Leadership (SPMC)

Syed Kazi

Dr Syed Sultan Kazi is an Executive Member at the Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF), bringing over 20 years of experience as a development and governance specialist. He has worked extensively in implementation, planning, design, monitoring and evaluation, and community engagement. He brings his expertise in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for development, e-governance, social protection, and inclusive access to public entitlements and services to the Udyamini project.
Dr Kazi also heads the Council for Social and Digital Development (CSDD), serves on the board of the North East Development Foundation (NEDF), and has authored various research publications. He holds a PhD from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.

Nahid Jubair Barbhuiya
Nahid Jubair is the Deputy Director at the Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF), where he leads initiatives to digitally empower rural communities across India. JUbair brings extensive grassroots experience, communication skills, creativity, and a solutions-driven approach to his developmental work to Udyamini.
Jubair has implemented numerous digital intervention projects aimed at community development. A graduate of the Mortenson Center Associate Programme at the University of Illinois, sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, he has also contributed to global projects in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan.

Tonmoie Sarmah

A development professional with over seven years of experience working with grassroots communities, Sarmah currently serves as Program Manager and State Lead – North East at the Digital Empowerment Foundation. She has led efforts to bridge the digital divide through digital access and last-mile connectivity. A postgraduate from the Institute of Rural Management, Anand, Sarmah has worked with grassroots organisations in Assam on various development programmes. As part of the Udyamini project, she is committed to driving positive, sustainable change and opportunities with progressive organisations offering dynamic work environments.

Karma Paljor

Karma Paljor is an award-winning Indian journalist and entrepreneur who brings over two decades of experience in the media industry to the Udyamini project. He began his career with The Times of India and later worked with CNBC TV18. In 2005, he joined CNN-IBN as a founding employee, hosting various programs and specializing in coverage of aviation and natural disasters. In 2018, he co-founded Atvi Infotainment, a content creation company that includes EastMojo and Atvi Studios. Paljor is also a Fellow at the Aspen Institute and has been recognized for his excellence in journalism with several awards, including the Ramnath Goenka Award.

John J

John J is the founder of Grassroots Tea Corporation (GTC), an initiative launched in January 2017 to empower small tea growers (STGs) in India. Recognizing the challenges faced by STGs—such as limited market access and vulnerability to exploitation—John established GTC to enable these farmers to set up micro and mini processing units. This model allows farmers to participate directly in tea cultivation, processing, and marketing, thereby ensuring they receive a fair share of profits. John brings the ability to influence policy changes to Udyamini, allowing for more equitable participation in the tea industry.

Nilam Minj

Nilam Minj is the MIS & MEL Officer for the Assam programme at the Grassroots Tea Corporation and holds a Master’s degree in Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences. With a strong academic background and a passion for social change, Minj focuses on creating sustainable, innovative solutions to address pressing social and environmental challenges.

Ekta Jaju

Ekta Jaju is the Executive Director of SwitchON Foundation and CEO of ONganic Foods, where she is building a robust organic food ecosystem to improve the lives of smallholder farmers. With a strong background in sustainable agriculture and energy, she combines entrepreneurship with grassroots impact. Ekta has consulted for global organisations like UN Women and GIZ, and is a recipient of prestigious fellowships including UnLtd India, CSA (Packard Foundation), DASRA, and BYCL. Trained in entrepreneurship at ISB, she brings a creative, impact-driven approach to sustainable development.

Ritu Kharayat

Ritu Kharayat is the Deputy General Manager and a researcher at SwitchON Foundation, where she has been working for over three years to advance sustainable development initiatives. Based in Kolkata, she previously served as Senior Program Manager and Researcher, contributing to impactful projects across environment, livelihoods, and rural innovation. With a strong focus on evidence-based solutions, Ritu combines program strategy with in-depth research to support climate-resilient and community-driven change in Eastern India.

Dr Salima Siddika

Dr Salima Siddika is a Veterinarian and Physiologist currently serving as the State Coordinator (Assam) at Trust The Goat. With a Master’s degree in Veterinary Physiology from the College of Veterinary Science, Guwahati, Dr Siddika brings specialised knowledge in animal health and physiology to grassroots livestock initiatives to the Udyamini program. Her work focuses on improving goat-based livelihoods through science-backed interventions, training, and community engagement, supporting rural farmers in Assam to build sustainable income sources and strengthen animal health systems.

Ujjval Sarcar

Ujjval Sarcar is the Managing Director and Chairman of the Executive Committee at The Goat Trust Group of Social Ventures.

A seasoned development professional and educator, he brings extensive experience in agriculture, livestock, rural livelihoods, and social entrepreneurship to the Udyamini programme.

Under his leadership, TGT Group has focused on designing innovative, sustainable solutions for grassroots development. He has authored books, training manuals, case studies, and documentary films, and developed MIS tools to support field implementation. His work reflects a deep commitment to empowering communities through knowledge sharing, capacity building, and scalable social ventures.

Dipankar Sengupta

Dipankar Sengupta is Transform Trade’s Supply Chain Expert, with over 23 years of cross-functional experience in strategic planning, project development, value-chain management, and marketing. He holds a PGDABM from IIM Ahmedabad, a PGDRD from XISS, a Bachelor’s in Agriculture, and a Project Management Professional certification.

Dipankar has led large-scale research and data-driven studies, building his expertise through roles at Rallis India, Bayer CropScience, and Tata Chemicals. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. from IIM Ranchi, Sengupta brings his expertise in innovation in sustainable supply chain systems to the Udyamini programme, focusing on inclusive models that strengthen producer livelihoods and enhance transparency in ethical trade networks.

Mukesh Tiwary

Mukesh Tiwary is the Business Head of Transform Trade India, overseeing its diverse portfolio of projects across the textile, cotton, and tea sectors.

With a postgraduate degree from XISS, and further training in non-profit and public policy management from the Lee Kwan Yew School of Public Policy and ISB Hyderabad, Tiwary brings strong interdisciplinary knowledge to his work.

He has deep expertise in the textile industry, particularly in labour rights, and excels in designing and managing sustainable, cross-sector programmes. A skilled trainer and facilitator, he brings stakeholders together to collaboratively address complex social and supply chain challenges.

Vikramaditya Das

Vikramaditya Das serves as the Executive Director of Grameen Sahara, a grassroots development organisation committed to improving livelihoods and strengthening rural communities. Under his leadership since 2008, Grameen Sahara has grown into a key player in promoting inclusive, sustainable development across Northeast India.

With a strong focus on rural enterprise, agriculture, and social finance, the organisation works closely with communities to co-create solutions that address poverty, inequality, and marginalisation. Vikramaditya brings over 17 years of experience in development leadership and remains dedicated to fostering resilient local economies through participatory approaches and long-term capacity building to the Udyamini programme.

Nilav J Gohain

Nilav J Gohain is the Project Management Lead at Grameen Sahara, Assam, bringing over two decades of experience in rural development and community engagement across the North Eastern Region of India to the Udyamini programme. He has worked extensively with farmers, weavers, and diverse rural communities to promote sustainable livelihoods through agriculture, allied sectors, handlooms, adult education, literacy, entrepreneurship, and skill development. His career reflects a deep commitment to empowering marginalised groups and enhancing economic opportunities at the grassroots level. At Grameen Sahara, Nilav leads project implementation with a focus on inclusive, community-driven solutions for long-term social and economic impact.

Amit Kumar

Amit Kumar has over 16 years of experience in the media industry, having worked with Thomson Reuters, The Economic Times, Business Today. He has extensive experience of working in the Northeast, especially Assam, and currently serves as the Executive Editor at EastMojo.com.