Mr. Sajan Poovayya

Senior Advocate | Supreme Court of India

About the Speaker

From aspiring neurosurgeon to one of India’s most celebrated legal minds, Sajan Poovayya’s journey is proof that life’s most transformative paths are often the ones less expected. Choosing law over medicine — guided by conviction, not convention — he graduated from the National Law School of India University and built Poovayya & Co. from the ground up into a nationally respected law firm.

Appointed as Senior Advocate in the Supreme Court of India in 2012 and serving as Additional Advocate General for Karnataka, Poovayya has never shied away from complexity — whether in defending constitutional values, navigating high-stakes corporate battles, or engaging with governance at the highest levels.

His story is about more than legal victories. It’s about embracing risk, thinking beyond the obvious, and having the courage to lead change when it matters most. At India Rising, he brings that spirit to inspire educators and students to make informed, fearless choices that shape the India of 2047.

Dr. Tirthankar Patnaik

Chief Economist

National Stock Exchange

About the Speaker

Dr. Tirthankar Patnaik is Chief Economist at the National Stock Exchange of India. He has over two decades of experience in the Indian capital markets, academic research, credit research in macro and sector strategy, quantitative finance and consumer banking.
He started his career with a stint at the Global Consumer Group of Citibank in India and Europe. His next focus area was equity strategy for institutional clients, initially with Citigroup Global Markets as India equity strategist, and then with Religare Capital Markets Ltd, as the India Strategist and Chief Economist. In his last assignment prior to joining NSE, he was the Chief Strategist and Head of Research for India, at Japan-based Mizuho Bank.

Academic & Industry Engagements

Dr. Tirthankar is a sought-after speaker at top institutes like BITS Pilani and IIMs, and has moderated forums like the IMF-NSE seminar. His focus is on bridging academia and industry, and preparing students for the future of finance.

Thought Leadership & Publications

At NSE, he leads key research including the Market Pulse report and the NSE-EY Cost of Capital – India Insights 2024. His insights are regularly cited by leading media, including Bloomberg, for their relevance to market movements and economic policy.

Expertise & Recognition

A Ph.D. economist with hands-on market experience, Dr. Patnaik advises on macro trends, regulation, and capital markets. Known for simplifying complex ideas, he champions interdisciplinary skills—economics, tech, and data—for the next-gen finance professional.