The Saraswat Tech Summit held at Kashi Mutt, Malleshwaram on 13th September brought together "thought leaders" from across industries to share insights on the rapidly evolving AI landscape and its multifaceted impact on the future of India’s economy, employment and innovation.
The summit was driven by the vision and initiative of Mr. G. G. Shenoy (MD, Ire-tex Premier India Pvt Ltd) and Mr. R.S. Shanbhag (Founder Chairman and CEO, Value Point Systems Pvt Ltd). Mr Shanbhag also conceptualised and led the panel discussion followed interactive Q&A session. The program was jointly led and planned by Prashant Prabhu, Pratibha Prabhu, Prashant Nayak with Pratiksha Pai (Director of Saraswat Chamber).
The Master of Ceremonies Pratibha and Pratiksha ensured the smooth and timely flow of the full program event and was strongly supported by the dedicated young volunteers from Saraswat Sevan Samaj.
Speakers and Key Highlights:
CA Siddharth Sinkar, Founder Director of Saraswat chamber gave opening remarks and highlighted need to hold conclave on AI in the city of Bangalore.
Ullas Kamat (Founder, UK & Co.) highlighted the threat and opportunity AI poses to employment. He emphasized that the AI market brings 40% risk to existing jobs, particularly in agriculture, healthcare, finance, retail, cybersecurity, manufacturing, robotics, and automation. Yet, AI is also expected to create 170 million jobs while displacing 92 million, with a net gain of 78 million jobs by 2030. He stressed the need for new thinking, noting that those who don’t understand AI will soon be considered illiterate in the modern economy. From manufacturing to productivity to supply chain management, every industry will be reshaped by AI.
Pranav Pai (Founder, 3one4 Capital) spoke about the global shift from traditional tech to AI-driven economies. He pointed out that 8 of the top global companies today are tech-based, with deliberate strategies and monopolistic structures like those seen in cloud platforms and home automation systems. He discussed future AI applications including customized robots, AI for physical assistance, therapy, cybersecurity risks, human less wars, and new business models in gaming and healthcare. He projected innovation in genetics, surgery, and human lifespan extension. He traced India’s journey from 1991 to 2025, underlining its growth in GDP, manufacturing, and digital payments, and the need to invest heavily in AI-based education and tech businesses.
Sudhir Kudva (MD, Accenture) addressed how the AI revolution has moved from buzz to reality. He explained the progression from text-to-audio to image generation, and how Agentic AIs now support complex decision-making, fraud detection, and data analysis. He noted how pharmaceutical companies are using generative AI to explore new compositions and improve research using existing data. He emphasized workforce optimization, college-level AI curriculum upgrades, and how low-cost AI agents are transforming organizational learning and operations.
Shri Vinay Shenoy (MD, Infineon) presented a compelling perspective on the semiconductor industry as the backbone of AI — from sand to silicon. He described how semiconductors have driven five decades of technological advancement and how chip manufacturing is central to everything from security systems to power distribution. He remarked on how semiconductors are weaponized globally but AI remains accessible to all. He stressed the importance of energy and power, particularly solar power, in enabling the AI revolution. Without semiconductors, he noted, there would be no AI.
Panel Discussion:
The panel, moderated by R.S. Shanbhag, featured:
Ajit Pai (COO, Delhivery)
Sudhir Pai (Founder , Healthcare – Prameya)
Rohit Bhat (Founder, wrkwrk /99Games/Robosoft)
Jothiswaroop Pai Raikar (CTO, Angel Broking)
Each speaker shared how AI is transforming their industries — from healthcare and logistics, to media, gaming and investment. Topics included AI’s role in location tracking, medical machinery, game development and data-driven financial decision-making.
The summit concluded as a successful confluence of industry expertise, Saraswat community leadership and forward-looking discussions on AI’s role in shaping India’s future.
The Global Chamber of Saraswat Entrepreneurs (GCSE) successfully hosted the MSME Day Conclave 2025 on Friday, June 27th, at Grand Hotel, MG Road, Kochi, bringing together over 120 entrepreneurs, professionals, investors, and business leaders from across Kerala to celebrate and strengthen the MSME ecosystem.
The event was held in observance of International MSME Day, with a vision to inspire, connect, and enable the entrepreneurial community with real-world knowledge, government insights, and collaborative networking.
The event began with an auspicious Saraswati Vandana and lamp lighting ceremony, followed by a presidential address by CA Siddharth Sinkar, Founder Director of Saraswat Chamber.
The Conclave featured a stellar lineup of speakers, including:
• Chief Guest: Mr. Harish Bijoor, renowned brand strategist
• Dr. Keerthi Pai, Clinical Psychologist – Spoke on Mental Wellness & Entrepreneurship
• CA Vignesh Bhat, Founder of MSMeasy – Delivered a session on Government Schemes & MSME Policy
• Mr. Suhas D Prabhu, Business Mentor – Presented a session on “SME to IPO: The Business Winner’s Playbook”
• Mr. Raveendranath Kamath, Entrepreneur & Angel Investor – Spoke on Startup Growth & Investment Trends
A highly engaging Women Entrepreneurs Panel Discussion was moderated by Mrs. Manju S Vadhyar of Yasoram Builders and featured successful women from diverse sectors, including:
• Dr. Sashikala V Prabhu (Healthcare)
• Mrs. Lalitha Kamath (Travel Industry)
• Mrs. Sinni Sujith Kamath (Jayalakshmi Silks)
• Mrs. Sreelakshmi Niranjan Prabhu (Food & Hospitality)
The Chamber also felicitated iconic Saraswat entrepreneurs for their longstanding contribution to business and society, including stalwarts from Jayalakshmi Silks, Shenoys Theatres, Mangala Group, A Giri Pai Gold and Diamonds, Sangeeth Hospital, TMV Group, Prabhus Steels, GDS Perfumery, IMC, Yasoram Builders, A R Bhat Technologies and Mr.Sujith Bhakthan.
The evening concluded with a cultural showcase and a vibrant networking dinner, providing attendees with the opportunity to engage meaningfully with one another.
Speaking on the occasion, Program Director Mr. Surendranatha Kamath expressed gratitude to all participants, guests, speakers, volunteers, and sponsors for making the conclave a memorable success. “This event reflects our Chamber’s commitment to building a stronger entrepreneurial ecosystem rooted in knowledge, collaboration, and cultural pride,” he said.
The event was organized by the Kerala Chapter of Global Chamber of Saraswat Entrepreneurs (Saraswat Chamber), a registered non-profit (Section 8 Company) that aims to empower entrepreneurs and professionals through networking, mentoring, and capacity-building initiatives.
The Real Estate and Construction Conclave 2.0 organised by the Global Chamber of Saraswat Entrepreneurs was held on Saturday, 12th April 25 at the Raythatha Hall at Panjim Gymkhana. It was a delightful evening where we had stalwarts from the Construction and Real Estate Industry amongst the Saraswat Community participate in deliberations on the Emerging Trends and Upcoming Opportunities in our Industry.
The Theme of this session was “Making Saraswat’s Future Ready”. The aim was to facilitate knowledge sharing, networking, and getting inspired by the Success Stories of our fellow professionals.
There were engaging panel discussions on the current economic scenarios, new opportunities, typical challenges and requisite skill sets for navigating through the demanding and ever evolving Construction sector. The emphasis was on generating new and bigger opportunities for our community members in real estate and construction sector.
Mr Siddharth Kunkoliencar, Ex MLA Panaji Constituency was the Chief Guest at the event and in his Inaugural speech he exhorted the Saraswat community to leverage their intelligence and farsightedness to show the way for others in the society. He encouraged the younger generation to follow the 3 Is - Innovative, Industrious, Integrity to succeed in their profession.
Founder Director of GCSE CA Siddharth Sinkar expressed happiness about the way the Goa Chapter has shown immense enthusiasm and drive to bring together young and experienced members of our Community to conduct meaningful programs in different sectors. He congratulated the team and urged them to continue doing the good work by engaging more and more volunteers.
There were 2 panel discussions one focussing on the Real Estate and Commercial Sector and the other on the Infra and Industrial Sector followed by an Q&A.
The 1st Panel discussion on Residential and Commercial Sector had Mr Mangesh Parulekar, MP Group Mr. Chirag Naik , CD Developers, Ar. Ashwini Prabhu, Archetype Designs and Ar. Swapnil Valvatkar , Collage Architecture Studio as the panellist. The panel was moderated by Er. Bharat Kamat, Partner, Kamat Infra Tech.
The 2nd Session was focussed on Infra and Industrial Sector had Dr Raghuvir Salkar, Er. Shekhar Panandikar, Er. Amit Tamba and Er. Anurag Walawalkar, FPA as the panellist. The panel was moderated by Ar. Rajesh Kenkre, The Sublime Project.
There was also an informative talk by Adv Mrs Priyanka Kamat Shetiya on “Legal Case studies For Real Estate” throwing light on the various facets of RERA and its provisions.
There was also the Felicitation of some Industry veterans amongst the Saraswat Community who with their pioneering efforts and immense contribution had made a positive impact on the Construction and Real Estate Industry in Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka.
The respected professionals were Ar.Girish Kelekar, Er. Bharat Kamat, Dr Raghuvir Salkar, Dr Shamsunder Heranjal , Er Paresh Gaitonde and Shri Avadhut Wagh. Shri Digambar Kamat, Hon’ble MLA of Margao, graciously felicitated the distinguished Saraswat stalwarts in recognition of their outstanding contributions.
An Informal Open House was conducted at the end of the program moderated by Chamber Director Mr Pravin Pai Kakode where many members of the audience got an opportunity to talk about their business and engage in fruitful networking session.
The evening culminated in a Fellowship Dinner, offering participants an opportunity to further connect in a relaxed and convivial atmosphere.
The Global Chamber of Saraswat Entrepreneurs (GCSE), Goa, recently organized a thought-provoking session featuring Dr. Ravindra Prabhudessai, Managing Director of the renowned Pitambari Group. The event, held in collaboration with the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and Laghu Udyog Bharati – Goa Chapter, focused on the theme “Spirituality for Success and Business Growth.”
Dr. Prabhudessai delivered an inspiring talk, drawing from his vast experience to highlight the pivotal role of spirituality in achieving holistic personal and professional success. He emphasized how incorporating spiritual practices can enhance leadership capabilities, foster a positive and productive workplace culture, and contribute meaningfully to sustainable business growth.
The event also served as a dynamic networking platform, allowing participants to exchange ideas, share insights, and build meaningful professional relationships. It reinforced the importance of collaboration and continuous learning within the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
This insightful session left attendees with valuable takeaways on aligning spiritual values with business strategies—underscoring the synergy between inner growth and external success.
For the second consecutive year, GCSE – Saraswat Chamber organised its flagship event - Finance & Legal Summit on Saturday 8th February, 2025 at MIG Club, Bandra, Mumbai. The audience comprising several entrepreneurs, bureaucrats, finance and legal professionals benefited from the enriching lectures and Panel discussions.
The Master of Ceremonies was none other than Mohit Bhende whose strong oratory skills and his unique style of introducing each speaker and session endeared him to one and all.
Avddhut J Rege (who was also the Event Manager) sang Saraswati Vandana in his melodious voice which was followed by the traditional lighting of the lamp by the dignitaries. The Welcome address by Samit Sar
af - Director of the Chamber was followed by Abhijit Sanzagiri who explained the concept of the Conclave.
It was a treat to hear the words of wisdom of Chief Guest Praveen Kadle, Guest Of Honour - Dr. Rajanish Kamat as well as of other Keynote Speakers - Shyamsundar Keshkamat Rajiv Nabar and Sandeep Welling
For the second year in a row, the Souvenir for the Summit – “Saraswat Connect” was released and this time at the hands of Chief Guest Praveen Kadle, Sandeep Welling, (Managing Partner of Kirtane & Pandit who were also the Knowledge Partners for the Event), @Shivprasad Laud (who had put in painstaking efforts in bringing out the Souvenir) along with Board Members of the Chamber – Founder Director Siddharth Sinkar, Amit A Pandit, Samit Saraf, Vaibhav Warerkar, Ajay Pinge CA Pratiksha Pai
Similar to last year’s tradition, the Chamber felicitated several Saraswat luminaries from the Finance and Legal fields.
The icing on the cake were the knowledge enriching Finance and Legal Panel discussions.
The Finance Panel was excellently moderated by Shweta Gokarn with esteemed Panelists like Dinanath Dubhashi, Mayur Sirdesai Akshay Purandare and Ankur Bhageria. Each of the experts shared their advice on various modes of New-Age Funding for MSMEs – including Trade financing, debt financing, managing cash flows with discounting, funding through equity and venture capital and SME IPOs.
The audience was also feasted with an interesting Legal Panel discussion. Rajesh Ajgaonkar did a splendid job as a Moderator of the Panel which had legal experts such as Kedar Wagle Ravi Kini Shivprasad Laud and Nishad Nadkarni. The Panelists covered the regulatory landscape for MSMEs including Trademarks and Copyrights, nuances of Digital Personal Data Protection #DPDP Act & Rules, Importance of well drafted Agreements and written communication and effective recovery of receivables – in all making complex aspects look simple.
Siddharth Sinkar also felicitated Sandeep Welling, Akshay Purandare and Samit Saraf of Kirtane & Pandit who were the Knowledge Partners for the Summit.
Samit Saraf concluded the event with a huge applause to the Sponsors, Knowledge Partners, Event Manager and Members of the Organsing Committee of Global Chamber of Saraswat Entrepreneurs for an enriching 2nd Finance & Legal Summit.
The Saraswat Business Conference – Kerala Meet was successfully held on 2nd August 2024 at Narmada Hall, Anugraha Charitable Trust, Thammanam, Kochi, marking the first-ever gathering of Saraswat businessmen from Kerala.
The event saw an enthusiastic participation of 95 delegates, including leading industrialists, professionals, and budding entrepreneurs, with the objective of fostering a strong business network and unlocking growth opportunities within the community. Distinguished stalwarts such as Dr. Sasanka Prabhu (Sangeeth Hospital), Shri Divakar Prabhu (International Marketing Co.), Shri Naveen R. Kamath (Adhikari ETD), Shri Avinash P. Kamath (President, CTD), Shri S. Rajkumar Kamath (President, AATTD), CA Siddharth Sinkar (Founder Director, GCSE), and Shri Pravin Kakode (Director, GCSE) graced the occasion.
The discussions focused on business challenges, emerging market trends, and the importance of collaboration, enabling participants to share insights, exchange ideas, and explore strategies for business growth while strengthening community ties. The conference laid a solid foundation for future engagements, creating a structured platform for Saraswat entrepreneurs in Kerala to connect and support one another. The event’s success was made possible through the exceptional efforts of Mr. Surendranath Kamath, Regil Das Kamath, Vamana Shenoy, Muralikrishna Prabhu, Vineesh Kamath, and the dedicated team from Kerala.
At Venue: Havanje Farms, Udupi Karnataka.
The event began with Saraswati Vandana followed by the auspicious lighting of the lamp.
Our 1st distinguished Speaker, Shri. Tonse Satish Rao, Director- SVC Bank and Vice-President of the Standing Committee of Shri Chitrapur Math, Shirali, spoke about ideas and ways to fund start-ups and the importance of family support in doing so by citing his son Shreyas’ own example. Shri. Tonse also shared his valuable knowledge and expertise in the Banking & Finance Sector.
Our next eminent speaker, Prof. Pushparaj Nayak, Assistant Professor, Department of Commerce, MAHE Manipal, spoke about transition of leadership in family business, overcoming challenges unique to family run enterprises and succession planning for next generation leadership. He, along with his colleague, Dr. Shilpa Gopal gave us information about their upcoming Conclave, The Manipal Entrepreneurship Summit MES 2025, an event organized by MAHE with E Cell MIT as it's execution partner. Details of this event will be shared separately.
Our next notable Speaker, Shri. Shrikanth Shenoy, Co-Founder, Coachbuddy.AI briefed the gathering on the Mantras for Startup Success. He also spoke about how his start-up, Coachbuddy.AI would change the way sports like badminton and tennis are played. His edifying talk was very informative.
CA Pratiksha Pai, Director, Global Chamber of Saraswat Entrepreneurs addressed the gathering on the importance and benefits of forming the Saraswat Chamber forum. Her electrifying talk was very motivating.
.Our next renowned Speaker, Shri. Shridhar Shenoy Co Founder, Mpowermsme, A Mumbai based Management Consulting Company, briefed the audience on diversification, branding, value addition. He also spoke about optimizing cash flow and accessing financing solutions through digital lending, invoice discounting, and supply chain finance platforms, managing large-scale technology implementation projects, ensuring seamless execution and alignment with business objectives for sustainable success. His forte in MSMEs benefitted the audience.
The forum acknowledged the presence of Shri. Subhas M. Kamath of Abharan Jewellers, one of the sponsors of the Chamber.
Dr. Janardhan Rao Havanje, a world renowned Artist and Curator specialising in Kaavi Art displayed his murals at the venue. He touched upon the importance of preserving this art, a Konkan Art form, from being extinct. He also displayed post cards painted by him, of birds found in Havanje.
Saraswat Seminar – Hope Healing & Health , “ A new Vision to Cancer Care” by Mrs Ruby Ahluwalia – 13-12-2024
Speaker Mr. Rahul Joshi, Director of S.M. K. consultants, Pune provided valuable insights and practical advice on Turning Ideas into Reality.The topic focuses on the process of transforming ideas into tangible results. It involves overcoming obstacles, building momentum, and maintaining motivation to achieve success.
For this seminar Mr. Ravindra (Anna) Samant, a well known Businessman, Mr.
Makarand Sakhalkar, Principal, Gogate-Jogalekar college, Ratnagiri was invited as chief guest.Mr. Ravindra Samant has given valuable support and cooperation for arranging this seminar.
Under guidance and support of chamber Director Shri Siddharth Sinkar, Ratnagiri team namely -Mr. Dipak Kamat, Manoj Tendulkar, Mandar Sinkar, Amruta and Atul Patki, Paresh Tendulkar , Sanjay Tendulkar, Suryakant Kulkarni, Adwait Patkar has tried their best to ensure that maximum number of listeners attended the event.
This meeting was attended by approximately 80 entrepreneurs from Ratnagiri District and we expect this to go long journey ahead to reach out to numerous small and medium entrepreneurs from rural areas of Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts of Maharashtra.
Global Chamber for Saraswat Entrepreneurs in association with MAHE Bengaluru had organized a one of its kind “ MSME and Startup conclave 2024 & Business Excellence Awards” on 16th November 2024 (Saturday) at Dr Ramdas Pai Convention Hall, MAHE Bengaluru Campus, Yelahanka, Bengaluru-560064. This program was hosted in the main sponsorship of Karnataka Bank.
The program was inaugurated by Dr Raghavendra Prabhu, Deputy Registrar, MAHE Bengaluru. He addressed the delegates and highlighted the importance of MSME in the growth of the Economy and emphasized that MAHE Bengaluru is happy to host this Conclave which is beneficial to the MSMEs & Startups. Shri Chandru K Iyer, Deputy High Commissioner for Karnataka and Kerala, British Deputy High Commission was the Chief Guest. He addressed the delegates on the importance of MSMEs to go global. He expressed how MSMEs can grow with global connect. Other Dignitaries present were CA K Ullas Kamath, Founder UK & Co, Shri Pranav Pai, Founding Partner, 3one4 Capital, Shri Sreenivas Mylavarapu, GM, Karnataka Bank, Shri K Raja Sankar, RM, Tamilnad Mercantile Bank, Bengaluru, CA S S Nayak, Conclave Director, CA Sidharth Sinkar, Founder Director and CA Pratiksha Pai, Director, Saraswat Chamber. Directors of Saraswat Chamber were also present. The inauguration ceremony was held in the presence of Dignitaries and Chief Guests from various organizations. The conclave featured 8 technical sessions on various topics by Resource persons from Bangalore, Goa, and other parts. Topics at the conclave were India -
| Particulars | Resource Persons |
|---|---|
| Startup Nation Our Generational Leap Towards $10 Trillion GDP Re-engineering Conventional MSMEs to enter the Modern Startup Ecosystem | Mr. Pranav Pai, Dr. Ajith Pai, Mr. Girish Hiremath, Mr. Nayaz |
| How can MSME Empower Temple Economy | CA K Ullas Kamath |
| Emerging Trends in Family Business Management | Mr. Girish Vasudeva Kulkarni |
| Branding and Marketing strategy for MSMEs and Startups | Ms. Andrea Gonslaves |
| Schemes and Incentives for MSMEs and Startups and Funding Options from Banks and Financial Institutions | Mr. R Gopinath Rao, Shri Abhishek Divakar , CA Sanketh S Nayak |
| Opportunities in Agri-Business & Fisheries Sector | Dr. Mahesh PS , Dr. Shivakumar Magada |
MSME Townhall - Direct Interaction with Experts was the flagship session where a panel discussion on Banking & Financial support to MSMEs and Startups was discussed by panel experts viz: CA K Gururaj Acharya, Independent Director, Karnataka Bank, Mr. Mahesha J, DGM, Union Bank of India, Mr.Hithendra Kumar, AGM Canara Bank, Mr. V Mohan, MSME Processing Hub Head, Tamilnad Mercantile Bank, Bangalore, Mr Shantha Prasad Herenjal, AGM and Mr Anup Shenoy , DM, SVC Bank. The Session was moderated by CA S S Nayak.
The event took place at Dr Ramdas Pai Convention Hall, the state-of-the-art Convention Hall at MAHE Campus, Bengaluru. The event was attended by 600+ participants from Karnataka, Kerala, Goa, Maharashtra and other parts of India.
After the 8 technical session a grand Award Ceremony was conducted which was livestreamed in Namma Kudla TV Channel & also in youtube.
The award ceremony took place at Dr Ramdas Pai Convention Hall, the state-of-the-art Convention Hall at MAHE Campus, Bengaluru. The “Awards Night” was held at 06:45 pm (with Business Excellence Awards in 20 sectors) to recognize 28 MSMEs and Startups who have excelled in their respective fields through innovation, leadership, dedication and commitment and were awarded accordingly. The Award Night also featured many cultural performances by Ms. Jnana Aithal & Hejjenada Team.
Dr Aditya Mohan Jhadav, Dean, TAPMI Bengaluru inaugurated the program . Shri Sreenivas Mylavarapu, GM, Karnataka Bank, Shri Malla Reddy, MLP Head, Union Bank of India, Shri Hitendra, MSME Sulab Head, Canara Bank, Shri Shantaprasad & Shri Anup Shenoy, Executives from SVC Bank, Shri Arun Murugan, DGM, Saraswat Bank, Shri V Mohan, Head MSME Processing Hub, Tamilnad Mercantile Bank, Shri Pradeep G Pai, MD Hangyo Icecreams Pvt Ltd. and Shri G G Shenoy, CMD, IRE - TEX Premier India Pvt ltd were present as chief guests. CA S S Nayak, Conclave Director, CA Sidharth Sinkar, Founder Director and other Directors of Saraswat Chamber were also present.
The Inaugural Ceremony was compered by CA MN Pai (Director of Saraswat Chamber). The technical sessions were hosted by CA Anil Bharadwaj, Bangalore. The Award Ceremony was compered by CA Pratiksha Pai (Director of Saraswat Chamber) & CA Yashaswini. The Event was Livestreamed in Namma Kudla TV Channel and in Youtube.
The one of its kind flagship event was jointly organised by Saraswat Chambers with Manipal Academy for Higher Education(MAHE) Bengaluru which is India’s 4th Top NFRI Ranking Institution. CA S S Nayak, Conclave Director is instrumental in conceptualizing, materializing and meticulously implementing the flawless event. CA Sanketh S Nayak, Bangalore is the Chief Co-ordinator and has worked tirelessly with many more Sarawat Chamber members viz, Shri Prashanth Prabhu, Bangalore, Sumatha Nayak, Director, Saraswat Chamber from Udupi. The founder Director Sidharth Sinker spearheaded the conclave,.
We owe our gratitude to Mr. Madhu Veera Raghavan, Pro Vice Chancellor and Dr Raghavendra Prabhu, Dy Registrar, MAHE Bengaluru for facilitating state of the art venue with delicious food and warm hospitality.
The program was sponsored by Karnataka Bank as the main sponsor and co-sponsored by the premier banks of the country such as Union Bank of India, Canara Bank, Saraswat Bank, SVC Bank & Tamilnad Mercantile Bank.
The event was also co-sponsored by prominent businesses like Abharan, Indico Remedies Ltd, Enthod Pharmaceuticals, Naturals, Structwel Designers & Consultants Pvt. Ltd., The Southern Gas Ltd, Iretex Premier India Pvt ltd, Sumit Woods.
The 3th Annual Conclave of the Saraswat Chamber was conducted on 20th - 21st September 2024 at Goa. The Conclave was held on 21st, whereas a celebratory Gala Dinner was organised on 20th in order to commemorate the 5 years of work done by the Saraswat Chamber.
The event, led by Chamber Directors Siddharth Sinkar, Pravin Kakode, Anirudha Walawalkar, Sandeep Prabhudesai and Rajesh Kenkre was supported by an impressive team of over 35 volunteers from Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Kerala. Their meticulous planning and execution contributed significantly to the event's resounding success.
The Conclave commenced with devotional songs offered to The Divine by our Saraswat Kalakars, invoking the blessings of the revered Mother Mhalasa Narayani.
In the opening session of the Conclave, Founder Director Shri Siddharth Sinkar and Director Pravin Kakode of the Global Chamber of Saraswat Entrepreneurs (GCSE) addressed the gathering, highlighting the chamber's mission and recent achievements.
Further, CA S.S. Nayak spoke to the attendees, providing an overview of the upcoming MSME Conclave scheduled in Bengaluru. This event, organized in collaboration with the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) Bengaluru, aims to support and empower micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) by offering networking opportunities, knowledge-sharing sessions, and access to resources essential for business growth.
Shri Dinanath Dubhashi, Advisor to the Chairman of L&T Group, delivered his address with remarkable humility, stating at the outset that he does not have direct entrepreneurial experience. However, as he spoke, his vast expertise became evident, and his insights proved highly relevant and valuable for entrepreneurs.
At the outset the “Saraswat Connect” News Letter inaugural copy i.e Sept 2024 was released at the hands of board of Directors of Saraswat Chamber.
Mithun Kamath's practical oriented “Ikigai” session was an eye opener for many. It helped entrepreneurs to actually think and jot down possible Ikigai’s for oneself. One more knowledgeable session on “Thinking Big” was also delivered by Mithun.
Yogesh Karikurve ensured that a sleepy audience does not sleep after a "yummylicious lunch" in his own unique way during his “Happiness Factory” session. A tangy tinge got added by an impromptu performance of famous Bollywood singer Hema Sardesai.
Shri. Shrinivas Dempo acknowledged that three years ago he didn't think that the Saraswat Chamber would grow so fast and become as successful as it is today and that now he is proud about it. A knowledge session was also conducted by Sandeep Welling and Samit Saraf and was very well received.
Officials from the Goa Institute of Management (GIM) also shared insights into the newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Saraswat Chamber, outlining a range of forthcoming management programs aimed at fostering business leadership and development within the community.
Special recognition was accorded to event anchors Prerna Lotlikar, Siddharth Saraf, and Vinayak Dhumatkar, whose dedication ensured the seamless progression of the proceedings. Suhas Mallya and Shradhha Sinkar presented the Chamber's latest IT initiatives, including the launch of a newly developed mobile application designed to enhance member engagement and streamline access to resources.
The Chamber also expressed deep appreciation for the invaluable contributions of team members Ishaan Patkar, Maharudra Wagle, Avadhut Rege, and others, whose collective efforts were pivotal to the event's success. A special acknowledgment was extended to Manisha Marathe and Rahul Laad for their unwavering support, which remains a cornerstone of the Chamber's successful events.
During the Conclave, distinguished Saraswat Stalwarts from various fields were honoured and felicitated, including the Temple Committee president and presidents of other Saraswat organizations. The event's success was driven by the enthusiastic participation of both members and non-members from across India, along with the invaluable financial support from our sponsors.
Saraswat Seminar- “Building and Scaling Organisations”- By Shri Nishad Kenkre- 10th June 2024 Mangueshi Goa
The meeting was honoured by the presence of Shri Pradeep G Pai, MD, Hangyo Ice Creams pvt Ltd and Shri Rohit Bhat, CEO & Founder of 99 Games Online Pvt Ltd as the chief guests. The event was attended by 160 entrepreneurs from the Mangalore region. Free stalls were provided to the entrepreneurs to showcase their products. Directors of the Saraswat Chamber, Mr. Pravin Kakode and Mr. Anirudha Walawalkar, were also in attendance. The meeting was organized by CA Pratiksha Pai and her team.
The meeting was honoured by the presence of Shri Tonse Sathish Rao, Member of the Board of Directors at SVC Bank, and Dr. Narasimha Bhat, CEO & Founder of Manipal Dot Net Pvt. Ltd as the chief guests. The event was attended by 125 entrepreneurs from the Udupi region. Free stalls were provided to the entrepreneurs to showcase their products. Directors of the Saraswat Chamber, Mr. Pravin Kakode and Mr. Anirudha Walawalkar, were also in attendance. The meeting was organized by Mrs. Sumantha Nayak and her team.
We had an release of Video song by Tanvi Walwalkar "The Heart of a Jogan" , a Saraswat Kalakar Initiative
Saraswatech-1 The Technology Confluence
Sonia Shenoy and Reema Tendulkar leading CNBC anchors has become
household names for everyone tracking financial markets.
Both these talented women who have been associated with the media industry
for more than 15 years ,have carved their own niche and enjoy a huge viewer
base. Both of them also have been recipients of the prestigious ’40 under 40’
award for excellance in media/journalism by ENBA in 2022 and have become
role models for aspiring journalists.
Saraswat chamber organised an conversation with these enterprising women,
who shared their inspirational journey and enriching experiences.
Highlights of various events organized by the Saraswat Chamber across
Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Goa.
1. Saraswat Seminar- Artificial Intelligence : Boon or Bane
19th August at Panaji Goa by Mr. Ramesh Subramanian ( Founder-
Brand Capita).
2. Members Meet at Panaji Goa -8th Sept 2024
3. SARASWAT SEMINAR-"Business Opportunities and Success“ 19th
January 2024, Kudal , Maharashtra By Dr. Girish Walavalkar.
4. SARASWAT SEMINAR-“POLE VAULTING FROM GOA TO THE GLOBE”
held at Margao Goa on 7th February 2024 by Dr. Sundeep Bambolkar,
Joint MD of Indoco Remedies.
Saraswat Seminar- “Entrepreneurship powered by Spiritualism”- By Dr Manoj
Kamat- 11th March 2024 Nagueshi Ponda
The Finance & Legal Summit 2024 in Mumbai organized by the Global Chamber
of Saraswat Entrepreneurs at Khar Gymkhana was a resounding success,
fostering invaluable networking and knowledge exchange among participants.
The inauguration commenced with a soul-stirring Saraswati Vandana by Mr.
Avdhoot Rege, followed by the dignified lighting of the Holy Lamp, graced by
esteemed Chief Guests, Chamber Directors, and other Dignitaries, setting a
harmonious and auspicious tone for the gathering. Founder Director Mr.
Siddharth Sinkar eloquently introduced the Chamber, encapsulating its vision
and mission with passion and clarity, inspiring all attendees with his insightful
words.
The keynote address delivered by CA Mahesh Aras, MD of JP Morgan,
captivated the audience with its depth of insight and strategic vision, setting the
stage for an enlightening and impactful summit ahead. Mr. Amol Kamat,
Principal Commissioner of Income Tax, delivered a compelling address, offering
invaluable perspectives and guidance, enriching the summit with his wealth of
knowledge and experience. Arun Mavinkurve, Vice Chairman of SVC Bank,
delivered an inspiring address, sharing invaluable insights and strategies,
contributing significantly to the summit's depth and vision for the future of
banking and finance.
Director Mr. Pravin Kakode from Goa presented various new initiatives of the
Chamber, showcasing a forward-thinking approach and commitment to
innovation in serving the Saraswat community and beyond.
Adv. Ishaan Patkar, as the Program Lead, delivered a heartfelt vote of thanks,
expressing gratitude to all participants, sponsors, and organizers for their
invaluable contributions towards the success of the event, encapsulating the
spirit of camaraderie and collaboration that defined the Finance & Legal Summit
2024.
Mr. Mohit Bhende's outstanding compering elevated the event with his
eloquence and charm, seamlessly guiding the audience through the program
while maintaining an engaging and vibrant atmosphere throughout.
The address by Chief Guest Dr. Nitin Gokarn, IAS, representing the Government
of Uttar Pradesh, was marked by profound insights and strategic vision,
illuminating the summit with perspectives crucial for fostering growth and
development.
The release of the souvenir "Saraswat Connect - Finance & Legal
Summit 2024" by the Chief Guest and other dignitaries symbolized
a significant milestone, commemorating the summit's
achievements and fostering lasting connections within the finance
and legal community.
The First panel discussion on 'Financing Business Journey – From Traditional
to Contemporary Options', featuring esteemed panelists including CA Nagesh
Pinge, CA Amit Pandit, Mr. Amit Wagle, Mr. Manguirish Pai Raikar, and CA Balaji
Bhatt, was excellently moderated by CA Abhijit Sanzgiri, ensuring a seamless
flow of discussion and maximizing the exchange of invaluable insights into the
evolving landscape of business financing
The Second panel discussion on "Legal Challenges in Doing Business",
featuring distinguished speakers including Senior Adv. Rajendra Pai, Senior
Adv. Narendra Walawalkar, CS Atul Juvle, Adv. Ninad Laud, and Adv. Madhukar
Dalvi, was skillfully moderated by CS Shivprasad Laud, fostering a
comprehensive exploration of legal complexities and solutions crucial for
navigating the business landscape effectively.
The felicitations of stalwarts from the finance and legal fields within the
Saraswat community celebrated their outstanding contributions, inspiring
future generations and strengthening the bonds of solidarity within the
community
The Global Chamber of Saraswat Entrepreneurs (GCSE) organized a highly successful Real Estate and Construction Summit on December 9th, 2023, at Nanu Resorts, Betalbatim, South Goa. The event brought together professionals and businesses from the Infrastructure, Construction, and Real Estate sectors, primarily from Goa, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.
Theme and Structure
The Conclave's broad theme was "Emerging Trends in Real Estate and Construction."
It was a full-day event featuring:
• Networking Session (9:30 AM - 1:00 PM): Facilitated informal interactions
among participants.
• Conference (2:30 PM - 8:00 PM): Included keynote speeches from industry
experts, panel discussions on relevant topics, and an open house for questions
and inputs.
• Fellowship and Dinner: Provided further networking opportunities.
Objectives and Impact
The Summit aimed to gather approximately 200 core industry professionals and
businesses under one roof to brainstorm, exchange ideas, network, and gain
inspiration for future advancements in their respective fields. The event successfully
left a lasting impression on participants, who took away valuable insights and
memories.
Management and Participation
The event was expertly managed by Bharat Kamat as the Program Head, supported
by Rajesh Kenkre, Balkrishna Kamat, Sacheen Pai Raikar, and others. The summit
demonstrated the GCSE's global approach, with participants traveling from various
cities, including Goa, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Karnataka, showcasing the Chamber's
commitment to expanding its reach and influence.
Conclusion
The Real Estate and Construction Summit has set a benchmark for future events,
reinforcing the GCSE's mission to foster a global outlook among its members. The
success of this event is a testament to the dedication and vision of the Chamber's
leadership and participants.
The 1st Session was focused on Consultants/ Service Professionals where we
have Er Atul Bhobe MD of TPF Engineering Pvt. Ltd as the Keynote Speaker.
Panelists:
1. Er. Madhav Kamat (Madhav Kamat & Associates)
2. Ar. Amit Sukhtankar (MSS Designs)
3. Er. Mahendra Kakule (Caculo and Associates LLP)
The 2nd Session was focused on Contracting / Vendor businesses where we
have Er Chetan Raikar, Chairman & MD of Structwel Designers & Consultants
Pvt. Ltd as the Keynote Speaker
Panelists:
1. Mr. Sameer Surlacar (Maangish Constructions)
2. Mr. Raghvendra Pai (Freelance consultant)
3. Ms Pallavi Dangui (Streamline LLP)
The 3rd session was focused on Builders/ Developers where we have
Mr Bhushan Nemlekar, Director, Sumit Woods Limited as the Keynote Speaker
Key note Speaker
1. Mr. Bhushan Nemlekar (Sumit Woods Ltd)
Panelists:
1. Mr. Paresh Pai (Heritage Princes Real estate Developers)
2. Mr. Niresh Naik (Nanu Group)
3. Mr. Tanmay Kholkar (Manas Developers)
The Goa Business Connect seminar, held on 26th November 2023 at the Goa Institute of Management (GIM) Campus, was a collaborative effort between GIM and the Global Chamber of Saraswat Entrepreneurs (Saraswat Chambers). Supported by the Government of Goa under the Atmanirbhar Bharat and Swayampurna Goa initiatives, the seminar focused on empowering and inspiring traders, artisans, small businesses, and micro-entrepreneurs. The theme, "Discover the secrets to business success at Goa Business Connect Seminar, It's your key to business growth!" emphasized providing knowledge, strategies, and connections essential for business growth. The event aimed to equip participants with insights from successful professionals to help them navigate entrepreneurial challenges and achieve their business potential.
The event was held at Clarke Exotica Resort and Convention,
Bangaluru.
The Event was jointly organised by Saraswat Chamber, UK &
Co and World Konkani Centre
The event was attended by over 400 delegates across India.
The Key Note Speakers for the event were,
1. Mr T. V. Mohandas Pai, ( Chairman Manipal Global
Education)
2. Mr Vinayak Pai, ( Managing Director , Tata Projects)
3. Dr P. Dayanand Pai, ( Chairman Century Group)
4. Mr Rajendra Kamat ,( CFO Reliance Retail Ltd)
5. Mr Shrinivas V. Dempo, ( Chairman, Dempo Group)
6. Mr Pranav Pai ,( Founder 3One 4 Capital)
7. Mr Rohit Bhat, ( Founder & CEO , 99 Games).
The SME Summit Goa 2023, organized by the Saraswat Chamber, was held at ESG-Panaji on Saturday, May 6, 2023. The event, supported by UK & Co as knowledge partners, saw participation from approximately 200 delegates from PAN India.
The distinguished keynote speakers at the event included:
1. Ms. Aditi Kare Panandikar, Managing Director, Indoco Remedies Limited
Speaker Topic: Growing as a SME Business, the role of technology and
how to use the same to your advantage.
2. CA Amit Pandit, Director, Saraswat Chamber spoke about the LEAP
scheme for First generation Saraswat Chamber member entrepreneurs
offered by Saraswat Bank.
3. Mr. Ulhas Kamath, Founder, UK & Co.
Speaker Topic: 12 Sutras of Family Business.
4. Mr. Suresh Ramanujam, Founder & Managing Director, Metis Family
Office
Speaker Topic: Succession Planning & Legacy in Family Business.
5. Mr. C.K. Kumaravel, Co-Founder & CEO, Naturals Salons & Spa
Speaker Topic: Entrepreneurship Journey, Personal Experiences and
Success Formula with some absorbing anecdotes and real life incedents.
6. Mr. Bhavesh A Shah, MD & Head Investment Banking.
Speaker topic : Building value for small businesses and the importance
of private equity.
The summit concluded with the felicitation of prominent entrepreneurs for their
significant contributions to the SME sector.
Saraswat Chambers conducted its first event in Ratnagiri on 13th August 2022. About 85 people attended the session. Our member Mandar Kanvinde, Director BRAND capita delivered an interactive session on the importance of Customer Experience Management in Marketing in today's hyper-competitive business environment.
2nd July 2022 was an remarkable evening organised by Saraswat chamber of commerce on a very relevant topic "Social media strategies". The event was opened by chanber's director Mr Girish Telang, giving an overview about Saraswat chamber and introducing Mr Sanjay Kini who will soon take up a full time role of administration in chamber.
Mr Neelkanth Palekar , CMD of Palekar Foods Pvt Ltd Satara Maharashtra and Mrs Manisha Marathe , director Saroj Sweets , Mumbai were felicitated at the event. Mrs Rupa Kanvinde , Food and Nutrition consultant conducted the interview. This was followed by Q&A from audience. Both the sons of Mr Palekar - Pranav and Dnyanesh too participated in the discussion and answered questions from the audience. More than 120 community members from Pune and cities around were present at the event. Both the stalwarts have taken their family business to next level and growing further. They shared some key inputs from their industry and all the audiance had many takeaways / learnings form the views shared by the both.
CA Amit Gholkar started the event by welcoming all and sharing information of chamber activities. Siddharth Sinkar and Girish Telang both directors of Saraswat chamber attteded the event. Mr Sinkar shared the vision of chamber and forthcoming activities. The event ended with vote of thanks by Dr Sangeeta Kamath.
