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Keynote Speakers
Shri Bhavarlal Hiralal Jain is the founder of Jain Irrigation Systems, Ltd., which began in 1962 and holds a law degree. He has pioneered micro-irrigation technologies in India, and also runs a 1,000 acre research farm to test methods to maximize agricultural efficiency, yield and productivity and perform technology transfer to farmers. He has received over 20 international and national awards, including Padma Shri (one of India's highest civilian awards) in 2008, as well as the Crawford Reid Memorial Award in 1997. He is also a well-known philanthropist and educator, and founded the Anubhuti School in 2007.
Honorable Shri Sam Pitroda is an internationally respected development thinker, policymaker, telecom inventor and entrepreneur. He is currently the Adviser to the Prime Minister of India on Public Information Infrastructure and Innovations, and is the chairman of the National Innovation Council (NIC). He has recently been appointed the founding commissioner of the United Nations Broadband Commission for Digital Development. He holds over 100 worldwide patents and has published and lectured widely in the US, Europe, Latin America and Asia. Besides the prestigious Padma Bhushan (India's highest civilian award), he has received many other honors and awards from world organizations and governments.
Dr. Veerendra Heggade is the Dharmadhikari (or Jain guardian) of Dharmasthala. He is credited with overseeing the carving and installation of Bhagwan Bahubali's statue. The twenty-fourth tirthankara is worshipped alongside Lord Manjunatha (Shiva) by Vaishnavite Brahmins. Veerendraji is widely known for his many acts of welfare, social reform, and philanthropy (e.g., mass marriages, elimination of dowry, financial management for rural women, and promoting equality of castes) philanthropy. He is a recipient of the Padma Bhushan (2000), and Karnataka's highest honor, the Rajyotsava Award, and has received many other recognitions and awards from local and state governments and NGOs.
Jainism: The Global Impact
