MANAGEMENT TEAM
MANAGEMENT TEAM
Vernajyoti is incubating entrepreneurs, mainly in rural areas, in better management practices and forward market linkages and developing economies of scale through collaborative business models.
Rahul Akhury
ChairmanRAHUL 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 And DirectorSandip 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.
Sabnam Jana
Executive DirectorShe 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.
Saikat Sengupta
Executive Director Of OperationHe 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.
Tiarenla Rutsa
Director ( Nagaland Chapter)She is a Civic -minded and highly creative professional with three decades of experience in the tourism sector. directing successful policies, programs,and operations. Collaborative, partnership-driven administrator with polished communication and administrative skills. She played a pivotal role in enhancing tourism infrastructure and promoting sustainable tourism practices as an Additional Director of Tourism, Govt of Nagaland. She has been awarded "Award for Excellence" by Travel & Tourism Fair (TTF) in July, 2019 for her outstanding contributions and excellence in tourism development & "In Vogue Destination Award" by IITM in Feb, 2020 for her innovative and effective promotion of tourism destinations. Post her retirement Ms.Tiaenla has joined Vernajyoti Educare as an Executive Director ( A Section-8 Company) committed to support rural economy by developing integrated rural tourism & sustainable tourism in Nagaland & other North Eastern States. Her forte is in Research & Analysis, Community Engagement, Event Management and Training & Development. She is the Alumni of IHM ( Kolkata) , North Eastern Hill University (India) and Stafford University, USA .
Dr. Chandrani Sarkar
Technology PartnerShe received her PhD in Applied Chemistry from Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad. She obtained post-PhD research experience on the development of various materials relates to renewable, sustainable and green technology at Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi. She has pre-PhD research experience at Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Metallurgical Laboratory, Jamshedpur. Dr. Chandrani has authored numerous highly reputed peer-reviewed publications and patent. She has edited one book also. Her research knowledge helps in shaping Eledrogen’s technology, and she is still active with research while leading the company. At Eledrogen Pvt. Ltd. Dr. Chandrani serves as co-founder and Head of the Technology, where she manages the technical team, product design and development, and facilitates technical support for commercial relationships.
Sharmistha De Thakur
Technology ConsultingShe 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.
Sanjib Ghosh
Chief of MarketingA dynamic and results-driven professional with over 25 years of comprehensive experience in real estate marketing, sales negotiation, event management,field data management, and mentor engagement. Known for a strategic approach to market positioning, building strong client relationships, and driving growth through innovative campaigns and effective negotiation strategies. Proven track record in delivering successful real estate projects, leading cross-functional teams, and orchestrating impactful events. Adept at mentoring young talent and aligning business goals with market trends to deliver measurable success.
Dr.Satrajit Goswami
Executive Director - AcademicHe 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.
Debashis Ghosh
Academic Business DeveloperHe 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 DeveloperHe 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 TechnologistSukharanjan 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 CoordinatorNandini 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
DesignerShe 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.
