Oct 12 2025 to Oct 12 2025 11 a.m.

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Where

Bangalore International Centre

7 4th Main Rd, Stage 2, Domlur 560071

Event Description

A cab in five minutes. Groceries in ten. Biryani in twenty. 

Who really powers your fast, effortless digital life?

OTP Please! (Penguin Random House) uncovers the hidden human stories behind South Asia’s booming app economy. Vandana Vasudevan takes readers into the lives of gig workers racing against the clock, small sellers navigating the algorithm, and the restless customers who keep tapping ‘Order Now.’ From India’s hyperlocal delivery boys to Pakistan’s ride-hail drivers, Nepal’s app startups to Bangladesh’s e-marketplace sellers, the book reveals the invisible ecosystem that fuels our digital ease – and the costs it quietly extracts.

Vandana will be in conversation with Mekin Maheshwari, serial entrepreneur, early Flipkart leader, and Founder & CEO of Udhyam Learning Foundation, exploring the realities, challenges, and humanity behind the apps we use every day.

An insightful evening unpacking the human side of technology, offering perspectives that linger long after the screen goes dark.

Speakers

Vandana Vasudevan
Author
Vandana Vasudevan began her journey in the corporate world after studying at IIM Ahmedabad, only to pivot into the development sector, earning a PhD in urban development from the University of Grenoble, France. She consults for national and international organisations and has authored Urban Villager, Tough Customer, and OTP Please, while writing columns for Mint and DNA. Vandana brings wit and energy to everything she does, endlessly curious and determined never to be boring, blending her sharp intellect with a playful, engaging personality that makes her work as lively as it is impactful.

Mekin Maheshwari
Founder & CEO, Udhyam Learning Foundation
Mekin Maheshwari, engineer-turned-entrepreneur, combines technology, education, and social impact. Founder and CEO of Udhyam Learning Foundation, he has empowered over 29 lakh students and 6,600+ nano-entrepreneurs across India, generating significant economic and social change. From early stints at Yahoo! to shaping Flipkart’s growth, Mekin applies his engineering mindset to every challenge. A philanthropist, angel investor, and education reformer, he continues to drive large-scale impact, blending strategic vision with an unwavering belief in human potential, inspiring innovation and meaningful change wherever he works.