Jagadish Pradhan – a graduate with honours in Political Science was involved in social work from his student days, starting as a volunteer in Bangladesh refugee relief camps of 1971-72. Then got involved in drought relief works in Kalahandi (1972-76) and during 1977-1992 worked with OXFAM – GB in various positions in various states of India and in Nepal. He has immensely contributed to the debate and discussion in the campaign for Right To Information, Right To Work, Right to Food, Forest Right Acts etc. which have led to formulation of a few progressive government Acts. Because of his strong involvement with Agrarian issues he had been nominated by GOI as a member of the high power National Commission on Farmers – popularly known as Swaminathan Commission. He has also contributed to development discourses as part of different forums at State and National level.

He has successfully led a few NGO networks in Odisha which have been working on disaster management and activities related to Natural Resource Management. He has authored several books on Rural Development and Sustainable Agriculture. He has been a fellow of Ashoka – foundation and has bagged several awards at State and National level.

Dr. Ashok Kumar, M.D., has made significant global health contributions, eradicating smallpox, eliminating leprosy, and controlling guinea-worm disease. He prioritized reproductive and child health, TB control, and preventing HIV/Syphilis transmission. As a researcher, he published 135+ papers and held leadership roles in public health organizations. He received numerous national and international awards, visited 29 countries as an expert, and currently chairs the Health Informatics Committee in India. Dr. Kumar’s expertise extends to electronic health records and national health information systems. He retired in 2015 as Addl. Director General (HAG), Ministry of Health & FW, Govt. of India. Recognized for his valuable contributions, he serves on the International Commission for Certification of Dracunculiasis Eradication, co-chairs the STAR India HIV Self-testing Project Advisory Group, and is a member of the LEPRA Society of India’s Management Committee/Board.

Dr. Venkata Ramanamma Atkuri, MD (Community Medicine) is an alumnus of the Christian Medical College, Vellore. She has rich experience of community health practice in some of the most challenging states of India, namely Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, including ten years as a health programme officer in UNICEF. She is keenly interested in tribal and rural health, including issues of child and adult hunger and malnutrition, and the health and safety of migrant labour She works at demystifying medical knowledge to empower different cadres of health workers.

Lt. Gen. V D Tiwari retired in 2003 as Director and Commandant of the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune. He has to his credit several research projects in the fields of Dermatology, Venerology and Leprosy. He is a co-recipient of “ Maj Gen. Amir Chand Trust Award” for the year 1984 for outstanding work.

Dr Jayanth Kumar , a developmental professional has 29 years of experience both at the grass-root and management level in disability and inclusive development sector. He is a visually impaired person but has an ability to work under given circumstances in the NGO and CSR sector. Dr. Jayanth is a sociologist, disability activist, trainer, researcher and member on many boards-committees.   He is well known in designing and creating street plays, dramas, and skits on disability issues. Presently Jayanth is working as a consultant for NGOs and CSR initiatives in India. Dr. Jayanth Kumar was honoured with a special recommendation certificate for successful participation in international CBR manager’s training course by WHO and AIFO Italy. The Government of Karnataka also felicitated Dr. Jayanth Kumar, for the successful completion of  Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology for the research titled “Inclusion of the excluded-rehabilitation of persons with disabilities) in the year 2010.

D Ramaiah Kapa has over 40 years of experience in Lymphatic filariasis (LF) research. He worked for over 30 years (1980-2012) with the Indian Council of Medical Research’s Vector Control Research Centre in Pondicherry, India. His work focused on the transmission dynamics of LF, evaluating implementation and impact of mass drug administration on infection and transmission, methods of LF surveillance and social and economic impact of LF and the global burden of disease due to LF. He also worked with WHO in Geneva and the Western Pacific Regional office, Manila, as well as RTI International providing technical support to over 15 national LF elimination programmes. He is a member of the WHO Expert Advisory Panel on Parasitic Diseases – Filarial Infections, member of the Regional Programme Review Group – Neglected Tropical Diseases of WHO’s South-east Asia Region and Expert Committee member of the Mectizan Donation Programme.

N.M. Prusty is a distinguished professional with expertise in Mechanical Engineering (NIT), General Management (IIM), International Business (IIFT), and Development Management. With over 45 years of experience in various sectors, including government, corporate, international development agencies, and NGOs, he has made significant contributions to social development and humanitarian action. He has received prestigious awards like the Global Best Practice award for Innovation in Social Housing from UN Habitat in 2002 and the Prabashi Odisha Ratna award from POVS in 2022. Prusty has been actively involved in promoting technology for social good, particularly in the areas of AI, ML, drones, and allied sciences for agricultural and non-agricultural sector development, food security, development governance, and humanitarian efforts. He is the founder of the Techno-Humanitarian Platform called D4H (Drone for Humanity) and has been associated with several organizations and programs focused on innovative development initiatives.

Dr. Prasanta Mahapatra, a distinguished public health expert, serves as the President and Dean of the Institute of Health Systems, Hyderabad. With an MBBS from SCB Medical College, Cuttack, and a Doctor of Science from Harvard School of Public Health, he has a storied career spanning public health, administration, and health systems research. An IAS officer of the 1980 batch, he has held pivotal roles, including Director and Vice Chancellor of Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, Director of Medical Education, and Principal Secretary in various departments of the Andhra Pradesh Government. Internationally, he has contributed as a consultant to the Asian Development Bank and as a member of WHO’s advisory committees. A Takemi Fellow at Harvard, he has published extensively on health systems and policies, participated in global forums, and championed advancements in health metrics and reforms. Proficient in multiple languages and digital tools, Dr. Mahapatra continues to shape health systems with his leadership and expertise.

Prof. (Dr.) Nasreen Rustomfram, a distinguished academician with over four decades of experience, has significantly contributed to higher education, social work, and senior citizen well-being. Retired as a Professor from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, she specialized in Non-Profit Management and Gerontology, designing impactful programs in Geriatric Care, Counseling, Women Leadership, and Dance Movement Therapy. As Chairperson of the Centre for Lifelong Learning, she expanded its reach across India, offering innovative courses and fostering collaborations. A strong advocate for senior citizens’ mental health, she has shared her expertise on geriatric counseling and care through media and public discourse. Prof. Rustomfram’s influence spans academia, government, and NGOs, with roles in UGC, MHRD, and corporate POSH Committees, along with her leadership in sensitization training and sexual harassment prevention workshops.

Dr. P. Rama Devi, a distinguished Medical Sociologist and public health expert, has made significant contributions to healthcare research, education, and policy. With advanced degrees from the University of Hyderabad and prestigious fellowships like the ICSSR, she has excelled in academia and practice. As a Professor at the Indian Institute of Health & Family Welfare (IIHFW) and earlier at the Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI), she led impactful projects, including beneficiary assessments for health systems in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, urban healthcare evaluations, and quality care initiatives for UNFPA. An expert in training healthcare professionals, she directed numerous Management Development Programs, designed the Masters in Hospital Administration course at ASCI, and enhanced her expertise with training at Johns Hopkins University. Her research on healthcare sociology and public health systems, including a study on quality care at Shamirpet Primary Health Centre, underscores her commitment to improving healthcare delivery. As a member of the Institute of Health Systems advisory board, Dr. Rama Devi continues to drive equitable and effective healthcare solutions.

Rajendra Prasad Neravena has over three decades of expertise in finance, accounts, and administration. He has been a driving force in social and not-for-profit organizations, including Indian Grameen Services, SERP, and Centre for World Solidarity (CWS). His contributions range from fund management, FCRA submissions, and statutory compliance to capacity building and financial monitoring. A Tally Prime and MS Office expert, Rajendra has demonstrated excellence through tasks such as finalizing accounts, managing payrolls, and preparing donor reports. Honored with multiple awards for his exceptional performance and leadership, he continues to bring strategic insight and precision to financial operations while empowering organizations to achieve their missions effectively.