Speakers - World Parliament - 2023

DAY 2 - 10TH FEB 2023

Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati

Spiritual Leader, Author and Motivational Speaker Rishikesh

SADHVI BHAGAWATI SARASWATI, PhD is a renowned spiritual leader, author and motivational speaker based in Rishikesh, India. She’s the author of newly released #1 bestselling memoir, Hollywood to the Himalayas: A Journey of Healing and Transformation. Originally from Los Angeles and a graduate of Stanford University, Sadhviji has been ordained into the sacred order of Sanyas by her guru HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji and has been living at Parmarth Niketan Ashram for the past twenty-five years. She is the Secretary-General of the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance, an international interfaith organization dedicated to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene; president of Divine Shakti Foundation, a foundation that runs free schools, vocational training programs, and empowerment programs; and director of the world-famous International Yoga Festival at Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh—which has been covered in Time, CNN, the New York Times and other prestigious publications and has been addressed by both the Prime Minister and Vice President of India. She serves on the United Nations Advisory Council on Religion and on the steering committees of the International Partnership for Religion and Sustainable Development (PaRD) and the Moral Imperative to End Extreme Poverty, a campaign by the United Nations and World Bank. She was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by U.S. President Joe Biden for her lifelong commitment to volunteer service. She was also the Managing Editor for the monumental project of the 11-volume Encyclopedia of Hinduism. She oversees a variety of humanitarian projects, teaches meditation, lectures, writes, counsels individuals and families and serves as a unique female voice of spiritual leadership throughout India and the world.

Swamy Gyanvatsal

Motivation Speaker and Spiritual Leader

He was born and raised in Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat. Swami completed primary education from government school in Gujarat and after that he enrolled at Birla Vishvakarma Mahavidyalaya, Vallabh Vidyanagar to complete mechanical engineering.
Gyanvatsal Swami works for BAPS, which is a social organization that improves society by promoting the growth of people.
Born on 12 November 1958, Gyanvatsal Swami is 61 Year Old as in 2020. He was born in Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat and holds the Indian Nationality.
He has given motivational speeches at different seminars and in multiple countries including but not limited to New Zealand, Europe, Canada, the United States, and England. He covers a wide range of niches such as Stress, work-life, career, education, etiquette, attitude, etc.
In 2018, The Federation of Gujarat Industries (FGI) invites Gyanvatsal Swami as Motivational Speaker in “FGI HR Conclave ~ Travails of Team Building: Enabling and Retaining” event.
As per the religion, Gyanvatsal Swami believes in Hinduism.
Education and Career
Gyanvatsal Swami received his primary education from a government school in Gujarat. After completing his formal education, he enrolled in BVM Vidyanagar SP University to pursue the graduation course.
He studied mechanical engineering and completed his graduation from the same college.
He started off his career as a social reformer at Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Mandir, a social organization that promotes individual growth.
He has discussed plenty of inspirational topics that have helped many people grow and succeed in their profession.
So far, Gyanvatsal Swami has traveled to more than 20 countries and spoken on a plethora of genres varying from career to stress.
Less-known Facts about Gyanvatsal Swami
 Gyanvatsal Swami is an avid reader. In fact, reading is his only hobby.
 He is recognized as the Swami of the BAPS Sanstha.
 Most of his motivational videos go viral on the internet. His amazing abilities to deliver a motivational speech (that could actually help people) have earned him lots of fame.
 His real name is Rakshit Rawal.
 Gyanvatsal Swami received his training from Pramukh Swami, his Guru. Pramukh Swami died on 13th Aug 2016 in the Sarangpur village of Gujarat.

Dr. S. N. Pathan

Former Vice Chancellor, Nagpur Uni.

1. Strategic advisor and national coordinator for MAEER's MIT Group of Institutions
2. Ex Vice Chancellor of Nagpur University
3. Currently Vice President of Indian Council of Cultural Relations, New Delhi
4. Richly experienced academician as well as an administrator with great organizing skills.
5. Noted Scientist, Educationist & Social Worker BE in Electronics and Telecommunication from Goa University, Goa, India

Dr. Edison Samraj

Eminent Philosopher, Scholar and Thinker

For the decade, Edison Samraj has guided the work of Oriental Watchman Publishing Company, raising medical and societal issues as they affect Contemporary Asian societies.
He has created a coalition of corporate heads, academics and physicians to promote the healthcare of Indians. In 2001 this coalition convened the very first conference on Integrated Medicine in India.
He is also interested in the promotion of innovative education for our students in India. Having met with the president of India he is working on a value education curriculum that will engage the hearts and minds of our generation in pursuit of transforming their attitudes and their mindset. He has been committed to Science Education in India to foster science temper in all levels of education.
He has also worked closely with UNESCO for South Asia in the development of curriculum for the future not only in science but also in peace education. He is committed to making communication network of modern world accessible for our generation and impacting them with new perspectives and new ways to look at life and the world. In other words his commitment is to bring paradigm in our thinking process. He has participated in many corporate workshops, education institutions, science congress at the national and international levels. His profile indicates that he has a wide range in this area for over 20 years.
He has served in many committees and boards as a member and chairman. He has also presented many papers at UNESCO level as well as national level in the field of education and spiritual transformation. He has served as a member for many foundations and has interacted with many renowned national and international personalities such as Hillary Clinton, Thaksin Shianawatra, Prime Minister of Thailand; Dr.A.P.J Abdul Kalam, President of India, Gorbachev, president of USSR, Dr.V.D.Karad, president, World Peace Centre and Nelson Mandela, President of South Africa.
Dr. Edison Samraj is a powerful believer in the power of the people to help themselves and set a meaningful agenda for the government. So he has travelled widely and networked with like-minded people all over the world encouraging them to start addressing issues from grassroots level and to call on government officials to take note.
Dr. Edison Samraj is a visionary personality who has the ability to create partnerships between private, government and non-profit sector to translate his vision into reality.

Dr. Alex Hankey

Eminent Professor of Yoga and Physical Science

Since 2020, Dr Alex Hankey has served as Professor of Biology at MIT World Peace University in Pune, India. Previously, from 2011 to 2019, he was Distinguished Professor of Yoga & Physical Science at Swami Vivekananda Anusandhana Samsthana, where he worked from 2007. Despite not doing research from 1975 to 2000, he has been on Stanford’s 2% list of top researchers, 2020 & 2021. Publications: 125 articles in peer-reviewed academic journals, 5 book chapters, 1 book, and a poetry booklet, with 2,128 citations and h-index, 24.
Education: Dr Hankey was made a Senior Scholar of Rugby School in 1964, winning a Prize Scholarship to Trinity College, University of Cambridge soon after his 17th birthday. Matriculating in 1965 after research at Sweden’s Karolinska Institute, he gained three 1st in Natural Sciences, Part II in Theoretical Physics. In 1968, he won a Trinity College Physics Essay Prize, afterwards returning to the Karolinska and publishing his first research paper.
In September 1968, he joined Massachusetts Institute of Technology on an English Speaking Union Studentship, being awarded a Greenlaw Fellowship, in 1969 to complete his PhD. His research advisers were Nobel laureate Steven Weinberg in elementary particle physics and quantum field theory, and Professor H.E. Stanley in critical phenomena. 9 journal articles resulted, and three in conference proceedings.
Career: Dr Hankey held a Lindemann Post-Doctoral Fellowship at Stanford, 1972-73, then becoming a founding faculty member of Maharishi International University as Assistant Professor of Physics, working in that capacity, 1973-1978. He was also Professor of Physics, Maharishi European Research University, Switzerland, 1975-1980, and Co-Director, MERU Science Laboratories, UK, 1979-80. He was a founding member of the Maharishi European Siddhaland in 1981, and lectured on Maharishi’s Vedic Science in the UK for the next two decades, beginning his research on Ayurveda in 1992. This brought invitations from the Dept of Health Sciences, University of Pune, in 2006, and Manipal Universal Learning in 2007.
In September, 2007, he joined Swami Vivekananda Anusandhana Samsthana, the Yoga University, where he supervised Masters and PhD students. His discovered the so-called ‘Hankey Effect’ in 2013, and published his theory of consciousness in 2014. He helped found the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, JAIM, in 2009. Current research concerns information theories; integrative biology; theories of health and AYUSH systems of medicine; Jyotisha astrology effects on micro-organisms; also, Yoga Siddhis and spiritual enlightenment

Dr. Jayant Khandare

President, Director, School of Consciousness, MITWPU

He has Masters in Pharmacy and Ph.D. in Chem. Engg. from National Chem. Lab., Pune, India- 2004. He was a postdoctoral research fellow with Prof. R. Kannan at Chemical Engg. Dept., and Children’s Hospital, Wayne State University, Detroit, and as a Research Associate with Prof. Tamara Minko, at The State University of New Jersey at Rutgers, USA. He is an Alexander von Humboldt experienced researcher, Germany and was in a research group with Prof. Rainer Haag at Freie University, Berlin, Germany.

He was Head of polymer innovation group in the Piramal Drug Discovery Centre, Mumbai. His research interest are interfaced at cancer biology and advanced biomaterials for cancer detection, drug targeting and cellular responses.

He has published over 60 research papers, reviews, and book chapters and has filed 18 US/PCT patent applications. His high peer reviewed manuscripts have been published in, Scientific Reports, Chem. Soc. Review, PNAS, Biomaterials, Nanoscale, Adv Material Healthcare, ASCO, AACR etc. He is a recipient of multiple academic as well as innovation research grants by, DBT, DST, BIRAC, etc. He is a recipient of ‘Best Pharma. Scientist’ Award (APTI) and ‘The Global Innovation Award’ in Medical Devices by DBT, GOI India, 2020.

His research-based start-up - Actorius Innovations and Research Pvt. Ltd. has clinically developed an innovation platform for detecting Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) from cancer patients' blood samples. OncoDiscover- is the first Indian Medical Device and technology approved as a ‘liquid biopsy’ for cancer detection by Drug Controller General of India/ CDSCO. It is now widely used for isolating Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) and has utility for early metastasis detection, prognosis, and monitoring relapse in cancer patients.

He has led multiple clinical trials and samples over 1500 cancer patients for the CTC detection in Indian phenotypes with the support of Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, and other hospitals. His technology, in reducing a Pharma Process and size of the tablet as sustained-release (SR) for type II diabetes drug has reached in the market. Additionally, the technology platform for the colon novel delivery system has completed the human study.

His research group at MIT, WPU is involved in accounting the cancer resistance, cellular deformations, and designing advanced targeted drug delivery systems.

Dr. Radhikananda Saraswati

Eminent Scholar and Thinker

Swami Radhikananda Saraswati is the daughter of the renowned historian Padmabhushan Setu. Swamiji was initiated by Swami Mukhtananda, and subsequently by her Guru, Swami Umananda. Swamiji plunged into spiritual ‘sadhana’ and founded the Sidha Yoga Ashram in Pune, India in 1987. Today, the Ashram is an abode where hundreds of seekers on the spiritual path find solace. Swami Radhikananda’s unique contributions to society were acknowledged in 1997, when the title ‘Dharmalankar’ was conferred upon her. Swamiji is the author of numerous books on Kundalini Yoga, including Dnyaneshwari Once Again – a complete English translation of Dnyaneshwari’s epic.

Ms. Anandi Ravinathan

Eminent Scientist & Philosopher, Bengalore

1. Meditation Counsellor having practiced Meditation for the last two decades.

2. Practicing Meditation under the guidance of her Spiritual Guru and Meditation expert Kumar

3. Krishnamoorthy, himself an author of the book Inner Light Cosmic

4. PG Biotechnology from IIT Bombay and Author of
“MIND your DNA – Fusion of Science and

Pandit Vasant Gadgil

Eminent Sanskrit Scholar

Pandit Vasant Anant Gadgil is a veteran sanskrit scholar.He has devoted his whole life for the promotion of sanskrit language and literature n surprising to know at current age of 90, he is still persistent in his work.
His life is full of adventures. His native place is Kolhapur but after primary education, he went to karachi pakistan for secondary edu and completed it over there. Then after returning, completed graduation in sanskrit from Tilak maharashtra vidyapeeth Pune and started working as sanskrit teacher.
At the time of reconstruction of shri somnath temple, he decided to devote his whole life for promotion of sanskrit .
He is a founder of many reputed organisations like sharada gyan peetham,sharada gaurav granth mala etc n closely associated with Shringeri peetham.
He is also famous in the field of journalism, travelled across India for it n worked for Dainik Sakal,Tarun bharat, Loksatta,lokmat,Ma Ta.
He has associated with great personalities throughout the ages like Dr Rajendra prasad, V V giri, Yashwantrao Chavan, Balasaheb Thakre,Dalai Lama,Dr Vijay Bhatkar n Our beloved PM Modi too.
PM Modi has felicitated him for his extraordinary contribution in the field of Sanskrit.

Rahul Bhante Bodhi

Eminent Scholar and Thinker

Bhante Rahul Bodhi Got his Bachelor of Commerce Degree at Nagpur University. Got Shramaner Pabbjia at Nagpur Under Maha Pandit Dr Bhadant Anand Kausalyayan, Sangha Nayak, Maha Thero, of All India Bhikkhu Sangha. Mr.Bodhi Ordination Bhikkhu Upasampada at Buddha Gaya, under the auspicious Enlightenment Bodhi Tree at Bodh Gaya (Bihar) India. He went to Colombo Sri Lanka got higher Bhikkhu Training of Theravada Tradition in Gangaramaya Maha Viharaya Peliya goda, at Vidyalankar Piriwene Kelaniya and at Paramadharma Chatiya Rajamaha Viharaya Ratmalan Colombo Sri Lanka.Total 10years spent in Sri Lanka for Higher Dhamma training. Studied for M.A. Degree in religious Philosophy at Kelaniya University of Sri Lanka .Venerable Bhadant Rahul Bodhi got Novice Ordination (Shramnera Pravajya) at young age of 20 years. He obtained his upasampada the Higher Ordination a Bhikkhu upasampada under holy Maha Bodhi Tree at Buddha Gaya from holy all India Bhikkhu Sangha.Designed and conducted training workshops and educational programmes for batches of over ten thousand students and teachers from across many disciplines, cultures and backgrounds in India and about two score countries.
Managed and directed the affairs of the Baha'i Academy and established joint innovative activities and educational programmes with over fifty universities, colleges and institutions of higher learning in India and abroad.

Archbishop Felix Machado

Eminent Scholar and Thinker

He was Ordained a Priest for the Bombay Diocese. He was Incardinated to Roman Catholic Diocese of Vasai. He was Appointed Archbishop (Personal Title) of Nashik, India. He was Ordained a Bishop by Oswald Cardinal Gracias and Appointed Archbishop (Personal Title) of Roman Catholic Diocese of Vasai. Machado has served as Undersecretary in the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, Vatican. He chairs the Office for Interreligious Dialogue of the Federation of Asian (Catholic) Bishops' Conferences (FABC); and Office for Interreligious Dialogue of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI).

Dr. Leson Azadi

Eminent Scholar and Thinker

Over thirty five years of experience in Research, Training and Development, Teacher Education, Education in Universal Human Values, Higher Education, Personal Development and Social Progress, Citizenship Education, Curriculum Design, Cooperative Learning, Situation Based Design, Project Management, Youth Empowerment, Faculty Development, Public Speaking, Administration, Team Leadership, Initiating Collaborative Educational Undertakings and Community Action.
Designed and conducted training workshops and educational programmes for batches of over ten thousand students and teachers from across many disciplines, cultures and backgrounds in India and about two score countries.
Managed and directed the affairs of the Baha'i Academy and established joint innovative activities and educational programmes with over fifty universities, colleges and institutions of higher learning in India and abroad.

Dr. Izaac Malekar

Eminent Scholar and Thinker

Rabbi Ezekiel Isaac Malekar is Priest and Honorary Secretary of Judah Hyam Synagogue, New Delhi. He has completed B.A. (Hons.) in Economics and LL.B. from Pune University and Post-Graduation in Labour Law from Delhi University. Former Deputy Registrar (Law) of the National Human Rights Commission. Rabbi Ezekiel has authored many articles and monographs on various aspects of Judaism in the newspapers/magazines, etc. He has also authored two books 1) The Lord is one and 2) The Prudence in Prism – Assortment of spiritual sprinklers. He is also the In-charge of the Inter-faith Study Center as well as library of the synagogue. He has been looking after the synagogue and conducting the services voluntarily for the last 32 years. He is an Advocate by profession but devotes his full time, energy to maintain the synagogue. He is a Jewish scholar and human rights activist & Trustee/Member of many inter-faith organizations.

Eminent Scholar and Thinker

Acharya Lokesh Muni

Acharya Dr. Lokesh Ji is a social reformer, versatile thinker, writer and poet. For the last 30 years, he has been continuously making efforts for building National character, development of human values and establishing non- violene, peace and mutual co-operation in the society. He has traveled on foot about 20000 kilometers throughout the country for removing social evils and for propagating moral values. He says "My first and last ambition is that I should be able to make the world free from violence, terrorism and tension and that I may help in making my humble contribution in establishing peace and mutual co-operation." In order to give practical shape to these values he founded "Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti" and thus made his field of activities spreading throughout the world.
After completing his formal education he deeply studied Jain, Buddhist, Vedic and other Indian and foreign thoughts (Philosophies). He is well read in Prakrit, Sanskrit, Hindi, English, Gujrati, Kannarese and many other languages.