MUMBAI: It was a night where intellect met elegance as the Swedish Consul General, Sven Östberg, hosted an exclusive dinner reception in Mumbai to honour Nobel laureates professor James A. Robinson and professor David W.C. MacMillan. The distinguished duo were in the city to attend the Nobel Prize Dialogue, an event celebrating the power of knowledge and collaboration.
Held at the Swedish Residence, the soirée sparkled with conversations that blended science, diplomacy, and culture. From academia to industry, the guest list featured an impressive mix of leaders who came together to celebrate the laureates’ remarkable contributions, from advancing our understanding of political and economic prosperity to groundbreaking work in chemistry and medicine.
Adding gravitas to the evening, the Government of Maharashtra’s minister for marketing and protocol Jayakumar Jitendrasinh Rawal, extended a warm welcome to the guests. Nobel Foundation’s executive director Hanna Stjärne, followed with reflections on how scientific dialogue continues to shape solutions to the world’s most urgent challenges.
The event was also attended by the Swedish Ambassador to India, Jan Thesleff, alongside industry stalwarts and members of the diplomatic corps. Hindi cinema’s swedish-born star, Elli Avram, added a dash of glamour to the intellectually charged gathering.
Östberg, recalling his own stint as a Nobel attaché in Stockholm 25 years ago, shared how the experience deepened his belief in the values of innovation, fairness, and global cooperation, principles that, he noted, find strong resonance in a city like Mumbai.
The evening concluded with a lively exchange with the laureates, where guests gained rare insights into their inspirations, journeys, and thoughts on how science continues to shape humanity’s shared future.
Because when Nobel minds meet Mumbai’s spirit, the result is nothing short of brilliance.