Torch Bearers are our esteemed Advisory Board Members who have helped us crystalise our vision and they keep track of the HVT’s big picture by providing us with continued direction and leadership. Our Torch Bearers guide us in designing our programs and support us in developing strategies to be more effective and impactful. We continuously seek their advice to steer HVT in the right path and to enhance and enlarge our outreach.
Dr. Kaynat Kazi is an author, travel writer, researcher, photographer, blogger, storyteller, and, most importantly, a lone female traveller. She started Rahagiri which is India’s first Hindi travel photography blog. Kaynat has travelled about 2,50,000 kilometres and 29 Indian states and captured her journey through her lens too. She currently leads the centre for culture and the arts at the UPES School of Liberal Studies. She is facilitating India’s mission of cultural mapping, IGNCA under ministry of culture, government of India. Dr. Kazi is a member of a number of notable organizations, including the Delhi Journalists Association, the India International Photography Council, amongst others. Kaynat Kazi is an accomplished journalist with a Ph.D. in Hindi. Working experience with The Sunday Indian and close to authoring 9 books, she has written popular articles, short stories, and academic journal contributions. She just completed a project called Paramatma: for the IGNCA, a division of the Ministry of Culture of the Government of India. In central India, she has worked for the Gond tribes and written a research and coffee table book about the Gond tribe of Devgarh.
Himanshu Rai Sharma, a B.Tech in Textiles and MBA graduate from IIT Delhi, has primarily focused his career in the educational sector. As the founder and principal of Gurukulam, Orai UP and TakkshilaGurukulam Dadri (Noida), he has made significant contributions. Himanshu has also ventured into the JEE test prep market in the edtech and training space. For the past 9 years, he has worked as a CSR consultant, specializing in educational interventions for government schools and NGO learning centres. His expertise extends to social entrepreneurship, where he guides and supports young individuals in seed funding efforts and connects them with incubators and accelerators. Himanshu is passionate about assisting in the educational and social entrepreneurship domains.
Ankit Sood, holds a Masters in Philosophy in Ecotourism and served as a lecturer for 12 years in Kullu College. He founded the Sunshine Himalayan Adventures and Cottages, a pioneering responsible tourism outfit. He is a renowned figure in the field of community tourism with over 28 years of experience.He is India’s top Sustainable Tourism Expert, actively involved in developing community-based responsible tourism across various states of Himachal , Sikkim , Uttarakhand , Tripura , Assam (in collaboration with respective state governments). His contributions extend to the Great Himalayan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, initiating several park’s initiative like grooming local ecoguides. Ankit also co-founded Kullu Projects, assisting disadvantaged children with learning and skill development. Currently based in Tirthan Valley, he collaborates with esteemed organizations such as Asian Development Bank, World Bank, GIZ, JICA, and more, driving responsible tourism initiatives nationwide. Ankit has been a strong supporter of HVT from the initiation days and his inputs are extremely valuable.
Ajaz Rashid is a versatile individual with a diverse range of expertise and experiences. He is currently the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Ummeed Foundation, a social organization. With a background spanning over two decades in the media industry, social & development sector, Government partnerships with Indian Army, Health departments, public sector enterprises, district administration, district development councils, local bodies, Projects with IOCL, ONGC, AstraZeneca, other. As a CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) entrepreneur, Rashid has been involved in several initiatives aimed at benefiting society. He has collaborated with the Indian Army to establish hospitals at the border areas, development of heart centers, agrotechnology projects in tribal areas, language laboratories, and smart classrooms in collaboration with the government, setting up telemedicine centers, digital libraries, sericultural projects, and eco-tourism projects. Born and educated in Kashmir, he believes in fostering encouragement and entrepreneurship to empower individuals and communities. Currently, Rashid divides his time between Mumbai, Delhi NCR, and Srinagar, Kashmir, which allows him to engage in various projects across different locations and contribute to social causes in multiple areas.
Dr. Diti Vyas, is a Ph.D. from Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar and has received national and international accolades for her research work by organizations such as International Research Society for Children’s Literature (IRSCL).She is a UGC NET-Qualified Associate Professor in Communications, with more than 20 years of experience of full-time teaching, research and consultancy. Currently an Associate Professor in Communications and Writing area at Anant National University and a visiting faculty in many more.
She has widely lectured and presented at international and national forums. Her research in the areas of gender studies and sustainability communication is commendable. She represents Gujarat in the collection of Folk tales, Legends and Modern Lore of India. Dr. Vyas specializes in offering experiential courses such as Communication for Social Change, Semiotics and managerial training workshops for organizations like Apollo Hospitals, Adani Group, Sterling Hospital, State Bank of India, British Council, Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Gujarat through various Management Development Programmes (MDPs). Prof. Vyas has also done her Diploma in Fine Arts and is trained in Kathak and Hindustani vocal music.
19 years of experience in both manufacturing and service sector, in the field of Learning and Development and Management Consulting. Co-founded acumen 360°, a Training & Consulting firm and Etude 360 in 2020. Completed the OD Analyst course certified & TA:101 a foundation course in Transactional analysis accredited by ITAA along with a Lead Auditors course from TUV. She had the opportunity to train and coach 50000+ executives and managers of reputed companies as an organisation. Experience of leading result/ goal driven interventions for organizations like Hindustan Unilever, Bombardier Transportation, UPL, MG Motor, Sanofi, Apollo Tyres, Sun Pharma to name a few.
Was one of the 30 selected presenters from across the Globe and the only one from India, invited to present at NASAGA 2016 Conference, to share innovative, engaging and gamified learning and development practices. Also presented their Simulation for high performance teams – MISSION EVEREST at the NASAGA in various Virtual Conferences. Well awarded and appreciated for her innovative ideas by various organisations. Has also completed WAFA – Wilderness Advanced First Aid Course from NOLS, USA and is a passionate trekker and blogger.
