Governing Board

Shri Keshav Kumar IPS (Retd.),

President's Police Medal Awardee,
Former Director General of Police &
Former Director, Anti-Corruption Bureau,
Government of Gujarat

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Dr Keshav Kumar is a distinguished former Indian Police Service officer of the 1986 batch (Gujarat cadre) with over three decades of experience in policing, forensic science and criminal justice administration. He retired as Director General of Police and Director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, where he played a pivotal role in strengthening investigative systems and promoting evidence-based policing practices.

Widely recognised for his expertise in scientific investigation and forensic applications, Dr Kumar has led several complex and high-profile investigations during his illustrious career. His contributions to law enforcement have been honoured with the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM) and the Police Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM).

Dr Kumar holds a PhD in Forensic Psychology from National Forensic Sciences University and currently serves as Forensic Advisor to the Government of Assam, continuing to contribute towards advancements in forensic sciences and criminal justice systems in India.

Shri Premraj Keshyep

Founder and Managing Director,
Conmat Heavy Industries Pvt. Ltd

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Dr Premraj Keshyep is a first-generation entrepreneur, Mechanical Engineer and the Founder and Managing Director of Conmat Heavy Industries. Since establishing the company in 2002, he has led its transformation into a globally respected manufacturer of advanced concrete equipment, driven by a strong focus on innovation, engineering excellence and large-scale in-house research and development.

Under his leadership, Conmat Heavy Industries has emerged as a significant contributor to India’s infrastructure and manufacturing ecosystem. His strategic acquisition of the stake held by KYB Corporation in 2025 marked an important milestone in strengthening indigenous manufacturing capabilities and reinforcing the vision of self-reliant industrial growth.

In recognition of his contributions to industry and entrepreneurship, Dr Keshyep was conferred an Honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) by ITM Vocational University. He currently serves as Chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry Gujarat State Council and is widely recognised for his commitment to technology leadership, industrial development and responsible enterprise.

Dr Subroto Das

Padma Shri Awardee Chair, South and
Central Asian Chapter,
AAEMS Chair, Sub-Committee on Emergency Care – Road Safety, CII

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Dr Subroto Das is a nationally recognised leader in trauma care, emergency medical services and road safety in India. A recipient of the Padma Shri, he co-founded Lifeline Foundation along with his wife, Sushmita Das, following a life-threatening highway accident in 1999. Their shared mission was to address the critical gaps in emergency response systems and reduce preventable road fatalities across the country.

Widely regarded as one of India’s foremost EMS experts, Dr Das has made significant contributions to the fields of road safety, trauma systems, emergency medical services, public health, industrial medicine and occupational emergency care. He was described by The Times of India as “the country’s best-known EMS expert” and remains the only Indian recipient of the Asian EMS Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Asian EMS Council in 2015.

Over the years, Dr Das has contributed to several national initiatives supported by NITI Aayog, the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister and committees of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. He is currently pioneering emergency care systems across industries, mines and ports in India while advancing Industrial Emergency Medicine as a specialised discipline at the intersection of Occupational Health and Emergency Medicine across Asia. His pioneering work has also been featured by the Films Division of India and on the television programme Kaun Banega Crorepati.

Ms Sushmita Das

Director, Baroda Life Management Pvt. Ltd. & Director, Medicare Consultancies

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Sushmita Das is the Co-Founder, Trustee and Chief Financial Officer of Lifeline Foundation and has played a pivotal role in advancing emergency medical services, trauma care and road safety initiatives across South Asia. Since the inception of the Foundation, she has been actively involved in strengthening pre-hospital care systems and supporting collaborative initiatives aimed at improving emergency response and trauma outcomes.

Ms Das previously served as Executive Editor of the Asian EMS Journal and EMSINDIA®, India’s first peer-reviewed journal dedicated to Emergency Medical Services. Through her work, she has contributed significantly to knowledge sharing, professional development and advocacy in the field of Emergency Medicine and pre-hospital care.

Over the years, she has worked closely with road safety and EMS stakeholders across India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh on several national and international initiatives related to trauma care and emergency response systems. In recognition of her courage and contribution to society, Ms Das was honoured with the Red & White Bravery Gold Award in 2003.

Dr C R Das

Director, Viking Ceramics &
Consultant Glass Technologist

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Dr Chitta Ranjan Das is a globally recognised Glass and Ceramic Technology Professional with decades of experience in industry, being one of the very early Indians to receive a doctoral degree from UK, when the subject itself was in its infancy in India.

A pioneer in his field, Dr Das spent 35 years of his professional life with the Alembic Group, changing the kaleidoscope of glass and ceramics in India.

He has worked with various leading research institutes and government organisations and authored numerous international publications. During his working years, he was a much sought-after visiting faculty and examiner across the globe including the IITs in India.

Ms Maya Das

Housewife


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Mrs Maya Das, a Founding Trustee of Lifeline Foundation is an octogenarian homemaker. Passionate about education and women empowerment throughout her life, she has been a philanthropist, helping many under-privileged children to graduate out over the years, helping them both financially and guiding them through academics.

In the formative years of the Foundation, she had been actively involved in the planning process.

Dr Minoo Patel

Surgeon and Director, Shubhechha Multispeciality Hospital and Advisor and Surgeon, ITM University Medical Hospital

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Dr Minoo Rustom Patel is a senior surgeon, academician and medical educator with over four decades of experience in clinical practice, surgical education and healthcare administration. He completed his MBBS in 1978 and Master of Surgery in 1983, following which he began his academic career as Assistant Professor in Surgery at Government Medical College Vadodara in 1984 and later served as Professor and Head of the Department of Surgery from 1998 onwards.

Dr Patel also served as Dean of GMERS Medical College Vadodara from 2014 to 2018 and has contributed extensively to undergraduate and postgraduate surgical education as an examiner at various universities across India. His international academic engagements include serving as a Visiting Fellow at the John Radcliffe Hospital in 1994 and as Visiting Professor at Shouldice Hospital in 2003.

An active participant in national and international scientific forums, Dr Patel has presented several research papers and has been recognised for his contribution to medical education and society. He received the ‘Best Teacher’ Award from the Indian Medical Association in 2015 and the ‘Best Barodian’ Award in 2017. He also served as a Member of the Senate of The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda from 2000 to 2003 and was appointed as COVID-19 Advisor to Vadodara City by the Government of Gujarat in 2020.

Dr Patel currently serves as Surgeon and Director at Shubhechha Multispeciality Hospital and as Advisor and Surgeon at ITM University Medical Hospital.

Shri Nilanjan Bhattacharyya

Vice President, Brand Solutions, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd

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A seasoned Media and Communications professional, Nilanjan Bhattacharyya has been associated with some of the biggest names in Media and Advertising for the last two decades. He has been associated with numerous award-winning campaigns in India and abroad and possesses an enviable body of work for Indian and multinational brands. An avid reader, Nilanjan’s other areas of interest include food, music, theatre and performing arts. He is currently working with Zee Entertainment as Vice President – Brand Solutions and is based out of Mumbai. Nilanjan has been associated with the Lifeline Foundation since its inception.

Shri S K Shah

Consultant, Crescent Chemicals Ltd., Vadodara

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Shri S K Shah, as a champion of non-profit work, drives keen interest in the education and health sectors. Besides being on the Board of Lifeline Foundation for a decade and more, he is actively associated with Shree Jalaram Jan Seva Trust, Dharmaj, Gujarat. He is one of the trustees at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel High School, Village Gambhira, Anand. A graduate in Metallurgy from the Faculty of Technology & Engineering, Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda in 1971, Satishbhai, as he is dearly known, spent 26 years working with IPCL (now part of RIL) in Baroda.

Shri M M Shah

Former Joint Director, Industrial Safety & Health

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Shri M M Shah is one of the top industrial health and safety experts in the country with over 34 years of experience as a regulator. An MSU alumnus from where he did post-graduated in Industrial Metallurgy (ME) and followed it up with a Bachelors in Law from Gujarat University.

He retired as Joint Director, Industrial Safety and Health, Government of Gujarat in 2007, having joined the DISH in 1973.

He has to his credit the first ever study in India on Chrome Ulceration and its prevention; his work on silicosis accepted by Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. Post Bhopal Gas Tragedy, Mr Shah worked extensively on creating audit and training processes for chemical hazards.

Strongly and passionately involved in social causes, he has led the Dakshaben Chandreshbhai Shah Medical Aid Trust for 12 years, providing medicines to thousands of elderly under-privileged suffering from chronic illnesses.

He has also put in years of work towards the upliftment of Pavagadh Digambar Jain Temples.

Dr Mrugank Merchant

Chairman and Managing Director, Consulting Orthopaedic Surgeon, Shubhechha Multispecialty Hospital

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Dr Mrugank Merchant is Chairman and Managing Director as well as Consulting Orthopaedic Surgeon at Shubhechha Multispecialty Hospital. A first-class graduate from The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, he completed his MS in Orthopaedics in 1984 and has over four decades of experience in the field of orthopaedic and trauma care.

Dr Merchant has extensive expertise in trauma surgery, paediatric orthopaedics, reconstructive surgery, joint replacement and spine surgery, including scoliosis correction. Over the years, he has contributed significantly to advancing orthopaedic care through his clinical practice, academic involvement and participation in national and international medical forums.

He is a member of AO Spine and AO Trauma and a life member of the Indian Society of Bone and Mineral Research. Dr Merchant also serves as a Board Member of Lifeline Foundation and has contributed to the field through international clinical exposure.

Dr Bharat Gadhavi

Regional Director – Gujarat & Rajasthan, HCG Hospitals

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Dr Bharat Gadhavi, Regional Director – Gujarat & Rajasthan at HCG, is a healthcare leader with over 25 years of experience in hospital administration and healthcare management. A qualified General Surgeon, he has played a key role in developing and operationalising multiple greenfield hospital projects and strengthening quality and management systems within the organization.

He has contributed extensively to the healthcare sector through his association with the Confederation of Indian Industry Healthcare Subcommittee, the Government of Gujarat Task Force on Biomedical Waste Management and as former President of the Hospital Infection Society of Gujarat. He is also Founder and President of the Ahmedabad Hospital and Nursing Homes Association.

Dr Gadhavi completed his MBBS and Master’s degree in Surgery from the The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda.

Dr Ketan Patel

Consultant and Head,
Emergency Medicine Zydus Hospitals

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Dr Ketan Patel is a leading Emergency Medicine specialist with extensive experience in acute and critical care. He currently serves as Consultant and Head of Emergency Medicine at Zydus Hospitals and previously spent eight years with Apollo Hospitals, contributing significantly to the advancement of Emergency Medicine practice in the region.

An expert in blood transfusion protocols, crystalloids and colloids, Dr Patel has played an important role in strengthening evidence-based emergency and trauma care. He earned his postgraduate qualification in Emergency Medicine from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine and is also a European Board-certified Emergency Physician as well as a Fellow of the Academy College of Emergency Medicine in India.

A passionate academician and mentor, Dr Patel is actively involved in teaching and training healthcare professionals through various life support courses and serves as an MRCEM examiner. He is also recognised as the first Emergency Physician to register for additional Emergency Medicine qualifications with the Medical Council of India, reflecting his pioneering contribution to the specialty in the country.

Ms Gauri Wagenaar

Art Historian, Consultant, Visiting Faculty

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Ms Gauri Wagenaar brings over three decades of experience in creative thinking, cross-cultural engagement and institutional development across the Netherlands and India. Trained in the History of Art with an M.A. from Leiden University, she has successfully combined academic teaching with practical advocacy to bridge cultural and organizational differences across sectors. Over the course of her diverse and adventurous career, Gauri has worked across fields including dictionary production, paper restoration, informatics design and exhibition support. She also established and led the Dutch Government Trade Office in Ahmedabad for over 15 years, where her role extended beyond trade to supporting multiple functions of the Dutch Embassy. Through this work, she developed extensive networks across industries and contributed actively to several educational and non-profit organizations in advisory and leadership capacities. A passionate activist and pragmatic thinker, Gauri strongly believes in “learning by doing” and in using creativity to overcome institutional and bureaucratic challenges. Her journey in road safety began in 2000 and later evolved into supporting the development of Emergency Rescue Services following the 2001 Gujarat earthquake through initiatives backed by Cordaid. This work connected her with emergency response professionals and organizations across India, ultimately leading to her association with Lifeline Foundation

Shri Sujoy Choudhury

Chief Strategy Officer,
TCG Group

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Shri Sujoy Choudhury is an accomplished energy sector professional with over 36 years of experience across projects, retail sales, petrochemicals, business development and sustainable energy initiatives. A Mechanical Engineer with an MBA, he has held several leadership positions in the energy industry and has contributed extensively to strategic growth and business transformation initiatives.

Before superannuating from Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IndianOil) in August 2024, he served as Director (Planning & Business Development) on the Board of IndianOil, where he led key verticals including Petrochemicals, Gas, Alternate Energy & Sustainable Development, Exploration & Production and New Businesses. During his tenure, he played a significant role in the approval of IndianOil’s second cracker project, formation of a low-carbon business company, securing major gas supply agreements and facilitating several strategic international collaborations.

He also served as Chairman of Lanka IOC, IndianOil Total and IOT Biogas and was a Director in IndianOil’s joint venture in Canada focused on gas exploration and marketing. Additionally, he briefly held interim charge of IndianOil’s R&D and HR functions

He is currently associated with The Chatterjee Group (TCG Group) as Chief Strategy Officer, where he is leading strategic initiatives across petrochemicals, AI-driven technologies and emerging business opportunities.

Shri Vikram Singhal

President,
Gulbrandsen Technologies, Inc

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Shri Vikram Singhal is a seasoned industry leader with over three decades of experience across specialty chemicals, Pharma API, water treatment, food processing, industrial infrastructure and operations management. A Chemical Engineering graduate from Pune University, he has further pursued executive education programs from globally renowned institutions including Wharton, Kellogg, Harvard, Cornell, IIMA and IIM Bangalore.

He currently serves as the President of Gulbrandsen Technologies, Inc., a US-based specialty chemicals and Pharma API manufacturing company. Over the course of his career, he has held leadership positions with several multinational organizations including Bovis Lend Lease, De Smet and Keramchemie.

Vikram has extensive expertise in strategy formulation, business incubation, project execution, acquisitions, operations and market development. He is actively associated with industry and social organizations, serving on the Executive Committee of the Indian Chemical Council and as Vice Chairman of ICC Gujarat. He is also a Trustee and former President of Heritage Trust Vadodara, an NGO dedicated to heritage conservation.

Apart from his professional engagements, he is passionate about reading, golf and adventurous road travel across the world.

Shri Aloke Kumar Chattoraj

Chairman Emeritus,
Quality Circle Forum of India,
Vadodara Chapter

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Shri Aloke Chattoraj is Chairman Emeritus of the Quality Circle Forum of India, Vadodara Chapter, Director of the Shyama Prasad Mukharjee Foundation and CEO of “The Third Eye,” a consultancy firm engaged in conducting Management Development Programs across India and internationally. He retired from Reliance Industries as Vice President (HR), bringing with him extensive leadership experience in human resource management and organizational development.

He also serves as visiting faculty at several colleges and institutes, including the Faculty of Management Studies, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. As an accredited assessor, he is associated with CCMC for conducting organizational assessments across diverse sectors. Shri Chattoraj has been a jury member at numerous National Level Conventions organized by the Quality Circle Forum of India and represented India as a jury member at the International Convention on Quality Control Circles 2019 in Tokyo.