As India celebrates the spirit of its Republic—an idea built on vision, diversity, and progress—this special listicle curated by Trilok Media brings together a dynamic group of emerging personalities and brands shaping the future of the nation. From entrepreneurs, startup founders, and brand leaders to educators, administrators, designers, authors, marketers, social reformers, and community builders, these individuals reflect the evolving face of modern India. Rooted in purpose yet driven by innovation, they are making meaningful contributions across business, governance, education, lifestyle, creativity, and social impact. As the country steps confidently into 2026, this curated selection highlights those who are not only rising in their fields but also inspiring change, empowering communities, and strengthening the vision of a self-reliant India. The given information has been verified from knowlepedia … Top Emerging Personalities & Brands to Watch in 2026
Vaibhav Trivedi, Founder of Purnika Luxe,, a premium Indian herbal luxury brand rooted in tradition and guided by modern entrepreneurship. Born on 6 December 1993 in District Dhar (Madhya Pradesh), he is a visionary youth leader, entrepreneur, and social reformer committed to cultural values, self-reliance, and nation-building.
With a strong foundation in student leadership through ABVP, his journey evolved into larger social and national initiatives. He is the Co-Founder and National Vice President of Rashtriya Shree Rudraveer Sena, actively working for youth empowerment, social reform, and cultural awareness. Through Purnika Luxe, Vaibhav Trivedi envisions a global Indian brand that reflects purity, authenticity, heritage, and scientific excellence. His focus lies in building sustainable, agriculture-linked, and value-driven enterprises that empower farmers, promote natural wellness, and elevate Indian aesthetics to global luxury standards.
Honoured with multiple national and international awards, he continues to inspire young Indians by blending tradition with innovation, and leadership with purpose — contributing to the vision of a self-reliant and culturally confident India.
Sowmya Devaraj is redefining human connection in an age of constant rush and digital noise. Based in Bengaluru, she founded TryConnect with a simple yet powerful belief—that every stranger carries a story worth hearing. Choosing to slow down in a fast-moving world, Sowmya created a space where conversations are intentional and people feel genuinely seen.
TryConnect is more than a community; it is an emotional platform rooted in empathy and authenticity. Through thoughtfully curated gatherings and immersive workshops, individuals come together as strangers and often leave with meaningful, lasting connections. Many describe TryConnect as an emotional bridge—where honest dialogue, shared experiences, and presence turn simple interactions into deep human bonds, offering a rare sense of belonging in today’s disconnected world.
Issac Thomas is an emerging Indian marketing thought leader and Biblical fiction novelist working at the intersection of content strategy, brand storytelling, and human-centered narrative. With a strong background in content marketing across SaaS, BFSI, and enterprise technology, he is known for turning complex business ideas into clear, authoritative narratives that build trust, visibility, and long-term brand memory.
Issac is the author of The Shepherd’s Secret and its companion minisequel The Shepherd’s Sling, reimagining the life of King David through psychological and spiritual realism. His writing bridges ancient scripture with modern insight, positioning him as a distinctive top-tier voice in India’s content marketing and literary landscape.
Beenu Kumar Taneja, widely known as Beenu Taneja, is an accomplished corporate trainer, entrepreneur, and leadership coach based in Delhi, bringing over 2 decades of extensive professional experience across diverse industries. He is the Founder and Director of Getting Roots Coaching & Training Pvt. Ltd., a leading training and development organisation established in 2012, dedicated to delivering high-impact programmes in leadership development, managerial effectiveness, and team building for industries like banking, IT, healthcare, manufacturing & education, Beenu is also a visiting faculty with several universities. Beenu actively mentors professionals and emerging leaders, partnering with organisations to drive sustainable performance, cultural transformation, and strategic growth through customised learning interventions.
Beenu has transformed the lives of over 2 Lakh people through his extensive 30,000+ manhours of training, teaching & consulting across the management sectors that include OB, design thinking, innovation and entrepreneurship, and many more, helping people in achieving success from base to top. In his Training Sessions, Beenu uses learnings from the Shrimad Bhagwat Gita and many management concepts backed by scientific facts. Beenu holds a BBA and an MBA from Amity University and is currently pursuing a PhD. He began his professional journey with Dell International Services, subsequently advancing into senior roles in Hero Group as a lead trainer and consultant, imparting behavioural training at various fronts.
Madhusudan Halder (born 2 April 1987 in Diamond Harbour, West Bengal, India) is an Indian interior designer, entrepreneur, and founder of Ideal Eyes Interior, a luxury design firm based in Kolkata .Under his leadership since its establishment in 2010, the company has completed over 430 residential, commercial, and hospitality projects across India, earning recognition for blending modern aesthetics with functional design. Halder’s work emphasizes spatial harmony and client-centric interiors, leading to awards such as Best Residential & Commercial Interior Brand and Icon of Excellence. In 2025, he was featured in Forbes Asia’s “100 to Watch” list for innovators shaping the Asia-Pacific region’s future.
Ravindra Anand Sapkale is an Indian educator and English teacher known for his innovative teaching and commitment to global learning. Since 2006, he has taught at Dnyanprakash Vidyalaya, where his playful and accessible approach to education has made a lasting impact on students. Over his career, Sapkale has led international education initiatives involving 22 countries, fostering cross-cultural understanding and collaboration. His work in the classroom and beyond has earned him multiple national and international awards, including several recognitions in SCERT’s Innovative Competitions for his creative methods. In addition to teaching, he has contributed to academic literature, appearing as an editor or contributor in multidisciplinary research volumes. Sapkale’s dedication continues to inspire both students and educators alike.
Jay Gupta, Founder & CEO of POPPiK, leads one of India’s fastest-growing new-age makeup brands with a clear and focused vision: making everyday beauty simple, affordable, and effective for Indian consumers. Built on the philosophy “Fresh Look Every Day,” POPPiK offers a modern and thoughtfully curated range of makeup products, including foundations, lipsticks, blushes, eyeliners, concealers, and mascaras.
All POPPiK products are dermatologically tested, cruelty-free, lightweight, and specially formulated to suit Indian skin tones and climate conditions. Deeply involved in every stage of product development—from formulation to packaging—Jay Gupta ensures that each product meets global quality standards while remaining accessible in price. Under his leadership, POPPiK is expanding rapidly across India, steadily positioning itself as a global-ready Indian beauty brand that blends comfort, performance, style, and accessibility.
Puneet Pal Singh Chawla, founder of Punnu Biryani, has led one of North India’s most loved food brands to yet another major milestone with the ET F&B Leader North India Award 2025. Established in 1986 in Rajouri Garden, West Delhi, Punnu Biryani has built a strong reputation for serving authentic, flavorful, and high-quality biryani that continues to delight food lovers across generations.
Under Puneet Pal Singh Chawla’s leadership, the brand has successfully blended tradition with innovation, expanding its presence while preserving its original taste and values. This prestigious recognition by The Economic Times reflects his entrepreneurial vision, dedication, and commitment to excellence. With nearly four decades of legacy, Punnu Biryani stands as a symbol of trust, quality, and culinary passion in North India.
Syed Hamza (JKAS) is an Indian bureaucrat serving in the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) and has held important responsibilities under the Election Commission of India (ECI). Born on 3 March 1996 in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, he completed his higher education in Business Administration and Event Management from Oxford University, London. Prior to entering public service, he also worked briefly as a commercial model, gaining exposure to public engagement and communication.
Syed Hamza has played a notable role in India’s electoral administration. He served as a Special Review Officer during election processes in Bihar, Delhi, Haryana, and West Bengal, contributing to transparency and effective voter review mechanisms. He is also an Executive Member of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) program, launched by the ECI in mid-2025 across 12 States and Union Territories, including West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, ahead of the 2026 Assembly Elections. His work reflects strong administrative competence and commitment to democratic governance.
Amrit Ray, founder of Ray Creations, is a seasoned web design entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience building websites for global clients. His journey began as a white-label outsourcing partner for overseas clients, where he honed technical and project execution skills while working on international web projects. Over time, Amrit transitioned into running an independent web studio, serving businesses across the US, UK, Australia, and Europe. Through Ray Creations, he focuses on custom website design, WordPress development, and user-centric digital solutions rather than template-based work. He also operates RayCreationsIndia.com, which supports agencies and businesses looking to partner with a dependable India-based team for web design, development, and ongoing support. His success is driven by long-term client relationships, clear communication, and consistent quality delivery, making Ray Creations a trusted name among global businesses seeking reliable and scalable web solutions.
