Advisory Committee Members

Mrs. Meera Chidambaram Saxena, IAS (Retd)

Former Principal Secretary, Primary & Secondary Education

Former chairman of KSHRC, Bangalore and former Principal Secretary (Primary & Secondary Education) - among numerous important administrative assignments including Women & Child Development and Forest & Environment. An Economics graduate from Stella Maris College and postgraduate in English as well as in 'Public Enterprises and Development' (Paris); Human Rights Law from NLS Bangalore. She joined the IAS in 1976 and was allotted Karnataka cadre, where she has worked in important assignments including Principal Secretary to Government and Additional Chief Secretary.

Shri Shankar Mahadev Bidari, IPS (Retd)

Former Commissioner of Bangalore Police & DG & IGP Karnataka

Former Director General of Police and Head of the Karnataka police force, and Police Commissioner Bangalore. He served many challenging assignments including Commander of the Task Force against Veerappan, decimating their strength from 200 to 5. Other important assignments include IG Intelligence and ADGP L&O. One of the most highly decorated officers in the country - recipient of the Karnataka CM's Gold Medal and the President's Police Medal for Gallantry. He has become a legend and is well known in Karnataka.

Mr. Vinay Luthra, IFS (Retd)

Former PCCF and Head of Forest Force, Karnataka

Former Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Head of Forest Force, Karnataka; also Chief Wildlife Warden of Karnataka, with 15 years' experience in ecotourism as head of Jungle Lodges and Resorts (JLR). Instrumental in launching the prestigious Golden Chariot tourist train. A Masters in Zoology from DU, with a Master's in Development Policy and Planning from the University of Wales, UK. Long academic career at the Indian Institute of Forest Management and visiting faculty at the University of Wales. Presently tourism and wildlife advisor to IDC Karnataka and Mudskipper.

Nadoja Dr Mahesh Joshi, IBS (Retd)

Former Director General, Doordarshan

Former Additional Director General, Doordarshan, Delhi and South India, with vast experience in broadcasting, journalism, art, culture and literature; initiated many innovative programmes on Doordarshan. He initially served as Labour Commissioner in the Ministry of Labour, Government of India. Postgraduate in labour laws from BU with degrees in industrial relations, personnel management and journalism, and a PhD in Media. He is also 'Officer Commanding' in Karnataka Civil Defence and was conferred the Nadoja award by Kannada University, alongside the Karnataka Rajyotsava among numerous honours.

Mr. Rudra Shankar Roy

Chief Strategy & Supply Chain Officer, Adamas University

Formerly GM and Thought Leader at IBM, with over 28+ years of corporate experience, he has held leadership roles in top global organisations. A thought leader and authority on global SMEs for process consulting, supply chain and operations. He served as an 'IBM Academic Ambassador' and has received numerous awards for leadership and excellence. A Xaverian by education, engineer and Certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt. Holds degrees from D'Amore-McKim School of Business and is a Harvard alumnus; honorary guest faculty and regular speaker at premier institutions including IITs and IIMs.

Dr. Sudeshna Mukherjee

Director, Centre for Social Impact, Chanakya University

An academician and expert in women's studies with extensive contributions to research and social discourse. Formerly Associate Professor at Bangalore University and PG lecturer in the Department of Sociology at Christ University, she has led multiple research projects including one for the Ford Foundation. Numerous publications, chapters in books and two authored books to her name. A postgraduate and PhD holder from JNU and recipient of the BPRD Government of India Fellowship; she has guided PhD scholars and represented India at prestigious seminars worldwide.