HT CITY 30UNDER30 AWARDS: MEET THE JURY

Here are the eminent personalities from varied fields who made the selection of winners this year

P

I’m thrilled to be back on the jury panel, and enthused to meet the young achievers who have taken disruption to another level with their vision to solve real challenges.

DEEP KALRA

He founded MakeMyTrip in 2000, and steered it to a Nasdaq listing in 2010. He is co-chair of CII’s National Committee on Tourism and Hospitality.

An alumnus of IIM, Ahmedabad, he is a founding member of Ashoka University and serves on Board of Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority. A believer in citizens’ effort, he is a founding member of NGO ‘I am Gurgaon’. He is passionate about sustainable tourism and has been championing this cause through MakeMyTrip Foundation.

A self-made entrepreneur, she has an eye for detail. Luxury is an emotion for her. She led the marketing and communications for Christian Dior Couture India for 12 years, before launching her ecommerce platform, Lulu and Sky in 2017, which she sold in 2019.

From working with a national daily’s four magazines, she moved on to launch a leather-crafting business and a boutique, followed by a leather goods exporting company. Today, her brand Rezon is redefining luxury silverware.

P KALYANI CHAWLA

Founder, Rezon Luxury Silverware

HT City has always recognised talent. My association matters personally only when I see authenticity and that, for a judge, is paramount in this case. I am so thrilled to be a part of this wonderful initiative.

P HT City has focused not only on talent but has sought to award those who excelled, regardless of their challenges. This makes it a learning experience for us, as judges.

Admitted to the Bar at Delhi in 1991, he was designated as a senior advocate in 2007. He was named as the Additional Solicitor General of India, in 2012, for two years and was a special public prosecutor for the State of NCT of Delhi in the December 16 gang rape case.

An MPhil in Criminology from Cambridge, he taught law at Delhi University (1997-98), is a visiting professor and member, Academic Council, National Law University, and member of NALSA. He teaches at many law colleges across India.

Entering the Indian fashion scene in the late ‘80s, she is among the nation’s most dynamic fashion crusaders. Her trademark lies in combining traditional Indian garments with modern fabrics like lycra and jersey.

She has won Dadasaheb Phalke Award and Yuva Rattan Award, among others. Her work was exhibited the world over, including The Metropolitan Museum (US) and The Louvre (France). She’s also the PETA India ambassador.

P RINA DHAKA

Fashion designer

I feel honoured that I found myself looking into the lives and achievements of so many, and so young. I marvel at their talent, and I wish them the best. Thank you HT City for including me in this journey.

P

I’m honoured to be a part of the jury. It’s a pleasure to see the great work being done by this age group. The categories, too, are so diverse and relevant.

AYAAN ALI BANGASH Sarod virtuoso

Representing the seventh generation of a musical lineage, as son and disciple of the sarod icon, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, he is breaking through the polarities of tradition and innovation.

He has performed at venues across the globe and has collaborated with several artistes internationally. As a duo with his brother, Amaan Ali Bangash, he has performed at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert (2014) and the UN Day Concert (2018). They recently

won the Gold Medal at Global Music Awards for their new album.

Chef Manish Mehrotra of Indian Accent Restaurants reinterprets nostalgic Indian dishes with global influences. Called the most exciting modern Indian chef today, he started his career as part of Ananda Solomon’s team at the Thai Pavilion of Taj Hotels, then joined Old World Hospitality. He opened several restaurants for the groups while travelling the world.

His honours include Best Chef Of The Year by American Express, and No. 1 Chef In India - Food Superstars - India’s Top 30 Chefs.

Founder & Chairman, MakeMyTrip Limited

SIDHARTH LUTHRA Senior Advocate

MANISH MEHROTRA Culinary Director, Indian Accent Restaurants

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I’m honoured and happy to be part of the jury of HT City 30Under30. Such initiatives motivate youngsters to achieve more, and HT City has given them a platform to showcase their talent to the world.

PHOTO: SHANTANU BHATTACHARYA/HT