Policy for Ethical Sourcing of Food and Supplies

Policy for Ethical Sourcing of Food and Supplies

 
Policy for Ethical Sourcing of Food and Supplies
Approved Board of Management on 29th March 2022
Notification Notified by Registrar vide notification No. SRHU/Reg/OO/2022-58 (i) dated 05th April 2022
Next Review 2025-26
  1. Short Title & Commencement
    1. This Policy shall be called the “Policy for Ethical Sourcing of Food and Supplies” of Swami Rama Himalayan University (SRHU).
    2. This Policy shall be deemed to have come into force from the date of approval of the Board of Management of the University.
  2. Purpose The purpose of this Policy is to:
    1. Promote ethical, responsible and sustainable procurement practices at SRHU.
    2. Encourage responsible sourcing of food and other supplies.
    3. Promote procurement from reliable, compliant and transparent suppliers.
    4. Encourage local and, where feasible, environmentally responsible sourcing.
    5. Promote food safety, quality and hygiene in the procurement and supply of food.
    6. Encourage fair labour and ethical business practices throughout the supply chain.
    7. Minimize unnecessary packaging and environmentally harmful materials.
    8. Promote efficient use of natural resources and reduction of waste.
    9. Encourage consideration of environmental and social factors during supplier selection.
    10. Establish appropriate documentation and monitoring mechanisms for responsible procurement.
    11. Support institutional sustainability initiatives and reporting under relevant national and international sustainability frameworks.
  3. Scope
    1. This Policy shall apply to procurement and sourcing activities undertaken by or on behalf of:
      1. All Academic units of SRHU
      2. Himalayan Hospital
      3. Hostels and residential facilities;
      4. University canteens, cafeterias and food-service facilities;
      5. Clinical and research centres;
      6. Central stores and departmental stores;
      7. Administrative offices;
      8. Events, conferences and institutional programmes;
      9. Contractors, caterers and outsourced service providers, wherever applicable.
    2. The Policy shall cover, as applicable:
      1. Food and beverages;
      2. Fruits and vegetables;
      3. Grains, pulses and other food ingredients;
      4. Dairy and related products;
      5. Packaged food;
      6. Kitchen and catering supplies;
      7. Cleaning and housekeeping materials;
      8. Stationery and office supplies;
      9. Consumables;
      10. Packaging materials;
      11. Other goods and supplies procured by the University.
  4. Policy Objectives SRHU shall progressively integrate the following principles into its procurement practices:
    1. Ethical Procurement The University shall seek to procure goods and services from suppliers that operate in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and ethical business practices.
    2. Responsible Food Sourcing Where practicable, SRHU shall encourage sourcing of food products that are safe, good quality, appropriately certified and responsibly produced.
    3. Local Sourcing Where feasible and consistent with quality, safety, availability and institutional requirements, preference may be given to local or regional suppliers to support local economic activity and reduce transportation-related environmental impacts.
    4. Environmental Responsibility Procurement decisions should consider environmental impacts associated with production, transportation, packaging, use and disposal of products.
    5. Social Responsibility The University encourages suppliers to maintain fair and safe working conditions and comply with applicable labour laws and standards.
    6. Food Safety and Hygiene All food suppliers, caterers and food-service providers shall comply with applicable food safety, hygiene and quality requirements.
    7. Sustainable Packaging The University shall encourage reduced, reusable, recyclable or environmentally preferable packaging wherever feasible.
    8. Resource Efficiency Procurement practices shall encourage efficient use of water, energy, raw materials and other resources.
    9. Waste Reduction The University shall promote procurement practices that reduce food waste, material waste and unnecessary disposable products.
    10. Transparency and Accountability Procurement decisions shall be appropriately documented to facilitate monitoring, audit and institutional sustainability reporting.
  5. Principles for Ethical Sourcing of Food SRHU shall encourage responsible sourcing of food through the following principles:
    1. Food Quality and Safety Food products procured by the University shall meet applicable food safety and quality requirements. Food suppliers and caterers shall maintain appropriate licences, registrations, certifications and documentation as required by applicable law. Where applicable, suppliers shall be encouraged to provide:
      1. Valid FSSAI registration/licence;
      2. Product quality certificates;
      3. Appropriate laboratory/testing reports;
      4. Details of source/origin of food products;
      5. Relevant certification for specialized or certified products.
    2. Local and Regional Food Sources Where practicable, the University may source food products from local and regional producers, vendors, farmers, cooperatives or authorized distributors, subject to quality, safety, cost, availability and procurement requirements.
    3. Seasonal Food Food-service units may encourage the use of seasonal fruits, vegetables and other locally available products where feasible. This may help reduce storage, transportation and associated resource requirements.
    4. Responsible Animal-Based Food Procurement Where animal-based food products are procured, suppliers should comply with applicable food safety, animal welfare and legal requirements.
    5. Responsible Seafood Procurement Where seafood is procured, the University may encourage products sourced through legally compliant and responsible supply chains, where feasible and appropriate to institutional operations.
    6. Responsible Agricultural Products Where feasible, procurement may consider products produced using environmentally responsible agricultural practices, including products carrying recognized sustainability or organic certifications.
    7. Fair and Ethical Supply Chains The University encourages suppliers to maintain ethical employment practices and comply with applicable requirements relating to:
      1. Minimum wages;
      2. Working hours;
      3. Occupational health and safety;
      4. Prevention of forced labour;
      5. Prevention of child labour;
      6. Non-discrimination;
      7. Applicable social security and labour legislation.
  6. Ethical Sourcing Of General Supplies
    1. For non-food supplies, procurement units should consider the following factors wherever practicable:
      1. Product durability and useful life;
      2. Recycled or recyclable content;
      3. Reduced packaging;
      4. Reusability;
      5. Repairability;
      6. Environmental certifications, where relevant;
      7. Energy and resource efficiency;
      8. Responsible disposal requirements;
      9. Supplier environmental practices;
      10. Compliance with applicable statutory requirements.
    2. Preference may be considered for environmentally preferable products where they meet required specifications, quality standards and procurement requirements.
  7. Supplier Selection and Due Diligence SRHU shall seek to engage suppliers who demonstrate compliance with applicable legal, ethical, safety and environmental requirements. Depending upon the nature and value of procurement, supplier evaluation may consider:
    Parameter Consideration
    Legal compliance Valid registration/licences and statutory compliance
    Food safety Applicable food safety licence/certification
    Product quality Quality specifications and testing
    Ethical practices Compliance with labour and ethical standards
    Environmental practices Waste, packaging and resource management
    Local sourcing Local/regional supply capability where feasible
    Packaging Reduction/recyclability/reusability
    Supply-chain transparency Availability of source/product information
    Occupational safety Appropriate workplace safety practices
    Reliability Delivery, quality and service performance
    Such criteria shall be applied in accordance with the University's approved procurement procedures and applicable laws.
  8. Procurement Process Ethical sourcing considerations may be incorporated into the procurement process through:
    1. Procurement Specifications Where appropriate, tender/RFQ/procurement specifications may include requirements relating to:
      1. Food safety;
      2. Product quality;
      3. Responsible sourcing;
      4. Sustainable packaging;
      5. Environmental compliance;
      6. Labour compliance;
      7. Waste minimization.
    2. Vendor Documentation Suppliers may be required to submit relevant:
      1. Licences;
      2. Registrations;
      3. Certifications;
      4. Declarations;
      5. Product information;
      6. Quality documents;
      7. Compliance documents.
    3. Evaluation Where appropriate, sustainability and ethical considerations may form part of technical evaluation in addition to price, quality, delivery and other established procurement criteria.
    4. Contractual Requirements Relevant sustainability and ethical sourcing requirements may be incorporated into agreements with food suppliers, caterers and other vendors.
  9. Responsible Food-Service Operations
    1. Food-service facilities operating within SRHU shall, wherever practicable:
      1. Procure food based on realistic demand.
      2. Avoid unnecessary over-purchasing.
      3. Promote appropriate portion planning.
      4. Minimize food wastage.
      5. Segregate food waste appropriately.
      6. Encourage reusable serving materials where feasible.
      7. Reduce unnecessary single-use plastics.
      8. Encourage environmentally preferable packaging.
      9. Maintain appropriate food storage conditions.
      10. Follow applicable food hygiene and safety requirements.
    2. Food waste generated through institutional operations may be managed through appropriate methods such as authorized collection, composting, biogas generation or other approved waste-management practices, wherever feasible.
  10. Packaging and Single-Use Materials SRHU shall encourage reduction of unnecessary packaging associated with procurement.
    1. Where practicable, procurement units may:
      1. Prefer products with minimal packaging;
      2. Encourage recyclable or reusable packaging;
      3. Avoid unnecessary layers of packaging;
      4. Encourage bulk procurement where operationally appropriate;
      5. Reduce dependence on single-use disposable materials;
      6. Promote reusable alternatives where hygienically and operationally suitable.
    These measures shall be implemented without compromising food safety, infection prevention, clinical requirements or applicable statutory standards.
  11. Environmentally Responsible Procurement Where feasible, the University shall encourage consideration of the environmental footprint of products and services.
    1. Relevant considerations may include:
      1. Resource consumption;
      2. Energy use;
      3. Water use;
      4. Transportation requirements;
      5. Packaging;
      6. Product durability;
      7. Recyclability;
      8. Waste generation;
      9. End-of-life disposal.
    The University may progressively develop category-specific sustainable procurement criteria for major procurement areas.
  12. Local Supplier Engagement SRHU recognizes the potential social and environmental benefits of local procurement.
    1. Where consistent with:
      1. Procurement rules;
      2. Product quality;
      3. Food safety;
      4. Cost effectiveness;
      5. Availability;
      6. Required specifications; and
      7. Institutional needs,
      the University may encourage engagement with eligible local and regional suppliers.
    Local sourcing shall not compromise transparency, fair competition, quality or statutory procurement requirements.
  13. Prohibited or Discouraged Practices The University shall not knowingly engage suppliers involved in unlawful or unethical practices.
    1. The following practices shall be discouraged or addressed through appropriate contractual/procurement mechanisms:
      1. Supply of unsafe or adulterated food;
      2. Misrepresentation of product origin or certification;
      3. Violation of applicable labour laws;
      4. Forced labour;
      5. Child labour;
      6. Unlawful discrimination;
      7. Deliberate environmental non-compliance;
      8. False sustainability or certification claims;
      9. Unnecessary excessive packaging;
      10. Repeated supply of products failing established quality requirements.
    Where non-compliance is identified, appropriate corrective action may be initiated in accordance with University procurement rules and contractual provisions.
  14. Roles and Responsibilities
    1. Registrar / Competent Authority The Registrar/Competent Authority shall provide institutional oversight and facilitate implementation of this Policy.
    2. Procurement and Stores Department The Procurement and Stores Department shall:
      1. Incorporate relevant ethical sourcing considerations into procurement processes;
      2. Maintain appropriate supplier documentation;
      3. Coordinate vendor compliance requirements;
      4. Maintain procurement records;
      5. Facilitate periodic review of responsible procurement practices.
    3. Finance Department The Finance Department shall support compliance with approved financial and procurement procedures.
    4. Food-Service/Catering Units Canteens, cafeterias, hostels and catering units shall:
      1. Procure food from approved/authorized suppliers;
      2. Maintain food safety and quality documentation;
      3. Promote responsible food purchasing;
      4. Minimize food waste;
      5. Maintain relevant records.
    5. Heads of Schools/Departments/Centres Heads of units shall ensure that procurement undertaken by their respective units follows University procurement procedures and relevant sustainability requirements.
    6. Suppliers and Contractors Suppliers and contractors shall comply with applicable:
      1. Laws and regulations;
      2. Food safety requirements;
      3. Contractual conditions;
      4. Quality standards;
      5. Ethical and environmental requirements specified by SRHU.
    7. Sustainability/Accreditation/Quality Unit The designated University unit responsible for sustainability, accreditation, rankings or quality assurance may coordinate collection and compilation of evidence related to implementation of this Policy for institutional reporting.
  15. Record Keeping and Documentation
    1. The University shall maintain appropriate records to demonstrate implementation of responsible sourcing practices. Records may include:
      1. Purchase orders;
      2. Tender/RFQ documents;
      3. Supplier lists;
      4. Vendor agreements;
      5. Food safety licences;
      6. Quality certificates;
      7. Supplier declarations;
      8. Procurement specifications;
      9. Bills/invoices;
      10. Local sourcing records;
      11. Sustainability certifications;
      12. Packaging-related requirements;
      13. Food-waste records;
      14. Vendor performance assessments;
      15. Photographic/documentary evidence of implementation.
    Records shall be maintained in accordance with applicable University policies and record-retention requirements.
  16. Monitoring and Review
    1. Implementation of this Policy may be reviewed periodically by the designated University authority. Monitoring may include:
      1. Review of supplier compliance;
      2. Assessment of food safety documentation;
      3. Review of local/regional sourcing;
      4. Review of packaging practices;
      5. Assessment of waste-reduction initiatives;
      6. Review of sustainability clauses in procurement documents;
      7. Identification of opportunities for improvement.
    Where gaps are identified, appropriate corrective and preventive measures may be recommended.
  17. Training and Awareness
    1. SRHU may conduct awareness and training programmes for:
      1. Procurement personnel;
      2. Store personnel;
      3. Food-service staff;
      4. Hostel staff;
      5. Administrative personnel;
      6. Relevant faculty and staff;
      7. Vendors and contractors, where appropriate.
    2. Awareness activities may cover:
      1. Ethical procurement;
      2. Food safety;
      3. Sustainable consumption;
      4. Food waste reduction;
      5. Packaging reduction;
      6. Responsible sourcing;
      7. Applicable sustainability objectives.
  18. This policy shall be reviewed every three years or earlier if required to accommodate new educational practices, regulatory requirements, or emerging student needs.
  19. The University reserves the right to interpret, alter, amend, modify, cancel or withdraw any or all provision mentioned herein above in this policy without any notice.
  20. In case of any dispute, the decision of the Vice Chancellor of the University shall be final and binding.

ANNEXURE I

Indicative Ethical and Sustainable Procurement Criteria

The following criteria may be considered during procurement, depending upon the nature of the product:

S. No. Criterion Examples of Evidence
1Legal complianceRegistration/licence
2Food safetyFSSAI licence/certificate
3Product qualityQuality certificate/test report
4Local sourcingSupplier location/source declaration
5Sustainable productionRecognized certification/declaration
6Ethical labour practicesSupplier declaration
7Packaging reductionProduct specifications
8RecyclabilityPackaging information
9Waste reductionSupplier/department records
10Environmental practicesEnvironmental declaration/certification
11Supply-chain transparencySource/origin documentation
12Vendor performancePeriodic assessment

ANNEXURE II

Supplier Ethical Sourcing Declaration

I/We, ________________________________, representing M/s ________________________________, hereby declare that the goods/services supplied to Swami Rama Himalayan University shall comply with applicable legal, safety, quality and ethical requirements.

We further declare that, to the best of our knowledge and applicable to our operations:

  1. The products supplied shall meet the agreed quality specifications.
  2. Food products shall comply with applicable food safety requirements.
  3. Required licences/registrations/certifications shall be valid and available for verification.
  4. We shall comply with applicable labour and employment laws.
  5. We shall not knowingly employ forced labour or child labour in violation of applicable law.
  6. We shall comply with applicable environmental requirements.
  7. Product information and certification claims shall be accurate.
  8. We shall inform SRHU of any material change affecting product safety, quality or compliance.
  9. We shall support reasonable requirements of SRHU relating to responsible and sustainable procurement.

Name of Supplier: __________________________
Authorized Representative: ___________________
Designation: ________________________________
Signature: __________________________________
Date: ______________________________________
Seal: _______________________________________

ANNEXURE III

Indicative Evidence for Institutional Sustainability Reporting

For demonstrating implementation of the Policy, the University may maintain:

  1. Approved policy document;
  2. Procurement/tender documents;
  3. Supplier agreements;
  4. Food supplier list;
  5. FSSAI and other relevant certificates;
  6. Purchase records;
  7. Local supplier records;
  8. Sustainable procurement records;
  9. Vendor declarations;
  10. Food-waste management records;
  11. Packaging-reduction initiatives;
  12. Photographs of implementation;
  13. Annual procurement/sustainability reports;
  14. Vendor monitoring and review records.
   Admissions Form         

Admission Open For 2025

×
Nursing Advisor at Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust

Dr. Kathleen M. McKeehan

Dr. Kathleen M. McKeehan is a highly regarded American nursing leader and researcher who has dedicated decades to advancing nursing education and clinical practices at the Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust (HIHT) and Swami Rama Himalayan University (SRHU) in Dehradun, India. Serving as the Nursing Advisor, she has been instrumental in shaping the Himalayan College of Nursing into a center of excellence, emphasizing the integration of compassionate care with modern medical technology.

Dr. McKeehan’s academic background is extensive, including a Ph.D. in nursing from the Case Western Reserve University and post-doctoral research at Ohio State University. Before her long-term commitment to the Himalayan Institute, she held prestigious academic positions, such as the Dorothy Rider Pool Professorship at Allentown College. Her research expertise spans oncology nursing, continuing education strategies, and innovation diffusion in healthcare settings.

At HIHT, she is a central figure in tradition and mentorship, often leading the symbolic Lamp Lighting and Oath Ceremony for new nursing students. Her work focuses on fostering a vibrant research culture and ensuring that nursing curricula meet international standards while remaining rooted in the visionary humanitarian principles of the institute's founder, H.H. Dr. Swami Rama.

Former Director, LBSNAA

Dr. Sanjeev Chopra (IAS Retd.)

Dr. Sanjeev Chopra (IAS Retd.) is a distinguished former Indian Administrative Service officer (1985 batch, West Bengal cadre), historian, and author. He is most widely recognised for his tenure as the Director of the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) from 2019 until his retirement in March 2021. Throughout his 36-year bureaucratic career, he served in high-profile roles, including Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of West Bengal and Secretary of Industrial Development in Uttarakhand.

Since retiring, Dr. Chopra has emerged as a prominent literary figure and public intellectual. He is the Founder and Festival Director of Valley of Words, an international literature and arts festival based in Dehradun. An acclaimed author, his works include We, the People of the States of Bharat: The Making and Remaking of India’s Internal Boundaries (2022) and The Great Conciliator: Lal Bahadur Shastri and the Transformation of India (2025).

He holds a PhD in Management and has been a fellow at prestigious institutions like Cornell University and the World Bank. Currently, he continues to contribute as a columnist for ThePrint and serves as a Senior Fellow in Contemporary History at the Prime Ministers' Memorial and Library.

FRSB, FRSB

Prof. Graham Roy Ball

Prof. Graham Roy Ball, FRSB, is a distinguished expert in bioinformatics and computational systems biology. He currently serves as a Professor at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), where he is the Director of the Medical Technology Research Centre. He also holds a significant role as the Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) of Intelligent OMICS Ltd, a company specializing in AI-driven biomedical discovery.

Prof. Ball's work focuses on applying Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) and machine learning to solve complex biological problems. His research spans cancer systems biology, drug discovery, and the development of "molecular digital twins" for disease states. He is particularly noted for his work on the Nottingham Prognostic Index Plus (NPI+), a system that uses biomarkers to improve breast cancer patient stratification.

Before joining ARU, he was a Professor of Bioinformatics at Nottingham Trent University (NTU) for over two decades, where he led the John van Geest Cancer Research Centre’s biostatistics efforts. He has published more than 280 journal papers and holds multiple patents in the field of AI and omics data analysis. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology (FRSB) and serves on the editorial boards of prominent journals like Proteomics.

Prof. & Researcher at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania

Dr. Vinay Nadkarni

Dr. Vinay Nadkarni, MD, MS, is a world-renowned leader in pediatric critical care and resuscitation science. He serves as a Professor and Endowed Chair at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. He is the founding director of the CHOP Academy for Resuscitation of Children and the Center for Simulation, Advanced Education and Innovation.

Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Nadkarni has served as President of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (2023-2024) and Co-Chair of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR). His research focuses on advancing CPR quality, sepsis management, and pediatric life support, contributing to over 850 peer-reviewed publications. He has also been a key figure in global health initiatives, including the ABC Stop the Bleed program in India and missions with Operation Smile.

Dr. Nadkarni has received numerous accolades, such as the American Heart Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award and the AAP Distinguished Career Award. He continues to mentor over 150 clinician-scientists while leading international efforts to strengthen the "chain of survival" for critically ill children worldwide.

Former Director General, UCOST

Mr. Sudhir Chandra Nautiyal

Mr. Sudhir Chandra Nautiyal is a highly accomplished civil servant and technocrat who served an illustrious 29-year tenure in the Industries Department of the Government of Uttarakhand. While he is often associated with leadership in state councils, he is most distinguished for his role as the Director of Industries. During his service, he was instrumental in positioning Uttarakhand as a leader in the MSME and Startup sectors.

A leather technology engineer from HBTU Kanpur with a Master’s in Economics, Nautiyal’s career spanned the private sector, public sector banking, and the Ministry of MSME. He is credited with leading the state to secure the first position in the North India Geographical Indication (GI) festival in 2022, successfully promoting indigenous products like Munsiyari Rajma and Ringal Craft.

Currently, he serves as a member of the Pravasi Uttarakhandi Cell in the Chief Minister’s Office, where he continues to facilitate investment and entrepreneurship for the state’s diaspora. His proactive approach has made him a respected figure in Indian industrial circles, recently earning him recognition at the Raj Bhavan for his lifelong contributions.

Former Fellow University of Liverpool, United Kingdom

Prof. Prabhu Narayan Mishra

Prof. Prabhu Narayan Mishra is a renowned Management Guru and academician with over 40 years of experience in teaching, research, and consulting. He is particularly recognized for his tenure as a Fellow in the Department of Economics & Accounting at the University of Liverpool, UK, where he served from 1996 to 1997. His international academic footprint also includes serving as a Senior Visiting Faculty at Tulane University, USA.

In India, Prof. Mishra has held several prestigious positions, including Director of the Institute of Management Studies (IMS) and officiating Vice Chancellor of Devi Ahilya University, Indore. He holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Allahabad and is widely known for pioneering the study of Indian Ethos in Management, blending ancient Vedic wisdom with modern business theories.

A prolific scholar, he has supervised numerous doctoral students and authored several books and research papers. Prof. Mishra is also a dedicated philanthropist, serving as the Founder President of organizations like the Shri Krishna Foundation and Utkarsha, which focus on spiritual wisdom and community development. His multifaceted career is marked by prestigious awards, including the Commonwealth Academic Staff Fellowship and the United Nations Fellowship.

Ex Director, National JALMA

Prof. Kiran Katoch

Prof. Kiran Katoch is a highly respected academic researcher and medical scientist who served as the Director of the National JALMA Institute for Leprosy and Other Mycobacterial Diseases (NJILOMD) in Agra. With over four decades of experience, she has been a leading figure in the research and treatment of leprosy and tuberculosis in India. Her work is characterized by a unique focus on bridging clinical medicine with laboratory research to improve patient outcomes in mycobacterial infections.

A prolific scientist, Prof. Katoch has authored or co-authored over 150 research publications in prestigious national and international journals. Her seminal contributions include studies on the efficacy of multidrug therapy (MDT) for leprosy and the investigation of cardiovascular involvement in leprosy patients. For her outstanding research, she was honored with the Dr. C. G. S. Iyer Oration Award in 1989.

Beyond her administrative and research roles, she has served as the Editor of the Indian Journal of Leprosy and the President of the Tuberculosis Association of India (TAI). Even after her tenure as Director, she remains active as an ICMR Distinguished Scientist Chair, continuing to advocate for integrated health systems and innovative research to solve local health challenges.

Executive-in-Residence, S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research

Mr. Prabhat Pani

Mr. Prabhat Pani is a distinguished corporate leader and academician with over 40 years of experience, currently serving as an Executive in Residence and Executive Director of the Centre for Impact in Sustainable Development at SPJIMR, Mumbai. An alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad, he began his career with the Tata Administrative Services (TAS) and has held numerous leadership roles across the Tata Group.

His corporate journey includes serving as the CEO of Ginger Hotels (Roots Corporation Ltd) and as the Executive Director of Taj SATS Air Catering. He also spent significant time in the telecom sector, holding senior roles at Tata Teleservices, Airtel, and BPL Cellular. Prior to his academic transition, he served as Head of Partnerships & Technology at Tata Trusts, where he led large-scale social impact initiatives.

At SPJIMR, Pani focuses on Sustainable Development and social sector interventions, bridging the gap between corporate efficiency and developmental needs. He is also a Senior Advisor at The Conference Board and continues to mentor social sector professionals. His work remains centered on building institutional capacity and leveraging technology for broad-based community impact.

Media Executive & Board Member, Times Group

Mr. A.P. Parigi

Mr. A.P. Parigi, is a veteran leader in the Indian media, entertainment, and telecommunications sectors with over 40 years of experience. He is most widely recognized as the Co-Founder of Radio Mirchi, where he served as the Managing Director and CEO of Entertainment Network India Ltd. (ENIL). Under his leadership, Radio Mirchi grew into India's largest private FM radio network, fundamentally changing the country's audio landscape.

Throughout his career, Parigi has held several high-profile roles, including Group CEO of Network18, CEO of BPL Mobile, and MD & CEO of Eros International Media. His strategic vision also spearheaded the Times Group’s entry into the Out-of-Home (OOH) media business. Beyond corporate leadership, he has served on the boards of major entities like Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd. (The Times of India) and has been an advisor to global institutions such as the Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford.

An alumnus of the Delhi School of Economics and the Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Delhi, Parigi was the first non-American to receive the Rensselaer Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2009. Today, he continues to mentor next-generation leaders and advise organisations on growth, corporate governance, and digital transformation.

Former Director, IHBT

Dr. Sanjay Kumar

Dr. Sanjay Kumar, FNA, is a distinguished agricultural biotechnologist and the former Director of the CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT). Currently, he serves as the Chairman of the Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB), where he oversees the selection of top-tier scientific talent for India’s agricultural research sector. His leadership is defined by a commitment to converting high-end biotechnology into sustainable livelihoods for farmers in the Himalayan region.

During his tenure at CSIR-IHBT, Dr. Kumar achieved major milestones, including the historic introduction of Heeng (asafoetida) and monk fruit cultivation in India. His research spans plant molecular biology and genomics, specifically focusing on how Himalayan flora adapts to extreme environments. A fellow of all three major Indian science academies (FNA, FNASc, and FNAAS), he has published over 120 research papers. His work continues to play a vital role in strengthening India's bio-economy and ensuring long-term food security through innovation.

Pro-Chancellor, Perdana University, Malaysia

Dr. Mohan Swami 

Dr. Mohan Swami is a distinguished physician, entrepreneur, and educational visionary who currently serves as the Pro-Chancellor of Perdana University, Malaysia. A graduate of Mysore University, India, he began his medical career in 1978. He initially gained prominence in Sabah, where he established the largest private medical group practice, laying the foundation for his extensive career in healthcare management and corporate leadership.

Dr. Swami is widely recognized as the driving force behind the establishment of Perdana University in 2011. Under his leadership, the institution launched as a landmark public-private partnership, collaborating with world-class entities like the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Beyond academia, he is the Executive Chairman of Chase Perdana Sdn Bhd and has held significant leadership roles in various multinational corporations across the healthcare, property, and hospitality sectors.

In addition to his professional achievements, Dr. Swami is a deeply spiritual individual. He serves as the President of the AHYMSIN (Association of Himalayan Yoga Meditation Societies International) and Chancellor of Swami Rama Himalayan University. For his immense contributions to education and the Malaysian economy, he was conferred the title of Tan Sri. He also serves as the Honorary Consul of Botswana in Malaysia, bridging international relations through diplomacy and philanthropy.

Mahamandleshwar Juna Akhara

Swami Avdheshanand

Swami Avdheshanand is one of India’s most influential spiritual leaders and the Acharya Mahamandaleshwar of the Juna Akhara, the largest order of Hindu monks. Born on November 24, 1962, in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, he displayed a profound spiritual inclination from childhood. Seeking higher truths, he renounced worldly life at a young age to practice intense meditation and austerity as a hermit in the Himalayas.

His teachings are rooted in Advaita Vedanta, focusing on self-realization, universal brotherhood, and the harmony of all religions. Beyond his role as a monastic leader, he is a globally respected philosopher who has addressed the United Nations and the World Economic Forum, advocating for global peace and environmental sustainability.

As the founder of Prabhu Premi Sangh, he oversees extensive social welfare projects, including healthcare initiatives, educational programs for the underprivileged, and environmental conservation efforts like the "Green Kumbh." A prolific author and orator, his discourses reach millions via television and digital platforms. Known for his serene demeanor and intellectual depth, Swami Ji continues to bridge the gap between ancient Vedic wisdom and modern global challenges, guiding seekers toward a life of purpose and spiritual clarity.