Prof. Avanish Kumar, faculty at Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon, delivered the Platinum Jubilee Lecture in Anthropology and Behavioural Sciences at the 2023 Indian Science Congress. With over 20 years of experience, he specializes in sustainability, inclusion, and participation, working with NGOs, governments, corporations, and academic institutions. His work focuses on empowering marginalized communities through citizen-centric governance, sustainable rural livelihoods, and corporate social responsibility. Before MDI, he was at TERI University and Development Alternatives, with extensive field experience in India’s poorest regions. He is active in academic and advisory councils, including the Indian Anthropological Association and Central University of Rajasthan’s Public Policy, Law & Governance Programme. He has also served as a jury member for the Economic Times CSR awards and a resource person for the National Rural Livelihoods Mission.