine progress through the lens of Dharma, cultural wisdom, and inner balance. * Spiritual leader Gauranga Das urges a return to purpose-driven living, cultural humility, and inner well-being in a world dominated by material success and digital stress "Indians across the world are having immense impact in terms of Artha or economy. I stand here to testify that Indians also have a powerful role to play in the transformation of Dharma." Defining Dharma as "Samaan" - the principle of respect - he addressed the deepening crisis of digital addiction, loneliness, and anxiety. "We have a huge problem. Globally, 230 million are addicted to social media. In Bharat alone, 70% of teenagers spend seven hours daily online. One in seven people around the world is suffering from mental health issues." Sharing his own transformative journey--from an IIT Bombay student to a spiritual teacher--Gauranga Das offered a deeply personal reflection: "I went to IIT in the same batch as Sundar Pichai. Years later, we met, and he said, "You look younger than me." I replied, "You deal with Google, which creates stress. I deal with God, who releases stress." Highlighting the extraordinary impact of the Indian diaspora, Gauranga Das noted: "Today we have 36 million Indians globally. Almost 16 million NRIs, 20 million of Indian origin. Out of the Fortune 500 companies in America, 22 are led by Indian CEOs who employ 1.7 million people and represent a net worth of $1 trillion. More than 60% of hotels in America are owned by Indians, and 72 out of 650 US unicorns are led by Indians." He closed with a tribute to India's spiritual heritage: "I never imagined I'd wear saffron. But the Geeta changed my life. Our Vedic tradition is an ocean of wisdom, and I'm proud to be part of a movement from technology to transcendence." Gauranga Das' remarks were a part of three-day forum that convened business leaders, policy thinkers, and cultural icons, reminding the world that in forging global partnerships, spiritual and cultural grounding remains essential. The forum forms part of IGF London 2025. With over 100+ speakers, 1000 participants, and events across iconic venues in London, IGF London 2025 encompasses a spectrum of topics - from technology and trade to culture and commerce. This year's edition marks a powerful milestone - a decade since Prime Minister Narendra Modi's landmark 2015 visit to the UK, and the two nations have finalised the long-awaited Free Trade Agreement. IGF London is the first major international platform to celebrate and analyse this historic achievement, unlock new opportunities that emerge from its conclusion, and shape the next phase of UK-India collaboration. About India Global Forum India Global Forum tells the story of contemporary India. The pace of change and growth India has set itself is an opportunity for the world. IGF is the gateway for businesses and nations to help seize that opportunity. To know more, click here Social Media Handles & Hashtag to Follow Twitter: @IGFUpdates & @manojladwa LinkedIn: India Global Forum #IGFLondon Photo - London - (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Business Standard
20-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
"We Now Need to Create Opportunities Across Sectors" - UK Minister Patrick Vallance Urges Deeper UK-India Science Partnerships
PRNewswire New Delhi [India] / London [UK], June 20: At the Future Frontiers Forum hosted by IGF London, Patrick J. Vallance, UK Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation, called for intensified UK-India collaboration in science and technology, urging both nations to align their innovation priorities and unlock sector-wide opportunities. * Science Museum hosts IGF Future Frontiers Forum spotlighting science, tech & innovation collaboration between India and UK "The industrial strategy coming out in just a couple of weeks which will list the eight sectors we are working on. That's got to be a good foundation for where there can be partnerships," Vallance stated. "India has its focus areas, we have ours, now we need to create opportunities across those sectors." Speaking at the Science Museum, Vallance emphasised the importance of people-to-people scientific ties: "I believe government-to-government relationships in science do not drive everything; we must also create scientist-to-scientist relationships. Academic links and the exchange of people often drive collaborations. Start-ups in particular are becoming central to the innovation ecosystem, and we need more of them in the UK-India mix." The forum, part of IGF London 2025, brought together government leaders, global CEOs, investors, and academics to explore frontier technologies across AI, climate tech, sustainable energy, health innovation, and quantum computing. Opening the event, Sir Ian Blatchford, Director of the Science Museum, celebrated the UK-India Science and Innovation Partnership Roadmap and its focus on critical and emerging technologies. "The Technology Security Initiative is a landmark step," he said. "Imperial College's science hub in Bengaluru will drive collaboration in AI, healthtech, cleantech, and advanced materials, backed by $170 million in joint UK-India funding." India's Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted the FTA's role in strengthening innovation ecosystems: "It's not just about trade or investment. The FTA demonstrates that India and the UK are friends and allies. Innovation in India happens at a fraction of global costs. What takes 10x the cost in the US or Europe can be done efficiently in India, with mutual benefit." Sir Oliver Dowden, former UK Deputy Prime Minister, reinforced the values-based alignment between the two democracies: "We must deepen ties with like-minded nations. UK and India share heritage, rule of law, and a commitment to science. Whether it's 6G or quantum, setting international standards together creates a win-win." Health innovation was another key focus, with leaders like Lord Ara Darzi, Alisha Moopen (Aster DM Healthcare), and Monica Huang (Zydus Lifesciences) exploring how India's affordable, tech-driven models could support the UK's struggling NHS. "The NHS isn't in critical condition, but it needs urgent reform," said Lord Darzi. "India's transformative health solutions and COVID-era support show the intellectual and production power we must now collaborate with." A major highlight was the return of Pitchers and Punters, a curated showcase of Indian start-ups pitching to a jury of international investors. Among the standout companies were Zypp Electric, Lina Energy, Steamology Motion Ltd and Electric Miles--with Zypp Electric winning the Clean Tech Award, presented by Octopus Energy. The punters included Neha Manaktala (JP Morgan Climate Tech), Richard Heald (EET), James Edison (Octopus Energy) and Bhavit Sheth (Dream11 & Dream Sports) who praised the depth of Indian innovation in sustainability and AI. Other sessions featured voices like Daniel D'Souza (DreamSetGo), Reena Dayal (Quantum Ecosystems Council of India), and experts from EET, exploring opportunities across deep tech, telecom, and digital health. As global tech landscapes grow more complex and fragmented, IGF London's Future Frontiers Forum showcased a clear vision: the UK and India must build trusted, innovation-led alliances that translate ambition into scalable action. The forum forms part of IGF London 2025. With over 100+ speakers, 1000 participants, and events across iconic venues in London, IGF London 2025 encompasses a spectrum of topics - from technology and trade to culture and commerce. This year's edition marks a powerful milestone - a decade since Prime Minister Narendra Modi's landmark 2015 visit to the UK, and the two nations have finalised the long-awaited Free Trade Agreement. IGF London is the first major international platform to celebrate and analyse this historic achievement, unlock new opportunities that emerge from its conclusion, and shape the next phase of UK-India collaboration. About India Global Forum India Global Forum tells the story of contemporary India. The pace of change and growth India has set itself is an opportunity for the world. IGF is the gateway for businesses and nations to help seize that opportunity. To know more, click here. Social Media Handles & Hashtag to Follow Twitter: @IGFUpdates & @manojladwa LinkedIn: India Global Forum #IGFLondon
The Wire
20-06-2025
- Business
- The Wire
'We Now Need to Create Opportunities Across Sectors' - UK Minister Patrick Vallance Urges Deeper UK–India Science Partnerships
Science Museum hosts IGF Future Frontiers Forum spotlighting science, tech & innovation collaboration between India and UK NEW DELHI and LONDON, June 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- At the Future Frontiers Forum hosted by IGF London, Patrick J. Vallance, UK Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation, called for intensified UK–India collaboration in science and technology, urging both nations to align their innovation priorities and unlock sector-wide opportunities. "The industrial strategy coming out in just a couple of weeks which will list the eight sectors we are working on. That's got to be a good foundation for where there can be partnerships," Vallance stated. "India has its focus areas, we have ours, now we need to create opportunities across those sectors." Speaking at the Science Museum, Vallance emphasised the importance of people-to-people scientific ties: "I believe government-to-government relationships in science do not drive everything; we must also create scientist-to-scientist relationships. Academic links and the exchange of people often drive collaborations. Start-ups in particular are becoming central to the innovation ecosystem, and we need more of them in the UK–India mix." The forum, part of IGF London 2025, brought together government leaders, global CEOs, investors, and academics to explore frontier technologies across AI, climate tech, sustainable energy, health innovation, and quantum computing. Opening the event, Sir Ian Blatchford, Director of the Science Museum, celebrated the UK–India Science and Innovation Partnership Roadmap and its focus on critical and emerging technologies. "The Technology Security Initiative is a landmark step," he said. "Imperial College's science hub in Bengaluru will drive collaboration in AI, healthtech, cleantech, and advanced materials, backed by $170 million in joint UK–India funding." India's Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted the FTA's role in strengthening innovation ecosystems: "It's not just about trade or investment. The FTA demonstrates that India and the UK are friends and allies. Innovation in India happens at a fraction of global costs. What takes 10x the cost in the US or Europe can be done efficiently in India, with mutual benefit." Sir Oliver Dowden, former UK Deputy Prime Minister, reinforced the values-based alignment between the two democracies: "We must deepen ties with like-minded nations. UK and India share heritage, rule of law, and a commitment to science. Whether it's 6G or quantum, setting international standards together creates a win-win." Health innovation was another key focus, with leaders like Lord Ara Darzi, Alisha Moopen (Aster DM Healthcare), and Monica Huang (Zydus Lifesciences) exploring how India's affordable, tech-driven models could support the UK's struggling NHS. "The NHS isn't in critical condition, but it needs urgent reform," said Lord Darzi. "India's transformative health solutions and COVID-era support show the intellectual and production power we must now collaborate with." A major highlight was the return of Pitchers and Punters, a curated showcase of Indian start-ups pitching to a jury of international investors. Among the standout companies were Zypp Electric, Lina Energy, Steamology Motion Ltd and Electric Miles—with Zypp Electric winning the Clean Tech Award, presented by Octopus Energy. The punters included Neha Manaktala (JP Morgan Climate Tech), Richard Heald (EET), James Edison (Octopus Energy) and Bhavit Sheth (Dream11 & Dream Sports) who praised the depth of Indian innovation in sustainability and AI. Other sessions featured voices like Daniel D'Souza (DreamSetGo), Reena Dayal (Quantum Ecosystems Council of India), and experts from EET, exploring opportunities across deep tech, telecom, and digital health. As global tech landscapes grow more complex and fragmented, IGF London's Future Frontiers Forum showcased a clear vision: the UK and India must build trusted, innovation-led alliances that translate ambition into scalable action. The forum forms part of IGF London 2025. With over 100 speakers, 1000 participants, and events across iconic venues in London, IGF London 2025 encompasses a spectrum of topics - from technology and trade to culture and commerce. This year's edition marks a powerful milestone - a decade since Prime Minister Narendra Modi's landmark 2015 visit to the UK, and the two nations have finalised the long-awaited Free Trade Agreement. IGF London is the first major international platform to celebrate and analyse this historic achievement, unlock new opportunities that emerge from its conclusion, and shape the next phase of UK-India collaboration. About India Global Forum India Global Forum tells the story of contemporary India. The pace of change and growth India has set itself is an opportunity for the world. IGF is the gateway for businesses and nations to help seize that opportunity. To know more, click here. Social Media Handles & Hashtag to Follow Twitter: @IGFUpdates & @manojladwa LinkedIn: India Global Forum #IGFLondon Photo: Logo - (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). 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