Indra Dhar, Founder, Handknit India

Handknit India: Weaving Empowerment, One Stitch at a Time:

Handknit India is a mission-based social and lifestyle venture set up by Indra Dhar, an entrepreneur, business excellence coach, and women empowerment advocate. Three decades ago, Indra Dhar didn't set out to build a business. She set out to help displaced Kashmiri women earn a livelihood and reclaim their independence. That instinct became Handknit India, which has since empowered over 25,000 women artisans across Delhi NCR, Uttarakhand, and Jammu & Kashmir, turning hand-made garments, toys, and crochet into products that reached fashion's biggest cities.

Today, Dhar is expanding that mission. Watching stress and screen-time consume India's younger generation, she's reintroducing knitting and crochet not as a craft to preserve, but as therapy to give a mindful path to wellness, creativity, and conscious living for Gen Z. "This isn't nostalgia," she says. "It's wellbeing, one loop at a time."

Mahendar Bafna, Director, Navrathan Jewellers

Navrathan Jewellers carries a jewellery legacy dating back to 1954, with deep roots in Bengaluru and a longstanding presence across South India. Known particularly for its temple and antique jewellery collections, the brand has built its identity around timeless craftsmanship passed down through generations. Today, third-generation leader Mahendar Bafna is steering Navrathan into its next phase. As Director, he has focused on strengthening processes and bringing greater structure and scalability to the business while preserving its traditional strengths. His approach includes integrating new-age technologies, AI-driven systems and advanced software to streamline operations and improve efficiency. By combining a legacy brand’s craftsmanship and customer trust with modern management and technology, Mahendar is preparing Navrathan for sustained growth while keeping its heritage firmly at the centre.

Poonam Mishra and Jitendra Mishra, Co-founders, Vaidik Talk and Catalyst Sourcing

Poonam Mishra and Jitendra Mishra, Co-founders of Vaidik Talk and Catalyst Sourcing, are building ventures with a vision to create meaningful change in society and the Indian economy. Vaidik Talk is their endeavour to bring India’s ancient Vedic wisdom into modern life, making traditional knowledge more accessible through digital platforms, personalized guidance........

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