Keynote & Special Addresses The conference began with a keynote address by Mr. Atul Satija (Founder and CEO, The/Nudge Institute & Give), followed by a special address by the Chief Guest, Mr. Dhanendra Kumar, IAS (Retd.), Former Chairman of the Competition Commission of India and Executive Director at the World Bank. Both speakers highlighted the need for collective efforts to address socio-economic challenges.

Panel Discussion: Empowering Youth

• Topic: 'Turning the Tide: Leading Disengaged Youth to Sustainable Livelihoods through Entrepreneurship and Skill Enhancement'.

• Moderator: Mr. Anish Kumar (Co-Lead, Transform Rural India).

Panelists:

• Mr. Amit Kumar (Head, Inclusive Growth, UNDP)

• Mr. Mangesh Wange (CEO, Swades Foundation)

• Ms. Rema Mohan (CEO, NSE Foundation)

• Ms. Shobhini Mukerji (Executive Director, J-PAL South Asia)

• Focus: The discussion explored the need for skilling initiatives to empower rural youth, enhance employability, and create sustainable livelihoods.

Fireside Chat: Technology for Good

• Topic: How technology can drive inclusive and sustainable development.

• Moderator: Mr. Jeyandran Venugopal (Chief Product and Technology Officer, Flipkart).

Speakers:

• Dr. Nidhi Pundhir (Vice President, Global CSR, HCLTech & Director, HCL Foundation)

• Mr. Aniket Doegar (Co-Founder & CEO, Haqdarshak)

Insight: The conversation underscored the power of technology to bridge developmental gaps and drive impact in underserved communities.

Recognition of Partners The Foundation recognized five NGO partners for their exceptional contributions:

Smile Foundation

• Pratham Infotech Foundation

• AIACA (All India Artisans and Craftworkers Welfare Association)

• SM Sehgal Foundation

• Haqdarshak Foundation

Leadership Quote

Rajneesh Kumar, SVP & Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Flipkart Group, stated: "Sampark 2024 is a reflection of our vision to build a future where inclusive development and sustainability are at the forefront of societal progress... As we continue to deepen our engagement with communities and partners, our focus remains on driving meaningful, scalable change that touches lives and empowers India's growth story."

Foundation Impact So far, the Flipkart Foundation has worked with underserved communities across Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Haryana, Karnataka, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal to empower unskilled and underprivileged sections of society.