Ms. Padmaja Srivastava
Architect and Promoter of India’s Folk and Tribal Arts
About
The Somaiya Sustainability Dialogue is a convergence of research and citizen science, bringing together diverse voices and perspectives - spanning science and social science, traditional wisdom and technological interventions, education and economics, entrepreneurship and management, culture and communication, as well as art and creativity.
Organised by: Interdisciplinary Faculty and Student Team
Anchored by: Centre for Achieving Sustainable Climate Action, Development and Engagement (CASCADE), Somaiya Vidyavihar University, Mumbai
Sessions
Book Based Dialogue
Chola Maati: Pardhan Gond Rituals from Birth to Death | 10:15am - 11:30am
Book By- Padmaja Srivastava, Mayank Singh Shyam, Komal Bedi Sohal
This session explores how Indigenous communities model sustainable living through resource stewardship, biodiversity conservation, and harmonious human–nature relationships. It invites reflection on ethical borrowing and community-led conservation.
Film Based Dialogue
Beyond the Conflict | 11:45am -12:45pm
Film By- Atharva Raut
This session will have a film screening of critically acclaimed work Beyond the Conflict followed by a discussion with Dr. Varad Giri, Head Scientist at Reliance Foundation. The discussion will help participants gain a deeper understanding of coexistence in shared landscapes.
Session Experts
Ms. Komal Bedi Sohal
Creative Designer and Former Chief Creative Officer at Saatchi & Saatchi Dubai
Mr. Mayank Singh Shyam
Gond Artist
Dr. Shivangi Pareek
Sociocultural & Postdoctoral Researcher
Mr. Atharva Raut
Wildlife Filmmaker and Photographer
Dr. Varad Giri
Head Scientist at Reliance Foundation
Dr. Ninad Marathe
Scientific Officer at SOCLEEN
Team
Dr Parvathi JR
Organising Chair
Assistant Director- SIRAC, Co-director- CASCADE
Centre for Achieving Sustainable Climate Action, Development and Engagement (CASCADE), Somaiya Institute for Research and Consultancy (SIRAC)
Dr Deepti Gupta
Lead
Associate Professor
Dept. of Life Sciences, Somaiya School of Basic and Applied Sciences (SSBAS)
Dr Monalisa Behera
Lead
Associate Professor
Visual Culture, Somaiya School of Civilisation Studies (SSCS)
Dr Urmi Thakkar
Dean Student Welfare & Head - Campus Administration
Somaiya Vidyavihar University (SVU)
Dr Sagar Marathe
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Environmental Science, Somaiya School of Basic and Applied Sciences (SSBAS)
Dr Rupal Thakkar
Associate Professor
Dept. of Education, K J Somaiya School of Education (KJSSED)
Dr Saranya Thaloor
Associate Professor
Dept. of Mass Communication, Somaiya School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SSHSS)
Dr Daly Davis
Associate Professor
Dept. of Polymer Science, Somaiya School of Basic and Applied Sciences (SSBAS)
Dr Biji Balakrishnan
Associate Professor
Somaiya Centre for Integrated Science Education and Research (SciSER)
Dr Nilesh Wagh
Associate Professor
Dept. of Environmental Science, Somaiya School of Basic and Applied Sciences (SSBAS)
Dr Ayesha Hakim
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Electronics Engineering, K. J. Somaiya College of Engineering (KJSSE)
Dr Shilpa Nag
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Botany, K.J. Somaiya College of Science & Commerce (KJSSC)
Dr Ram Salvi
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Zoology, K J Somaiya College of Science and Commerce (KJSSC)
Dr Rucha Naik
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Physics, K. J. Somaiya College of Science and Commerce (KJSSC)
Mr Shibajee Mitra
Manager
Madhuban Eco Retreat, Bhopal
Dr Nilkamal More
Associate Professor
Dept. of Information Technology, K J Somaiya School of Engineering (KJSSE)
Shri Narayan Parasuram
Professor & Director
Somaiya Dhwani Chitram, Somaiya Vidyavihar University (SVU), Mumbai
Dr Lakshmikanth Hari
Associate Professor
Centre for Sustainable Development, K J Somaiya Institute of Management (KJSIM)
Dr Irfan Siddavatam
Director
Somaiya School of Design (SSD)
Dr Satyendra Upadhyay
Director - International Relations, Faculty- General Management
K J Somaiya Institute of Management (KJSIM)
Ms. Poonam Gupta
Outreach Programme Executive
CASCADE, Somaiya Institute for Research and Consultancy (SIRAC)
Ms. Anuya Ramteke
Technical Assistant - Geospatial Technology
CASCADE, Somaiya Institute for Research and Consultancy (SIRAC)
Mr. Sahil Suryavanshi
Project Assistant- Learning Programs Facilitator- Environment and Sustainability
CASCADE, Somaiya Institute for Research and Consultancy (SIRAC)
Mr. Akshay Raul
Senior Executive Administration Campus
Somaiya Vidyavihar (SVV)
Ms. Abhiruchi Oke
Research Assistant
K J Somaiya Institute of Dharma Studies (KJSIDS)
Ms. Pranali Tambe
Junior Research Fellow & PhD Scholar
CASCADE, Somaiya Institute of Research and Consultancy (SIRAC)
Ms. Simran Lakhanpal
Junior Research Fellow & PhD Scholar
CASCADE, Somaiya institute of research and consultancy (SIRAC)
Ms. Krusha Shah
Junior Research Fellow & PhD Scholar
CASCADE, Somaiya Institute for Research and Consultancy (SIRAC)
Ms. Isha Popat
Junior Research Fellow & PhD Scholar
CASCADE, Somaiya Institute for Research and Consultancy (SIRAC)
Ms. Kavita Patel
Junior Research Fellow
K J Somaiya Institute of Dharma Studies (KJSIDS)
Ms. Radhika Sao
Junior Research Fellow
K J Somaiya Institute of Dharma Studies (KJSIDS)
Mr. Viraj Utekar
Junior Research Fellow
K J Somaiya Institute of Dharma Studies (KJSIDS)