“The shift from resistance to responsibility was profound.”
Zainab Patel on how the Kamalnayan Bajaj Fellowship impacted her.
Zainab Patel is India ABO DE&I Leader, Cummins Inc. and Kamalnayan
Bajaj Fellow Class 8
As someone who has lived at the intersections of multiple identities—transgender, activist, social entrepreneur, and corporate leader—I’ve always believed that leadership is about the impact we create. The Kamalnayan Bajaj Fellowship felt like a place where I could refine my leadership while engaging with other changemakers who understand the responsibility that comes with privilege. Leadership, for me, is personal—it’s about staying true to myself while creating space for others to thrive.
The fellowship challenged me in unexpected ways, particularly around the idea of power. Having often seen power used to exclude and marginalize, I was skeptical. However, the fellowship made me rethink power as something to wield responsibly. I began asking myself: How can I use my voice to amplify others? That shift from resistance to responsibility was profound.
My biggest takeaway from the fellowship was that leadership isn’t just about speaking out—it’s about knowing when to listen. I’ve spent years fighting for transgender rights and social change, but the fellowship taught me the value of stillness and deep listening.
Post-fellowship, I’ve become more intentional about mentoring and building leadership pipelines, especially for LGBTQ+ individuals. Personally, I’ve started embracing rest as part of leadership, realizing that self-care is essential, not selfish.
Looking back, if I could give my younger self advice, it would be to trust myself more. Expertise comes from lived experience, and my voice has always been valuable. Moving forward, I’m excited to create sustainable models of social change and build institutions where transgender people lead from the front. As my grandmother said, “The sky is too big to put limits on your dreams.”
MILESTONES
Vidya is a Kalaimamani awardee and has been been named a Vital Voices Visionary fellow 2024
Vidya Subramanian (KBF Class 10) is founder of Vidya Subramanian Academy, an online portal that has been imparting training in Carnatic music and other traditional Indian arts to students from all over the world for nearly two decades. An accomplished Carnatic vocalist and disciple of maestro Padmabhushan Lalgudi Sri Jayaraman, Vidya is a Chartered accountant with an MBA in Finance from Boston College, USA. Her exemplary work in the online teaching of Carnatic music has been featured on BBC World News, Zee TV’s Naya Bharat Series and DD India’s Changemakers Program. Vidya was conferred the Women Transforming India (WTI) 2021 award by NITI Aayog and United Nations–India and the Kalaimamani Award 2018 (highest honor given by the State of Tamil Nadu for contribution to the arts). She has been named a Vital Voices Visionary fellow 2024 and is one of 20 women leaders from across the world invited to the Vital Voices Visionaries Summit to be held in Washington DC in March 2025.
Vidya Subramanian Academy (VSA) is a women led, impact driven social enterprise through which Team VSA trains students from all over the world in Indian Classical (Carnatic and Hindustani) vocal and instrumental music, Bharatanatyam, slokas & chants, Yoga and languages. VSA is focused on financially empowering artists, especially women, while welcoming students of all backgrounds to explore and train in India’s rich artistic heritage through customized and affordable one-on-one online lessons. VSA Certification Exams, VSA Sabha Chamber concerts and VSA Workshops are recent initiatives in her quest to take India’s traditions to a global platform. Vidya shares free educational content on Carnatic music through VSA’s YouTube channel. Her work has been recently featured in The New Indian Express.
Vidya says: “Joining the Kamalnayan Bajaj fellowship has been a life changing experience. I have truly broadened my horizons over the past year. KBF has helped me realize the importance of one’s inward journey. I have gained rich insights through this exposure to a diverse and inspiring peer group. Aspen’s unique text-based dialogue format has helped me learn and grow, and has given me confidence and space to introspect and shape my unique personal and professional journey.”
FELLOWS ENGAGEMENT
SEMINAR
Leading in a Global Context
The third seminar in a series of four, Leading in a Global Context was the first opportunity for AGLN Fellows to engage with peers beyond their own cohort, challenging and refining their leadership values on a global stage. This year, the seminar brought together a diverse group of 25+ Fellows from the African Leadership Initiative–South Africa, Finance Leaders Fellowship, the Henry Crown Fellowship, the Kamalnayan Bajaj Fellowship, and the Liberty Fellowship. The seminar was held in four locations — Italy, South Africa, China, and India. This seminar invites Fellows to explore globalization’s economic, political, scientific, cultural and ethical impacts.
Interpreting the World: A conversation with John Carlin & Dele Olojede
7 February 2025, New Delhi
Ananta Aspen Centre hosted a conversation featuring John Carlin, renowned journalist, author and documentary film-maker and Dele Olojede, Pulitzer prize winning journalist, AGLN moderator & Fellow, to discuss the elements of leadership that are in play today — comparing it with Nelson Mandela’s legacy and his unique style of leadership with contemporary leaders and what’s missing today. John highlighted Mandela’s compassion, integrity, and ability to win over adversaries, while Dele questioned the scarcity of leaders who embody Mandela’s virtues. The conversation also touched on the challenges in modern democracies, where the absence of empathy often results in suboptimal leadership. The conversation derived a lot of its current assessments from the recent US elections, return of Donald Trump and implications for the evolving global order. Peppered with insights on America’s shifting influence and potential decline of global dominance, the evening turned out to be a treat for listeners and the Kamalnayan Bajaj Fellows who joined in the discussion. Aspen values were in full play.
PODCAST EPISODE 14
Power of the Aspen
Fellowship
Manoj Kumar in conversation with Dele Olojede
Interpreting the World: A conversation with John Carlin & Dele Olojede
7 February 2025, New Delhi
Ananta Aspen Centre hosted Concert in the Dark, a mesmerizing and transformative musical experience led by the renowned Kalaimamani Anil Srinivasan—a distinguished pianist, educator, and Kamalnayan Bajaj Fellow. This unique event invited both the audience and the artists to step into the unknown, engaging with music in a way that transcended sight, sparking a deeper connection to rhythm and sound. Joined by Sumesh Narayanan on percussion and Naveen Napier on bass guitar, Anil guided attendees through an unforgettable sensory journey. With blindfolds in place, visual distractions faded away, leaving space for a purer, more intimate experience of the music.
This concept was born from Anil’s profound exploration of how removing one sense can heighten the awareness of others, creating a deeper and more meaningful engagement with the art.
The concert brought together Ananta Trustees, Fellows, and distinguished guests in celebration of this extraordinary evening. But beyond being a powerful musical performance, Concert in the Dark also served as a fundraiser, dedicated to empowering young minds from underprivileged communities. The initiative aims to cultivate the next generation of changemakers by providing access to education, mentorship, and leadership opportunities that will help shape a brighter future. This unforgettable night was a testament to the ability of art to break down barriers, inspire introspection, and drive meaningful change—a powerful reminder of how music can connect us in ways that go beyond the limits of sight.
Ananta Values Based Leadership Programme: Class 5, Seminar 3
17–21 March 2025, Virtual
The Ananta Values-based Leadership Programme uses a Socratic dialogue approach to examine the complexities of leadership, particularly in balancing ambitious goals with core values. Tailored for experienced leaders, the course supported participants in refining their sense of purpose—both personally and within their organizations. Comprising three virtual seminars, the programme concluded its final session on March 21, 2025. This year, 20 Fellows graduated, representing a distinguished and diverse group of senior leaders from organizations such as Forbes Marshall, JetSynthesis, Thermax, CII, Piramal Foundation, Karo Sambhav, Swasth Alliance, and others.
Ananta Aspen Emerging Leaders Programme
24–29 March 2025, Bagar, Rajasthan
The 20th Edition of Ananta Aspen Emerging Leaders Programme was held at the Piramal School of Leadership, Bagar, Rajasthan. The programme works with bright college students between ages 18–22 years, helping them to grow emotionally, intellectually and socially and connect with the leader within. In the six-day residential seminar, Socratic Readings guided students to their inner voice and helped them move from thought to action, inspiring them to be values-based action-oriented leaders. 26 dynamic young leaders from across India graduated, ready to drive change and shape a better future.
