Ashraya

Our Board

Guided by experienced leaders, educators and advisors who help shape the vision and impact of Ashraya.

Board of Mentors

Prof. JS Rajput

Prof. JS Rajput

Professor J.S. Rajput is one of India’s most distinguished educationists and reform advocates, widely recognized for his pioneering contributions to teaching, curriculum, and policy. A physicist by training, he rose quickly through academia to become Principal of the Regional Institute of Education, Bhopal, and later served as Joint Educational Adviser to the Government of India. As the Founder-Chairman of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) and Director of the NCERT (1999–2004), he spearheaded systemic reforms that modernized teacher training and strengthened curriculum design. His initiatives included the introduction of innovative two-year B.Ed. programmes and the regulation of correspondence education for quality assurance. Honoured with the Padma Shri and UNESCO’s Jan Amos Comenius Medal, Professor Rajput continues to inspire as an author, consultant, and policy advisor. His lifelong commitment reflects a vision of education as a tool for equity, innovation, and national progress.
View Profile →
Anurag Batra

Anurag Batra

Anurag Batra is an Indian media entrepreneur and the Chairman & Editor-in-Chief of Business World (BW Businessworld). He is known for revitalizing the iconic business magazine and expanding it into a diversified media group. He is also the founder of Exchange4media, one of India’s leading media and advertising industry portals. Under his leadership, BW Businessworld has expanded into multiple niche verticals such as BW Education, BW Healthcare, and BW Real Estate. Anurag Batra is recognized for: Promoting entrepreneurship and leadership in India Organizing high-profile business summits and awards Supporting startups and innovation ecosystems
View Profile →
Dilip Cherian

Dilip Cherian

Dilip Cherian is an Indian political strategist, image consultant, and corporate communications expert, widely known as the “Image Guru” of India. He is the co-founder of Perfect Relations, one of India’s leading public affairs and communications firms, established in 1992. Over the years, he has advised prominent politicians, corporate leaders, and public figures on reputation management, media strategy, and public positioning. Dilip Cherian has played a significant role in shaping political campaigns and corporate branding strategies in India. He is also a columnist and public commentator, frequently sharing insights on governance, leadership, and public perception. He is regarded as one of India’s pioneers in professional image management and strategic communications.
View Profile →
Geeta Dharmarajan

Geeta Dharmarajan

Geeta Dharmarajan is an Indian educationist, social entrepreneur, and founder of Katha, a Delhi-based non-profit organization established in 1988. Through Katha, she has worked extensively to promote quality education and literacy among underprivileged children, especially in urban slum communities. Her innovative approach integrates storytelling, creative writing, and mother-tongue learning to make education engaging and meaningful. Geeta Dharmarajan has also contributed significantly to children’s literature and community development. Under her leadership, Katha has impacted thousands of children and educators across India. She is widely recognized for her efforts in transforming education through creativity, inclusivity, and grassroots innovation.
View Profile →
Ghanshyam_Dass.jpg

Ghanshyam_Dass.jpg

Ghanshyam Dass is a prominent Indian business leader and senior advisor with over 35 years of experience in international banking, capital markets, and strategic consulting. He is widely recognized for his expertise in navigating global regulatory environments and fostering public-private partnerships. Professional Background. Current Role -> Senior Advisor at Primus Partners, a management consultancy where he focuses on strategic growth and advisory for both government and private sectors. Nasdaq -> He spent nearly a decade at Nasdaq, eventually serving as the Managing Director for the Asia Pacific and Middle East regions. He played a key role in developing Nasdaq presence in India and assisting Indian companies with international listings. KPMG -> Served as a Senior Advisor for over 10 years, where he focused on business development and government relations. Banking -> Earlier in his career, he held leadership positions at major institutions, including CEO of India Operations for the British Bank of the Middle East (HSBC Group) and CEO of Majan International Bank in Oman.
View Profile →
KJ Alphons

KJ Alphons

K. J. Alphons (Kannanthanam Joseph Alphons) is an Indian politician, former civil servant, and reform-oriented administrator known for his work in urban development and governance reforms. He served as a Union Minister of State for Tourism and for Electronics & Information Technology in the Government of India (2017–2019). Before entering politics, Alphons was a distinguished Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Kerala cadre. He gained national recognition as the Commissioner of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), where he led a major drive to remove illegal encroachments and regularize unauthorized colonies in Delhi. He is also widely associated with the Delhi Metro project, having played a key administrative role in facilitating land acquisition and urban coordination during its early development phase. In 2011, Alphons entered electoral politics and was elected as an independent Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Kanjirappally, Kerala, later joining the Bharatiya Janata Party.
View Profile →
Prof. JS Rajput

Prof. JS Rajput

Professor J.S. Rajput is one of India’s most distinguished educationists and reform advocates, widely recognized for his pioneering contributions to teaching, curriculum, and policy. A physicist by training, he rose quickly through academia to become Principal of the Regional Institute of Education, Bhopal, and later served as Joint Educational Adviser to the Government of India. As the Founder-Chairman of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) and Director of the NCERT (1999–2004), he spearheaded systemic reforms that modernized teacher training and strengthened curriculum design. His initiatives included the introduction of innovative two-year B.Ed. programmes and the regulation of correspondence education for quality assurance. Honoured with the Padma Shri and UNESCO’s Jan Amos Comenius Medal, Professor Rajput continues to inspire as an author, consultant, and policy advisor. His lifelong commitment reflects a vision of education as a tool for equity, innovation, and national progress.
View Profile →
S. Regunethan

S. Regunethan

S. Regunethan is a respected business leader and community contributor known for his experience in entrepreneurship, leadership, and organizational development. Over the years, he has been associated with initiatives that promote business growth, innovation, and professional excellence. With extensive experience in management and strategic planning, Regunethan has contributed to mentoring young professionals and supporting institutions working in education, enterprise development, and community impact. His work reflects a commitment to fostering sustainable growth and encouraging leadership among emerging entrepreneurs.
View Profile →
Seema Jhingran

Seema Jhingran

Education and technology strategist helping shape scalable learning platforms and mentorship programs.
View Profile →
Prof. JS Rajput

Prof. JS Rajput

Professor J.S. Rajput is one of India’s most distinguished educationists and reform advocates, widely recognized for his pioneering contributions to teaching, curriculum, and policy. A physicist by training, he rose quickly through academia to become Principal of the Regional Institute of Education, Bhopal, and later served as Joint Educational Adviser to the Government of India. As the Founder-Chairman of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) and Director of the NCERT (1999–2004), he spearheaded systemic reforms that modernized teacher training and strengthened curriculum design. His initiatives included the introduction of innovative two-year B.Ed. programmes and the regulation of correspondence education for quality assurance. Honoured with the Padma Shri and UNESCO’s Jan Amos Comenius Medal, Professor Rajput continues to inspire as an author, consultant, and policy advisor. His lifelong commitment reflects a vision of education as a tool for equity, innovation, and national progress.
View Profile →
Anurag Batra

Anurag Batra

Anurag Batra is an Indian media entrepreneur and the Chairman & Editor-in-Chief of Business World (BW Businessworld). He is known for revitalizing the iconic business magazine and expanding it into a diversified media group. He is also the founder of Exchange4media, one of India’s leading media and advertising industry portals. Under his leadership, BW Businessworld has expanded into multiple niche verticals such as BW Education, BW Healthcare, and BW Real Estate. Anurag Batra is recognized for: Promoting entrepreneurship and leadership in India Organizing high-profile business summits and awards Supporting startups and innovation ecosystems
View Profile →
Dilip Cherian

Dilip Cherian

Dilip Cherian is an Indian political strategist, image consultant, and corporate communications expert, widely known as the “Image Guru” of India. He is the co-founder of Perfect Relations, one of India’s leading public affairs and communications firms, established in 1992. Over the years, he has advised prominent politicians, corporate leaders, and public figures on reputation management, media strategy, and public positioning. Dilip Cherian has played a significant role in shaping political campaigns and corporate branding strategies in India. He is also a columnist and public commentator, frequently sharing insights on governance, leadership, and public perception. He is regarded as one of India’s pioneers in professional image management and strategic communications.
View Profile →
Geeta Dharmarajan

Geeta Dharmarajan

Geeta Dharmarajan is an Indian educationist, social entrepreneur, and founder of Katha, a Delhi-based non-profit organization established in 1988. Through Katha, she has worked extensively to promote quality education and literacy among underprivileged children, especially in urban slum communities. Her innovative approach integrates storytelling, creative writing, and mother-tongue learning to make education engaging and meaningful. Geeta Dharmarajan has also contributed significantly to children’s literature and community development. Under her leadership, Katha has impacted thousands of children and educators across India. She is widely recognized for her efforts in transforming education through creativity, inclusivity, and grassroots innovation.
View Profile →
Ghanshyam_Dass.jpg

Ghanshyam_Dass.jpg

Ghanshyam Dass is a prominent Indian business leader and senior advisor with over 35 years of experience in international banking, capital markets, and strategic consulting. He is widely recognized for his expertise in navigating global regulatory environments and fostering public-private partnerships. Professional Background. Current Role -> Senior Advisor at Primus Partners, a management consultancy where he focuses on strategic growth and advisory for both government and private sectors. Nasdaq -> He spent nearly a decade at Nasdaq, eventually serving as the Managing Director for the Asia Pacific and Middle East regions. He played a key role in developing Nasdaq presence in India and assisting Indian companies with international listings. KPMG -> Served as a Senior Advisor for over 10 years, where he focused on business development and government relations. Banking -> Earlier in his career, he held leadership positions at major institutions, including CEO of India Operations for the British Bank of the Middle East (HSBC Group) and CEO of Majan International Bank in Oman.
View Profile →
KJ Alphons

KJ Alphons

K. J. Alphons (Kannanthanam Joseph Alphons) is an Indian politician, former civil servant, and reform-oriented administrator known for his work in urban development and governance reforms. He served as a Union Minister of State for Tourism and for Electronics & Information Technology in the Government of India (2017–2019). Before entering politics, Alphons was a distinguished Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Kerala cadre. He gained national recognition as the Commissioner of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), where he led a major drive to remove illegal encroachments and regularize unauthorized colonies in Delhi. He is also widely associated with the Delhi Metro project, having played a key administrative role in facilitating land acquisition and urban coordination during its early development phase. In 2011, Alphons entered electoral politics and was elected as an independent Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Kanjirappally, Kerala, later joining the Bharatiya Janata Party.
View Profile →
Prof. JS Rajput

Prof. JS Rajput

Professor J.S. Rajput is one of India’s most distinguished educationists and reform advocates, widely recognized for his pioneering contributions to teaching, curriculum, and policy. A physicist by training, he rose quickly through academia to become Principal of the Regional Institute of Education, Bhopal, and later served as Joint Educational Adviser to the Government of India. As the Founder-Chairman of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) and Director of the NCERT (1999–2004), he spearheaded systemic reforms that modernized teacher training and strengthened curriculum design. His initiatives included the introduction of innovative two-year B.Ed. programmes and the regulation of correspondence education for quality assurance. Honoured with the Padma Shri and UNESCO’s Jan Amos Comenius Medal, Professor Rajput continues to inspire as an author, consultant, and policy advisor. His lifelong commitment reflects a vision of education as a tool for equity, innovation, and national progress.
View Profile →
S. Regunethan

S. Regunethan

S. Regunethan is a respected business leader and community contributor known for his experience in entrepreneurship, leadership, and organizational development. Over the years, he has been associated with initiatives that promote business growth, innovation, and professional excellence. With extensive experience in management and strategic planning, Regunethan has contributed to mentoring young professionals and supporting institutions working in education, enterprise development, and community impact. His work reflects a commitment to fostering sustainable growth and encouraging leadership among emerging entrepreneurs.
View Profile →
Seema Jhingran

Seema Jhingran

Education and technology strategist helping shape scalable learning platforms and mentorship programs.
View Profile →

Board of Advisors

Anjali Sidhu

Anjali Sidhu

Anjalli Sidhu is the Founder & CEO of OMNISTARR, a leading healthcare and IT workforce solutions company, recognized by The Wall Street Journal (2025) and featured on the cover of Millennium Magazine. An Honored Listee of Marquis Who’s Who of America (2024) and Charter Member of TiE Boston, she is a trailblazer in talent acquisition and digital transformation. With over two decades of global experience, Anjalli has pioneered AI-driven recruitment systems and high-performance talent engines that have delivered multi-million-dollar growth. Her expertise in leadership, organizational effectiveness, and workforce innovation brings transformative value to Edufront’s mission.
View Profile →
Basab Paul

Basab Paul

Basab Paul is a visionary lifestyle engineer and entrepreneur whose ventures span manufacturing, hospitality, luxury retail, and talent management. Educated at MIT, he brings a unique blend of technical acumen and design-driven thinking to every endeavor. Known for bold, pioneering ventures—from launching Mumbai’s first stand-alone luxury lounge-restobar in Juhu to establishing a zero-pollution ethanol distillery in Maharashtra—he exemplifies innovation with purpose. Guided by a philosophy of “making and keeping promises,” Basab mentors Edufront with a deep commitment to building brands and ecosystems that embody quality, style, and transformative impact.
View Profile →
Vandita Tewari Kapoor

Vandita Tewari Kapoor

Vandita Tewari Kapoor is the Founder & CEO of Iyurved, a pioneering nutrition brand featured in BW Healthcare 40 under 40, Millennium Magazine, and international media. With a strong background in education and development, she previously served as Senior Education & Skills Advisor at the British High Commission in India, shaping UK–India collaborations in school and skills development, and as CEO of the India School Fund, driving grassroots educational transformation. An alumna of the Madras School of Economics and Stanford University (Nutrition Sciences), Vandita brings Edufront deep expertise in nutrition, education policy, and social innovation, blending health and learning for holistic child development.
View Profile →
David Wilcox

David Wilcox

David L. Wilcox is the Founder of ReachScale, a global network that unites social innovators, corporations, and governments to design scalable and sustainable solutions. A graduate of Harvard Business School, he has spent over a decade evaluating thousands of models to distill strategies that accelerate scale-up in one-tenth the time. His work focuses on business model innovation, helping leaders collaborate across sectors to address systemic challenges with efficiency and impact. As a mentor to Edufront, David brings deep expertise in scaling social innovations to transform education at both national and global levels.
View Profile →
Nish Sonwalkar

Nish Sonwalkar

Dr. Nish Sonwalkar is a globally recognized pioneer in adaptive learning, pedagogy, and online education. A former MIT research faculty and the founding director of its Hypermedia Teaching Facility, he also served as Principal Educational Architect at MIT. With expertise spanning nano-materials, photonic smart coatings, resilient solar microgrids, and brain-computer interfaces for adaptive learning, he has founded multiple successful ventures including IntellADAPT and SunDensity Inc. Recipient of numerous national and international awards, Dr. Sonwalkar brings to Edufront his visionary leadership in harnessing cutting-edge technology to transform learning and expand access globally.
View Profile →
Partha Ghosh

Partha Ghosh

Partha Ghosh is a world-renowned thought leader, strategist, and educator, often described as a modern-day “Renaissance man.” An alumnus of MIT (M.S. in Chemical Engineering; M.S. in Business Administration, Sloan School of Management) and IIT India, he has over four decades of global experience. A former Partner at McKinsey & Company, Partha has advised multinational CEOs and governments across 30+ countries on strategy, technology, and transformation. He has delivered 200+ keynotes spanning business, economics, arts, and philosophy, and is the author of India at 75 and India Towards 100. At Edufront, he brings unparalleled vision in combining innovation, policy, and purpose-driven leadership.
View Profile →
Ujjayant Chakravarti

Ujjayant Chakravarti

Professor Ujjayant Chakravorty, John DiBiaggio Professor of Economics at Tufts University, is an internationally respected authority on resource and environmental economics. An alumnus of IIT Delhi (B.S. Civil Engineering) and the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa (Ph.D. in Resource & Environmental Economics), he has published extensively on energy, climate change, natural resource management, and sustainable growth, with over 130 research papers in leading journals. He has held visiting appointments at Cambridge, Toulouse, and the World Bank, contributing to global policy dialogues. A dedicated teacher and mentor, Prof. Chakravorty brings Edufront invaluable expertise in evidence-based policymaking, sustainable development frameworks, and integrating economic insights into large-scale education transformation.
View Profile →
Anjali Sidhu

Anjali Sidhu

Anjalli Sidhu is the Founder & CEO of OMNISTARR, a leading healthcare and IT workforce solutions company, recognized by The Wall Street Journal (2025) and featured on the cover of Millennium Magazine. An Honored Listee of Marquis Who’s Who of America (2024) and Charter Member of TiE Boston, she is a trailblazer in talent acquisition and digital transformation. With over two decades of global experience, Anjalli has pioneered AI-driven recruitment systems and high-performance talent engines that have delivered multi-million-dollar growth. Her expertise in leadership, organizational effectiveness, and workforce innovation brings transformative value to Edufront’s mission.
View Profile →
Basab Paul

Basab Paul

Basab Paul is a visionary lifestyle engineer and entrepreneur whose ventures span manufacturing, hospitality, luxury retail, and talent management. Educated at MIT, he brings a unique blend of technical acumen and design-driven thinking to every endeavor. Known for bold, pioneering ventures—from launching Mumbai’s first stand-alone luxury lounge-restobar in Juhu to establishing a zero-pollution ethanol distillery in Maharashtra—he exemplifies innovation with purpose. Guided by a philosophy of “making and keeping promises,” Basab mentors Edufront with a deep commitment to building brands and ecosystems that embody quality, style, and transformative impact.
View Profile →
Vandita Tewari Kapoor

Vandita Tewari Kapoor

Vandita Tewari Kapoor is the Founder & CEO of Iyurved, a pioneering nutrition brand featured in BW Healthcare 40 under 40, Millennium Magazine, and international media. With a strong background in education and development, she previously served as Senior Education & Skills Advisor at the British High Commission in India, shaping UK–India collaborations in school and skills development, and as CEO of the India School Fund, driving grassroots educational transformation. An alumna of the Madras School of Economics and Stanford University (Nutrition Sciences), Vandita brings Edufront deep expertise in nutrition, education policy, and social innovation, blending health and learning for holistic child development.
View Profile →
David Wilcox

David Wilcox

David L. Wilcox is the Founder of ReachScale, a global network that unites social innovators, corporations, and governments to design scalable and sustainable solutions. A graduate of Harvard Business School, he has spent over a decade evaluating thousands of models to distill strategies that accelerate scale-up in one-tenth the time. His work focuses on business model innovation, helping leaders collaborate across sectors to address systemic challenges with efficiency and impact. As a mentor to Edufront, David brings deep expertise in scaling social innovations to transform education at both national and global levels.
View Profile →
Nish Sonwalkar

Nish Sonwalkar

Dr. Nish Sonwalkar is a globally recognized pioneer in adaptive learning, pedagogy, and online education. A former MIT research faculty and the founding director of its Hypermedia Teaching Facility, he also served as Principal Educational Architect at MIT. With expertise spanning nano-materials, photonic smart coatings, resilient solar microgrids, and brain-computer interfaces for adaptive learning, he has founded multiple successful ventures including IntellADAPT and SunDensity Inc. Recipient of numerous national and international awards, Dr. Sonwalkar brings to Edufront his visionary leadership in harnessing cutting-edge technology to transform learning and expand access globally.
View Profile →
Partha Ghosh

Partha Ghosh

Partha Ghosh is a world-renowned thought leader, strategist, and educator, often described as a modern-day “Renaissance man.” An alumnus of MIT (M.S. in Chemical Engineering; M.S. in Business Administration, Sloan School of Management) and IIT India, he has over four decades of global experience. A former Partner at McKinsey & Company, Partha has advised multinational CEOs and governments across 30+ countries on strategy, technology, and transformation. He has delivered 200+ keynotes spanning business, economics, arts, and philosophy, and is the author of India at 75 and India Towards 100. At Edufront, he brings unparalleled vision in combining innovation, policy, and purpose-driven leadership.
View Profile →
Ujjayant Chakravarti

Ujjayant Chakravarti

Professor Ujjayant Chakravorty, John DiBiaggio Professor of Economics at Tufts University, is an internationally respected authority on resource and environmental economics. An alumnus of IIT Delhi (B.S. Civil Engineering) and the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa (Ph.D. in Resource & Environmental Economics), he has published extensively on energy, climate change, natural resource management, and sustainable growth, with over 130 research papers in leading journals. He has held visiting appointments at Cambridge, Toulouse, and the World Bank, contributing to global policy dialogues. A dedicated teacher and mentor, Prof. Chakravorty brings Edufront invaluable expertise in evidence-based policymaking, sustainable development frameworks, and integrating economic insights into large-scale education transformation.
View Profile →