Sunita Narain
Director General, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE)
New Delhi, 26th September 2025: Sunita Narain has given India’s environmental conscience a powerful and lasting voice. For decades, she has challenged prevailing notions of development, arguing that climate security is a matter of justice and human dignity, not a privilege. Through pioneering research, fearless investigation and compelling public communication, she has reframed environmental concerns as questions of public health, livelihoods and policy. Her exposure of pesticide contamination in common beverages triggered national scrutiny and significant reforms in food safety regulation. Because of her continuous efforts on air pollution, water security, sanitation, waste and climate change, these issues have moved from the periphery to the centre of public awareness and policy.
Lal Singh
Executive Director, Bank of Baroda
New Delhi, 26th September 2025: By combining credit, capability, technology and entrepreneurship, Mr Lal Singh has helped redefine Financial Inclusion from opening accounts to opening opportunities and from extending credit to creating enterprises and livelihoods. As Chairman of the State Level Bankers’ Committee, Uttar Pradesh, he has championed a “Credit Plus” approach that connects finance with skills, self-employment, MSME development, and last-mile access. In FY2025-26, the bank’s MSME portfolio grew 15.6% to ₹1.60 lakh crore.
Swarup Kumar Saha
Managing Director & CEO, Punjab & Sind Bank
New Delhi, 26th September 2025: Mr Swarup Kumar Saha has steered a remarkable institutional journey from balance-sheet repair to sustainable, digital and inclusive growth. Since assuming charge as Managing Director & CEO in June 2022, his decisive leadership has brought together growth, prudence, technology, people and public purpose. Under his stewardship, the Bank’s total business expanded from ₹1.73 lakh crore to ₹2.64 lakh crore.