Policy on Accessibility and Inclusion for Physically Challenged Students

Policy on Accessibility and Inclusion for Physically Challenged Students

Policy on Accessibility and Inclusion for Physically Challenged Students
Approved Board of Management on 12th January 2019
Notification Notified by Registrar vide notification No. SRHU/Reg/OO/2019-04 (i) dated 15th January 2019
Reviewed / Revised Board of Management on 29th March 2022
Notification Notified by Registrar vide notification No. SRHU/Reg/OO/2022-58 (i) dated 5th April 2022
Next Review 2025–26
  1. Short Title & Commencement
    1. This Policy shall be called the “Policy on Accessibility and Inclusion for Physically Challenged Students” of Swami Rama Himalayan University.
    2. This Policy shall come into force from the date of approval by the Board of Management of the University.
  2. PurposeThe purpose of this policy is to ensure that physically challenged (differently-abled) students at SRHU have equitable access to all academic, co-curricular, and support services. This policy affirms SRHU’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and non-discrimination, and provides a framework for reasonable accommodations to enable full participation in university life.
  3. ScopeThis policy applies to all students with physical disabilities enrolled in any constituent academic unit, school or department of SRHU. It is applicable across all levels of study — undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and doctoral programs.
  4. Policy Objectives
    1. To create a barrier-free, inclusive, and supportive academic environment.
    2. To promote equal opportunities for education and participation of students with physical disabilities.
    3. To ensure provision of reasonable accommodations in academics, assessment, infrastructure, and campus facilities.
    4. To sensitize faculty, staff, and peers to the needs of differently-abled students.
  5. Key Provisions
    1. Admission & Scholarship
      1. No discrimination in admission on grounds of disability.
      2. Admission forms and entrance exams shall be accessible in formats (e.g., digital, large print) upon request.
      3. Reservation of seats as per government guidelines (e.g., Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016).
      4. 100% and 50% Scholarship on Tuition Fee in UG and PG programmes respectively, for Physically Challenged Students.
    2. Infrastructure Accessibility
      1. Ramps, lifts, accessible toilets, tactile paths, and other mobility aids will be ensured in all buildings.
      2. Hostels will have accessible rooms for students with physical impairments.
    3. Academic Support
      1. Provision of scribes, extra time, or assistive technology during examinations.
      2. Accessible digital content and classroom materials.
      3. Curriculum flexibility wherever needed, without compromising academic standards.
    4. Support Services
      1. Provisions will be made for an appointment of an Officer in the University as per requirements.
      2. Regular counseling, mentoring, and peer support programs.
      3. Medical assistance and physiotherapy support within SRHU’s hospital, if required.
    5. Awareness and Training
      1. Faculty and staff orientation on inclusive education.
      2. Disability Sensitization Workshops annually.
  6. Grievance RedressalStudents may report accessibility issues or discrimination to the Director of Student Affairs and Welfare. A resolution will be sought within 15 working days. Appeals may be escalated to the University Grievance Redressal Committee.
  7. Implementation and MonitoringThe implementation of this policy will be overseen by the Equal Opportunity Cell. An annual report will be submitted to the Vice-Chancellor on accommodations provided, issues addressed, and areas of improvement.
  8. Compliance and Legal FrameworkThis policy aligns with the following national and international frameworks:
    1. Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016
    2. University Grants Commission (UGC) Guidelines for Accessibility
    3. UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
  9. This policy shall be reviewed periodically based on the need of Physically Challenged Students as and when required.
 
Policy for Water Conservation
Approved Board of Management on 12th January 2019
Notification Notified by Registrar vide notification No. SRHU/Reg/OO/2019-04 (i) dated 15th January 2019  
Reviewed / Revised Board of Management on 29th March 2022
Notification Notified by Registrar vide notification No. SRHU/Reg/OO/2022-58 (i) dated 5th April 2022
Next Review 2025-26
  1. Short Title & Commencement
    1. This Policy shall be called the “Policy for Water Conservation” 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: Water is the foundation of life, public health, and ecological stability. Operating in the sub-Himalayan foothills and the Upper Ganga River Basin, Swami Rama Himalayan University recognizes its institutional responsibility to safeguard, harvest, treat, recycle, and replenish water resources. The University’s water governance is anchored in two complementary approaches:
    1. The Water Neutrality Approach: Ensuring that total freshwater drawn for academic, clinical, and campus residential needs is counterbalanced and returned to nature through integrated rainwater harvesting, engineered deep aquifer recharge structures, and regional catchment and springshed rejuvenation.
    2. The Water Circularity Approach: Eliminating once-through consumption by enforcing a closed-loop cycle (Reduce ➞ Recover ➞ Treat ➞ Reuse ➞ Recharge), maintaining a strict Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) model, deploying hybrid biological and nature-based treatment pathways, and cascading reclaimed wastewater, treatment reject streams, and mechanical condensation into secondary operations.
    3. Through this Policy, the University pledges to:
      1. Cultivate a culture of water mindfulness and conservation across all campus constituent units.
      2. Optimize demand-side water efficiency across educational facilities, residential areas, and healthcare operations.
      3. Maintain full Zero Liquid Discharge across all premises, ensuring no untreated or contaminated liquid effluent enters local soil or natural drainage channels.
      4. Mandate water-conscious green building codes aligned with Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) guidelines, dual distribution networks for clean drinking water recycled flush-and-irrigation separately, and native vegetation in campus development.
      5. Foster community water security, springshed revival, and stakeholder capacity building across Uttarakhand, the Himalayan states/UTs, Pan-India, and the wider Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) countries.
      6. Advance applied interdisciplinary research, low-cost technologies, and pedagogical integration aligned with national and international clean water targets.
  3. Scope:
    1. This policy applies universally to all stakeholders of SRHU, including students, faculty, administrative personnel, healthcare providers, patients, residential staff and families, contractors, and visitors.
    2. The provisions of this policy govern all university land, premises, and facilities:
      1. Academic blocks, classrooms, laboratories, and administrative offices across all constituent colleges and schools.
      2. Tertiary healthcare facilities, including Himalayan Hospital, specialty medical centres, clinical laboratories, surgical theatres, and inpatient/outpatient areas.
      3. Campus residential areas, including student hostels, faculty and staff residential quarters, employee family housing, guest facilities, cafeterias, and dining halls.
      4. Central utility and maintenance services, including commercial laundry plants, sterilization units, kitchens, workshops, and vehicle cleaning yards.
      5. Campus open spaces, sports grounds, roadways, paved surfaces, parks, and institutional nursery grounds.
  4. Goals:
    1. Reduce per-capita freshwater consumption year-on-year across all academic, hospital, and campus residential units through water-saving fixtures, behavioral campaigns, and digital metering.
    2. Treat 100% of campus-generated sanitary sewage and clinical wastewater to statutory standards using electro-mechanical plants, constructed wetlands, and nature-based solutions, recirculating treated effluent entirely for non-potable campus applications.
    3. Maximize rainwater harvesting and deep aquifer recharge across all campus surfaces to replenish regional groundwater tables.
    4. Prevent all hazardous, clinical, domestic, solid, and liquid waste from entering campus water systems, municipal drains, open soil, or natural waterways
    5. Guarantee universal, barrier-free access to safe, tested drinking water for everyone on campus.
    6. Enforce green building concepts aligned with IGBC norms, dual plumbing, and native drought-resilient landscaping in all capital projects.
    7. Execute holistic community outreach across Uttarakhand, Himalayan states/UTs, Pan-India, and the Hindu Kush Himalayan region covering awareness, behavioural change and promoting water conscious, technical training, water scheme execution, water conservation, springshed rejuvenation, water quality surveillance, and climate-resilience research.
  5. Strategic Measures for Implementation:
    1. Groundwater Abstraction, Real-Time Telemetry & Water Auditing
      1. All campus groundwater abstraction via deep tubewells shall strictly follow Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) statutory guidelines and state regulatory permissions.
      2. The University shall maintain digital telemetry monitoring systems on campus piezometers to record water table fluctuations continuously, publishing real-time aquifer data on public digital platforms to ensure institutional transparency.
      3. Digital electromagnetic flow meters shall be installed at all tubewell abstraction points, municipal intake mains, treatment plant inlets and outlets, and distribution lines across academic, hospital, and residential sectors. Water supply system shall be digitalized using latest technologies to ensure sustainable potable water supply across the campus.
      4. The Infrastructure Development & Maintenance Department shall conduct regular water testing as per IS 10500, water audits, verifying abstraction volumes and resolving pipeline leaks within 24 hours of detection.
    2. The Water Neutrality Approach: Harvesting, Aquifer Recharge & Catchment Balance The University shall implement surface collection and deep-aquifer recharge measures to counterbalance abstracted groundwater:
      1. Campus-Wide Rainwater Harvesting: The University shall capture rainwater runoff across institutional rooftops, paved roads, residential zones, and open grounds through integrated conveyance systems.
      2. Permanent Rooftop Storage Systems: Rainwater from institutional and residential roofs shall be channeled into dedicated underground storage structures equipped with filtration to supply non-potable water for flushing, utility washing and other usages across academic, hospital, and hostel blocks.
      3. Engineered Deep Aquifer Recharging: Overflow from storage tanks and surface runoff from roads and paved zones shall be channeled through filtration units into dedicated recharge pits and deep borewell injection structures to replenish regional aquifers.
      4. Off-Campus Hydrological Neutrality: The University’s water and sanitation department shall actively deploy recharge innovations across rural catchments, utilizing direct injection techniques through deep handpumps and recharge interventions to raise water tables and increase surrounding spring discharge.
    3. The Water Circularity Approach: Closed-Loop Cycle & Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) The University shall enforce closed-loop circular cascading across all water operations:
      1. Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Mandate: No raw, partially treated, or untreated wastewater shall cross institutional borders or enter nearby surface waterways. All wastewater generated on campus must be captured, treated, and completely reused.
      2. Integrated & Nature-Based Treatment Architecture:
        1. Domestic Wastewater: The University shall operate and maintain a centralized Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) utilizing extended biological aeration, multi-media filtration, constructed wetlands, and nature-based biological purification systems to treat 100% of sanitary wastewater from hostels, residential quarters, and academic buildings.
        2. Clinical & Laboratory Effluent: The University shall operate a dedicated Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) for clinical wastewater generated by hospital wards, pathology laboratories, surgical suites, and central laundry. The process must include primary equalization, chemical coagulation, neutralization, and secondary aeration prior to tertiary polishing.
      3. Statutory Quality Compliance: STP and ETP treated effluent must be tested periodically by an independent NABL-accredited analytical laboratory, ensuring strict compliance with Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) standards for all environmental parameters before reuse.
      4. Circular Reclaimed Effluent Utilization: 100% of tertiary-treated water from the treatment systems shall be redirected through dedicated, color-coded pipelines for irrigating campus green belts, civil construction, and toilet flushing.
      5. Process Water Cascading:
        1. Purification Reject Streams: Concentrated reject water from campus drinking water purifiers shall not be drained to sewer lines; it must be piped into secondary holding tanks to serve toilet flushing and laundry operations.
        2. Condensate Recovery: Condensate drainage from central chillers and air conditioning units must be captured for use as cooling tower make-up water or auxiliary cleaning lines.
        3. Fleet Transport Sanitization: 100% of University-owned vehicles must be washed at the central wash facility using reclaimed treated effluent.
        4. Organic Sludge Repurposing: Stabilized, solar-dried biological sludge from treatment systems shall be tested for pathogens and repurposed as organic fertilizer for campus landscaping and nursery soil enrichment.
    4. Sustainable Building Standards & Green Infrastructure
      1. Green Building Alignment: All new building construction, campus expansions, residential housing developments, and major infrastructure retrofits shall adhere to the water-efficiency and sustainability norms of the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) or related national and international green building bodies.
      2. Dual-Plumbing Architecture: Architectural plans for all new multi-story buildings, residential quarters, and hostel blocks must incorporate dual-plumbing infrastructure that segregates non-potable flushing lines from potable freshwater pipes.
      3. Water-Saving Fixtures:
        1. Restrooms across academic blocks, hospitals, and residential hostels shall install odor-barrier waterless urinals or ultra-low flush sensor-operated units.
        2. Conventional cisterns shall be retrofitted with volumetric displacement inserts, use of sand bottles or dual-flush mechanisms to reduce flush volumes.
        3. Sensor-activated scrub sinks must be installed in all hospital Operation Theatres and procedural units to eliminate continuous-flow water loss during surgical preparation.
        4. Push-taps and low-flow, pressure-compensating aerators shall be fitted across public and hostel wash basins, and all overhead storage tanks must operate automated cut-off float valves to prevent overflows.
    5. Ecological Landscaping, Native Vegetation & Nursery Operations
      1. Groundwater Ban for Landscaping: The use of potable tubewell groundwater or municipal fresh water for irrigating lawns, flowerbeds, or sports fields is prohibited.
      2. 100% Recycled Water Irrigation: All horticultural and plantation needs across campus green spaces and residential surroundings shall be met using treated water from the wastewater treatment systems, delivered via dedicated distribution networks.
      3. Indigenous & Drought-Tolerant Species: A substantial majority of campus vegetation propagated by the University Nursery must consist of native Himalayan or drought-resilient varieties with low water requirements. High-water-demand ornamental lawns shall be minimized in favour of porous native ground cover.
      4. Smart Micro-Irrigation: Surface flood watering is prohibited. Groundskeeping must use localized drip irrigation, root-zone micro-sprinklers, and moisture-retaining organic mulching. Watering schedules must be restricted to early morning or late evening hours to eliminate evaporative loss.
    6. Universal Potable Drinking Water Access
      1. The University guarantees free, safe, and unrestricted drinking water access for all students, staff, healthcare professionals, patients, attendants, residents, and visitors across campus premises.
      2. The campus shall maintain an accessible network of drinking water dispensing stations supported by regular filtration, disinfection, and testing protocols in strict compliance with BIS 10500 standards.
      3. Potability and microbial safety shall be verified regularly by the Department of Microbiology in strict compliance with national drinking water standards (BIS 10500).
    7. Comprehensive Community Outreach, Regional Mountain Stewardship & Capacity Building The University shall extend its technical, hydrogeological, and operational expertise across Pan-India and the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) countries, with a primary focus on Uttarakhand and the Himalayan states/UTs, covering:
      1. Awareness & Community Mobilization: Organizing community campaigns, school programs, and public observances such as World Water Day and Swachhta Pakhwada to build civic responsibility and grassroots water stewardship.
      2. Capacity Building & Professional Training: Acting as a Key Resource Centre, delivering structured training programs for public health engineers, local government representatives, Village Water & Sanitation Committees (VWSCs), and frontline community cadres.
      3. Water Supply Scheme Implementation: Designing and executing decentralized community drinking water supply schemes, climate-resilient water extraction facilities, and distribution systems to deliver potable tap water to unreached habitations.
      4. Aquifer Recharging & Springshed Management: Applying hydrogeological principles to map recharge areas, construct ridge-to-valley conservation measures, deploy direct-injection handpump recharge systems, and revive drying mountain springs to ensure long-term drinking water source sustainability.
      5. Water Quality Interventions: Conducting baseline sanitary surveys, laboratory testing, and deploying portable Field Testing Kits (FTKs) to empower rural communities to identify and mitigate chemical and bacteriological contamination.
      6. Applied Studies, Research & Climate Initiatives: Undertaking scientific action research, impact assessments, environmental and social audits of public sanitation infrastructure, and piloting climate-adaptation prototypes in the water, sanitation, environment, and climate change sectors.
    8. Academic Curricular Integration & Research Innovation
      1. Academic faculties shall incorporate principles of water conservation, mountain hydrogeology, clinical wastewater safety, climate resilience, and waterborne disease epidemiology across relevant degree courses.
      2. Faculty members and research scholars shall be encouraged to pursue interdisciplinary water research, publish in indexed journals, and develop technologies for mountain water security.
  6. Institutional Governance & Responsibilities This policy applies to all stakeholders of SRHU and will be managed by:
    1. University Leadership: Responsible for oversee implementation and allocate resources for water conservation projects; monitor effectiveness and ensure compliance with this policy; evaluate conservation initiatives regularly.
    2. Infrastructure Development & Maintenance Department: Responsible for civil engineering standards, IGBC compliance, operating wastewater treatment systems (STP/ETP/constructed wetlands), digitalization of water infrastructure, maintaining flow meters, telemetry units, plumbing retrofits, and dual-distribution lines across academic, hospital, and residential sectors.
    3. Department of Water & Sanitation (WATSAN): Responsible for Provide technical expertise in water and sanitation projects and extend community outreach in water conservation and safe drinking water initiatives and implement schemes in remote villages. Undertake technical assessments, springshed rejuvenation, community scheme implementation, regional outreach across India and HKH countries, and conduct action research, studies water audits.
    4. Constituent Colleges, Hospital Units & Residential Associations: Responsible for Integrate water conservation into research and projects. Maintaining daily water mindfulness, reporting leaks immediately, and participating in university sustainability campaigns.
  7. This policy shall be reviewed every three years or earlier if required to accommodate new educational practices, regulatory requirements, or emerging student needs.
  8. 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.
  9. In case of any dispute, the decision of the Vice Chancellor of the University shall be final and binding.
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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.