Governing Board
Varsha Mehta, Chairperson
Mehta works towards making a positive difference in the lives of those less privileged, through dialogue, innovative solutions, advisory inputs, and institutional transformation, where possible. For about 30 years, she has been working on social and institutional issues around natural resource management (NRM); from participatory forest and water management to pastoralism and climate-smart agriculture, with a focus on enabling social and gender equity. She has capacitated teams and organizations to undertake community-centric planning and implementation of projects in agriculture, smallholder livestock production, forests and water resource management. Currently, she is working as an independent consultant and is based out of Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Dr. Samir Baruah, Member
Dr. Samir Baruah is a banking professional with over 40 years of experience across India, specializing in banking operations and leadership. He authored a model for a village network economy, highlighting the bank’s role in funding and facilitating development through CSR partnerships. Internationally exposed and academically inclined, he is a Key Mentor accredited by City & Guilds, London, and is associated with BYST, a Tata- and CII-backed initiative supporting young entrepreneurs. Currently, he is the Director at Assam Power Generation Corporation Ltd., a PhD scholar in Banking, and Vice President of the Rotary Club of Guwahati. He’s also an organizer with the Art of Living Foundation, a motivational speaker, and an advisor to startups.
Apoorva Oza, Member
Apoorva is a member of Global Program Team of Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) and also in the board of AKRSPI (Aga Khan Rural Support program of India), ACT (Arid Communities and Technology), ASA (Association for Social Advancement), INAFI, and Parvah. He is also chairperson of Coastal Salinity Prevention Cell and Sajjata Singh. He is the founder of Working Group for Women and Land Ownership. He graduated in BE Mechanical Engineering from Gujarat University and post graduation in Rural Management from Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA). After post-graduation, he worked with Gujarat Dairy Development board for more than 2 years and than joined AKRSPI, where he worked for more than 35 years in various capacities in which he served for 20 years as the Chief Executive.
Sangeeta Barooah Pisharotty, Member
Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty, a Delhi-based journalist and writer, specializes in North-east India. Born in Golaghat, Assam, she graduated from Gauhati University in 1995 and began her journalism career with United News of India in 1996, becoming the first woman from the North-east to work in the agency’s Delhi office. Her focus on the North-east deepened with an Inclusive Media Fellowship in 2011, allowing her to report on livelihood losses from Majuli island’s erosion. Joining The Wire provided a platform for digital news about the North-east, where she now serves as National Affairs Editor. She won the Ramnath Goenka Award in 2017 and the Parag Das Journalism Award in 2023. Her books include Assam: The Accord, The Discord (2019) and The Assamese: A Portrait of a Community (2023).
Pallab Bhattacharyya, Member
Pallab Bhattacharyya, a distinguished Indian Police Service officer of the 1986 batch, is widely respected for his decades-long service marked by integrity, leadership, and public accountability. Having served as Superintendent of Police in several districts of Assam and later retiring as Director General of Police, Home Guards and Civil Defence, as well as Head of Intelligence, he has played a pivotal role in strengthening the state’s security and administrative systems. His contributions extend beyond policing into institutional reform and public service, including his tenure as Chairman of the Assam Public Service Commission and his membership in key high-level committees constituted by the Government of India and the Government of Assam. Currently serving as CEO of Awaz India Forum, Pallab Bhattacharyya continues to engage actively with issues of social cohesion, dialogue, and informed public discourse through a multilingual digital platform. His career reflects a deep commitment to constitutional values, transparent governance, and service to society, making him a respected voice in public life.
Hemanta Narzary, Member
Hemanta Narzary, a former Indian Administrative Service officer of the Assam- Meghalaya cadre, is a seasoned administrator known for his depth of experience, people-centric governance, and institutional leadership. Over a distinguished career spanning nearly three decades, he served across grassroots and senior policy-making roles, including as Deputy Commissioner, Divisional Commissioner, and Commissioner Secretary in some of Assam’s most critical departments. He successfully led major World Bank and Asian Development Bank–supported programmes in education, agriculture, and water resources, contributing significantly to systemic improvements in public service delivery. As Chief Electoral Officer of Assam, he conducted State Assembly and Parliamentary elections with notable efficiency and integrity, earning commendation from the Election Commission of India and other national institutions. His stewardship across diverse portfolios- from agriculture and education to social welfare, home, and water resources- reflects a rare balance of administrative acumen and empathetic leadership. His career stands as a testament to inclusive governance, institutional credibility, and a lifelong commitment to public service.
Patricia Mukhim, Member
Patricia Mukhim, a journalist, writer, social activist, and editor of The Shillong Times is an inspiration rooted in truth and compassion. Renowned for her dedication to Meghalaya, its people, and their well-being, she has made her mark as a fearless advocate for human rights and environmental protection. Through her incisive journalism and activism, she has confronted pressing issues like discrimination and deforestation, using her platform to amplify marginalized voices. Her unwavering commitment to justice has earned her numerous accolades, including the prestigious Padma Shri, reflecting her profound impact on society. Patricia’s multifaceted contributions as a writer and activist have not only enriched the journalistic landscape but also galvanized communities to stand up for their rights and safeguard their environment. Her life and work embody the spirit of resilience, making her a powerful force for positive change and a source of inspiration for generations to come.
Pradyut Bhattacharjee, Executive Director, SeSTA
Pradyut Bhattacharjee, an engineer-turned-development professional, has over 20 years of experience leading teams and projects in rural development. As Executive Director of SeSTA, he promoted women’s collectives, mentored young professionals, and worked on organization development. During his tenure with PRADAN in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, he specialized in social mobilization, institution building, and sustainable livelihoods. An empanelled National Resource Person for NRLM, Pradyut supports State Rural Livelihood Missions across the North-East. He has also served as CEO of a large women’s cooperative in Jharkhand, focusing on input-output linkages. Collaborating with organizations like APPI, TATA Trusts, UNDP, and NRLM, he has implemented projects across Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and the North-East.
Romeo Koch, Staff Nominee
Romeo Koch is a botany graduate from Guwahati University and holds a master’s degree in ecology and environmental science from Assam University. He began his journey at SeSTA as an executive trainee in 2014 and now serves as the Program Director of Operations. With extensive experience in managing projects that support rural livelihoods, Romeo has led impactful initiatives like ITC – MSK Project, Moi Progoti, Livelihood by CRISIL Foundation, SDTT – DBI, and MKSP. His visionary leadership and expertise in developmental studies have made him a driving force in empowering rural communities and promoting sustainable development.