PRAYAG 2025: National Summit Unites Policy, Innovation, and Purpose at Bharat Mandapam

Bharat Bhagya Vidhata Forum (BBV Forum), a leading national policy platform founded by mental health and public policy innovator Ms. Shipra Dawar, also known as Pitambara Priya Shipra, hosted PRAYAG 2025, a landmark policy-to-action summit at the prestigious G20 Summit Room, Bharat Mandapam. The event brought together distinguished leaders from government, industry, and civil society to co-create actionable roadmaps in AI, mental health, skilling, and inclusive innovation.

The summit was graced by Ms. Sujata Saunik, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Maharashtra, as the Guest of Honour. In her keynote, Ms. Saunik emphasized the need for inclusive policy frameworks that integrate grassroots innovation, women-led development, and responsible AI.

Two National Initiatives Launched

At the heart of PRAYAG 2025 were the launch of two groundbreaking national programs:

🔹 PARAMESHWARI — Programme for the Advancement, Resilience, and Mental Empowerment of Survivors through Healing, Wellness, AI, and Re-integration.

An integrated initiative to support women survivors of gender-based violence, PARAMESHWARI combines trauma-informed mental health care (via IWill Therapy) with cutting-edge AI-based vocational training. The program aims to empower over 1,00,000 women in its first year of rollout, especially in underserved and semi-urban regions.

🔹 LAKSHMI — Leveraging AI for Knowledge, Skilling, Microentrepreneurship, and Her Income.

This pioneering initiative reimagines digital self-employment for India’s 70 million self-employed and nano entrepreneurs. LAKSHMI provides contextual AI skilling, access to platforms, and policy support to unlock $1 trillion in GDP by 2030 through AI-led microentrepreneurship.

Highlights from PRAYAG 2025

•Theme: Tech, Talent, and Trillions – Driving Impact through Innovation, Partnerships, and Grassroots Implementation

•Participation from senior officials of NITI Aayog, NCW, MSDE, MeitY, and delegates from global innovation partners including Microsoft, Lloyds, and academic institutions.

•Showcases of women-led AI innovations, digital skilling platforms, and public health tech.

•Dialogues on responsible AI, digital public goods, and climate-conscious entrepreneurship.

Speaking at the launch, Ms. Shipra Dawar, Founder & CEO of BBV Forum, IWill, and GITA AI, said:

“PRAYAG is not just a summit—it is a call to action. With LAKSHMI and PARAMESHWARI, we are building national programs rooted in compassion, technology, and real economic empowerment. This is Bharat’s moment to lead the world in inclusive, AI-powered growth.”

About BBV Forum

The Bharat Bhagya Vidhata Forum (BBV Forum) is a not-for-profit policy innovation platform committed to shaping India’s future through bold ideas and public-private partnerships. It works at the intersection of AI, mental health, skilling, and climate action—bridging grassroots insights with national policymaking.