HTLS 2023: PM Modi on mental, perceived and exaggerated barriers

Keith Flaherty shared his enthusiasm for working in India and the unique aspects that have captured his attention. He spoke highly of the entrepreneurs, scientists, and doctors he's encountered in India and noted their disorienting sense of humility, which stands out in contrast to Western cultural norms.

Wadhwa highlighted the crucial role of data in advancing medical diagnostics. He points out that the successful implementation of the revolutionary technology requires an extensive volume of data, which is not readily available in the West.

India, with its large and diverse population, treats a significant number of patients, and this vast pool of patient data positions the country as a valuable resource for the development of advanced medical diagnostics.

Vivek Wadhwa shared a promising vision for cancer care in India:

Karikinos Healthcare has already established what is referred to as the most advanced cancer care system globally.

He says looking ahead to the next five years, India is expected to have the best cancer care system in the world.

This transformative progress is attributed to the significant support from individuals like Keith Flaherty and a collective effort from various professionals contributing to Karikinos Healthcare.

Wadhwa recounts his journey to secure a meeting with Prime Minister Modi in Kevadia, Gujarat. He says Prime Minister Modi expressed his commitment to the cause, instructing people to do whatever it takes to assist him.

Wadhwa shares his vision for a grand plan to cure cancer. He points out the challenges within the US medical system, describing it as severely broken. He highlights India as the best place for transformative medical initiatives due to its lack of legacy to protect.

This upcoming session is expected to explore topics related to medicine, healthcare, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

Chief Justice DY Chandrachud discussed diverse barriers in the legal system, emphasizing the need to redefine "merit" in a more inclusive sense and the importance of language in the legal discourse. He also highlighted the digital transformation and outreach efforts of the judiciary.

Lisa Curtis explored the dynamics of US-China relations, the boost in US-India relations, and the importance of technology in geopolitics. Minxin Pei added that the outside world may have overestimated China's capabilities in the tech race.

A panel discussion featured Lt. Cdr. Annu Prakash, Col. Neha Singh, and Group Captain Shaliza Dhami from the Indian Navy, Army, and Air Force. They discussed women's roles, achievements, and the changing landscape in the armed forces.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal addressed the audience in a session moderated by Anand Narasimhan. Goyal discussed political topics, including the BJP's electoral prospects and criticism of 'freebies.' He expressed confidence in the BJP's performance in Rajasthan and other states and criticized the opposition's unity.

We're currently on a short break, but don't go too far! Up next, we have an exciting session featuring Keith Flaherty, Director of Clinical Research at MGH Cancer Center and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, along with Vivek Wadhwa, an author, academic, speaker, and entrepreneur. They will be in conversation with Sanchita Sharma, Senior Communication Officer at WHO India.

Charlize says she walked into a restaurant in Delhi last night and it ‘smelled like home’. She said she is fascinated by the culture, the people and the country.

Karan Johar told Charlize Theron how he is heartbroken about Charlize saying love stories are ‘off the table’ for her now. “I have not related to a lot of romantic comedies because my love life has never looked like a romantic comedy,” she said.

Charlize Theron advises women to ‘just ask' for equal pay. She gave the example of Snow White and Huntsmen where she was paid equal to Chris Hemsworth.

Charlize spoke about her two adopted daughters and bonded with Karan over how he is also a single parent to twins born through surrogacy.

“I am not a fan of cancel culture. When we don't allow some kind of space for mistakes to happen… I always think about when I was in my 20 and all the mistakes I made…I think there is no room for that anymore. We are so scared. I have two girls of my own. One is 11 years old and I tell her ‘you cannot forget that what you are doing is not in pencil. You will not be able to erase it when you are 30, 20 or looking for a job. It’s written in ink,” Charlize said.

Karan Johar says he doesn't want Charlize to watch any of his movies. “Even when they are dying, everything is perfect.” He spoke about how Shabana Azmi asked him about her blow dried hair and perfect makeup in a kitchen scene in Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani and said this doesn't seem real. He said, “I am not going for real either.”

"When I started working in Hollywood I got a feeling that the only thing I was good for is what you are going to accomplish with the way you look. It limits the access you have to interesting, deep stories," Charlize said.

“I never got comfortable enough to think that now things will kick off for me and they didn't. After that movie, I got great reviews but I didn't get a tonne of jobs,” said Charlize about her role in The Devil's Advocate. She said the projects she got offered were not appealing to her: the girlfriend or the wife in the background.

Charlize says that the first three weeks on any project are always filled with uncertainty. She always thinks she is ‘going to get fired’. “You should always film the least important bits in first three weeks.”

“I had a weird naive confidence,” Charlize said about her initial days in Hollywood as an outside. “I had no skill but I had that,” she added. She said that her accent was the biggest problem and also how she had not much idea about acting.

Charlize Theron said she went into a deep depression when she got a knee injury that ended up crushing her dreams of becoming a dancer. She revealed how her mother supported her. She said, “You were never the best dancer but you were always an amazing storyteller. I know they make films in Hollywood.”

South African actor Charlize Theron is now in conversation with Karan Johar. He fanboyed over her with the viral audio ‘So beautiful, so elegant, just looking like a wow.’

"Frankly, I don't see an impact. I just came back from two important programmes. I met captains of industries from across the world. The enthusiasm about India is absolutely undiminished. They look up to India as the growth engine of the future. Even during the meetings, the complaint against me was largely India not giving enough time to conclude free trade negotiations fast."

“Every INDIA alliance partner has been abusing each other in the past few days” says Goyal.

"We were nowhere in West Bengal, northeastern states, and many other places. People of India are smart. The public understands everything, and they know that PM Modi is the only leader who spends every moment in their service."

The minister shared insights into the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) approach to elections, stating:

"BJP takes every election very seriously. We are not among those people who roam about in another state while there is an election upcoming in the other state."

'People of India have recognized that honest governments are the ones which can truly give benefits to the common man,' says Union Minister.