Our Advisors - ILDC 2023
Dr. Nivedita Haran
IAS (Retd), Ex-Addl Chief Secretary, Kerala and Faculty, JNU
Dr. Nivedita Haran, an esteemed IAS officer and Ex-Addl Chief Secretary of Kerala, also serves as Faculty at JNU. She holds a Graduation degree in Economics and Philosophy (Hons), a Masters in Philosophy from Jadavpur University, and a Sociology PhD from IIT, Delhi. Throughout her career, she held significant roles in various government departments, including Land Revenue, Disaster Management, Agriculture, Industries, and more, including District Collector/Magistrate. Post-retirement, she engages in impactful research and academics, focusing on Digitisation of Land Records, Disaster Resilience-building, Good Governance, Labour & Migration issues, and Water, Wastewater, and solid waste management. Dr. Haran is also a member of the Committee of Experts for Dal Lake conservation and the chairperson of the Centre for Migration and Inclusive Development and Ente Bhoomi Trust.
Mr. Deepak Sanan
IAS (Retd), Ex- Addl Chief Secretary, HP and Ex Advisor to NCAER, IIHS & CPR
Mr. Deepak Sanan, a seasoned civil servant, specializes in public policy, including state capacity, land governance, public finance, and water and sanitation. Retiring from the Indian Administrative Service in 2017 after serving Himachal Pradesh, he is now a Senior Visiting Fellow at CPR. Mr. Sanan actively advises NCAER and IIHS on various subjects, leading the Centre for Land Governance at IIHS and the Land Policy Initiative at NCAER. His contributions focus on incentivizing optimal utilization of Central funds, improving governance, and designing schemes for inter-governmental financial transfers. Over the years, he undertook numerous consulting assignments with organizations like the World Bank, IFAD, DFID, and AusAid, primarily in public finance, urban and rural development, and water and sanitation sectors. Mr. Sanan holds an MA in Politics (International Relations) from Jawaharlal Nehru University and a BCom (Hons) from Delhi University.
Mr. Tim Hanstad
Co founder, Landesa and CEO, Chandler Foundation, USA
Mr. Tim Hanstad is the Co-founder of Landesa and currently serves as the CEO of the Chandler Foundation, USA. The Chandler Foundation strives for a world of shared prosperity with well-governed nations, businesses driving economic growth and societal well-being, and individuals flourishing. As the former CEO of Landesa, he transformed it into the world’s top-ranked human rights NGO. Recognized as a Skoll Social Entrepreneur Awardee and a 2008 Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur Fellow, his influential work has been featured in prestigious publications like the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Financial Times. Tim holds two law degrees from the University of Washington and has completed certificate programs at Harvard Business School and Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. He finds inspiration from his loving spouse, Chitra, and their four adult children.
Dr. Shekhar Shah
Vice Chair, Academic Advisor Council, Indian School of Public Policy, New Delhi
Dr. Shekhar Shah is the Vice Chair of the Academic Advisory Council at the Indian School of Public Policy, New Delhi, and a Non-resident Fellow at the Center for Global Development, Washington, D.C. With over four decades of global experience as a development economist, he has worked on policies related to macroeconomics, trade, fiscal management, labor markets, and service delivery in health and education. Formerly the Director-General of NCAER, India’s independent economic think tank, he led its institutional transformation and research expansion. With key positions at the World Bank, including Lead Economist and Regional Economic Adviser, Dr. Shah remains keenly interested in understanding the causes of poverty. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Columbia University and a B.A. in Economics from Delhi University’s St. Stephen’s College.
Mr. S B Dangayach
Founder Trustee, Innovative Thought Forum, Ex-CEO Sintex
Mr. S B Dangayach, an esteemed IIMA alumnus, boasts 45 years of corporate leadership. Currently, he is the Founder Trustee of Innovative Thought Forum, an India-centric “think+act” tank, and serves as National Vice President of Arogya Bharati. As an independent director on various boards, including GMDC, GIPCL, and GACL, his influence extends to IIM Udaipur and Auro University, Surat. An avid supporter of Homoeopathy, he is a patron member of GHF. Mr. Dangayach advocates integrating health sciences and promoting AYUSH. He passionately advocates green, clean, and sustainable development, emphasizing renewable energy integration. He empowers micro-enterprises with innovative initiatives like VyaparSutra and recently compiled “Pragmatic ways for Atmanirbhar Bharat” featuring articles from 75 India-centric thought leaders.
Dr. Usha Ramnathan
Senior Law Researcher and Human Rights Activist
Dr. Usha Ramnathan, a senior law researcher and human rights activist, is an internationally recognized expert on law and poverty. With a strong academic background from Madras University, the University of Nagpur, and Delhi University, she is a research fellow at the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies and a guest professor at universities worldwide. Serving as a trusted advisor to NGOs and international organizations, she is a member of Amnesty International’s Advisory Panel on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights and a WHO expert on mental health. Dr. Ramnathan is the South Asia Editor of the Law, Environment, and Development Journal, focusing her research on human rights, displacement, torts, and the environment, notably contributing to critical issues like the Bhopal gas disaster, Narmada valley dams, and slum evictions in Delhi.
Mr. Jagat Basnet
Executive Director, CSRC Nepal
Mr. Jagat Basnet, the Executive Director of CSRC Nepal, is a social activist, researcher, and founder member of the non-violent social movement organization. Since 1994, he has been instrumental in championing the land and agrarian rights movement, empowering peasants through the establishment and promotion of peasants’ organizations. His innovative efforts for the landless and tenant families in Nepal have garnered significant recognition, including the prestigious Maja Koene Social Activist Award in 2006 from India’s CECI. Mr. Basnet’s dedication to social change and advocacy for the marginalized communities exemplifies his commitment to empowering the underprivileged.
Mr. Shekhar Gaikwad
IAS (Retd), Ex Commissioner of Sugar, State of Maharashtra
Mr. Shekhar Gaikwad, a versatile civil servant, is renowned for his expertise in land laws. He authored significant works like “Land rights and Mutations in Maharashtra,” “Land issues in India,” and “Land laws in Maharashtra.” With 37 years of experience as a revenue official, he held key administrative positions in Maharashtra, including District Collector of Sangli, Joint Secretary to the CM, Pune Municipal Commissioner, and Sugar Commissioner. Acknowledged for initiatives like the one-time home delivery scheme of food grains and Agrani river rejuvenation project, he received the Rajiv Gandhi administrative award of Maharashtra and the National water award. Mr. Gaikwad is respected for promoting legal literacy among farmers and serves as a visiting faculty at Yashada Pune and other training institutes. His website and blog offer valuable legal insights on land issues.
Dr. Dishan Kamdar
Vice Chancellor, FLAME University
Dr. Dishan Kamdar, the Vice-Chancellor of FLAME University, is a distinguished expert in negotiations, workplace behavior, and organizational leadership. Prior to his current role, he served as the Deputy Dean of Academic Programmes and Professor of Organisational Behaviour at the Indian School of Business (ISB). Prof. Kamdar’s illustrious career at ISB includes notable achievements, such as record student admissions, improved flagship program placements, and strengthened alumni engagement. Combining his entrepreneurial background with extensive academic accomplishments, he excels as an executive coach and a beloved professor, revered by both students and industry professionals. With a broad range of research interests in work-related performance and behavior, Prof. Kamdar is sought-after globally as a faculty member and researcher.
Dr Anil Kashyap
President and Chancellor- NICMAR University
Dr. Anil Kashyap is the President and Chancellor of NICMAR University, with expertise in urban planning and real estate. He has been associated with the University of Ulster since 2003, serving as Teaching and Learning Director and faculty for planning and real estate courses. Dr. Kashyap actively conducts research on climate change, resilience, transport, and urban regeneration, guiding several Ph.D. students. He has contributed to various funded research projects and holds keen interest in urban infrastructure financing, urban regeneration, market analysis, real estate value creation, and sustainability in developing countries. With prior roles as the Head of School of Geography and Environmental Management at the University of the West of England Bristol, Dr. Kashyap is recognized by the Royal Town Planning Institute, the Institute of Town Planners in India, and the Higher Education Academy in the United Kingdom.