Abstract:
How can technology become a force for systemic transformation of an entire nation?
This talk explores how India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) mindset powered breakthroughs like Aadhaar and UPI—reshaping how a billion-plus people access identity, finance, welfare and public services.
As AI redefines the frontiers of technology, the DPI approach is evolving to drive change across education, agriculture, and governance.
Drawing from first-hand experience, Shankar Maruwada will share powerful design principles and stories that reveal how nations can build tech as a public good—and reimagine their future.
About the Speaker:
Shankar Maruwada is a rare leader with three decades of experience across corporate, entrepreneurial, government and development environments. He began his career with P&G, then co-founded Marketics, a pioneering data analytics firm. His inspiring entrepreneurial journey featured in Rashmi Bansal's 2008 best seller 'Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish' on IIMA entrepreneurs. As a founding team member of UIDAI in 2009, he led marketing and coined the name Aadhaar. He now serves as Co-founder and CEO of the EkStep Foundation, which he set up with Nandan and Rohini Nilekani in 2015. EkStep works at the intersection of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), AI and open networks, driving digital transformation across sectors from education to agriculture and learning to earning. An IIT Kharagpur and IIM Ahmedabad alum (PGP-96), Shankar brings startup agility to public problems and is committed to building scalable digital infrastructure that serves billions and delivers societal value.
Registration Link: https://forms.gle/fiEzh2UXdh6JLYyV6
