When Prof. Dr. Prakash Divakaran walked up to the podium at the Thailand International Leadership Award 2026, he was carrying more than just his own credentials — he was carrying the name of Arunachal Pradesh into a room full of the world’s achievers.
The Vice Chancellor of Himalayan University, Itanagar, represented India at this prestigious international gathering held in Thailand, delivering the keynote address before a distinguished audience of academics, entrepreneurs, business leaders and cultural personalities from across the globe. Not a small thing, by any measure.
The event was held under the theme “Honoring Leaders. Inspiring Excellence. Shaping the Future” — and it lived up to every word of that. Organised by D&G Holiday Thailand Co., Ltd., represented by Parwee Jaipinta, in collaboration with Phoenix Global Gold and global partners, the occasion brought together individuals from diverse nations with a shared belief: that leadership, when done right, can genuinely shape the world.
Divakaran’s address cut straight to the heart of that idea. He made a point that often gets lost in the noise of corporate success stories — that true leadership is not about titles or résumés. Vision, integrity, responsibility and service to society, he said, are what define a real leader. It’s a simple message, but one that clearly resonated in a room filled with people who have lived it.
He also turned attention to something close to his own calling — education. Academic institutions, he argued, bear a quiet but critical responsibility in building the next generation of leaders. Leaders who don’t just rise to the top, but who understand the world around them, respect differences and contribute meaningfully to peace. Given that Himalayan University sits in one of India’s most strategically sensitive and culturally rich corners of the country, that message carries a particular kind of weight.
The gathering itself was a fascinating mix of people. Country Host Dr Ashagan Ashghari of Phoenix Global Gold Co., Ltd. helmed proceedings on the ground, while international figures like Amba Dr Jovy Espalabra of GAHE and ILDS from the Philippines added global breadth to the conversations. Even Dr Nishi Malhotra, a singer from the United Kingdom, was part of the delegation — a reminder that leadership and the arts are never as far apart as we assume.
Discussions ranged across some genuinely important territory — mutual respect between cultures, the mechanics of international cooperation, and how the world can move toward more sustainable peace. The kind of conversations that don’t make headlines often enough, but should.
For Himalayan University and for Arunachal Pradesh, this participation is not just an achievement to frame and hang on a wall. It signals that the region’s institutions are stepping into global conversations — not as spectators but as voices. That matters.
The organisers have already announced that the Thailand International Leadership Award 2027 is in the works, with the same focus on leadership, cultural exchange and peace-building. One hopes Divakaran’s presence this year sets a precedent — and that the Himalayan Northeast continues to find its voice on stages like this.
Because a state that has given so much to India’s identity deserves to be seen. And heard.
