The Manufacturing Perspective | 2025
Insights from Speaking Engagements in 2025
At Shahi, we believe in sharing our experiences and learning with all the stakeholders in the fashion industry and beyond. This is an ongoing post to share insights from our speaking engagements in 2025. Read insights from previous years’ engagements: 2024 | 2023.
03 March | Center for Business and the Environment at Yale (CBEY)
Anant Ahuja, Director of ESG and Sustainability, spoke at the session Unlocking Brand-Supplier Collaboration to Accelerate Decarbonization in the Fashion Industry, organized by the Center for Business and the Environment at Yale (CBEY).
He discussed the financial barriers suppliers face in adopting decarbonization technologies and the role of brands in overcoming these challenges. The session explored how brands can align incentives to reward sustainability performance over cost and speed. These should consider he intersection of environmental sustainability and employment conditions. He also talked about Shahi’s learnings on the most effective strategies for scaling decarbonization efforts across supplier networks.
27 February | Dasra Philanthropy Week
Anant Ahuja participated in a spotlight session organized by Dasra, speaking on The Power of Business to Drive Change.
His talk focused on how businesses, particularly in supply chains, can play a transformative role in social impact, just as they do in environmental sustainability. He spoke of approaches to worker well-being and gender equity. He highlighted the potential for businesses to drive systemic change through research-backed initiatives. He also highlighted Shahi’s collaborations in worker retention programs and gender-focused workplace interventions.
14-16 February | Bharat Tex 2025
Harish Ahuja, Managing Director and Chairperson, spoke at Scaling Up Textile Manufacturing in India: Grabbing Opportunities, Addressing Challenges, organized by KPMG.
He discussed India’s strong banking system, the importance of vertical integration, and the role of MSME support in driving the country’s manufacturing growth.
Anant Ahuja spoke at the India: A Global Circularity Hub – Developing and Scaling Post-Consumer Textile Waste Management session organized by Laudes India.
He emphasized the importance of circularity for India and shared Shahi’s efforts in waste circularity. These include: upcycling, waste segregation, training, and compliance measures. Anant also discussed the role of various stakeholders in advancing circularity and effective waste management in the industry.
He also participated in Fashioning the Future Through Collaborative Sustainable Practices, organized by NIFT Delhi.
He addressed the need for collaboration between manufacturers and brands to advance sustainability in the textile industry. His session covered decarbonization efforts and workplace interventions necessary for a sustainable future.
24 January | World Economic Forum (Side Event by UNFPA)
Anant Ahuja participated in the Coalition for Reproductive Justice in Business side event at the World Economic Forum, co-hosted by UNFPA, Essity, Ferring, Bayer, and Amref Health.
He shared Shahi’s holistic approach to supporting women employees, inspired by Shahi’s founder, Mrs. Sarla Ahuja. Some of the key initiatives include Project Pravah, which has reduced absenteeism by 21%. Other interventions like on-site creches, flexible work schedules, and the Shahi Soukyam maternal health program. Anant stressed the business case for investing in women’s health and well-being, stressing how these initiatives drive both social impact and operational efficiency.
24 January | CAIF Enterprise Bootcamp
Gauri Sharma, General Manager, ESG and Innovation, represented Shahi at the CAIF Enterprise Bootcamp, organized by the Circular Apparel Innovation Factory.
Her session focused on Shahi’s ‘Responsible For’ framework, efforts in decarbonization, digitization, traceability, and next-gen recycled materials.
