New Delhi, April 23: HSBC India presents CNBC-TV18’s Future. Female. Forward. (FFF) Season 4, Co-presented by Cognizant, kicks off in New Delhi on April 23rd with a mega cultural gala. The gala brings together powerful voices across business, policy, and culture to spotlight equity as a key driver of India’s next phase of growth.
As India advances towards its Viksit Bharat vision, the conversation is shifting – from access to influence, from participation to leadership. This edition of FFF places equity at the center of that shift, positioning it not just as a social priority, but as a business and national imperative.
Building on the momentum of previous seasons, FFF Season 4 evolves into a more immersive platform – one that blends dialogue with culture, and intent with action. The evening will open with a specially curated musical performance tracing the journey of women’s voices – from expression to influence to leadership, setting the tone for a deeper, more engaging experience.
The event will feature a high-impact CEO Power Conversation in a townhall format, themed ‘Building Equitable Enterprises in a New India’, exploring how organizations are embedding equity into leadership pipelines, business strategy, and growth models.
The evening will see participation from leading voices including Hitendra Dave, CEO, HSBC India; Rajesh Varrier, President – Global Operations and Chairman & MD, Cognizant India, Sunil Kant Munjal, Chairman, Hero Enterprise; Sandeep Batra, MD & Head, International Wealth & Premier Banking, HSBC India; Shinjini Kumar, Author; Soma Mondal, Member PESB and Former Chairman, Steel Authority of India; Ritu Arora, Country Head, Allianz Services India, Swati Bhargava, Co-founder, CashKaro.com; Aparna Saxena, Founder & CEO, Antinorm, Padma Shri Air Marshal Padma Bandopadhyay PVSM, AVSM, VSM, Director General Medical Services, Indian Air Force (Retd.) etc.
Speaking ahead of the event, Shereen Bhan, Managing Editor, CNBC-TV18, said,
“India is at an inflection point where equity will define the quality of its growth. It’s no longer just about participation, but about who leads and who shapes outcomes. Future. Female. Forward is designed to move this conversation from intent to action – bringing together voices and ideas that are building a more inclusive and future-ready India.”
The keynote address will be delivered by Hitendra Dave, CEO, HSBC India, on
“Equity as India’s Growth Multiplier’, highlighting how inclusive leadership and equitable systems are critical to unlocking innovation, resilience, and long-term economic value. He added, “Equity is a powerful driver of sustainable growth. At HSBC India, we believe that enabling equitable access to opportunities and leadership is critical to unlocking innovation and long-term value. Platforms like Future. Female. Forward play an important role in accelerating this shift, from intent to measurable impact.”
Adding further perspective, Rajesh Varrier, President – Global Operations and CMD, Cognizant India said,
“Gender equity, as it moves from conversation to commitment, is creating genuine momentum across corporate India, and the responsibility on businesses, policymakers, and leaders has never been greater. At Cognizant, we recognise that equity must live in everyday decisions on hiring, progression, and leadership if it is to create lasting and meaningful change. Future. Female. Forward has been instrumental in driving this agenda, and Season 4 is a powerful reminder that organisations which embed equity into their core will define the future of leadership in India.”
Smriti Mehra, CEO, English & Business News, Network18, said,
“Future. Female. Forward Season 4 shows a defining shift in India’s growth story, with equity no longer a parallel conversation but central to leadership, influence, and nation-building. As we move closer to the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, it is critical that women are not just participating in this journey but actively shaping it from the front. This platform has evolved into a powerful catalyst bringing together voices across business, policy, and culture to move from dialogue to decisive action. We are proud to build this momentum alongside partners like HSBC India, Cognizant, who are equally committed to advancing a more inclusive and future-ready India.”
The evening will also feature the Icons Felicitation – ‘Women Who Define the New India’, recognizing trailblazers who are actively shaping India’s future across sectors.
Adding a cultural and relatable lens to the theme, renowned comedian and content creator, Aiyyo Shraddha will present a stand-up act titled ‘The Everyday Reality of Equality’, bringing humour and insight into the lived experiences of modern-day gender dynamics.
This season, Future Female Forward partners with IMFA’s SakhiSeed initiative, supporting women micro-entrepreneurs with funding, mentorship, and access to networks, helping them not just start, but scale with confidence. As part of the launch gala, CNBC-TV18 will also announce an advisory committee that will help shape and guide the initiative through the season, bringing together diverse expertise to drive meaningful impact.
