Meet the Speakers

New Delhi Prelude · 2026

Arunava Sinha
Translator of Bengali and Hindi literature into English, with over 100 books published across India, the UK, the USA, and Australia. He teaches at Ashoka University and co-directs its Center for Translation.
Arunava Sinha
Bandarilin Bairo
Assistant professor in the Department of Khasi at North-Eastern Hill University. She is a member of the Khasi Author’s Society and a former editor of Ka Thwet Jingstad, a journal of the Society for Khasi Studies.
Bandarilin Bairo
Dr. Barbara S. Sangma
Dr Barbara S. Sangma, passionate about Garo literature and culture, joined the Department of Garo at Captain Williamson Sangma State University in 2025. She convened the first Tura Me∙gong International Literary Festival (2023) and authored String in a Lute.
Dr. Barbara S. Sangma
Shri. Conrad K. Sangma
Three-time MLA from Selsella (2008) and South Tura (2018, 2023). Current Chief Minister of Meghalaya and National President of the National People's Party (NPP).
Shri. Conrad K. Sangma
Daribha Lyndem
Writer and civil servant from Meghalaya. Her debut novel Name Place Animal Thing was shortlisted for the JCB Prize for Literature 2021. She studied Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia.
Daribha Lyndem
Dominic Megam Sangma
National Award-winning filmmaker and SRFTI graduate. Founder of ANNA FILMS, his film Rapture marked a regional milestone in international co-productions. He teaches screenplay writing and co-directs the Kelvin Cinema Festival.
Dominic Megam Sangma
Eugeneson Lyngdoh
Former Indian professional footballer with 225+ club appearances and 24 international caps. Played for top clubs including Rangdajied United, Shillong Lajong, Bengaluru FC, and FC Pune City; now focused on coaching and player development.
Eugeneson Lyngdoh
Hammarsing Kharhmar
Hammarsing Kharhmar is a Shillong-born musician and songwriter, known for Da Minot and his solo project Exhibition. Blending Khasi influences with rock, jazz, and psychedelia, he also co-founded the award-winning restaurant Rynsan.
Hammarsing Kharhmar
Hoihnu Hauzel
Journalist from Manipur, based in Gurgaon, who has written for The Indian Express and The Times of India. A Reuters fellow, she is also an author and founder of the platform Northeast Odyssey.
Hoihnu Hauzel
Jim Wungramyao Kasom
Photographer and author of several books, including Homecoming & Other Stories. Born in Ukhrul, Manipur, his writing reflects a longing for home and serves as a therapeutic escape from city life.
Jim Wungramyao Kasom
Kanishka Gupta
New Delhi-based literary agent and founder of Writer's Side. He represents acclaimed authors including Daisy Rockwell, Avni Doshi, and Jerry Pinto, and has collaborated with Booker Prize winner Shehan Karunatilaka.
Kanishka Gupta
Namita Gokhale
Writer and literary activist, best known for Things to Leave Behind, which won the Sahitya Akademi Award. Her works include The Book of Shiva and The Whispering Mountains, and she has served as a literary juror.
Namita Gokhale
Narayani Basu
Bestselling author and historian, known for V.P. Menon and Allegiance. Her work explores lesser-known figures of Indian independence; her third book, a biography of KM Panikkar, has received wide acclaim.
Narayani Basu
Naseeruddin Shah
One of India's most acclaimed actors, celebrated on stage and screen. A recipient of multiple National Film Awards and the Venice Film Festival's Volpi Cup, he has also been honored with the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan.
Naseeruddin Shah
Neha Sinha
Conservation biologist and author focusing on birds, wetlands, and environmental policy. Her books include Wild and Wilful and Wild Capital, exploring India's wildlife and ecological histories.
Neha Sinha
Patricia Mukhim
Journalist-activist and editor of The Shillong Times. A champion of women's rights, she has received the Chameli Devi Jain Award and was awarded the Padma Shri for her contributions to society.
Patricia Mukhim
Pradip Kurbah
Filmmaker from Meghalaya, known for Ha Lyngkha Bneng and Ïewduh – Market. An international award-winner, he is also the co-founder of the Kelvin Cinema Festival.
Pradip Kurbah
Priyadarshini Raje Scindia
Maharani of Gwalior and the co-founder of the Seeti Movement which brings together chefs, creators, and entrepreneurs for curated dining and cultural experiences. She also works to preserve the Scindia dynasty legacy through museum management and community initiatives.
Priyadarshini Raje Scindia
Sajjan Yadav
IAS officer and Additional Secretary in the Union Ministry of Finance. He is the author of two bestselling books on vaccines and UPSC. A public health doctorate holder, he has received national honours for governance and Census work.
Sajjan Yadav
Sanjoy Hazarika
Shillong-based writer and former New York Times reporter. Author of six books including River Traveller, he founded the Centre for North-East Studies and Policy Research, known for its Brahmaputra boat clinics.
Sanjoy Hazarika
Sankirang Khongwir
Filmmaker and conservationist from Meghalaya. His award-winning film Ka Pateng earned multiple honours, and his work on Living Root Bridges has been showcased internationally. He co-founded Elsewhat Entertainment.
Sankirang Khongwir
Shekhar Gupta
Shekhar Gupta is the Editor-in-Chief of ThePrint, author of Anticipating India, and a Padma Bhushan awardee. He hosts Cut the Clutter and writes for Business Standard, with reporting experience since the 1980s.
Shekhar Gupta
Shobhaa De
Author, journalist, and columnist with over 20 bestselling books. Her works have been widely translated into multiple international languages, establishing her as a prominent voice in contemporary Indian writing.
Shobhaa De
Shunali Khullar Shroff
Mumbai-based author known for Love in the Time of Affluenza. Her novel The Wrong Way Home received critical praise, and she co-hosts the pop culture podcast Not Your Aunty.
Shunali Khullar Shroff
Subi Taba
Author and Agriculture Development Officer from Arunachal Pradesh. Her debut, Tales from the Dawn-lit Mountains, won major awards, and she has been recognized for her contributions to literature, culture, and public service.
Subi Taba
Suparna Sharma
Delhi-based reporter, writer, and editor covering business, cinema, politics, pop culture, and books. She has reported on crime in Delhi and insurgency in Northeast India, contributing to major international and Indian publications.
Suparna Sharma