Dr. Asif Iqbal
Persian Language Scholar
Dr. Asif Iqbal, a native of District Poonch, Jammu & Kashmir, is a scholar of Persian language and literature. He obtained his M.A., M.Phil., and Ph.D. from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, with his doctoral research focusing on “The Letters of Sadeq Hedayat”. His academic interests center on modern Persian literature, particularly the works of Sadeq Hedayat, while also engaging with classical Persian prose and poetry. Dr. Asif possesses strong translation skills in Persian, Urdu, and English, and has worked on translating classical and modern texts. He has experience in translating classical Persian texts (poetry and prose) with focus on idiomatic and stylistic beauty. He also has a strong command of the History of Iranian Literature and the History of Persian Literature in Kashmir, which form a significant part of his teaching and research. He has authored four books and published seven research papers in reputed peer-reviewed journals. He has actively participated in national and international conferences, presenting several research papers.
Disha Ahluwalia
Archaeologist, Columnist, and Heritage Consultant
Affiliated Institution: Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda.
Disha Ahluwalia is an archaeologist and PhD researcher at the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, specializing in landscape archaeology, ceramic analysis, and the cultural history of protohistoric South Asia. With over a decade of hands-on field experience across the Ghaggar Basin, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Haryana, she has served as excavation supervisor at key Harappan sites like Rakhigarhi, Binjor, and Sinauli. Passionate about making archaeology accessible, Disha regularly contributes to The Print with the aim of bringing nuanced perspectives from the trenches to the wider public. She has also curated exhibitions, participated in international research collaborations, Her academic foundation began with a B.A. in History (Hons.) from Daulat Ram College, University of Delhi, followed by an M.A. in Ancient History and Archaeology from the University of Mysore. She went on to earn a Postgraduate Diploma in Archaeology from the Institute of Archaeology, Archaeological Survey of India, where she received intensive training in excavation, documentation, pottery analysis, and conservation.She was awarded with S.P.Gupta Gold Medal in Archaeology.
Prof. K. S. Kannan
Former Director of Karnataka Samskrit University, Bangalore and holder of the Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj Chair at IIT-Madras
Prof. K. S. Kannan, D.Litt., is a renowned Sanskrit scholar with nearly five decades of teaching and research. He served as SRSJM Chair Professor at IIT-Madras and as Director of Karnataka Samskrit University, Bangalore, and has been Academic Director of the Swadeshi Indology Conference Series. Over his career, he has taught more than 10,000 students and produced a scholarly output exceeding 10,000 pages. Author of more than thirty-five books and numerous articles in English, Kannada, and Sanskrit, his recent works include Rāmanenu Devane?, Ākhyāta-candrikā, and Yoga-tārāvalī. Honoured with titles such as Bhāratīya Vidyā Vibhūti and Vidyānidhi, he continues to contribute significantly to Sanskrit studies,Indian knowledge systems, and civilizational discourse. He is part of the Buddhism in Bharat and Aryan Invasion Myth (Aryan Migration) Projects.
Kartik Mohan
Molecular Biologist and Geneticist
Kartik Mohan serves as Senior VP, Scientific Services at 3fx, bringing extensive experience in medical visualization and scientific communication. Their background reflects a strong focus on advancing medical understanding through innovative visual solutions.
During their tenure at 3fx, Kartik progressed through several key roles, including Science Director, Medical Writer, and Medical Animation Specialist. Their work history encompasses a deep involvement in the design, development, and implementation of medical animation and visualization projects for Pharma, Biotech, and Healthcare Agency clients.
Dr. Koenraad Elst
Oriental Philologist and Historian
Belgian Author Dr. Koenraad Elst obtained MA degrees in Sinology, Indology and Philosophy, and a PhD degree in Oriental Studies. He worked in political journalism, as a foreign policy assistant in the Belgian Senate, as an adjunct professor of Indo-European Studies in Indus University, Ahmedabad, but all the while also as an independent researcher and writer. He is best known for his work on the Indo-European Homeland debate and its political implications, on Hindu Revivalism and the Ayodhya affair, and on Comparative Religion. He is part of the Aryan Invasion Myth (Aryan Migration) Project.
Kushal Mehra
Author and Podcaster
Kushal Mehra is an Indo-Canadian Podcaster and author of the best-selling book “Nastik: Why I Am Not an Atheist.” This book looks at atheism in the Western world and does a comparative analysis between Western atheism and Indian Niresvarwaad. The book shows how Indian traditions have made disbelief a fundamental part of their traditional framework. This book is the intellectual answer to neo atheism that has spread like wildfire in Western society that led to the collapse of religion. It can be especially beneficial to second-generation Indian kids who have been alienated from their own community. It gives epistemic tools to talk to young Indian children who may not believe in traditional religious forms but still want to be part of the community. He leads the Aryan Invasion Myth (Aryan Migration) Project.
Dr. H.R. Meera
Sanskrit Scholar
Dr. H. R. Meera holds a Ph.D. in Cognitive Linguistics and Alaṅkāraśāstra from NIAS, Bangalore, after an earlier career in engineering and software consultancy. She has been closely associated with the Swadeshi Indology Conference Series, editing and co-editing several volumes such as Karnāṭaka Śāstrīya Saṅgīta, Chronology and Causation, and Swadeshi Critique of Videshi Mīmāṁsā. Her publications include translations of Śrāddha-Pitṛpūjā and collaborations with Prof. K. S. Kannan on works such as Śrī Rāma Saṅkīrtanam and Vibhinnate. She has also worked with Dr. Vikram Sampath on Waiting for Shiva and ongoing research on Buddhism. Her articles relating to our heritage and values have appeared in various Kannada dailies. Her scholarly interests span Sanskrit poetics, cultural continuity, and civilizational studies. Dr. H.R. Meera is the Series Editor for the Buddhism in Bharat Project. She is also part of the Aryan Invasion Myth (Aryan Migration) Project.
Ven. Dr. Pooja Dabral
Assistant Professor,
School of Buddhist Studies, Philosophy and Comparative Religion.
School of Languages and Literature/Humanities, Nalanda University
Ven. Dr. Pooja Dabral is an Assistant Professor at the School of Buddhist Studies, Philosophy and Comparative Religion, as well as the School of Language, Literature, and Philosophy at Nalanda University. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Delhi for her thesis titled Arya Nagarjuna’s Philosophy of Emptiness and Je Tsongkhapa’s Exposition: Dissent in Two Prolific Periods. Her research focuses on Madhyamaka Philosophy and Buddhist Psychology, and she has published extensively on topics such as Emptiness (Shunyata), Mind and Cognition in Buddhist Psychology, and Form and Substance in Buddhist Philosophy. She has also collaborated on publications with Tibet House, Delhi, including The Blaze of Non-Dual Bodhicitta Buddhist Psychology. She is part of the Buddhism in Bharat Project.
Dr. Pranshu Samdarshi
Assistant Professor,
School of Historical Studies &
School of Buddhist Studies, Philosophy & Comparative Religions, Nalanda University
Dr. Pranshu Samdarshi is an Assistant Professor at the School of Historical Studies and the School of Buddhist Studies, Philosophy & Comparative Religions at Nalanda University. His research specializes in the history and literature of Tantra traditions in Southern Asia and Tibet. He earned his Ph.D. in History from the University of Delhi, where his doctoral thesis explored the dynamic relationship between sacred feminine imagery and Buddhist Tantra practices. He also holds an M.A. and an M.Phil. in Buddhist Studies, along with a Diploma in Pali from the University of Delhi. He is part of the Buddhism in Bharat Project.
Prof. K. R. Srinivas Murthy
Former Director of IIM-B,
Former Vice Chairman of All India Council for Technical Education
The Indic Leadership Models project is being supported by Prof K R Srinivas Murthy. Prof Murthy has had an illustrious career in management education from institutions like MIT and Harvard, and has been in leadership positions such as former director of Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM-B) and Vice Chairman of All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). He has been the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC) and serves on the boards of several educational and non-profit institutions.
Dr. Tosabanta Padhan
Archaeologist and Teaching Fellow at Nalanda University.
The Buddhism in Bharat project will also benefit from the expertise of Dr. Tosabanta Padhan, an archaeologist and Teaching Fellow at Nalanda University. Dr. Padhan has conducted fieldwork, stone tool analysis, and experimental flintknapping at institutions in India, Europe, and Africa. He has a Ph.D. in Archaeology from Deccan College, Post-Graduate & Research Institute, Pune and holds Master’s degrees from Sambalpur University and the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Portugal. His research interests include Field Archaeology. Prehistoric Archaeology. Experimental Lithic Knapping, Rock Art, Ethnoarchaeology, Early Historic Archaeology. Digital Archaeology, and Remote Sensing application in Archaeology.
Vatsala Hali
Program Director – CXXO
Leading the CXXO program at Kalaari Capital is both a challenging and rewarding experience. Female founders often lack the support they deserve, and through this program, it’s a privilege to provide them with the backing they need. Being part of an initiative that genuinely supports women entrepreneurs is incredibly fulfilling.
Vatsala is the Program Director of CXXO at Kalaari. She is a seasoned media professional with over 10 years of experience in the industry. In her previous role at the Ola Group, Vatsala was responsible for developing and implementing effective PR and communication strategies, positioning senior management personnel as industry thought leaders, and highlighting Ola’s reputation as a leading global consumer internet company and a great place to work. Prior to this, Vatsala worked as a Project Manager at McCann Worldgroup, leading marketing communication for McCann’s key accounts such as Nestle, Dabur, Omron, and Greenlam Industries.