Hindustan Times Leadership Summit Highlights

At the 18th edition of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas spoke about her work with UNICEF, the United Nations body focused on protecting child rights and improving the lives of children and adolescents across the world. Commenting on the cause she champions - education of girls - Priyanka said that women across the world are not given enough rights and are denied an equal share in positions of power. She also spoke on how celebrities can make a difference by using their stature. Tune in for more.

Musician Prateek Kuhad spoke about his songwriting process and how it was impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and the consequent lockdown. Speaking at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2020, Prateek said that his conversion from an introvert into a public personality took many years. He also commented on the charge of being 'shallow' that is often leveled against millennials. Tune in for more.

Musician Prateek Kuhad spoke about the genre he represents, and how it is different from Bollywood music. Speaking at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2020, Prateek said that he aims to write music that makes him feel good, without focusing on popularity. Tune in for more.

Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas weighed in on the debate regarding movie theatres versus streaming services, and the future of the entertainment industry. At the 18th edition of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, the couple said that it couldn't wait to watch a film in a theatre when normalcy returns. They said that there was no need to pick between theatres and OTT platforms since both offered different experiences. Tune in for more.

Entertainment icons Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas revealed the leadership lessons they have learned during their illustrious careers. Speaking at the 18th edition of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, Nick said that he had been taught by his father to 'live like you're at the bottom, even if you're at the top'. Priyanka said that people must be 'students of life'. Explaining the phrase, she said that one can never be 100% prepared for all situations in life, and thus, must keep their 'eyes and ears open', and 'learn and listen, instead of talk'. Tune in for more. 

Senator Mark Warner spoke at the 18th edition of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit about the Indian government handling of the Kashmir issue and the Citizenship Amendment Act. Senator Warner said the Indian government needs to push its case more aggressively over the Kashmir issue. He added that the Indian government’s promises of opening up more job opportunities and women participation were not told in the United States. Tune in for all the details.

Senator Mark Warner spoke at the 18th edition of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit on how India and the US can counter Beijing. Senator Warner said India, the US, and other democracies need to collaborate to tackle what he called China’s ‘authoritarian capitalism’. He said that Trump changed the policies of the US towards China and while they were good in principle the choice was to choose sides between the US and Beijing. He said that the Biden administration is likely to be tough on China but rather than trying to divide the focus should be on collaboration. Tune in for all the details.

Entertainment icons Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas featured on the final day of the 18th Hindustan Times Leadership Summit. Nick spoke about how his marriage has exposed him to Indian culture and how he has enjoyed his trips to the country. Priyanka reminisced about how Nick was fed a lot of 'laddoos' - an Indian sweet - during their wedding, and how 'National Jiju' was a trend on social media. The power couple said that it was waiting for the Covid-19 pandemic to end so they could visit India again. Tune in for more.

Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas revealed how they spent their time during the Covid lockdown. On Day 8 of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2020, the power couple spoke about how it felt to return to work amid the pandemic. Nick Jonas has started shooting for his reality music show, The Voice. Priyanka spoke about how she binged on Nick's production project 'Dash & Lily' on Netflix. They said they were grateful for being able to spend the lockdown safely while expressing concern for the many people who weren't so fortunate. Tune in for more.

Senator Mark Warner spoke on the issue of terrorism during the 18th edition of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit. Senator Warner said that India has shown a lot of restraint in dealing with terrorism. He further added that many terror organizations have received safe haven in Pakistan. Senator Warner also spoke on the US decision to reduce troops in Afghanistan and added that those who sided with the US in the battle against terror groups in the country have been left in the lurch by the Trump administration’s decision. Tune in for all the details.

Senator Mark Warner from Virginia spoke at the 18th edition of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2020 about how the India-US relationship will progress under the Biden administration. ‘I believe we can build on some of the progress made by the Trump administration. Under the Biden administration the level of collaboration will be based on shared values rather than simply a kind of monetary decision,’ Senator Warner said. Tune in for all the details.

Abhijit Banerjee, Nobel laureate and eminent economist, spoke on India’s economy this year and the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic. Speaking on Day 7 of the HindustanTimes Leadership Summit 2020, Banerjee said the bounce has been slow. “We're going to end the year at 10% short of what we were,” Banerjee said. He added that one of the reason would be due to a massive demand shock, investment is very slow. Tune in for more.

Speaking at the 18th edition of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh explained the logic of legislation against 'love jihad'. The MP administration is mulling a law to regulate inter-faith marriages, close on the heels of a similar law in neighboring Uttar Pradesh. Chouhan said legislation mandating strict punishment is needed to protect women from exploitation and harassment. He labeled it a new 'Beti Bachao' campaign. Some Hindutva groups claim that 'love jihad' is a conspiracy to convert Hindu women. Tune in to know more.

Abhijit Banerjee, Nobel laureate and eminent economist, spoke on the migrant crisis in India during the early days of lockdown and the Covid-19 pandemic. Speaking on Day 7 of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2020, Banerjee said we live in a world where no survey tells us about the number of migrants. “We have never really confronted the magnitude of the integration of the Indian economy that has happened,” Banerjee added. The Nobel laureate said India’s urban housing policy is disastrous.  Tune in for for more.

Doug McMillon, President and CEO of Walmart Inc, commented on how the Covid-19 pandemic impacted consumer behavior. Speaking on Day 7 of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, McMillon claimed that many people whom he talks to, want to go out to shops, theatres, etc once they feel safe. He said that omnichannel retail, i.e. a combination of physical and digital stores, would be the 'winning formula'. Tune in to find out more.

With a vaccine for Covid-19 seemingly around the corner, the various aspects of mass immunization have become a matter of public debate. At the 18th edition of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan commenting on the demand from some quarters to distribute the Covid vaccine free of cost. He said that more important than the cost of the vaccine is who gets it on priority.  Tune in for all the details.

Deloitte CEO Punit Renjen joined the 18th edition of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2020. He spoke about India’s potential for growth and said that this is India’s century. ‘Many across the world are bullish about India. It has the talent and demographic advantage and the vibrancy of the culture. Many see the opportunities that exist in India,’ Renjen said. He added that in India they will take 10 million women and girls and take them out of poverty through education. Tune in for all the details.

Deloitte CEO Punit Renjen spoke at the 18th edition of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2020 about the Covid crisis and the impact it has had on businesses across the globe. ‘2020 has been a miserable year. It has been a miserable year for the global communities, society as individuals,’ Renjen said. He however added that there has been a silver lining in the crisis. ‘It has pointed out there is a better way to address the issues that were underneath like climate change, air pollution,’ Renjen added. He said that this is a wake-up call for us to address these issues. Tune in for all the details

Abhijit Banerjee, Nobel laureate and eminent economist, revealed what he would like to see in India's Union Budget, set to be presented in February 2021 amid the devastation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Speaking on Day 7 of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2020, Banerjee said that the government must make announcements with high visibility, like infrastructure projects. The Ford Foundation International Professor of Economics at the Massachusetts of Technology said that measures like bank bail-outs, although important, fail to 'excite' people. Tune in for more.

Abhijit Banerjee, Nobel laureate and eminent economist, commented on the ongoing farmer protests in India. Speaking at the 18th edition of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, Banerjee blamed lack of trust between farmers and the government for the current situation. The Ford Foundation International Professor of Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology explained that farmers were acting out of suspicion of the government's motives. Tune in to know more.

One of the biggest casualties of the Covid-19 pandemic and the consequent lockdown has been the fashion industry. The closure of physical stores is being seen as the new normal in the post-pandemic world. However, Federico Marchetti, chairman and CEO of the YOOX Net-a-Porter Group, believes that the future will involve better integration of both online and offline stores to provide a better experience to customers. He also spoke on the importance of sustainability in the luxury fashion industry. Listen his full conversation with CNBC TV-18's Shereen Bhan at the 18th edition of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman discussed the state of the Indian economy on Day 6 of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2020. She said that every sector of the economy is showing signs of recovery. Sitharaman said that she is keeping her mind and options open for further intervention to give a fillip to economic activity, but added that the Union Budget is not too far in the future. Responding to claims that the recent spike in economic activity is only due to pent-up and festival demand, she said that this logic can't explain higher GST collections. She added that demand is likely to sustain.

With a vaccine for Covid-19 seemingly around the corner, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman spoke on the government's plan for mass inoculation. At the 18th edition of the Hindustan Times, the minister said that she can't give a monetary figure that would feature in the 2021 Union Budget, as many details about a possible vaccine were still unknown. Sitharaman said that the government's allocation would depend on factors like number of doses required, and the gap between the various doses. 

Federico Marchetti, chairman and CEO of the YOOX Net-a-Porter Group, spoke on how the Covid-19 pandemic might influence the future of fashion. Speaking on Day 6 of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2020, Marchetti said that while online stores will increase in number and sales, the 'holy grail' would remain perfect integration of digital and physical shops, with the same customer shopping both online and offline.

Dr David Andrew Sinclair, professor of genetics and co-director of the Paul F Glenn Center for the Biology of Aging Research at Harvard Medical School, spoke at the 18th edition of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit. Answering a question about whether a pill is likely to reverse ageing, Dr. Sinclair said that work is underway in Boston to take the reprogramming technology and in the next two years hope to treat the first patient with glaucoma to check if vision can be restored. ‘At least twenty companies are working on medicines to slow and perhaps even reverse ageing. If it doesn’t happen in the next 30 years, something must have gone terribly wrong,’ Dr. Sinclair added.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman commented on the protests by farmers against 3 recent agricultural reforms. Speaking at the 18th edition of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, the minister said that the government had done adequate homework before formulating the 3 laws, and she was glad that the agriculture minister was in talks with the protesting farmers to address their concerns. On the farmers' demand that the minimum support price policy be written into law, Sitharaman said that she wouldn't like to comment since discussions were continuing. She added that the Narendra Modi administration has taken MSP procurement much more 'seriously' than previous dispensations.

Dr David Sinclair spoke at the 18th edition of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit about ageing and longevity of life. ‘80% of our longevity and health is determined by our epigenome and by not our DNA. We can change our epigenome by how we live, Dr. Sinclair said. He also spoke about the things that people can do for a long and healthy life. Dr. Sinclair added that eating right, exercise and adequate sleep also play a big role in ensuring longevity.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman commented on the debate sparked by a report of an Internal Working Group of the Reserve Bank of India. The IWG's favourable view on corporates owning banks has led to a chasm between commentators on the financial sector, with some in favour and some vehemently opposed to the recommendation. At the 18th edition of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, Sitharaman said that this discussion was not new, and many non-banking financial companies had been given permission to start banking operations in the past. 

Federico Marchetti spoke about the story behind the Modern Artisan Project with the Prince of Wales during the 18th edition of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit. He said that Prince Charles had invited him over to discuss the idea of coming up with a project that they could do together. Marchetti said that he wanted to integrate craftsmanship, sustainability and data to make it attractive to the younger generation.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman countered criticism that the government's stimulus package - announced in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic - didn't have enough measures for the middle class. Speaking on Day 6 of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2020, the minister also dismissed allegations that the package included more long-term measures than those which would push demand immediately. Counting various provisions of the economic package, Sitharaman said that the government had given relief to the middle class via different avenues. 

Federico Marchetti, Chairman & CEO, Yoox Net-A-Porter Group, spoke at the 18th edition of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit about the idea of sustainability, attracting younger customers and deeper penetration into markets like India. Marchetti said that they do ship to India but there are some constraints and hence the customer experience is not optimal yet. He added that India has great potential and said that they need to work on it and put the country as a priority for the group.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, featured on Day 7 of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2020. He spoke about his experience in battling Covid-19, at the government as well as individual level. Chouhan said that he was sworn in as the CM after Covid had already gripped the state, and he had to draw up a plan to battle the disease without the aid of any ministers in his Cabinet. The CM said that he tried to set an example by getting hospitalised after testing positive, and also working from his hospital bed.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, commented on the ongoing farmer protests. Speaking at the 18th edition of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, the BJP leader said that a solution can only be found via discussions, and farmers shouldn't be 'stubborn' by claiming to not end the agitation until the 3 contentious agri-reform laws are repealed. Calling the legislations pro-farmer, Chouhan said that protests were being seen in only a few parts of India, and the majority of farmers were in favour of the laws.

Doug McMillon, CEO and president of Walmart Inc, spoke on expanding business in India by taking exports to over $10 billion annually by 2027. He was speaking at the 18th edition of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit. McMillon said that customers across the world love 'outstanding, made-in-India' goods, and the company 'believes in India's future'.

Punit Renjen, Global CEO of Deloitte, recounted his inspiring story at the 18th edition of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit. He spoke about his humble beginnings in Haryana's Rohtak, and how a scholarship to study in Oregon, US, changed his life. 

On Day 5 of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2020, Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan, former chairman of ISRO and chief of the committee whose recommendations formed the basis of the National Education Policy 2020, and Ashish Dhawan, founder and CEO of Central Square Foundation, spoke on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the consequent lockdown on India's education system. They spoke on what was found lacking in India's schooling system due to which students suffered, and the changes driven by the pandemic which can be expanded further.

Tennis great Andre Agassi spoke about his charitable foundation during the 18th session of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit. Agassi told what inspired him to open a charitable foundation. “I felt like my lack of choice in life was a big deal,” Agassi said during the conversation.

One of the major allegations levelled by critics against the National Education Policy 2020 is that it is biased towards privatisation of India's education system. Speaking at the 18th edition of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, Dr Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan, chairman of the committee whose draft laid the foundation of the policy, countered this objection. Kasturirangan, who also served as ISRO chief, said that the NEP pushes for competition and resource-sharing between public and private institutions on an equal footing. Adding to the discussion, Ashish Dhawan, founder and CEO of Central Square Foundation said that almost half the students in India go to private schools, and so, a push to improve the nation's education system can't ignore these institutions. 

Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan extolled the virtues of the multiple language push in the National Education Policy 2020. The former ISRO chief and chairman of the committee which drew up the draft education policy featured on Day 5 of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2020, along with Ashish Dhawan, founder and CEO of Central Square Foundation. Kasturirangan explained the science behind the push to teach children multiple languages. Meanwhile, Dhawan said that teaching in the students' mother tongue is more effective than introducing an alien language at a very young age. 

Tennis greats Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf spoke at the 18th edition of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit. Steffi Graf spoke on moving away from the limelight and said that she looked forward to a time away from her career. Graf also said that she has always been a reserved and private person and hence the transition was easier for her. Agassi said that both had challenging careers and bonded really quickly but are also two different personalities and they complement each other’s strength. 

Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf spoke about the need for players to speak about mental health issues during the 18th edition of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit. Agassi said that players often find it difficult to cope with the relaxed life post-retirement as they are used to the stress of playing regularly and said that it is something similar to PTSD. Agassi added that there is a need to be self-aware and find our own forms of distractions. ‘As you get closer to the top, the expectations are a lot. You don’t realise the amount of pressure not just from outside, but even from the perfectionist that is within you. Once you walk away, you’re far from having that equilibrium,’ Graf said.

Tennis great Andre Agassi spoke about modern day rivalries in the game during the 18th session of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit. ‘The day I played Federer, that was the day I realised I was playing the greatest player of all time,’ Agassi said during the conversation. Agassi also opened up on Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.  I never got to face Nadal’s best tennis and I’m thankful for that. Novak is someone who can play on any surface and be capable to win. And that is a big thing to say. Overall, tennis is the winner,’ Agassi added. 

Tennis stars-turned-philanthropists Stefanie Graf and Andre Agassi featured in Week 3 of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2020. They commented on how the Covid-19 pandemic might impact professional sports by hindering the training of not just elite athletes, but also budding sportspersons. Agassi believes that the pandemic and the consequent lockdown might aid younger sportspersons who would be able to push their bodies more than their older counterparts. Graf spoke on how the lockdown and halting of physical activities might impact children.

Tennis royalty Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf spoke on their lockdown experience as the world battles the Covid-19 pandemic. Featuring on Day 5 of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2020, the sportsperson-turned-philanthropists said that the lockdown helped them spend more quality time together as a family. Agassi said that the entire world has been facing challenges, and he was thankful to be able to make a difference via the schools he runs. 

Michelin star chef Massimo Bottura spoke on how the Covid-19 pandemic and the consequent lockdown changed his outlook regarding food, fine dining, and restaurants. Speaking at the 18th edition of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, Bottura said that amid the pandemic, he has been asking himself many questions, like whether restaurants should be considered just a place to get food, or a hub of culture and knowledge. In a conversation with chef Ritu Dalmia, Bottura also spoke about his charity efforts. His 10 soup kitchens serve 3,800-5,000 meals every day.

Michelin star chef Gaggan Anand spoke on his Covid lockdown experience on Day 5 of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2020. In a conversation with chef Ritu Dalmia, Anand said that the lockdown was the 'perfect break' for chefs to rediscover 'food, and their cooking'. He said that he was lucky as the pandemic wasn't as severe in Thailand, where he is based. Anand said that given the cooking experiences of people during the lockdown, professional chefs would be seen with more respect.

At the 18th edition of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, Uday Shankar, President of The Walt Disney Company, Asia Pacific, and Chairman of Star and Disney India, commented on the recent scandal erupting over the alleged fixing of TRPs by some channels. He said that the government should focus on more important issues than settling viewership debates between channels. On a question regarding 'niche' TV channels losing out to streaming services, Shankar said that television content in India had become a victim of regulatory thoughtlessness. 

On Day 4 of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2020, Uday Shankar, President of The Walt Disney Company, Asia Pacific, and Chairman of Star and Disney India, and Ajay Bijli, Chairman and Managing Director of PVR Ltd discussed the government's recent decision to regulate online content. Shankar said that given the global nature of online streaming services and the vast amount of content pouring in, it would be interesting to see how the government undertakes regulation. He also said that while there are some cases of gratuitous content being shown to grab eyeballs, Indian consumers are much more mature than regulators have traditionally considered. Bijli mirrored Shankar's sentiments, saying that censorship shouldn't affect the art. 

Nitin Gadkari urged people not to take Covid infection lightly and said that people should follow all preventive measures. Speaking at the 18th edition of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, Gadkari said that people need to be serious and especially people above 60 years of age should be more careful about their health. ‘Self-confidence & positivity is very important. We will win the war against Covid-19 and will also win the economic war,’ Gadkari said.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari spoke about the government’s ambitious plans for electric vehicles at the 18th edition of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit. The minister said that the cost of electric vehicles is high due to the cost of lithium-ion batteries and added that the cost is coming down steadily as well. ‘A mobile phone used to cost a lot in the past but is much more affordable today. Electric vehicles are costly now but their running cost is low,’ Gadkari said. ‘We are developing electric buses, e-double-decker buses. A pilot project is being considered for e-highway between Delhi and Mumbai. Just like railway, I want to see electric trucks on our highways,’ Gadkari added. 

Union minister Nitin Gadkari clarified on his recent viral speech in which he publicly reprimanded non-performing officials. At the 18th edition of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, the minister said that when he slammed officials at the inauguration of a National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) building, he didn't want to take away from the good work done by officers. He was only expressing exasperation at the completion of the building in 12 years, compared to the planned 2 years.