6-7 June Agenda
The Holiday Inn, International Airport
NATIONAL CONFERENCE & EXCELLENCE AWARDS
6 June 2026
Business Conclave
MAIN STAGE
09:00
AM
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Registrations & Welcome
.
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10:15
AM
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Inaugural Address by the Chief Guest
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11:20
AM
PANEL
Scaling India’s Plant-Based Economy: Unlocking Trade, Farmer Value, and Nutrition Outcomes
India’s plant-based sector is emerging as a key driver of economic growth, nutrition security, and climate resilience. This plenary brings together policymakers and industry leaders to explore how India can scale from farm to global markets—unlocking trade, strengthening farmer value chains, and advancing equitable access to plant-based nutrition.
Shreyasi Agarwal
CEO, Development Chamber of Food & Agriculture Trade Association
Nilesh Amritkar
MD, Envirocare Labs
12:00
PM
TALK
Building Ventures
Marico is a market leader and a forward-looking vision to invest in plant-based startups. This session will feature the success story and behind the scenes anecdotes which has shaped the conglomerate’s strategy to differentiate itself from its competitors.
Rishabh Mariwala
Director, Marico Ltd and Founder, Sharpp Ventures
12:20
PM
PANEL
Scaling 100% Plant-Based Hospitality Brands in India
What does it take to start a 100% plant-based café in India? This masterclass offers a grounded look at building and running a plant-based food business in an evolving market.
Vik Khatwani
Founder, Earth Cafe, Mumbai
Sarah Edwards
Founder, Copper+Cloves, Bengaluru
Leena Mathai
Founder, Crave By Leena, Bengaluru
Moderated by
Siddharth Kothari
Chief Investment Strategist, Om Kothari Group
01:00
PM
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LUNCH
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03:00
PM
DEMO
Brewed Better with So Good
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Ashwini Sawant
Founder, Kali Coffee Roasters
03:10
PM
TALK
Protein in Developed vs Underdeveloped Countries
Behind every mission-driven brand is a journey shaped by conviction, experimentation, and hard trade-offs. In this session, Dr. Gaurav Sharma shares of building a plant-based protein company rooted in the vision of affordable, accessible nutrition for all. Blending personal insights with practical lessons, the session explores how purpose translates into product, how challenges are navigated in emerging markets, and what it takes to scale impact without losing sight of the mission.
Dr. Gaurav Sharma
Co-Founder, Shandi and Food Scientist
03:25
PM
PANEL
Flexitarian Playbook for Brands: Rise of Healthy Plant-Based Foods & Products
The biggest growth in plant-based is coming from flexitarians. Fueled by health-conscious choices, this shift is redefining how vegan foods are positioned, formulated, and marketed. This session explores the key cues brands must understand to meet flexitarian expectations and ride the wave of the healthy foods movement.
Rugved Vartak
Category Head, Food Square
Siddharth Ramasubramanian
Founder, Hello Tempay
Harshad Parekh
Founder, Plantacious
Vishnucharan Manjunath
Head of Growth and Revenue, BigBasket
Moderated by
Palak Mehta
Vegan India Conference and Vegan First
04:00
PM
PANEL
The Indian Takeover of Biomaterials in Manufacturing and Beyond
As the world moves away from resource-intensive materials, India is quietly leading a biomaterials revolution. From Plant-based leather to sustainable packaging, a new generation of innovators is reshaping manufacturing at its core. This session unpacks how India is positioning itself at the forefront of this transition, and what it means for businesses, consumers, and the future of sustainable production.
Dr. Anjineyulu Kothakota
Senior Scientist, CSIR-NIIST
Neha Jain
Founder, Zerocircle
Muskaan Mundhra
Founder, House of Serein
Moderated by
Navya Singh
Journalist and Founder, News With Navya
04:45
PM
PANEL
Embedding Food Systems into ESG and CSR Roadmaps
This session will focus on how businesses can incorporate plant-forward approaches into their operations, including procurement, food service, and events. It will highlight practical considerations, real-world applications, and the broader relevance of food systems within sustainability strategies.
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Grassroots Advocacy Bootcamp
Meeting Room 5
12:00
PM
PANEL
Who Are We Talking To? Language, Access & Vegan Growth in India
Vernacular Advocacy trains activists to speak about plant-based living in regional languages (Hindi, Marathi, Tamil) to break the "Urban-Only" barrier.
Dr. Mahesh Mookavedna
Director, Animal Liberation Now
Lokesh Jain
Activist and Influencer
02:00
PM
WORKSHOP
Crafting High-Impact Leaflets & Booklets: Design + Messaging
This hands-on workshop will guide participants through the fundamentals of creating compelling leaflets and booklets for effective outreach. Alongside design principles, we’ll layer in core communication strategies—how to shape messages that resonate, simplify complex ideas, and drive action.
Niharika Kapoor
Government Affairs and Public Policy Lead Mercy For Animals
03:05
PM
TALK
Animal Advocacy in Practice: Bridging Rights and Welfare
The session explores how advocacy operates in practice, and how rights- and welfare-based approaches—often seen as opposing—can in fact complement each other. Drawing connections to broader animal protection efforts, including farmed animal campaigns, the session will offer participants a more integrated and practical understanding of effective advocacy.
Gauri Maulekhi
Trustee, People For Animals
04:00
PM
SESSION
Speed Networking: Advocacy Circle
Step into a highly interactive session where you’ll practice real-world advocacy conversations in a safe, supportive space. You’ll work through common challenges such as skepticism, tough questions, and resistance, while mentors and peers help you refine your approach in real time.
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7 June 2026
Health & Lifestyle Conclave
MAIN STAGE
11:00
AM
.
Inaugural Address and Recap of Day 1
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A quick welcome followed by a focused recap of the most impactful moments from Day 1, setting the stage for what’s ahead.
11:15
AM
.
Keynote Address by Guest of Honor
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12:00
PM
DEBATE
The Ultimate Faceoff: Solving All Plant-Based Protein Mysteries
Kuntal Joisher
India’s First Vegan Mountaineer
Abhishek Thevar
India's First Professional Vegan Bodybuilder
Prity Singh
Plant-Based Fitness Expert and Influencer
Mansi Chavan
Plant-Based Fitness Expert and Influencer
Moderatored by
Shreya Ghodawat
Sustainablity Influencer
Siddharth Kothari
Chief Investment Strategist, Om Kothari Group
Where can you get your protein? The answer to this question will be an entertaining debate where some of India's fittest vegans will battle each other with words and actions, arguing for either supplements or a whole food plant based diet.
12:45
PM
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Protein Made Easy: Everyday Formats for Better Nutrition by Prolicious
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Still think that plant-based food has less taste and is not as easily available in the market? This session will have Prolicious bust both these myths.
01:00
PM
.
LUNCH
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03:10
PM
TALK
Purpose Entrepreneurship: Growing a Mission-Driven Brand
Anju Kalhan
Founder, BlissbyAnju
How do you turn personal values into a scalable, credible brand? In this candid 10-minute talk, Anju Kalhan shares the journey of building Bliss by Anju—a mission-driven brand rooted in whole plant-based nutrition and real nourishment. Through honest stories and hard-earned lessons, she explores balancing impact with profitability, building trust through transparency, and growing without selling out.
03:20
PM
PANEL
Reversing Lifestyle Diseases: Building a Healthier Relationship with Food
Dr. Samuel Hansdak
Founding Member, Indian Society of Lifestyle Medicine
Karan Kakkad
Founder, Reverse Factor
Dr. Sharang Wartikar
Vitreo-Retinal Surgeon, KIMS Hospital, Thane
Moderated by
Palak Mehta
Founder, VIC and Vegan First
From High blood pressure and fatty liver to stress and emotional are deeply connected to how we eat, think, and live.
This session breaks down how a plant-based diet, combined with meditation and mindful eating, can help reverse these conditions practices that support both physical health and emotional resilence.
04:10
PM
TALK
The Beejom Story
Aparna Rajagopal
Founder, Beejom Farms
The Beejom story is a journey of reimagining farming through regeneration, compassion, and community. This session explores how an alternative farm model can reshape our relationship with food, land, and animals.
04:30
PM
FIRESIDE
CHAT
Conscious Skincare: Beauty Without Compromise
Shriti Malhotra
Executive Chairperson, The Body Shop
Moderated by
Palak Mehta
Founder, VIC and Vegan First
Can skincare be effective, ethical, and sustainable at the same time? In this engaging session, Shruti Malhotra shares her personal perspective on ethical living, conscious consumerism, and her journey in leading purpose-driven beauty across the region. Exploring the shift toward cruelty-free practices, vegan-friendly formulations, responsibly sourced ingredients, and reshaping the future of skincare. Alongside industry transformation, the session will also bring in a personal lens on ethical living: how everyday choices, from what we apply on our skin to what we support as consumers, can reflect larger values around sustainability, transparency, and compassion
04:40
PM
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Closing Address
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Cooking Masterclass
Meeting Room 5
K4G Pitch for Non-Profits
Meeting Room 5
11:00
PM
WORKSHOP
Acing Oil-Free, Plant-Based Cooking
This session is a masterclass on making our favourite dishes at home without any animal products and oil, not compromising on our values, health and taste.
Kommal Shah
Holistic Nutritionist and Health Coach,
SHARAN India
12:00
PM
WORKSHOP
Compassionate Food Curation: The Luma Way
Co-promoted by Luma Hospitality and Animal Save India, this workshop is a unique blend of advocacy and food curation.
Narhari Gupta
Culinary Program Manager, Animal Save India
02:00
PM
WORKSHOP
60 Seconds for Good pitch competition for NGOs - K4G
Watch bold ideas come to life at this high-energy live pitch competition by Kickstarting for Good, featuring NGOs, nonprofits, advocacy campaigns, and mission-driven changemakers working to create a more compassionate future for animals and food systems.
Rithika Ramesh
Senior Consultant, ProVeg International