Kalpana Chawla Space Academy
Our North Stars
Governing Board.
Prof. Jagdish K. Math
Governing Body Member
Mr. Sudheer Kumar N
Governing Body Member
Dr. Vyankatesh Gambhir
Governing Body Member
Mr. Rajeev Sahi
Governing Body Member
Adv. Mr. Madhav S. Bhonde
Trustee and Governing Body Member
A former advocate, abandoned his legal career to fulfil his late brother Shri Bapusaheb Bhonde’s dream of establishing an exemplary school. Through his wise leadership, the school has evolved into a renowned educational institution known for its high standards. Notably, the school’s infrastructure embraces eco-friendly features such as water harvesting and solar panels. Since 2004, Mr. Bhonde has served as the Chairman of Vidya Niketan Trust, overseeing Adv. Bapusaheb Bhonde High School, an English medium school located in Lonavala, Maharashtra. Additionally, he has previously held the position of Councilor in the Lonavala Municipal Council. Driven by his commitment to providing quality education and contributing to the nation’s development, Mr. Bhonde facilitated a unique collaboration between Vidya Niketan Trust and the Kalpana Chawla Science Centre, Karad Trust. This partnership led to the implementation of the Kalpana Chawla Space Academy project, furthering his dedication to educational excellence and national progress.
Mr. Narayan Bhargava
Trustee and Governing Body Member
A qualified Chartered Accountant and Cost Accountant, defied convention by venturing into entrepreneurship early in his career. As the Founder and CMD of Narayan Bhargava Group (NBG), he established the company with a strong commitment to ethical values. His vision was to identify societal challenges and develop innovative solutions. Over time, NBG has grown into a highly respected and profitable business solution provider, earning the admiration of both customers and employees. In addition to his corporate endeavours, Mr. Bhargava serves as a trustee on the board of Vidya Niketan Trust, actively contributing to the KCSA project and demonstrating his commitment to corporate social responsibility through initiatives undertaken by the Narayan Bhargava Group.
Dr. Pandit B. Vidyasagar
Trustee and Governing Body Member
The Former Vice-Chancellor, SRTM University, Nanded. A former Professor and Head, of the Physics Department, at Savitribai Phule Pune University, he has forty years of expertise in academic management, teaching, and research. Prof. Vidyasagar’s research contributions in the fields of space physiology and photosynthesis have been acknowledged at both the national and international levels. He has held numerous key positions and served as chair of committees established by the UGC, the State Government, and the University. In addition to supervising 18 Ph.D. and 19 M.Phil students, he has mentored 100 research publications, 20 books, more than 500 articles and lectures, 25 radio speeches, and 25 science-related films to his credit. He is also a multiple-award winner and is on the board of trustees for Vidya Niketan.
Mr. Keki Mistry
Trustee
In 1981, Mr. Mistry joined HDFC Ltd. India's premier housing finance company. Over the years he held several responsibilities, prior to being inducted onto its Board as Executive Director in 1993. He was appointed as the Managing Director in 2000, as the Vice Chairman & Managing Director in October 2007 and the Vice-Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation with effect from January 1, 2010. Mistry is responsible for the overall functioning of the Corporation. Mr. Mistry is also non-executive Chairman of HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company Limited. A Chartered Accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). Mr. Keki Mistry brings with him over four decades of varied work experience in the Banking & Financial Services domain. As a part of the management team, Mr. Mistry has played a critical role in the successful transformation of HDFC into India's leading Financial Services Conglomerate by facilitating the formation of companies including HDFC Bank Ltd., HDFC Asset Management Company Ltd., HDFC Life Insurance Company Ltd. (earlier known as HDFC Standard Life Insurance Company Ltd) and HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company Ltd.
Mr. P. S. Jayakumar
Trustee
He is a Chartered Accountant by qualification and additionally holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management from XLRI Jamshedpur. He also has the distinction of being a Chevening Gurukool Scholar through the London School of Economics and Political Science.Prior to his appointment as MD & CEO of Bank of Baroda in October 2015, he was the Co-founder and CEO of VBHC Value Budget Housing (VBHC), a leader in housing for low and moderate income household from 2009 to 2015. He was also the Co-founder and Non-Executive Promoter Director for Home First Finance Company (HFFC), a housing finance institution regulated by the NHB, focused on financing customers who are not able to access mortgage loans from the banking sector. He is a career banker having spent over 23 years in Citibank in India and Singapore starting in 1986. He has contributed to several innovations in retail banking in India. In addition, he was associated with the first asset securitisation in India in 1991 and the first multi-lingual biometric ATM for the financially excluded in 2006. Mr. Jayakumar has held diverse assignments while at Citibank such as Treasurer - Consumer Bank, Business Development Head covering deposit and lending business, Managing Director for Citifinancial Ltd, Managing Director and Head of Citibank Consumer Loan for Asia Pacific Countries (covering Indonesia, Philippines, Australia, Hong Kong and Korea), Country Head - Citibank Consumer Business and Head of Balance Sheet Management - Asia Pacific. Shri P. S. Jayakumar has also served as a Board Member in many of Citibank’s subsidiaries in India.
Mr. Rajendra Chaturvedi
Trustee
Rajendra Chaturvedi, director with Shreepati Infra Realty Limited, is registered with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA). He is an Indian staying in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Rajendra Chaturvedi is currently associated with 9 Companies and is director with Shreepati Developers Private Limited, Shreepati Infra Realty Limited, Shreepati Logistic India Limited, Shreepati Real Ventures Private Limited, Patsan Consultant Pvt Ltd. Rajendra Chaturvedi was previously associated with 4 companies, Shreepati Developer & Builder Limited, Sea Scan Marine Services Private Limited, Shreepati Build Infra Investment Limited, Sea Scan Maritime Foundation. Shri. Rajendra Chaturvedi is a man who speaks not with his words, but his actions. Rooted in humility and driven a strong self-belief, he has built a legacy that will inspire the construction industry. From his daring vision to build the tallest ever building in India, to his idea of transforming South Mumbai by adopting Vertical Living as an idea, every single of his achievements have won accolades from all quarters. His exemplary pursuits to build the unthinkable has paved the way for architectural excellence in real estate.
Ms. Meenakshi Seshadri
Trustee
Meenakshi Seshadri Mysore is an eminent Hindi movie actress, classical Indian dance exponent in four styles of Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Odissi and Kathak;Vocalist in classical Hindustani & Carnatic music and a public speaker. Her noteworthy movies include Hero, Shehenshah, Ghayal, Ghatak, Ghar Ho to aisa, and Damini. Meenakshi sang some poetic notes in J.P. Dutta's movie Kshatriya, in a composition by Laxmikant Pyarelal. Meenakshi Seshadri is an Indian actress, model, dancer and beauty pageant titleholder. She worked primarily in Hindi films, with few films in Telugu and Tamil. She made her debut with the film Painter Babu produced by Manoj Kumar, and her second film Hero catapulted her to instant stardom.
Mr. Rajendra Ramdas Chhapwale
Trustee
He is currently the director of right treasure finance and leasing (india) private limited, monarch resorts private limited, real consultants pvt. ltd., monarch builders p ltd, peakheight builders and developers private limited, monarch realty & developers private limited, accord builders private limited, S.N.Desai hospitalities and developers private limited . He is an Indian staying in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Rajendra Chhapwale is currently associated with 11 Companies and is director with Accord Builders Private Limited, Real Consultants Pvt Ltd, Monarch Realty & Developers Private Limited, SNDesai Hospitalities And Developers Private Limited, Trilogy Homes Private Limited, Peakheight Builders And Developers Private Limited, Monarch Resorts Private Limited, Right Treasure Finance And Leasing (India) Private Limited, Monarch Builders P Ltd, Rajendra Chhapwale Foundation.
Mrs. Radhika Madhav Bhonde
Trustee and Governing Body Member
She holds a degree in electrical engineering and is currently serving Vidya Niketan Education Trust since 2010 as a Trustee and Secretary and a Sanskrit instructor. The school has attained greater heights of excellence under her leadership. Being a multifaceted personality, she is a Geeta Pariwar trainer for all levels, president of the Vasant Vyakhyanmala Samiti in Lonavala, and vice president of the Ram Mandir Trust in Lonavala. She is a gifted speaker with a strong command of Marathi and Sanskrit languages.
Prof. Jagdish K. Math
Trustee and Governing Body Member
Prof Jagdish K M, with a distinguished contribution for over 40 years, as ISRO Scientist, Technology & Business Leader, Professor of Practice, Thought Leader, Social Entrepreneur, Holistic Coach & Mentor for MSME. He Specialised in Remote Sensing at IIT Bombay before joining ISRO in 1984 as a Scientist, at the National Natural Resources Management System. A key member in establishing Digital Image Processing Systems at Regional Remote Sensing Centres. Key role in the design and development of innovative Remote Sensing applications for Forestry, Water, Agriculture, Watersheds, and Utilities. He established and built ESRI India Global Geomatics Practice, where he designed and delivered Innovative Geomatics Solutions for Forest Management, Cadastral mapping, Crop mapping, Utilities, and egovernance. Chief Architect for Enterprise GIS for Reliance Group. RS/GIS Applications helped in saving Costs, and time resulting in offering affordable Telecom, Infra, and Retail Services for the Masses, bringing the Telecom and Retail revolution, and boosting the rapid development of India. A social Entrepreneur at heart-initiated startups in Education, Research, Health, and Fintech. He continues to pursue research in Space & Spirituality.
Dr. Vyankatesh Gambhir
Trustee and Governing Body Member
He is a retired Associate Professor with 34 years of experience at the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, has a distinguished career. During his tenure, he spearheaded numerous collaborative initiatives in partnership with the Government of Maharashtra, Pratham, and UNICEF. He is also an accomplished author, with his works published by prestigious institutions like HBCSE, Oxford University Press, and CSIR. Prof. Gambhir is the visionary behind the ‘Yes, You Can Do It’ program, which he presented at events such as the Indian Science Congress and Children’s Science Congress. Moreover, he played a crucial role as the Team Leader for Indian teams participating in the International Junior Science Olympiads. Additionally, he appeared on radio shows for 15 years and created over 100 educational television programs, where he addressed various scientific inquiries. Prof. Gambhir’s contributions have earned him recognition, including awards from the Marathi Vidnyan Parishad, the Homi Bhabha Award, and the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Rashtra Chetna Award
Dr. Sanjay Bapurao Pujari
Trustee and Governing Body Member
Dr. Pujari established the trust Dr. Kalpana Chawla Science Centre, Karad for the dissemination of science and space education after being inspired by Drs. APJ Abdul Kalaam and Kalpana Chawla. With 33 years of teaching expertise, he has primarily used creative methods of delivery, such as puppetry, acting, and science-based magic shows. He has been working tirelessly for the past 17 years to make science more accessible to young people in India. He has earned a lot of accolades for these efforts. He is a recipient of the Department of Science and Technology’s National Award for Popularisation of Science in India. He has won numerous honours, including the famous M. V. Chiplunkar award from the Physics Department, the Savitribai Phule Pune University, and the Sanman Puraskar from the Marathi Vigyan Parishad in Mumbai.
Mr. Rajeev Sahi
Governing Body Member
Mr. Rajeev Bhaskar Sahi did his PGP from Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad in 1981 and Marketing Management Program from Columbia Business School in 1994. He has held leadership positions in companies in petroleum, media, hospitality and education, including as President of Retail Petroleum Business at Reliance Industries and General Manager Retail (NR) and Planning at Bharat Petroleum. His international experience includes his role as the CEO of International Business for Essel Group, based in Arlington Texas. His social activities include working for education and healthcare initiatives of Ramakrishna Mission. Rajeev Sahi is currently an Independent Director at Mahanagar Gas Limited. With a robust skill set that includes Business Transformation, Contract Negotiation, Positioning, Marketing Research, Executive Management and more.
Mr. Sudheer Kumar N
Governing Body Member
Mr Sudheer Kumar N is a Graduate in Mechanical Engineering and Postgraduate in Industrial
Engineering. He has served Tata Steel for 6 years. He has implemented various quality
systems and was associated with McKinsey and Booz Allen & Hamilton in implementing various
projects. He joined ISRO in 2000 and assumed key roles in/as:
• Core team member for realizing Asia’s largest solid rocket propellant plant at SDSC SHAR,
Sriharikota, state-of-the-art mission control centres, assembly & integration facilities for
the GSLV Mk III project, radars, and critical equipment for the launch complex.
• In charge of the second vehicle assembly building project, the largest rocket integration
facility of ISRO.
• Interfacing with the space industry for the last 22 years.
• Deputed for the Space Studies Programme at the International Space University, Austria,
during 2011.
He has served as Director at ISRO HQ and Public Relations Officer. He has handled capacity
building in the areas of research and academia interface, industry interface,
indigenization, startup, technology transfer, IPR, technical infrastructure, human resource
development, and outreach activities of ISRO.
