The Board of Advisors, BoA
John Szemerey, Belgium
The Chairperson - Honorary
John Szemerey is a political journalist. He retired in summer 2005 after working over 30 years in the information services of the European Commission, Brussels. Before that he had been features writer with a Fleet Street agency and he had been Westminster columnist for two newspapers. He is now Chairman of the International Division of the Chartered Institute of Journalists, the oldest and most senior professional organisation of journalists in the world.
John, 69, was born in Hungary but escaped to England with his parents in 1949, when the Communists were tightening their grip on the country. He had most of his education in England, although he also won an exchange scholarship for a year at a top school in the USA. He studied financial and administrative management at the University of Louvain, Belgium.
When Britain joined the European Community in 1973 he immediately applied for a job with the European Commission. As a political columnist he felt he must know at first hand how the EC worked. He was successful and was one of the first Brits to work for the Commission when he started there in January 1974.
“Intending to stay at the Commission for two or three years,” says John, “I found the work so interesting and the international situation – working alongside colleagues from other European countries – so challenging and stimulating, that I stayed for over 30 years.”
Prof Rudolf J. Siebert PhD, USA/Germany
Rudolf J. Siebert was born in Frankfurt a.M., Germany. He studied history, philology, philosophy, sociology, psychoanalysis, and theology at the University of Frankfurt a.M., the University of Mainz, the University of Munster, and the Catholic University of America, Washington D.C. from 1947 - 1955.
Professor Siebert has taught, lectured, and published widely in Western and Eastern Europe, the United States, and Canada. He is a professor of Religion and Society in the Department of Comparative Religion at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA.
He is the director of the Centre for Humanistic Future Studies at Western Michigan University since 1980, the director of the international course on the "Future of Religion" in the Inter-University Centre for Post-Graduate Studies in Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia/Croatia since 1975, and the international course on "Religion and Civil Society" in Yalta, Crimea, and Ukraine since 1999. The Inter-University Centre is sponsored by the University of Simferopol, Simferopol, Ukraine, and Western Michigan University.
Professor Siebert's main works are The Critical Theory of Religion: Frankfurt School, and From Critical Theory to Critical Political Theology: Personal Autonomy and Universal Solidarity. From 1955 to the present, Professor Siebert has developed the critical or dialectical theory of religion out of the critical theory of society, from the endeavours of the Institute for Social Research at the University of Frankfurt, globally known as the "Frankfurt School," and in continual discourse with sociologists, psychologists, anthropologists, economists, philosophers, religiologists, and theologians from the United States, Canada, England, Belgium, Holland, France, Germany, Yugoslavia / Croatia, Israel, and Columbia.
The dialectical theory of religion emphasises the three global alternative futures of society: Future I - the totally administered society; Future II - the entirely militarised society; and Future III - the reconciled society. It stresses the three global alternative futures of religion: Future I - religious fundamentalism; Future II - total secularization; Future III - the open dialectic between the religious and the secular aiming at a post-modern reconciliation between a reformed religion and a transformed secular enlightenment.
Prof Michael Brenner PhD, USA
Michael Brenner is a recognised authority on risk assessment & management, American foreign policy, and geopolitics. He is a "Fellow" of the Energy Institute at the University of Texas at Austin and a Fellow at the Centre for Transatlantic Relations SAIS-Johns Hopkins. He also is Emeritus Professor of International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh. He was the Director of the International Relations & Global Studies Program at the University of Texas until 2012.
He has been an advisor to the United States government, a consultant to global corporations, a prominent participant in the programs of leading Washington think tanks and a prolific commentator on public affairs. His record of publication on a broad span of international issues is complementary to his extensive activities in the policy realm.
He contributes essays regularly to the Huffington Post, the National Journal, and the Pakistani Spectator and also has written for al-Arabiya. Prof Brenner’s consulting includes the United States Department of State and Defence, the Foreign Service Institute, Westinghouse Corporation and Mellon Bank.
Professor Brenner has worked in the energy field for 30 years. He directed a project on International Energy & Natural Resources Issues sponsored by the Exxon Educational Foundation that produced a series of 20 case studies. He contributed studies of the Persian Gulf Reflagging Crisis, Oil as a Coercive Instrument in the 1970s, United States – China Bilateral Nuclear Accord, and US-France Dealings in Nuclear Energy. In addition, he organised the Pittsburgh Energy Seminar while at the Graduate School of Public & International Affairs, was Rapporteur for the Conference on Technology Transfer: Government & Industry in the Energy Sector at M.I.T. In the environmental policy field, he has conducted research on environmental management issues at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography (La Jolla), Natural Sciences Research Council (London), and the Center For International Affairs (Harvard University).
He is the author of America’s Environmental Dilemma (Lexington Books) and The Scientific Advisory Function (Scripps Brenner is the author of numerous books, and over 70 articles and published papers on a wide range of topics. His most recent works are:; Democracy Promotion and Islam; Fear and Dread In The Middle East (also translated into Arabic);; Toward A More Independent Europe (Royal Institute of International Relations), Brussels), Narcissistic Public Personalities & Our Times.
His writings include books with Cambridge University Press (Nuclear Power and Non-Proliferation), the Centre for International Affairs at Harvard University (The Politics of International Monetary Reform); Institute of International Affairs at Cornell University (The Functionalist Theory of European Integration); the Brookings Institution (Reconcilable Differences, US-French Relations In The New Era) and publications in major journals in the United States and Europe, such as World Politics, Comparative Politics, Foreign Policy, International Studies Quarterly, International Affairs, Survival, Politique Etrangere, and Internationale Politik. Prof Brenner has directed multinational research projects with colleagues in France, England, Germany and Italy supported by grants from the Ford Foundation, NATO and the Commission of the European Union.
Brenner is an invited lecturer at major universities and institutes in the United States and abroad, including Georgetown University, UCLA, the National Defence University, the State Department, Sorbonne, Ecole des Sciences Politiques, Royal Institute of International Affairs, International Institute of Strategic Studies (London), King’s College of the University of London, German Council on Foreign Relations, Konrad Adenauer Foundation, and Universita di Firenze.
Brenner has held previous teaching and research appointments at Cornell, Stanford, Harvard, MIT, Brookings Institution, University of California – San Diego, University of California – Berkeley, and Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the National Defence University. He also has been a Fellow of the Centre on France & the United States in Paris.
His memberships include: APSA, ISA, IISS, Forum du Futur (Paris).
Prof Brenner is proficient in French and English.
Prof Willem Vervoort PhD, Australia/Netherlands
Willem Vervoort has an undergraduate degree from Wageningen University in the Netherlands and a PhD in field hydrology from the University of Georgia, USA. He has been working at the University of Sydney, Australia since 1999.
He works with variety projects related to water, agriculture and the environment as groundwater interactions in stochastic ecohydrological models to predict vegetation distributions, measuring transmission losses from semi-arid rivers, probabilistic forecasting of rainfall, droughts and river flows, managing uncertainty in hydrological modeling, identifying spatial and temporal variability in groundwater levels and quality.
He works internationally with capacity building projects and research projects, collaborating with various universities and research organisations in Mexico, the UK, the Netherlands, and in India.
Prof Kamal Kishore Sharma PhD
- Former CEO ArcelorMittal Aktau in Kazakhstan, an MNC
- Former Vice Chancellor at Ansal University Gurgaon
a Public Policy Fellow of IIM Ahmedabad (PhD), has earlier served as a Class I Civil Service Officer with Government of India in Railways (IRTS).
He has spent 29 plus professional years in formulating institutional strategies, executing, learning, leading & coaching. Apart from his well-grounded expertise in Leadership & General Management, he has deep interests in public policies in areas of education, environment, agriculture and water.
He is currently involved in a social impact e-commerce startup that is solving last mile marketing challenges for farmer crops. He is energetic, entrepreneurial & very widely connected & respected in Government, Corporate & Grassroots circles.
Dr Prashant Srivastava PhD, Australia
Dr Prashant Srivastava has served as editor and reviewer of several international journals and is Technical Editor of Remediation Australasia magazine. He has authored several research papers, book chapters and popular articles, and has been invited to present his work in several international conferences. He has been organising CleanUp conference series in Australia and overseas since 2015.
He received his PhD and Masters in soil science from GBP University of Agriculture and Technology in Pantnagar, India, and subsequently obtained another PhD degree in environmental soil chemistry from the University of Sydney, Australia.
He conducted his post-doctoral research at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory of the University of Georgia, USA. His research focuses on fate and transport of environmental contaminants and nutrients in soil, water and plants. He also holds tertiary qualifications in project/program management.
Dr Prashant Srivastava is Principal Scientist and Business Manager at Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC CARE), based in University of South Australia in Adelaide, South Australia. He heads the research demonstration and outreach programs working closely with mining and oil sectors, environmental practitioners, regulatory authorities, and scientific researchers from around Australia. He has worked in both academia and industry.
Dr Vyom Parashar PhD, USA
Dr Vyom Parashar is an inventor, traveller and wildlife enthusiast aiming to bring phenomenal change in the chemical manufacturing industries by eliminating waste and its management. A senior scientist at NanoTheransotics Inc USA (New York), he has developed next generation of products to be used in medical and agriculture industries.
Er Umesh Rashmi Rohtagi, Michigan, USA
Umesh Rohtagi is a distinguished engineer, prolific author, and committed philanthropist whose work bridges the technological advancements of the United States with the deep-rooted societal challenges of rural India. Based in Michigan, USA, Mr. Rohtagi is widely recognized for his long-standing and significant contributions to the University of Michigan, where he served as a key consultant in the computer department for over fifteen years. His technical expertise provided the foundation for a lifetime of structured, analytical problem-solving applied later to complex social issues.
Umesh Rashmi Rohtagi
Together with his wife, Rashmi Rohtagi, he has consciously dedicated the "Vanprastha" (the traditional third stage of life, characterized by a withdrawal from purely material pursuits) to extensive, hands-on social work and rural development across the Indian subcontinent. The couple functions as a single, unified philanthropic and literary unit, frequently publishing and credited jointly as "Umesh Rashmi Rohtagi," signifying their inseparable partnership in service.
Academic and Professional Foundation:
Umesh Rohtagi's career is underpinned by a rigorous academic background from two of the world's premier technical institutions:
- University of Michigan (USA): Master’s Degree (1982). This advanced education in the US provided him with crucial international perspectives and modern technical insights.
- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur (India): Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering (1968). His foundational degree in civil engineering instilled a practical understanding of infrastructure, a knowledge base that has proved invaluable in his subsequent rural development projects.
Commitment to Philanthropy and Social Impact:
The Rohtagis are renowned for their highly involved, hands-on approach to philanthropy, moving beyond mere financial donations to engage directly with communities. Their commitment is quantified by their remarkable fieldwork: they have personally traveled to an estimated 300 to 400 villages across twenty states in India, undertaking immersive study to understand and directly address multi-faceted rural challenges. Their work focuses on the core principles of sustainable development, achieving self-sufficiency for villages, and building resilient infrastructure.
Key Initiatives and Projects:
- Sursardham Model Village Project (Gujarat): Following the devastating 2001 Gujarat earthquake, the Rohtagis spearheaded a major rehabilitation effort. They developed "Sursardham" in the Kutch district, transforming it into a self-sustaining model village. The comprehensive project involved the construction of 114 resilient homes, a central community hall, and the planning and implementation of essential infrastructure for future schools and medical centers, aiming for complete community revival.
- Sanitation and Disaster Relief Work: Their practical focus extends to vital public health initiatives, including the implementation of low-cost, sustainable latrine projects in West Bengal. Furthermore, they actively participated in housing rehabilitation and crucial relief work for communities severely affected by cyclones in Odisha, demonstrating responsiveness to immediate crises.
- Core Philosophy and Methodology: Their social work is driven by the fundamental desire to establish a direct, functional link between underprivileged rural communities and essential resources, knowledge, and modern organizational structures. They often act as a critical bridge, translating research findings and technological innovations from institutions into actionable, real-world solutions tailored to rural needs.
Publications, Documentation, and Influence:
The Rohtagis are not only fieldworkers but also meticulous documentarians and analysts. They are prolific writers who capture their extensive field observations to highlight systemic governance shortcomings, socio-economic issues, and document potential, scalable solutions.
- Major Literary Work: They are the authors of On Indian Government Shortcoming, a significant collection of writings that offers sharp analysis and critique of governance, bureaucratic structures, and various social and economic issues prevalent in India.
- Extensive Articles and Outreach: Their commitment to outreach is evident in their vast body of work, comprising over 200 articles published in both Hindi and English. Reflecting their pan-Indian focus, these writings have been translated into multiple regional languages, including Gujarati, Marathi, and Bengali, ensuring their insights reach a wide and diverse readership.
Umesh Rashmi Rohtagi remains a globally active figure within the Indian diaspora community. He currently serves on the international advisory boards of various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and publications, leveraging his extensive experience to provide expert advisory support on critical matters concerning rural development, ethical philanthropy, and achieving genuine social impact projects worldwide.
Er Alexander Chan, Australia
Ambassador, Opportunity International Australia
Co-Founder, Oh! Boo Chocolates, Barangaroo, Sydney
Alex Chan, Fanny Chan
Alexander Chan is an Australian entrepreneur, food technologist, and philanthropist serving as an Ambassador for Opportunity International Australia. He is best known in the business community as the co-founder of the acclaimed Sydney confectionery brand Oh! Boo Chocolates, which he established with his sister and Maître Chocolatier, Fanny Chan.
Professional Background:
Born in the Philippines, Alex migrated to Australia where he pursued a career in science and business. He holds a background as a Food Technologist, a qualification that provided the technical foundation for his entry into the luxury food market.
In 2008, he partnered with his sister Fanny to open Boon Chocolates in Darlinghurst, Sydney. Alex managed the business operations, marketing, and front-of-house, complementing Fanny’s creative expertise. The duo quickly gained a reputation for excellence, eventually rebranding and relocating to Barangaroo as Oh! Boo Chocolates in 2016. Under his management, the business has become a staple of Sydney’s artisan food scene, known for blending European techniques with Asian-inspired flavours.
Philanthropy and Ambassadorship:
Alex Chan uses his business success as a platform for social impact. As an Ambassador for Opportunity International Australia, he advocates for the power of microfinance to alleviate poverty, with a particular focus on families in the Philippines and throughout Asia.
His commitment to the cause is deeply personal and integrated into his business model. Alex and Fanny have historically pledged a percentage of their chocolate sales to fund Opportunity International’s microfinance projects. By providing small loans to entrepreneurs in developing countries, he helps empower them to start their own small businesses, earn an income, and break the cycle of poverty—mirroring the entrepreneurial spirit he champions in his own life.
Key Contributions:
- Microfinance Advocacy: promoting the "hand up, not a hand out" philosophy of Opportunity International.
- Corporate Social Responsibility: Pioneering a "business for good" model by directly linking retail sales to charitable outcomes.
- Community Leadership: Serving as an active member of the Australian-Filipino business community.
Laurent Fournier, France/India
Ms Yora Atanasova, Bulgaria
Cultural-Historical Heritage, Cultural Tourism, and Journalism
Yora Atanasova stands as a dedicated specialist and advocate in the fields of cultural-historical heritage, cultural tourism, and journalism, with a profound focus on the traditions of her native Bulgaria. Her work is centred in Sopot and the broader Karlovo region, where she actively bridges the gap between ancient folklore and modern regional development.
The Kukeri Foundation: Preservation and Promotion
The cornerstone of Ms. Atanasova's efforts is the Kukeri Foundation (Фондация Кукери), which she founded and chairs. Established in December 2010 in Sopot, the foundation is a non-profit organisation driven by a clear mission: the rigorous study, dedicated preservation, and creative promotion of the "Kukeri" tradition (Bulgarian mummers) and other vital local cultural heritage.
Key Initiatives and Projects:
- "Kuker-Safari": This innovative project harnessed the power of citizen engagement and modern media. It involved a network of volunteers who traveled across regions to film and meticulously document various Kukeri festivals, creating a valuable, comprehensive visual archive of the tradition in its diverse local manifestations.
- "Kukerfest": A multi-faceted cultural event, Kukerfest was designed to bring the tradition into a contemporary context. It featured both fashion and photography contests, encouraging artists and designers to reinterpret the visual and thematic elements of the Kukeri masks and rituals, thereby fostering a modern appreciation for the ancient customs.
Expertise in Cultural-Historical Heritage and Tourism
Ms. Atanasova's professional expertise lies in the strategic management of cultural-historical assets for the purpose of sustainable tourism development. She is a recognised specialist working actively to:
- Develop Regional Cultural Tourism: By leveraging the unique and deep-rooted folklore and historical sites of the region, she crafts programs that draw tourists, providing economic benefits while ensuring the respectful representation of cultural assets.
- Preserve Bulgarian Folklore: Her work is intrinsically linked to the active preservation of Bulgarian traditions, ensuring that local customs and rituals, particularly those of the Kukeri, are not merely relics of the past but living, evolving parts of the community's identity.
Connecting Tradition with Modernity
Beyond the foundation, Ms. Atanasova is a proactive force in the Bulgarian cultural scene, frequently organizing and managing large-scale cultural forums and projects. These initiatives are specifically designed to connect the rich tapestry of local folklore with the demands and mechanisms of modern tourism and public engagement.
Her project management often requires intricate coordination with various stakeholders, including:
- Local Municipalities: She collaborates closely with administrative bodies in towns like Karlovo and Sopot to secure logistical support, funding, and official backing for cultural events.
- Community Centres ("Chitalishta"): Recognizing the historical role of these institutions as hubs of Bulgarian culture, she partners with "chitalishta" to organise festivals, educational programs, and public discussions, ensuring that knowledge about Bulgarian traditions is accessible to all generations.
Through her multifaceted approach, Yora Atanasova ensures that the vibrant cultural heritage of Bulgaria, exemplified by the dramatic Kukeri rituals, remains a celebrated and economically viable component of the nation's identity.
The Board of Editors, BoE
Vivek Umrao Glendenning, CEO & Executive Editor
- The Founder, CEO and the Executive Editor, the Ground Report India group
- National Press Club of Australia (Member)
- London Press Club, UK (Member)
- International PEN (Member)
- Sydney PEN, Australia (Member)
- World Peace Ambassador 2018-22
- books at the National Library of Australia, NLA
Vivek Umrao Glendenning’s life narrative is a powerful illustration of idealism translated into profound action, marked by an unwavering commitment to social justice and a deliberate rejection of personal ambition for the greater good. His journey is not merely a biography but a case study in radical dedication to community upliftment in some of India's most underserved regions.
The Architect of a Life of Service:
Trained initially as a mechanical engineer, Vivek's career path seemed predetermined—a lucrative future in research and corporate life, particularly within the nascent renewable energy sector. However, this conventional trajectory was abandoned for a higher calling. Driven by an innate sense of responsibility, he consciously chose to dedicate his expertise and energy to full-time volunteer work among India’s exploited and marginalised populations. This choice was immediate and definitive: service was prioritised over salary, and social impact became the sole measure of success.
This profound commitment was tested early on. He famously declined a highly sought-after PhD scholarship from a prestigious European university—an aspirational dream for countless Indian students. His rationale was clear: the immediate, tangible need on the ground outweighed the prestige and distance of academic life. He believed that direct engagement with the communities he served offered a more impactful and essential form of learning and contribution than any institutional accolade could provide.
The Journey of Immersion and Insight:
To genuinely understand the complexities of life in India’s poorest and most neglected areas, Vivek embarked on an extraordinary, years-long personal odyssey. He walked thousands of miles, traversing countless villages, living on the ground, and gathering unfiltered, primary information directly from the source. These extensive foot journeys were rigorous, intense, and crucial to his methodology, ensuring his insights were untouched by bureaucratic or media manipulation.
This period was defined by intense marching, countless community meetings, and deep, profound discussions. Through this process of radical immersion, he engaged in direct dialogue with over a million people before reaching the age of forty. This invaluable, first-hand experience provided him with an unparalleled, grassroots understanding of the struggles, aspirations, social dynamics, and latent potential of the marginalised communities he served.
A Holistic Framework for Community Development:
Vivek’s work was characterised by a holistic and multifaceted approach to community development, addressing systemic issues across a broad spectrum of critical areas:
- Social Economy and Empowerment: He meticulously researched, understood, and successfully implemented concepts of social economy, establishing sustainable, self-reliant economic models that genuinely empowered communities from within.
- Participatory Governance: He fiercely championed participatory local governance, fundamentally shifting decision-making power from external bodies to the people directly affected, thereby ensuring accountability and relevance.
- Education and Voice: Recognising the transformative power of knowledge, education was a cornerstone of his efforts. Furthermore, he pioneered citizen journalism and ground/rural reporting, providing platforms for the voiceless and bringing authentic, often-ignored narratives to the national and international forefront.
- Justice and Accountability: He was a fierce advocate for freedom of expression and relentlessly campaigned for bureaucratic accountability, essential elements for transparent, responsive, and ethical governance.
- Equitable Growth and Revival: His mission focused on Tribal and village development initiatives, striving for equitable growth. He also dedicated significant energy to relief, rehabilitation, and vital village revival efforts, particularly in the aftermath of natural or social crises.
Pioneering Institutional Initiatives:
His impact extended to the establishment and co-founding of numerous groundbreaking institutions and initiatives across India, demonstrating his ability to scale local efforts into sustainable organisational structures:
- Social and Developmental Organisations: He was instrumental in establishing diverse social organisations that fostered collective action, community ownership, and sustained empowerment.
- Essential Service Provision: He played a crucial role in establishing essential educational and health institutions, ensuring access to basic services in areas of critical need.
- Economic Independence: To foster self-reliance, he championed cottage industries and developed effective marketing systems, providing communities with the tools for economic stability and independence.
- Community University Model: Perhaps his most unique contribution was the co-founding of community universities. These institutions offered accessible, needs-based education tailored to local realities, with curricula focused on practical areas such as social economy, environmental stewardship, public health, renewable energy, groundwater management, river revitalisation, social justice, and overall sustainability.
Personal Sacrifice and Dedication:
Vivek’s personal life was also shaped by his unwavering commitment to his work. Approximately fifteen years ago, he married an Australian hydrology-scientist, yet he remained on the ground in India for over a decade following the marriage, continuing his tireless work.
His dedication was deeply shared with his spouse and fundamentally shaped their family planning. They collectively made the extraordinary decision not to have a child until their presence in India was no longer critically required for the ongoing social works. This profound conviction led them to wait eleven years after their marriage before welcoming a baby into their lives.
His deep, reciprocal connection with the communities he served was undeniable. Hundreds of thousands of people from marginalised groups across India not only held him in high regard but frequently considered him a cherished family member.
Transition and Continued Global Advocacy:
Despite this immense accumulation of achievements and prestige, Vivek made the conscious, transformative decision to step back from full-time ground work to become a full-time father to his son. Prior to his departure from India, he exemplified his commitment to minimalist living and non-attachment by donating nearly all his possessions, retaining only a few personal items.
Though no longer physically present in India, his passion for social justice remains vibrant. He regularly contributes to journals and social media platforms that focus on critical social issues in India, maintaining a vital connection to the challenges and progress there. He provides invaluable remote counselling to local activists, sharing his vast experience and strategic insights to support ongoing social solutions. Furthermore, he is now deeply involved with several international groups dedicated to global peace and sustainability, broadening his influence to a worldwide scale.
Ground Journalism and Literary Contribution:
Through the various editions of Ground Report India, Vivek orchestrated extensive, often arduous, nationwide and semi-national tours. These intense expeditions covered up to 15,000 kilometres within one to two months, all driven by the singular objective of exploring and documenting ground realities across the entire subcontinent. His ultimate mission was the establishment of a robust, constructive ground journalism platform, underpinned by a strong commitment to social accountability, ensuring that the authentic voices and lived experiences from the grassroots were heard and acknowledged.
As an accomplished writer, Vivek authored the significant Hindi book, “मानसिक, सामाजिक, आर्थिक स्वराज्य की ओर” (Towards Mental, Social, and Economic Swaraj) (https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/catalog/10168957). This profound literary work delves into a multitude of pressing social issues, encompassing community development, water and agricultural management, essential groundwork, and the critical conditioning of thought and mind necessary for societal change. The book has been widely commended in reviews for its practical, comprehensive approach, notably addressing the "What," "Why," and "How" of socioeconomic development in India, making it a vital resource for both practitioners and thinkers in the field.Er Chaitanya Dave, USA
Chaitanya, born in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India, is an author, the Founder of Pragati Foundation, an Industrialist, a social activist, a highly progressive individual and an environmentalist; lives with his wife Amita in California, USA.
Attended college at New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico and graduated with B.S. in Chemical Engineering in 1969. Started his own company in 1980 manufacturing metal finishing chemical products. The company is still running successfully.
He is founder/president of a non-profit charity organisation named ‘Pragati’, based in Southern California and Hemubhai Rural Development Foundation based in India. The foundation has done rural developmental work in villages in India since 1993. He has travelled extensively all over the world and runs a non-profit rural development foundation.
Chaitanya Dave with Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister of Gujarat on December 2013 became the prime minister of India in May 2014
On December 2013, Chaitanya Dave met in person with the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Narendrabhai Modi, about six months before he became the prime minister of the largest democracy in the world, India.
Early on Chaitanya Dave learned that only through good education and focused hard work can one come up in life. That is what he did developing his successful metal finishing company against all odds and very little money, in Los Angeles in 1980. He learned that there is no substitute for hard work. He derived these and other principles from great men like Mahatma Gandhiji and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Mr Davé has authored three books:
- CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY: A Shocking Record of US Crimes since 1776 (Nov. 2007)
- COLLAPSE: Civilization on the Brink (June 2010), and
- MONUMENTAL SHIFT: Creating a New Economy with Genuine Democracy. (2016)
Wife:
Amita Dave has M.S in education from Pune University and also a Master’s degree in Special Education in the USA. She has been a teacher, administrator and advisor in the field of Special Education with the Los Angeles Unified School District. Though retired now, she continues to take assignments in her field.
Sons:
- Maurya Dave, an electrical engineer and the CEO of Surfin Chemical Corp., Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Dr Aditya Dave, a Veterinarian, currently doing his residency at Minnesota State University, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Favourite quotes:
- “Nobody can make you unhappy without your permission” —Mahatma Gandhi
- "I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have it." -- Thomas Jefferson, third U.S. president
Chaitanya Dave’s motto in life:
Work hard, read a lot, learn a lot, and enjoy your life with your family and friends while helping others too.
Dr Robert J Burrowes PhD, Australia
Dr. Robert has dedicated his entire professional life to the profound and critical task of understanding the roots of, and ultimately ending, human violence. His commitment to this goal is total and unwavering. Beginning in 1966, he embarked on extensive, decades-long research aimed at answering the fundamental question: Why are human beings violent? This rigorous academic and investigative pursuit has formed the foundation of his work.
Beyond his scholarly efforts, Dr. Robert has been a deeply committed nonviolent activist since 1981, actively applying his understanding to real-world efforts to promote peace and reconciliation. This combination of deep research and practical activism defines his career.
His primary work consolidating his findings is the influential book, titled ‘Why Violence?‘. This text serves as a cornerstone of his analysis, presenting a comprehensive framework for understanding the mechanisms and motivations behind human aggression. In addition to this seminal work, Dr. Robert is the author of a vast body of literature, including numerous other documents, essays, and papers that further explore and expand upon his theories of violence and nonviolence.Prof Surendra Kumar Pathak PhD, Editor-in-Chief BoE-India
Ph.D. (Linguistics -Journalism) Inter-disciplinary Research
M.J.M.C. (Mass Communication & Journalism)
M. Tech. (Three years- Applied Geology)
Editor in Chief, The Editor Board India
Editor of Journals:
- Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Advanced Research in Journalism & Mass Communication, form 2014 ISSN: 2395-3810 (http://management.adrpublications.com/index.php/JoARJMC/index)
- Editor, International Journal of Advance Research in Peace, Harmony & Education has been allotted with the ISSN: 2455-9326. (http://science.adrpublications.com/index.php/IJoARPHE)
- Member of Advisory Board, Journal Horizons of Holistic Education" (ISSN/EISSN 2349-8811) International Quarterly Peer Reviewed Journal published by Children University, Gujarat.
- Editorial Board Members, Journal- Environment and Social Psychology, (ISSN: 2424-7979(Print) 2424-8975(Online)) (http://esp.whioce.com/index.php/ESP/about/editorialTeam)
- Member, Board of Editor, Bat Shiksha Ki "बात शिक्षा की" a university research journal published by I.A.S.E. (D) University, Sardarshahar, Rajasthan from 2012
- Member, Board of Editors, Journal' The Journal of Global Resources'. (2014) ISSN: 2395-3160 (Print) ISSN: 2455-2445 (Online) (http://www.isdesr.org/content/editorial-board)
- Member, International Advisory Board: Ground Report India Journal www.groundreportindia.com since 2012
- Worked as Editors (Hindi section) "MANJU FEATURES" of University's Feature Agency of Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism, Bhopal from Oct 2001 to March 2005.
- I worked as Assistant Editor of "मीडिया मीमांसा" Media Mimansa the University Journal of Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Mass Communication, Bhopal, from year 2005 to 2007.
- 10.Assistant Editor, a University Research Journal of Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gamodaya University, Chitrakoot, Satna, in 1993-94.
- Honorary association:
- Bureau Chief, Newsleaks (News Portal: New Delhi), South-East Asia
- Advisor: Paryavaran Urja Times (Raipur)
- Editor: Sarthak Samvad (Bhopal)
- Subject Expert: Samagam- Journal for media and cinema Bhopal(During 1994 to 2000)
- Former Chief Sub Editor: Free Press (Indore),
- Former General Manager: Free Press (Raipur),
- Former Editorial Advisor: Swadesh (Raipur, Bhopal),
- Former News Editor: Deshbandhu (Bhopal)
- Former member Editorial Board: Media Mimansa (MCRPVV Journal, Bhopal)
- Member of International Scientific Committee/Advisory Board
- Member of International Scientific Advisory Board of the INTCESS14 – International Conference on Education and Social Sciences held in Istanbul –Turkey, Feb 3-5, 2014, organized by O.C.E.R.I.N.T.- International Organization Center of Academic Research, Kartal /Istanbul - TURKEY.
- Member of the International Scientific Advisory Board of SOCIO-INT14- INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES will be held in Istanbul (Turkey) on the 8th, 9th, and 10th of September 2014, organized by O.C.E.R.I.N.T.- International Organization Center of Academic Research, Kartal /Istanbul – TURKEY.
- Member of the International Scientific Committee of the International Conference on Education and New Developments 2015 (E.N.D. 2015) organized by The World Institute for Advanced Research and Science (W.I.A.R.S.), Portugal http://end-educationconference.org/2015/
- Member of the International Scientific Committee of the International Conference on Education and New Developments 2016 (E.N.D. 2016) organized by The World Institute for Advanced Research and Science (W.I.A.R.S.), Portugal http://end-educationconference.org/2016/scientific-committee/
- Member of the International Scientific Committee of the International Conference on Education and New Developments 2017 (E.N.D. 2017) organized by The World Institute for Advanced Research and Science (W.I.A.R.S.), Portugal http://end-educationconference.org/scientific-committee/
- Member of International Advisory Committee of "5th International Conference on Global Peace through Emotional Intelligence (E.I.), Inclusive Education, Positive Psychology and Unity in Cultural Diversity" Held on November 1, 2014, in Kathmandu, Nepal, organized by World Without Anger (W.W.A.) and Global Peace Foundation (GPF), Nepal
- Member, Scientific Committee of International Conference on Education and New Developments 2015 from 27 to 29 June 2015, organized by The World Institute for Advanced Research and Science (W.I.A.R.S.) Porto, Portugal
- Research Publications – International (In books and Journals)
- 'Mahatma Gandhi: Harmony of Nonviolent Civil Disobedience' article published in The A.B.C. of Harmony for World Peace, Harmonious Civilization and Tetranet Thinking, (Global Textbook, GHA 34th Project) by Dr. Leo Semashko Project Manager, Editor in Chief and GHA 75 coauthors from 26 countries, ISBN 978-81-923108-6-2 published by New Delhi 2012 page no. 241-242
- 'Global Peace Science as the Study of Existential Harmony' article published in Global Peace Science or Peaceloveology: First Common Good and Human Right, Revolution of Social Sciences, Creating Peace from SPHERONS' Harmony and Nonviolent Victory of Peace over War in XXI Century. by Dr. Leo Semashko and 173 coauthors from 34 countries.(World textbook. 48th GHA project) The first publication was in Russia in 2015. – 432 p. The first publication in English in Delhi. 2016. 612 p. ISBN 978-5-94422-035-6 (page. No. 240-242)
- 'Human Consciousness & Values for Solving Global Problems,' Global Education Magazine, ISSN: 2255-033X, March 2015 (http://www.globaleducationmagazine.com/human-consciousness-values-solving-global-problems/)
- 'Relation between Existential Harmony and Social Harmony Horizons of Holistic Education,' P-ISSN: 2349-8811, E- ISSN: 2349-9133, November 2014
- 'Nurturing educator enrichment aimed at developing creative leaders in Schools.' SanshodhanE-Journal, ISSN: 0975:4245 June 2013
- 'Globalization, Peace, and Harmony Education' Research Paper published in the International Journal of Advance Research in Peace, Harmony, And Education, Vol 1, No 1 (2016) ISSN: 2455-9326 (http://science.adrpublications.com/index.php/IJoARPHE/article/view/85)
- Professor, School of Philosophy and Theological Studies, L.J. University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
- Author of the book VASUDHAIVA KUTUMBAKAM: The Way Forward for Global Peace. 568 p.
- Other Academic Assignments:
- Member, Board of Study (BoS) Dept of Value Education, LJ University,
- Chairman, Research Advisory Committee, LJ University,
- Member, Academic Council (A.C.), I.A.S.E. (D) University,
- Member, BoS, and Member RAC, Atmiya University, Rajkot
- Member, BoS, Atmiya University, Rajkot
- Former Member, Board of Management (BoM), I.A.S.E. (D) University
- Digital Profile:
http://iaseuniversity.academia.edu/SurendraPathak
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-surendra-pathak-79a6068
https://x.com/drsurendrpathak?t=EQS11OeiXP1ZXsKyQuQcdA&s=09
Pankaj Chaturvedi, Chief Editor (E&TE) BoE-India
Notable awards:
- Bharat Bhushan Agrawal Smriti Puraskar (1994)
- Devishankar Awasthi Samman (2003)
- Ramchandra Shukla Puraskar (2003)
- Raza Fellowship (2019)
- Kalinga Literary Festival Book Award (2023)
Chief Editor (Environment, & Teacher Edu.), The Editor Board India
Mr. Chaturvedi has been a prominent and fearless voice in the Indian vernacular press, having held senior editorial positions at leading national dailies, including Amar Ujala and Dainik Bhaskar. By utilizing the massive reach of Hindi print media, he has consistently shifted the editorial gaze toward marginalised developmental issues, bridging the gap between grassroots realities and national policy.
As a fiercely rigorous environmental journalist and frequent columnist for platforms like the National Herald and Down To Earth, his reporting goes beyond superficial narratives. He has extensively investigated and documented the systemic crises facing the subcontinent, including the pollution of major glacial and non-glacial rivers, the catastrophic ecological degradation of the Aravalli range, the looming threat of desertification in agrarian states, and the severe impacts of urban atmospheric toxicity.
Throughout his prolific career, Pankaj Chaturvedi has been a prominent voice in Hindi journalism, having held senior editorial positions at leading national dailies, including Amar Ujala and Dainik Bhaskar. Currently associated with the National Book Trust (NBT), India, he has been instrumental in shaping developmental literature and children’s educational resources at a national level.
Transformative Frameworks in Teacher Education
While Pankaj Chaturvedi’s journalistic endeavours meticulously diagnose the sociopolitical and environmental maladies of the nation, his extensive work in teacher education represents his commitment to the systemic cure. Understanding that meaningful societal change is generational, Chaturvedi has been a prominent architect in reshaping India's educational pedagogy, particularly through his association as an Assistant Editor with the National Book Trust (NBT), India.
—Operationalizing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020
Chaturvedi has been deeply involved in the intellectual discourse and practical implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. He has consistently articulated that the Indian education system faces immense, structural challenges due to the vast geographical, linguistic, and cultural diversity of the subcontinent, and he views the NEP 2020 as a critical tool to address these disparities.
In his capacity as a thought leader and NBT representative, Chaturvedi has moderated and led high-level pedagogical sessions with organizations like UNESCO, emphasizing that the primary objective of educational policy must be holistic: to create "good humans with values, based on moral and social conscience" who can contribute positively to society. He advocates for a curriculum that explicitly moves away from colonial-era rote memorization and instead embraces "Traditional Indian Knowledge Systems," integrating indigenous wisdom seamlessly with modern global competencies and sustainable development goals.
His vision for teacher education involves comprehensive capacity building. For example, he has organised and led workshops for teachers on how to utilize alternative media, such as academic comic books, to make content engaging and learning interactive. This approach underscores his belief that teachers must be equipped not just with subject knowledge, but with modern, psychologically resonant methods of delivery.
—Multilingualism and the Democratization of Knowledge
A fundamental epistemological barrier in the Indian education system is the historical dominance of English and select dominant regional languages, which often marginalises minority vernacular speakers and restricts early cognitive development. Chaturvedi has aggressively tackled this issue through an intense focus on translation and multilingual literature.
Under his supervision at the NBT, extensive translation workshops have been organised to ensure that high-quality educational resources reach marginalised linguistic communities. For instance, he supervised a critical three-day translation workshop in Goa, inaugurated by Jnanpith Awardee Damodar Mauzo, where children's books originally published in English were meticulously translated into the Konkani language by local translators. Similarly, he oversaw initiatives to translate multiple NBT titles into the Bhoti language in Ladakh, ensuring that indigenous folklore, as well as modern science, become available in bilingual (Hindi-Bhoti and English-Bhoti) formats.
These initiatives are not merely linguistic exercises; they are profound acts of educational democratization. By ensuring that students can access developmental literature and scientific concepts in their mother tongues, Chaturvedi empowers localised cognitive development, prevents the alienation of minority students from the formal education system, and preserves India's rich tapestry of linguistic heritage.
Pedagogical Innovations in Children's Literature
Pankaj Chaturvedi’s most direct, lasting impact on the next generation has been through his prolific work as a writer, editor, and interactive storyteller within the realm of children's literature. Instrumental in shaping the NBT's renowned Nehru Bal Pustakalaya series—arguably the largest multi-lingual publisher of children's books in India—Chaturvedi has fundamentally redefined how educational content is structured and consumed by young minds.
—Narrative Science: Bridging the Cognitive Divide
A pervasive flaw in traditional science education is the heavy reliance on intimidating jargon, abstract theories, and complex diagrams, which often alienate children from empirical reasoning at an early age. Chaturvedi dismantled this barrier by pioneering a highly effective "Science in a Story" methodology.
As an author, his books such as My First Aeroplane Journey (illustrated by Irshad Kaptan) and Fun with Metro (Metro Ka Mazaa) are masterful examples of this pedagogical approach. These beautifully illustrated texts do not read like dry textbooks; instead, they chronicle the step-by-step emotional and sensory experiences of a child interacting with modern infrastructure and technology for the very first time. Through engaging narrative, children effortlessly absorb concepts of engineering, public transport etiquette, civic responsibility, and geography. He has also authored guides on pedagogy itself, such as Kahani Kahne Ki Kala (The Art of Storytelling), serving as a resource for educators.
His live storytelling sessions further exemplify this genius. During a highly acclaimed interaction with students at Kendriya Vidyalaya in Vasant Kunj, Chaturvedi captivated the audience by explicitly announcing that the session was "not going to be about 'studying' at all," but rather a "chit-chat about fun things". He utilised Hindi translations of Roald Dahl to capture their imagination before seamlessly transitioning into live, impromptu scientific demonstrations. Using a simple glass of water covered by a thin cloth and turned upside down without spilling a drop, he practically demonstrated gravitational force and atmospheric pressure without using a single complex equation. He followed this with anthropomorphic tales of airplanes refusing to shake hands with birds, and pencils saving runaway books by drilling holes in them—narratives that inherently taught basic physics and mechanical problem-solving. This approach, aptly described by observers as "a sweet candy made of vitamins and minerals," resulted in highly motivated children eager to dig out broken bangles to build their own kaleidoscopes, earning Chaturvedi the affectionate moniker "Chatur Ji" from school administrators.
—The Socratic Method in Experiential Environmental Learning
Chaturvedi believes that deep environmental and scientific consciousness must begin with immediate, localised sensory observation. During the Dharamsala Book Fair, held in a makeshift maroon hangar against the striking backdrop of the snow-peaked Dhauladhar mountains, Chaturvedi led a workshop for hundreds of school children based entirely on the theme of "close observation of the surroundings".
Rather than lecturing on abstract ecological theories, he employed a rapid-fire Socratic method of questioning to engage the students: What did you see while coming to the book fair? Did you see the snow on the mountain peaks? What colour is your water bottle? Does the carpet in the hall look more like a ripened jamun or an apple?. This barrage of relatable, highly sensory questions triggered a massive, enthusiastic response from the children, turning a quiet, passive gathering into a vibrant, interactive forum. By training children to critically observe their immediate environment—from the meteorological patterns in the sky to the micro-flora in the grass—Chaturvedi lays the foundational cognitive groundwork for future environmental stewardship. He teaches children that science and ecology are not distant subjects found in books, but lived realities unfolding around them every second.
Ecological Advocacy: Environmental Journalism
As an environmental journalist, author, and frequent columnist for prominent platforms such as the National Herald and Down To Earth, Pankaj Chaturvedi has operated at the absolute vanguard of ecological reporting in India. His work is characterised by a fierce refusal to accept superficial governmental narratives, consistently digging deeper to expose the biochemical, geological, and socio-economic realities of environmental degradation. His investigative rigour spans riparian ecosystems, orographic collapse, biodiversity loss, and urban atmospheric toxicity.
—Riparian Ecosystems and the Illusion of Restoration
Chaturvedi’s environmental discourse frequently dissects the systemic mismanagement of India’s vital riverine ecosystems. He authored the seminal Hindi book Majhdhar Men Dhar (published by Pravasi Prem Publishing), which provides an encyclopedic overview of the causes and effects of river pollution across the subcontinent, whilst proposing actionable paradigms for ecological restoration. His journalism moves beyond mere pollution metrics, examining the intersection of bureaucratic superficiality, religious sentiment, and industrial negligence.
—The Ganga: The Facade of 'Arth Ganga' and the 'Ganga Vilas'
In his searing critiques of the Ganga's management, Chaturvedi juxtaposes the aesthetic romanticism of pristine rivers—quoting William Wordsworth's 1798 reflections on the Thames—against the grim, toxic reality of India's holiest waterway today. He highlights the glaring contradictions between the government's highly publicised 'Namami Gange' project and its subsequent pivot to 'Arth Ganga'.
When the state launched the luxury river cruise 'Ganga Vilas'—a floating five-star hotel carrying 36 tourists across 3,200 kilometres from Varanasi to Dibrugarh at an exorbitant cost of approximately Rs 25,000 per night—Chaturvedi pointed out the stark, tragic irony. He noted that while immense public funds are allocated to tourism, economic livelihood circuits, and international publicity, the fundamental biological issue remains unaddressed. Human habitations and industrial complexes along the banks continue to drain raw, untreated filth directly into the river. His reporting underscores a critical thesis: the economic commodification of a river system cannot substitute for its biological and hydrological restoration.
—The Yamuna: Toxic Froth and Cosmetic Chemistry
Chaturvedi’s coverage of the Yamuna River, particularly during the Chhath Puja festival, further exposes the performative nature of municipal environmentalism in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. With an estimated five million devotees congregating at the riverbanks for 36 hours to perform religious rites, the Yamuna is routinely covered in a thick, toxic white foam—a visual manifestation of severe industrial pollution and untreated sewage.
Chaturvedi meticulously documented how the local government, rather than addressing the root causes of the effluents, resorted to spraying silicone defoaming agents, polyoxypropylene, and other synthetic substances to temporarily mask the foam from the surface. He fiercely argues that this cosmetic chemical intervention is a sham step taken under immediate political and social pressure. Not only does it fail to clean the river, but it actively introduces a new source of persistent synthetic pollutants into the water, hiding the toxicity "iceberg" from the devotees who step into the water for holy rituals.
—Non-Glacial Rivers and the Paradox of Indore
Beyond the major glacial rivers, Chaturvedi has raised urgent alarms regarding the disappearance of India's non-glacial rivers. He notes that these vital arteries are falling victim to rising global temperatures, erratic monsoon cycles, and unchecked localised pollution, posing a severe threat to the water security, agriculture, and industry of dependent communities.
Furthermore, his investigative piece on "Indore's paradox" brilliantly deconstructs the narrative of India's "cleanest city". He reveals that while Indore may boast spotless streets and top rankings in sanitation surveys, it simultaneously battles a severe, hidden crisis of contaminated drinking water, which has led to fatal public health consequences. This paradox forces readers to question the superficial metrics by which urban success and environmental health are currently measured.
Orographic Degradation and the March of Desertification
Chaturvedi’s geographical reporting reveals a profound understanding of how localised environmental destruction triggers cascading macro-climatic disasters, threatening the food security of the entire subcontinent.
—The Aravalli Range: A Shield Destroyed
The Aravalli range is a 650-million-year-old mountain system stretching 692 kilometres from Khed Brahma in Gujarat to Raisina Hill in Delhi. It serves as a crucial orographic barrier that steers monsoon rain-bearing clouds and checks the eastward expansion of the Thar Desert. Chaturvedi has chronicled the catastrophic decimation of this ancient range due to rampant, illegal mining and real estate encroachment.
He presents horrifying empirical data: over the past four decades, the green cover of the Aravallis has plummeted from roughly 80 percent to a mere 7 percent. In many locations, towering mountain peaks have been completely obliterated, replaced by mining pits nearly 150 feet deep. While noting the Supreme Court's constitution of a nine-member committee to save the range, Chaturvedi's writings express a cautious, almost cynical hope. He emphasises the dire macro-implications: if these hills disappear entirely, the rainfall patterns of northwest India will alter irrevocably, turning fertile farmlands barren, destroying agrarian livelihoods, and allowing dust storms to ravage the interior.
The Looming Desertification of Punjab
In a chilling forecast based on empirical agricultural and climatic data, Chaturvedi explores the looming desertification of Punjab, the traditional breadbasket of India. He outlines a multifaceted hydrological crisis: water availability in the state's five rivers has decreased from 17 million acre-feet to 13 million acre-feet, while per capita usage remains unsustainably high at 380 litres per day (compared to the national average of 150 litres).
He attributes this impending disaster to the relentless cultivation of water-intensive paddy crops, driven by higher short-term economic returns and agricultural policies. Chaturvedi masterfully explains the devastating chemical cycle: waterlogged fields, a requirement for paddy, accumulate layers of saline deposited by indiscriminate pesticide and chemical fertiliser use. In subsequent cycles, farmers require even more water to flush the salinity, creating a fatal feedback loop. Citing the Central Ground Water Board and a climate change research paper by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), he warns that agricultural demand has grown to 43.7 lakh hectare meters (73 percent raised from groundwater), and groundwater levels are projected to drop below 300 meters by 2039. Chaturvedi's reporting makes it clear that the Thar Desert is actively taking root in neighbouring states due to this over-exploitation.
Biodiversity, Wildlife Corridors, and Indigenous Ecologies
A core tenet of Chaturvedi’s environmental philosophy is the intrinsic value of biodiversity and the recognition that unchecked human infrastructure development cannot perpetually supersede wildlife preservation and indigenous rights.
—The Silent Massacre of Elephants
Chaturvedi has drawn national attention to the tragic, systemic destruction of India's elephant populations, which are vital for preserving forest ecosystems and biodiversity. He notes that for centuries, elephants have utilised 88 historically designated "elephant corridors" across the country (22 in the northeast, 20 in central India, and 20 in the south) to migrate for food and water.
However, these generational biological paths are increasingly obstructed by human settlements, high-speed railways, and concrete construction projects. Elephants, relying on generational memory, encounter these new obstacles with fatal results. Chaturvedi reported extensively on a series of grim incidents: the electrocution of three elephants (including a calf) in Odisha's Buramal forest, and the deaths of ten elephants (including nine females, two of whom were pregnant) in Madhya Pradesh's Bandhavgarh just before Diwali. His journalism frames these events not as isolated accidents, but as a "silent massacre" born of systemic governmental apathy and deeply flawed infrastructure planning.
—The Great Nicobar Project: Development as Disaster
In an incisive critique of the NITI Aayog's Great Nicobar Island development project, Chaturvedi questions the ethics of initiating massive concrete infrastructure within a region globally recognised for its unique, diverse, and endangered ecosystems. The Andaman and Nicobar group, comprising 572 islands, features some of the best-preserved tropical rainforests globally and was included in UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme in 2013.
Chaturvedi points out the highly opportunistic timing of the project's Request for Proposal (RfP) in September 2020, amidst the chaos, death, and economic instability of the global pandemic. He advocates fiercely for the protection of the aboriginal populations whose habitats, dialects, and lifestyles are threatened by what he terms a "development disaster". He poignantly captures the plight of the locals with the quote: "We didn't pay for fish, now we worry about jobs," brilliantly illustrating how aggressive, top-down developmental models strip indigenous communities of their natural self-sufficiency, forcing them into precarious, capitalist wage labour systems.
Urban Atmospheric Toxicity and the Fallacy of Technocratic Fixes
Chaturvedi’s reporting on urban air pollution reflects a deep skepticism of technocratic, reactive solutions that ignore the need for behavioural and systemic reform at the source of emissions.
—The Air Quality Crisis and the Dangers of Cloud Seeding
As the Air Quality Index (AQI) routinely plummets to hazardous levels across Indian cities—affecting not just megacities like Delhi and Mumbai, but also smaller industrial and regional hubs like Patna, Gwalior, Hanumangarh, Baddi, and Mandideep—Chaturvedi lambasts both public indifference and governmental failure. He notes that stepping out for fresh air feels like "dragging dozens of cigarette puffs straight into your lungs," and compares current bureaucratic efforts to "mopping a floor with the tap left running".
He is particularly critical of sensational, high-tech proposals like artificial rain (cloud seeding) to clear winter smog. Chaturvedi breaks down the dangerous chemistry involved, explaining that the silver iodide-laced particles used in seeding can settle on the ground, potentially harming plants, animals, and contaminating water bodies. Furthermore, he warns of a secondary disaster: artificial rain interacting with the nitrogen oxides (NOx) emitted by the widespread use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles could produce toxic acid rain. By referencing the severe artificial flooding seen in Dubai in April 2024 due to cloud seeding experiments, he illustrates the unpredictable and potentially catastrophic consequences of tampering with complex weather systems in highly populated areas, which could lead to waterlogged streets spewing even more pollutants.
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At Ground Report India, Mr. Chaturvedi provides strategic vision to the publication’s mission of highlighting "unreported" India, ensuring that the intersection of environment and education remains at the forefront of the global developmental discourse.
