The Winners of the Country Stage of the V International Contest "Leader of Public Diplomacy" have been determined in India
The results of the country stage of the V International Contest "Leader of Public Diplomacy" were summed up in June 2026 in India. The Contest Jury announced three winners.
Creativity as a language of international dialogue
Sahar Zaman, an Indian journalist and writer, author of Asia's first digital media project, Hunar TV, dedicated to art, culture and the creative economy, became one of the Contest winners.
Sahar Zaman has created a unique platform bringing together artists, musicians, writers and cinematographers, and has also overseen major cultural festivals and public campaigns aimed at preserving India's musical and cinematic heritage. Her work has been repeatedly awarded prestigious awards, including Global Journalist of the Year (2023) and Biographer of the Year (2024).
Sahar is sure:
- True leadership is not to stand at the top, but to create platforms on which others can grow, preserving culture, dignity and creativity for future generations.
Education diplomacy of the new generation
Another winner of the Contest is Ravi Raj, a researcher at the Center for Russian and Central Asian Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University (New Delhi), specializing in international relations and educational diplomacy. He is the holder of one of India's most prestigious Junior Research Fellowships from the Government of India, publishes in international analytical publications Modern Diplomacy, Eurasia Review and The Diplomat, and represents his country at international youth and expert forums, including India–Russia Youth Dialogue, Nasser International Youth Fellowship and REBUS International Forum.
Ravi Raj actively develops academic ties between India, Russia and the countries of Eurasia, considering education to be one of the most important tools of international understanding. Speaking about leadership, he notes:
- For me, the most important thing in leadership is the ability to build trust by helping others develop and make meaningful contributions. I believe that leadership is not so much about power as it is about creating an atmosphere in which different points of view can be recognized, heard and united for a common goal.
Science, culture and public service
The third winner is Manish Kumar Chaudhary, a lecturer at the University of Delhi, founder and Secretary General of the NGO Respect India.
Over the years, he has been implementing projects on education, democracy, cultural dialogue and social development. Manish Kumar Chaudhary has repeatedly represented India at international venues, including the World Hindi Language Conference in Fiji, the Buddhist Festival in Bhutan and the Vishwarang Cultural Festival in Mauritius. He is also the author of numerous scientific publications and the recipient of national awards, including the Hindi Ratan Samman and the Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Memorial Award.
More information is on the official website of the World Peoples Assembly and at media@world-assembly.org.
