Franklin Templeton hosted its annual Perspectives 2025 event in Mumbai, bringing together some of the most respected names from public life, global affairs, and strategic leadership for two days of conversation.

Day one featured Dr Shashi Tharoor - author, former diplomat, and Member of Parliament - who spoke on India's growth story through the lens of heritage, policy, global positioning, the value of reading, and what it means for the country to work toward its best version under the theme Virasat Sang Vikas.

Day two opened with Palki Sharma, senior journalist and Managing Editor at Firstpost, who discussed how global news shapes decisions, how India's heritage influences its image, and the role of credibility in today's fast-paced reporting environment.

Lt. Gen. KJS Dhillon (Retd.) followed with a session shaped by his years in military leadership. He spoke about lessons from 'Operation Sindoor' and connected battlefield principles to leadership, decision-making, and preparing teams for challenges ahead.

With speakers of this calibre, Perspectives 2025 held its ground as an event centred on clear thought, grounded discussion, and sessions that left participants with plenty to reflect on.

Google held an RCS (Rich Communication Services) meet at its Gurgaon office, where employees were greeted with a surprise guest - comedian and storyteller Zakir Khan.

Zakir came not for a comedy set, but for a conversation on 'Value over Volume'. He spoke about how every business, product, or career is essentially a story, and how marketing, selling, or even building something like RCS depends on storytelling. He stressed that advanced tech is only the medium, the message, and the story drive how people respond.

He also spoke about things he deals with on stage every day: reading a room, adjusting when a line doesn't land, and understanding the people in front of him. Zakir's inputs helped employees think about how communication can feel more meaningful for users.

EY's India Tax Workshop in Goa was a two-day celebration of music, culture, and inspiration. Day 1 began with Flute Boxers opening the afternoon conference, their jugalbandi of flute and beatboxing setting the tone for the event. The evening moved to the terrace, where Goan Serenaders brought local flavour with a mix of Hindi, English, and Konkani songs, followed by Unplugged Band creating a relaxed acoustic rooftop vibe that spanned Bollywood, English, and Konkani tracks.

Day 2 opened on high notes once again with Flute Boxers energising the morning session. The evening took a patriotic turn as General DS Hooda addressed the audience, sharing insights from life at the border and inspiring the attendees with his motivating talk.

The night wrapped up on a festive note by the beach, with Shor Police and Band getting everyone in the mood to let loose. Their high-energy performance of Bollywood and English hits closed the workshop on a vibrant and celebratory note, leaving EY's guests buzzing with energy and excitement.