Vernajyoti Educare

Rahul Akhury

Chairman

RAHUL AKHAURY, CHAIRMAN, has an Engineering Degree from IIT-BHU as well as an MBA from IIM Bangalore .He has over 29 years of extensive educational and managerial experience. He founded Ed2Net Learning, Inc. in 2007, which caters to supplemental education services and intervention programmes to students in K-12 schools in the USA. Ed2Net is Dallas, Texas, headquartered. He is the Co-founder of "Vidya & Child", an NGO working for education of underprivileged children. Started in 1998, this initiative has over 1,800 children in K-12 grades. Vidya & Child has taken over three municipal schools in East Delhi and in U.P.

Sandip Kumar Das

Founder & Director

Sandip Kumar Das, is an entrepreneur and Founder & Director of Vernajyoti Educare (https://vernajyoti.com/). Vernajyoti Educare is a not for profit company and has adopted a holistic cluster development approach in Himalayan region and slum clusters within Eastern Indian region via its various programs which can lead to long term socio- economic changes in the identified clusters through customized interventions. He is a Commerce Graduate from Calcutta University and a Post Graduate Diploma in Tea Management from National Institute of Tea Management., having 20 years of experience in Training & Recruitment in IT, RETAIL, HOSPITALITY & Marketing. He has so far generated employment for more than 2000+ unemployed youth of Purulia, Darjeeling , Kalimpong , Nagaland Jharkhand & Uttar Pradesh through his venture. He founded Vernajyoti in 2012 aiming to endeavor continuous innovation for sustainable livelihood options in the rural and under-developed cluster. In FPO engagement model, Vernajyoti has adopted a holistic cluster development approach and its various programs have made significant impact indifferent areas of the country by producing further value-add by simple processing and up scaling which results in higher income for member farmers.

Dharma Kumar Regmi

Director – Sikkim Chapter

Mr. Dharma Kumar Regmi has been associated with Vernajyoti Educare . since its incorporation and His vision and commitment have been instrumental in guiding the organization toward institutional growth and contributing to the broader development of Sikkim. With over 20 years of experience across education, academic coordination, public works, sustainable agriculture, and community development, he brings an integrated and field-grounded leadership approach.

A graduate of the University of North Bengal, he began his career as a Government School Teacher and later served for over a decade with the Indian Institute of Ecology & Environment (IIEE), New Delhi, coordinating higher education programs in collaboration with Sikkim Manipal University.

He has guided 700+ students toward higher education and career pathways and actively supports youth empowerment, rural education access, and livelihood-linked social initiatives across Sikkim and the Himalayan region.

Sabnam Jana

Hospitality Management Specialist

She has 30+ years of varied experience in the Hotel Industry. She started her career from the renowned 5 star deluxe hotel,Fariyas Holiday Resort, Lonavala after completing her studies in Hotel Management, from the prestigious Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition, Taratala, Kolkata. She has trained in hotels like The Oberoi Grand and Leela Penta and worked in ITC Maurya Sheraton Delhi, The Park, The Windamere and Mayfair Darjeeling and the The Ambuja Neotia Group. She has donned the hat of the Executive Housekeeper to House Manager and Learning & Development Manager in the industry. However, her passion for teaching has driven her repeatedly to some esteemed Hotel Management Institutes where she rose from the position of Faculty to the Director. She gave up her Corporate role to devote more time to education and development of the backward community through Sustainable Tourism.

Dr.Satrajit Goswami

Research Specialist & Mentor

He was awarded Doctorate in Economics in the field of Mineral and Environmental sustainability "From Engineering wings at Indian institute of Engineering science and technology. In last twenty two years of his service he has worked in different Universities University of Burdwan & SRM Universities and Management Colleges as a associate Professor & Principal and also he worked as Research Head & Research Assistant Economist in a project funded by MOEF under heading mine closure policy 2009-11, in IIEST and he was engaged in different research activities from 2011-2017 in IIEST, Shibpur. He Published 40 papers in economics international journal with high impact factors.(including spinger&Manakin) and 2 local journals Besides that he had some publications in Engineering science and wrote one book on Mineral Economics and worked as editor in IGI global. He also reviews the paper in different journals WOS and Scopus and peer review UGC care journals. He attained different workshops and FDP programs and resource person for data analysis. He worked as a supervisor for the development of plan city for Burdwan district under the Kolkata metropolitan authority during 2003-2004 and he is expert in handling Some statistical packages as SPSS, EVIEWS, STATA, GRTL, and R also and also expert in data analysis related business other activities. His interest areas are advanced and Basic Econometrics, Resources Economics, Environmental Sustainability, and Mineral Economics. He also engaged in different project-related work.

Dr. Shatrupa Ray

Research & Knowledge Specialist

Dr. Shatrupa Ray is an Industrial Microbiologist and Scientific Documentation Specialist with over 8 years of international research experience across India, Israel, and the USA. She specializes in plant–microbe biotechnology, biocontrol systems, and translating complex scientific data into policy-relevant reports, GI documentation, and development-oriented knowledge outputs. Dr. Ray has contributed to global research projects, authored peer-reviewed publications, and holds patents in microbial innovations. Her expertise supports research-led interventions, organic value chain development, bridging science, policy, and grassroots implementation. She brings strong capabilities in technical writing, data analysis, and stakeholder-oriented scientific communication.

Shatrupa is also deeply interested in the changing relationship between science, technology, and education. She often speaks with students about how fields such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and interdisciplinary research are shaping the future of learning and global careers. Her goal is to help students understand not only what they can study, but also how they can position themselves for opportunities beyond traditional academic paths.

What she values most about mentorship is the opportunity to see students grow in confidence. She believes that when students are given the right guidance and encouragement, they become more willing to explore new ideas and challenge their own limitations.

Lt Col Prasanta Kumar Ray (Retd.)

Mentor

Lt Col PK Ray has served 25 Years with the Army before he retired. While in service he served with the Regiment of Artillery and was Commanding Officer of a Surveillance and Target Acquisition Battery. He was trained in Israel and has been an IG at the School of Artillery, Devlali for two tenures totalling six years (considered equivalent to being a lecturer at the University of Pune.) He was awarded the COAS Commendation Card for Gallantry and twice received the Army Commander’s Commendation for outstanding performance.

Post-retirement he has made a mark for himself in the fields of Facilities, Administration and Security Management. He has served in various prestigious appointments with KPMG and ITC Hotels, and has been a Senior Consultant with Global Giants like Control Risks and Mitkat. Over the last few years he has carried out more than 50 audits of factories and such major establishments all over India and abroad and continues to be a reputed researcher and innovator.

Saikat Sengupta

Chief Operating Manager

He is a Project Management Professional with 30 years of experience in formulating project need based implementing strategy. He identifies, evaluates, and manages relationships with third parties and vendors to ensure timely and cost-effective Service. Drafts, reviews, and negotiates contracts to secure favorable terms while ensuring legal and regulatory compliance. Identifies potential risks in project execution processes and developing mitigation strategies to avoid delays and cost overruns. Ensures comply with industry standards, government regulations, and project-specific guidelines.

Mr.Bikram Pradhan (Parakhi)

Chief Operating Manager-Darjeeling

Mr. Bikram Pradhan is a progressive agripreneur and community mobilizer dedicated to promoting sustainable livelihood opportunities in the hills of Darjeeling and Kalimpong. With a strong vision of harnessing the potential of agro-based enterprises, he has been the driving force behind the establishment of Coffee Federation and allied agro-industrial activities as a means of rural development for Darjeeling & Kalimpong under the technical and capacity-building guidance of Vernajyoti Educare.

As the Chief Operating Manager, Mr. Pradhan has been instrumental in uniting farmers, youth, and self-help groups under a cooperative framework to ensure inclusive growth, fair market access, and value addition for local produce. With his leadership, Ravanchal REH Industrial Cooperative Society Ltd. aims to become a model cooperative for the region by:

• Enhancing farmers’ income through organized production and collective marketing .
• Introducing modern techniques in mushroom cultivation and agro-processing .
• Leveraging government schemes, CSR support, and technical partnerships for rural entrepreneurship.
• Creating employment opportunities for youth and women through skill development and cooperative enterprise.

Mr. Pradhan’s vision combines traditional knowledge, modern scientific practices, and cooperative strength to transform agriculture into a profitable and dignified livelihood option for the hill communities.

Abhijit Das

Advisor - CSR & Training

Abhijit Das brings over 30 years of cross-functional experience spanning manufacturing, education, skill development, and livelihood generation. He has worked with leading organizations such as Delta Plus, Farida Group, IL&FS, USAID, and Grant Thornton Bharat.

Throughout his career, he has earned widespread appreciation and respect for his impactful work in uplifting people from poverty through sustainable skill development initiatives and effective project management. His expertise lies in designing and implementing programs that create meaningful socio-economic transformation.

Sharmistha De Thakur

Technology Consulting

She is an entrepreneur with a passion for sustainable innovation, strategic growth, and impactful storytelling.Currently pursuing an MBA from the Indian Institute of Technology Patna, she combines strong analytical thinking with creativity to explore new business opportunities. Susmita is also a Harvard University Aspire Leadership Program scholar, recognized for her potential to lead innovative, purpose-driven change As a Content Developer & Strategist at Greenifi Advisory Private Limited, Susmita specialized in sustainability storytelling, ESG reporting, and strategic communications. Her expertise in BRSR reporting and sustainability content helped businesses enhance compliance and strengthen their sustainability narratives. Now, as the co founder of Eledrogen Private Limited, she leads strategic planning, marketing, and operations, driving business growth and brand visibility.

Debashis Ghosh

Academic Business Developer

He has an Engineering Degree in Mechanical Engineering from West Bengal University of Technology as well as an M.Tech in Production Engineering from Indian Institute of Engineering Science & Technology, Shibpur. He has over 11 years of extensive educational experience in reputed University and 5 years of Research experience. He has published several engineering journals and International conference papers. He is the founder of two different companies. In 2012, he established Nature Halt in the tourism domain and in 2022 he developed Tringer, a food production company with some social cause. Last 4 years he has been engaged with the Skill based education system. He is capable of handling Both Central and State government Projects on Skill Education.

Ranabir Guha

Tourism & Hospitality Business Developer

He is a professional tour leader for foreign tourist group in India and Nepal. He is associated with Vernajyoti Educare for some time now as Communications & Public Relations in charge. After completing Hotel and Tourism Management from IIAS institute had work experience in different fields like Airlines, Hospitality and Tourism. Before choosing the path of being a tour leader he had one and half year's experience in Airlines and 5 years in Hospitality Industry. He has been a professional tour leader for 10 years which has given him the best opportunity to travel in India and our neighboring country Nepal. It has helped him to understand our own country and the culture deeply and also helped him to address problems faced by many different communities. Tour leading has also given him the opportunity to meet people from many countries. He has handled international clients from Australia, USA, Canada, UK, Germany, Switzerland, France, Turkey, Ireland, Palestine, South Africa, Egypt and Nigeria.

Sukharanajan Mahata

IT Technologist

Sukharanjan Mahata is a new generation entrepreneur having vast experience in Digital Technologies.n his entire career of 20 years he worked for some of worlds largest companies like Citibank NA, Honda Motors US, National Grid Plc. UK, Tata Steel Europe and Tata Consultancy Services. He has vast experience in building and maintaining large and complex multi tire business applications for global companies comprise of high-end technologies. He has worked as a specialist in defining and measuring quality standards for software development and maintenance. He is having good knowledge on Agriculture value chain, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, NBFC, Micro-Finance and e-commerce.

Nandini Bhattacharya

Training Coordinator

Nandini is a qualified Textile & Fashion designer from Visva Bharati University ,Shantiniketan with a fanatical approach.She has 9 years + of experience creating powerful designs in the fashion industry, providing training to various private Institution & Industrial Sector. Adept in collaborating with designers and other team professional to achieve high goals and deadlines .Dedicated to remaining up to date with the latest fashion trends ,While offering ideas and visuals to spark new trends . Bringing forth a true love of fashion and design. Being a Women Nandini is committed to empowering the Women of the Rural Areas by delivering them, training on Cutting, Stitching , Designing ,Dyeing & Shibori Dying. She has enabled more than 50 Women employable in Nadia District of West Bengal.

Soma Ghosh

Designer

She is a highly creative and detail-oriented Textile Designer with a passion for creating unique and innovative pieces.Having 5 years+ experience in all aspects of textile design, from concept to final product. She loves researching trends in textile design and helping team to learn about modern designs. She is passionate about designing and developing innovative textile collections and maintaining quality standards for textile productions. She possess expertise in illustration of designs and creating the same using various types of hand embroidery and expertise in sewing and basic pattern making, drawing, printing and Jewellery making and recycling of things to create crafts. Also she is contributing her skill with approx. 50 artisans of Birbhum district, guiding them and helping them to learn about modern design, developing stitching skills and showcasing their creation through MAYAASI, founded by her to empower rural women. She was motivated to work as a ground level trainer and also worked as a trainer to empower rural Bengal women in remote villages to develop their skills.

MANAGEMENT TEAM