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Forbes India and GoKwik Future of Commerce conclave explores dynamic forces shaping the industry
Mumbai: The Future of Commerce conclave presented by Forbes India and GoKwik, brought together industry visionaries, entrepreneurs, and experts who are pioneers in carving the future of commerce. The event held in Bengaluru, featured a series of talks and panels, which addressed key themes such as technological innovation, customer experience optimization, and the collaborative ecosystem driving the next phase of commerce.
In a world characterised by rapid technological advancements and shifting consumer dynamics, the Future of Commerce conclave was aimed at unravelling the evolving e-commerce landscape, digitalisation, and shifting customer expectations.
GoKwik CEO & co-founder Chirag Taneja set the tone of the evening in his opening address, highlighting the significance of such discussions in shaping the future of commerce. Speaking on GoKwik’s journey, he said, “Innovation in commerce thrives on collaboration. GoKwik, in its short three-year journey, has addressed challenges, revolutionized payment methods, and contributed significantly to financial services. As we look ahead, we envision a future where India becomes a 15 per cent digital market, and GoKwik is poised to shape the commerce landscape with foresight and innovation.”
Distinguished speakers Ananth Narayanan (founder, Mensa Brands), and K Ganesh (serial entrepreneur associated with BigBasket, Portea Medical, BlueStone, and HomeLane) participated in an engaging ‘Fireside Chat’ on ‘Pioneering the Future of Commerce.’ In another ‘Fireside Chat’ with Ashish Agrawal (MD, Peak XV) and Rajat Agarwal, (MD, Matrix Partners India), the duo decoded ‘A venture capitalist’s guide to e-commerce success’
In his session, Nik Sharma (CEO, Sharma Brands), provided a global perspective on the direct-to-consumer (DTC) market.
In a panel discussion with Gaurav Khatri (co-founder & CEO, Noise), Priyanka Gill, (group co-founder, Good Glam Group), Manish Chowdhary (co-founder, WOW Skin Science) and Prashanth Aluru (co-founder & CEO, TMRW ‘House of Brands’), the speakers shared their views on shifts in consumer behaviour and trends in the commerce industry.
The evening also saw a tech accelerators panel discussion with Vargab Bakshi (vice president, Wix.com), Nitin Navneet Tatiwala (vice president, FedEx Express MEISA marketing) and Ananth Jayarajan (technical partnerships lead, Shopify APAC).
The last session of the conclave delved into the transformative impact of fintech on payment ecosystems, redefining how consumers and businesses engage in transactions. The insightful panel featured Deep Agrawal (head of payments at PhonePe), Akshay Aedula (CRED); and Antariksh Parmar (product manager, ONDC).
From the rise of digital-first brands, move towards an omnichannel approach, optimisation of customer experience, enhancement of payment solutions, growing enabler requirements and creation of an overall collaborative ecosystem, the conclave successfully facilitated insightful discussions among visionaries who are paving the way for unprecedented yet sustainable growth.
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Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
