Team

Manvita Baradi
Manvita Baradi
Director

Manvita Baradi has over 25 years of technical experience in developing and administering programs to local governments in the areas of service delivery, local governance, urban planning, heritage management, citizen participation, capacity building of local government associations, development of urban indicators and performance measurement and international development. She has served as Director-South Asia for the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), been technical consultant for United Agency for International Development (USAID) and served as an expert on World Bank funded programs for local governance, association development and urban planning programs in post-conflict regions like Afghanistan, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. In her role as director of UMC, she provides expert guidance to the various projects undertaken by the organization. She is the Gujarat State Convener of Indian National Trust of Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH). Manvita is an alumni of the senior executive institute, Darden Business School, University of Virginia, USA. And has done a summer course for local government management from University of Illinois, USA. Manvita is passionate about theatre and is a renowned name in Gujarati theatre. She has been actively involved in developmental communication using street theatre as an effective medium for communication. She has guided over half a dozen video productions on urban issues. She effectively uses her knowledge of city planning, design and theatre to work with people across age groups and knowledge skills. Manvita also serves as the Dean of School of Habitat Management at CEPT University. manvita@umcasia.org

Meghna Malhotra
Meghna Malhotra
Deputy Director

Meghna Malhotra has been working in the fields of urban governance and urban management across sectors including urban health, performance measurement, urban water and sanitation and in supporting local government associations’ development. Over the past 18 years, she has provided extensive technical support to programs in India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Afghanistan. She supported the operationalisation of local government associations in India and has been the technical facilitator for several USAID supported programs for Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.

Meghna currently manages the convergence program between the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) and Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM). She also leads the team supporting SBM in Gujarat. She has facilitated climate change and urban health programs and city specific action plans. She has managed city partnerships programs which UMC-ICMA facilitated between Indian and US Cities. Well aware of the role of communication in local urban governance, she is actively involved in designing Information Education Communication and Behaviour change communication plans for local governments. She is also a visiting faculty at CEPT University.

Meghna is a graduate in Architecture and holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Planning. She is passionate about sustainable solutions which local governments can implement and has been involved in several capacity needs assessment exercises for state and local government institutions. She also took the lead in writing a manual for local governments to prepare their disaster management plans. Meghna has assisted in compiling and designing books documenting built heritage in Surat and Ahmedabad; a manual on Documentation of Best Practices, the role of an association in the transfer process and a Starter Kit on formation of Local Government Associations. meghna@umcasia.org

Xerxes Rao
Xerxes Rao
Head – Urban Planning

Xerxes Rao is an architect and urban planner with over 15 years of experience in the field of architecture and urban planning. His experience spans the area of urban planning, urban governance, project management, community participation, capacity building, training and monitoring &evaluation of projects. Xerxes has a diversified skill-set developed over time and spanning from macro to micro management. Having gained experience in Germany and South Asian region in urban planning and management his work in India and Afghanistan has given him the technical experience in managing projects related to master plans, local area plans, capacity building, urban development policy, monitoring and evaluation of programs, project management support to various governments.

Xerxes has worked with various USAID projects in India and Afghanistan. He has been instrumental in leading the projects related to preparation of master plans for Mysore, Amritsar, Srinagar, Puducherry, Bharuch, etc. He has successfully led a team of 10 Urban Planners and GIS experts who are working with Naya Raipur Development Authority to implement the development plan and smart city proposals for Naya Raipur.

He has a wide and varied experience of working with projects funded by various multilateral agencies like World Bank, USAID, ADB and various national & international government organizations. He has actively participated in training of urban planners at the SIUD, Mysore.

Xerxes has completed his architecture from Vallabh Vidyanagar following which he attained his master’s degree from University of Stuttgart, Germany. He has also done his diploma in project management from IIMA. He is passionate about sustainable solutions for cities relating to land use plans, micro level plans, local economic development, environment issues which can be implemented and replicated by cities. Xerxes is an avid runner and an enthusiastic cyclist. xerxes@umcasia.org

Anurag Anthony
Anurag Anthony
Chief Technical Officer

Anurag Anthony has 10 years’ experience of working in association with local governments. His key areas of expertise include statutory master plans, sanitation, transport and heritage. Anurag has contributed in various capacities for preparation of city sanitation plans, SWM Master Plans and DPRs, heritage documentation and management, urban design plans, municipal data management and improvement studies, urban poverty schemes, policies under the Swachh Bharat Mission and industrial area planning.

Anurag has academic exposure and professional experience in India, USA, UK, Italy, Pakistan and Libya. A graduate in Architecture, Anurag has a Master’s degree in Architecture (Urban Design), MSc in International Trade & Transport, London, MBA in International Business, Pondicherry and is currently pursuing Environmental Law from NLSUI Bangalore. anurag@umcasia.org

Abhishek Brahma
Abhishek Brahma
Community Co-ordinator

Abhishek Brahma has been working as community coordinator in SBM-NULM project in the district of Dhenkanal of Odisha. He has completed his Master’s in social work from University of culture, Bhubaneswar. He has 12 years of experience in the developmental sector and has worked intensively on issues of persons with disability, women and children, inclusion, livelihood and gender based violence, SHG etc.

Abhranil Munsi
Abhranil Munsi
Project Associate

Abhranil is an urban planner with a background in Architecture aiming to help improve places, livelihoods, and infrastructure. He’s passionate about leveraging data science methodologies and spatial econometrics. His expertise lies at the intersection of urban planning and advanced analytics, with a focus on optimizing urban environments for sustainable development and equitable growth. As a creative, he specializes in data visualization, graphic design, and digital publication.
In 2019, Abhranil led a team of students representing India at the World Architecture Festival in Amsterdam, an experience that enriched his understanding of global urban challenges and solutions. He previously worked for the New Delhi-based, award-winning architecture firm
Studio Lotus, where he assisted them in facilitating several major master-planning and architecture projects. He was also the Content Coordinator for Multilogue Collective, a non-profit organization based out of New Delhi. Formally trained in Indian Classical Music as a Sitarist, Abhranil likes to use that knowledge to learn how to play different musical instruments. Additionally, he holds a particular interest in playing and watching football. abhranil@umcasia.org

Alibha Das
Alibha Das
Project Associate

Alibha Das has a BBA in finance from Ravenshaw University and a Masters in Finance and Control from Utkal University. She is currently working as Project Associate at UMC under the GARIMA scheme in Sambalpur Municipal Corporation. Earlier she worked as Programme Associate and Documentation Expert in Society For The Welfare Of Weaker Sections (SWWS).

Alok Kumar Mahapatra
Alok Kumar Mahapatra
State Program Coordinator - Garima
Alok, a rural development professional from National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD) & PR, Hyderabad, PGDRDM in 2010 has 11 years of work experience in development sector in sectors like Skill Development, Livelihood, Tribal Development, Education, Agriculture, Irrigation and rural electrification etc. along with 5 years experience in working as consultant in Office of Chief Minister, Govt. of Odisha. Worked as Prime Minister’s Rural Development Fellow(PMRDF) under Ministry of Rural Development, Govt. of India for 3 years in naxal affected districts of Odisha. alok@umcasia.org
Anil Sathvara
Anil Sathvara
Video Editor

Anil is an audio video editor with over 12 years of experience at various news channels and Ed-tech companies. He holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Audio-Visual & Television Production from Gujarat Vidhyapith. Anil@umcasia.org

Anshi Kikani
Anshi Kikani
Project Associate

Anshi is an accomplished architect and urban planner, holding a Masters degree in Urban Planning from CEPT University, Ahmedabad. She has professional experience in high-rise residential projects and hospitals as an architect. Additionally, she interned with AUDA, gaining
valuable insights into urban planning. During her academic tenure, Anshi participated in both macro and micro-level planning projects.
The comprehensive nature of urban planning has fueled her passion for addressing complex issues. She is adept at using strong communication and critical analytical skills to understand urban formations, governance, and financial systems that contribute to the development of
urban centers. anshi@umcasia.org

Antara Ghoshal
Antara Ghoshal
Project Associate

Antara is an architect and urban planner, with an interest in inclusive environmental design, policy making, livelihoods, urban mobility, and city planning. She aims for the betterment of society through different interventions of planning and design. She got an opportunity to work on the Bareilly Smart City project at a Delhi-based firm. She pursued her Masters in Urban Planning from CEPT University. In the course of her academic journey, she has worked on the master plan of Ahmedabad as a macro-level project, and micro-level local area plan for the Sabarmati HSR station area. Her academic research focused on the analysis of different road network parameters for urban arterials. She has experience in market research for worker housing projects as a part of her summer internship at a private equity firm based in Hyderabad. As a budding planner, she is eager to contribute to the sustainable and equitable development of the society. As a music enthusiast, she is formally trained in Rabindra Sangeet and Folk music as a vocalist and is determined to continue her extracurricular alongside. antara@umcasia.org

Apeksha Bhusari
Apeksha Bhusari
Project Associate

Apeksha holds a Bachelors degree in Architecture from MITS Gwalior and a Masters in Environmental Planning from SPA Bhopal. Additionally, she completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Urban Environmental Management and Law from NLU Delhi and the Center of Environmental Law, WWF. She was involved in formulating regional plans for Coimbatore and The Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu, as well as the GPSDP of Bilkisganj Gram Panchayat in Madhya Pradesh. As part of her academic curriculum, she has worked on significant projects such as the
Climate-Resilient Development Plan for Indore and the Regional Plan for Eco-Sensitive Regions in The Nilgiris. Her interests revolve around crafting urban strategies resilient to climate change and disasters, integrating sustainable nature-based solutions, WASH, public policy, and promoting citizen engagement in urban development. apeksha@umcasia.org

Arham Sayeed Quadri
Arham Sayeed Quadri
Program Coordinator

Arham is a development practitioner with a keen interest in migration and urbanisation. A masters in Development and Labour Studies from JNU, she has worked on-ground with migrant communities of Gurugram for the past two years. She has developed the processes and managed the program for rights and entitlements of migrant workers ranging from getting them linked to various government schemes to capacity building of community members.
Arham is also a theatre worker and believes that theatre is a great way to bring reform into the society and engage people in critical thinking. Arham@umcasia.org

Arvind Kumar Singh
Arvind Kumar Singh
Head-Water and Sanitation

Arvind Kumar Singh is a development professional with over 20 years of work experience in the water and sanitation sector. He has significant experience in implementation of community based, demand driven state/national programs on safe drinking water and sanitation in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. He has worked with various state governments, national and international agencies.

Arvind coordinates and provides technical support to ‘Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban’, Gujarat, aids documentation and dissemination of innovative practices. He is an expert facilitator for local government training for the national flagship programs. He specializes in training grass root communities and SHGs/CBOs/ NGOs, district officials and senior government officers. A post graduate in Social Science (M.Sc, Applied Geography), he has a Master degree in Urban and Regional Planning. He also has a post graduate diploma in Human Resource Management from Pondicherry University. arvind@umcasia.org

Atharvi Netragaonkar
Atharvi Netragaonkar
Project Associate

Atharvi completed her bachelor’s in architecture from PVP College of Architecture, Pune, and her masters in Urban Planning from CEPT University, Ahmedabad. She has experience as an architect in Urban upliftment projects and public spaces in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad. As a budding Urban Planner and a Public Policy enthusiast, she got an opportunity to work in the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal
Corporation as the SDG Mayors Fellowship Cohort of 2023. With a keen interest in working towards making cities work for everyone, she joined as a Project Associate in UMC. Her major interests lie in urban planning, public policy in urban development along with infrastructure, transport and real estate. In all, cities holistically, are of her keen interest. atharvi@umcasia.org

Atit Jaiswal
Atit Jaiswal
Program Manager - TSU Assam

Atit, an alumnus of NIT Surat, is associated with our waste management projects. As a budding professional, he has worked extensively with multilateral international agencies, state governments, and urban local bodies. Atit earned national recognition for his thesis on Urban Heat Islands, reflecting his profound interest in local climate management and climate change as well. He has a keen interest in urban infrastructure and the aspiration to create waste-free cities. With a background in Civil Engineering and Urban Planning, his expertise equips him to tackle pressing environmental challenges. Quietly dedicated to making a meaningful contribution to environmental sustainability, Atit’s work resonates at the intersection of academia and real-world impact. atit@umcasia.org

Baijayantimala Rout
Baijayantimala Rout
Field Coordinator

Baijayantimala is a student at Utkal University in Bhubaneswar. She previously worked as a supervisor and trainer for a project titled “Buddy System” conducted by GBL(Good Business Lab) in Bangalore. Currently, she works as a field Coordinator in the Jatni Municipality. baijayanti@umcasia.org

Bhanu Pratap Nayak
Bhanu Pratap Nayak
Technical Coordinator

Bhanu is a dynamic Policy Consultant and Technical Advisor known for spearheading impactful projects in public policy and management. His expertise in project management and driving grassroots-level social impact is underscored by a 2-year Executive Education course in Public Policy & Management from IIM Ahmedabad sponsored by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship under the Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship program. He has served as a Technical Advisor (ODOP) at the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, and led transformative initiatives in agriculture and skill development. His accomplishments include facilitating red chilli exports, introducing innovative farming technology, and fostering collaborations that enhanced product prices. Beyond agriculture, he has worked on skill development programs, conducted extensive research, and empowered women-led Self-Help Groups. His dedication to sustainable development and community empowerment reflects a fervent commitment to fostering enduring social change. bhanu@umcasia.org

Bhimji Vaghela
Bhimji Vaghela
GIS Analyst

Bhimji has more than 7 years experience, conducting different survey (Household, Demarcation, Topographical, Drone etc.) for various GIS Based infrastructure, planning, sewer line, storm line, water supply schemes, development plan, master plan, town planning scheme etc. projects.

Chinmay Menon
Chinmay Menon
Knowledge Manager

Chinmay Menon is a seasoned communications and media professional with over a decade of experience in diverse marketing and communication roles. A MICA alumnus with a specialization in Crafting Creative Communications, Chinmay has woven many compelling narratives to life and led several campaigns for political figures and corporate brands, including a notable documentary for the World Bank.
Chinmay excels at blending ideas with insights to create impactful communication strategies. He is driven by the belief that effective
communication is crucial for addressing challenges that significantly influence urban development and community engagement. His professional journey is enriched by his commitment to embracing diverse cultural perspectives and promoting inclusive dialogues across various fields. chinmay@umcasia.org

Dhaval Patel
Dhaval Patel
System Administrator

Dhaval is a network engineer with five years of experience in data and systems management.

Dixita Pariaker
Dixita Pariaker
Project Associate

Dixita is an Architect and Regulatory Policy and Governance professional from TISS, Mumbai. She has worked with local government to improve service delivery of solid waste management, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable development. She has a keen interest in the circularity of waste and water, and participatory engagement for development. At UMC, Dixita works on the sanitation workers’ safety program. dixita@umcasia.org

Gajinder Pal Singh
Gajinder Pal Singh
Knowledge Management, IT & MIS Manager - TSU Delhi

Gajinder did his graduation from Delhi University, Delhi. He has over 20 years of experience in software designing, development, roll-out, training and documentation. Gajinder has a passion for process re-engineering by leveraging Information Technology and has extensive experience of working in the development sector. In his free time he likes reading books. It’s an excellent way to improve your vocabulary, healthy reading habits mean a healthier body. Also he likes cooking, it helps to improve positive moods and other positive mental health outcomes. gajinder@umcasia.org

Ganesh Parida
Ganesh Parida
Senior City Co-ordinator

Having experience of more than 25 years in the Development Sector with various positions and capacities in NGO and INGO in the fields like livelihood, School WASH, DRR WASH, Urban WASH, Faecal Sludge Management (FSM), Participatory Governance, Education, Natural Resource Management, Project Planning & Implementation, M&E, Documentation and Capacity building etc.  Has broad understanding on Community Management and pro-poor Community Centric initiatives and experience in working at implementation as well as at management level. ganesh@umcasia.org

Gopikrishnan P
Gopikrishnan P
Senior Program Manager

Gopikrishnan is an Engineer turned Urban Planner holding a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and a Masters degree in Urban and Regional Planning (Major: Infrastructure) from
the CEPT University. In his professional career, spanning over 12+ years, he has gained experience in a spectrum of infrastructure development domains covering project conceptualization, planning, design coordination, project/ program management and government consulting. In the past, he has worked with leading global firms such as EY LLP, Surbana Jurong Group and SMEC, delivering high-quality solutions to clients across Asia and the Middle East. His core competencies include concept and detailed infrastructure planning, preliminary infrastructure design, land use planning, seaport infrastructure planning, WASH, SWM, business process re-engineering and infrastructure feasibility studies. In his latest association with the Urban Management Centre as a Senior Program Manager, he is foraying into the realm of climate change related services. He strives to create sustainable and resilient urban environments that enhance the quality of life and economic development of communities through effective utilization of his expertise and skillsets. Gopi is an avid cyclist and has an undying passion for bikes and mountains. gopikrishnan@umcasia.org

Harsha Sahu
Harsha Sahu
Accounts Trainee

Harsha has 3.5 years of experience in the Accounting & Banking sector. She has expertise in financial analysis, reconciliations, and risk management, ensuring accurate and compliant financial transactions. She is a detail-oriented accounting professional proficient in ledger maintenance, budgeting, and auditing, and is adept at navigating complex financial systems to guarantee precision. Harsha performs general administration tasks like cashing cheques, checking statements, processing payments, making money transfers, and updating account details. She holds a degree in Master of Commerce. harsha@umcasia.org

Jayshree Bhavsar
Jayshree Bhavsar
Account & Administration Assistant

Jayshree Bhavsar is associated with UMC from last 10 years. She assists Accounts and HR team in addition to maintaining the data entry and organization’s library. She is a commerce graduate with 22 years of experience in handling office operations. She has previously worked as clerk and accounts assistant with an architectural firm. She has the knowledge of voice mixing, editing and providing voice-overs due to her stint with the radio station of Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) Ahmedabad. jayshree@umcasia.org

Jeeban Jyoti Mohanty
Jeeban Jyoti Mohanty
Team Lead - TSU-NULM

Dr. Jeeban Jyoti Mohanty is an enterprising professional dedicated towards making the financial system work for the deprived section and the entrepreneurial communities. He has worked for over 14 years in areas, viz. development finance (Microfinance, micro pension and micro insurance), microenterprise development, digital financial services, research and analysis.

Previously, Dr. Mohanty was associated with Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) overseeing the Technical Assistance (TA) component of the bank. He has also worked with E&Y LLP as a State Mission Manager – Financial Inclusion and Micro-enterprise in National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM); NABARD Rural Micro Pension Programme in Odisha at Invest India Micro Pension Services (IIMPS); and DHAN Foundation on SHG Bank Linkage Programme.

Academically, he holds a Ph.D. in Economics, PG Diploma in Development Management and MA in Rural Development. Additionally, he holds a Diploma in United Nations and International Understanding from Institute of U.N. Studies and Project Management for Managers from IIT, Roorkee. He has published more than 20 research papers and articles on financial inclusion, microenterprise development, micro pension and microfinance in both National and International journals. Jeebanjyoti@umcasia.org

Kaninik Baradi
Kaninik Baradi
Strategic Initiatives Officer

Kaninik Baradi is an engineer exploring ways in which better management and technology can scaffold each other and build better cities. He graduated from the 2019 batch of the Faculty of Technology undergraduate program at CEPT and since then has taught at CEPT, and IIT-Gn. He has contributed to program design, social mobilization, institution building, municipal data management, e-learning, urban poverty schemes, and heritage documentation projects. His key skills are communication for diverse audiences, bridging the gap between designers, engineers, and end-users, and data analysis and interpretation. Kaninik has received international academic exposure in the United States of America, Australia, and the United Kingdom. kaninik@umcasia.org

Karunamoy Agnihotri
Karunamoy Agnihotri
Chief Financial and Administration Officer

Karunamoy Agnihotri has been an integral part of the UMC team since 2007. With core specialization in finance, accounts, procurement, logistics, general and contract administration, he has over 20 years of experience in financial management and administration of donor funded programs. He has vast experience of working for non-governmental organizations, including prominent organizations like Janadhar.

He has also worked for the Indian School of Micro Finance for Women (Ahmedabad), Mott MacDonald (UK), CARE India etc. Karan’s key tasks include setting up budgets, monthly forecasts, cash flow, financial planning and analysis, accounting and administrative systems for monitoring and control of day-to-day transactions, FCRA and donor reporting overseeing banking functions and interacting with donors. He is CWA from the Institute of Cost and Works Accountant of India. He has cleared inter-CA of the Chartered Accountants of India. karan@umcasia.org

Lopamudra Das
Lopamudra Das
Assistant Program Manager - Capacity Building

Lopamudra Das has joined as the City Co-ordinator for Bhubaneswar for the convergence program of SBM & NULM. She has almost 11 years of experience in both Private and Government sector. Prior to this, she was working for the AMRUT project as the Team Leader\Urban Planner for Cuttack Municipal Corporation and then moved to the State level and monitored for the all 9 AMRUT cities of Odisha. Related to her qualification she completed 5-year integrated MBA(HR & Mkt) from Utkal University, Odisha in 2004 and then moved to Bangalore. There she worked with Wipro Technologies as Training Associate for 3 years and again moved back to Bhubaneswar and worked for a software company as Asst.Manager HR for 3 years. She loves to work in areas where one can connect more closely to the group of people for whom we are working. lopamudra@umcasia.org

Monalisa Sharma
Monalisa Sharma
Project Associate

Monalisa is a budding Urban Planning professional with a passion for using her skills to uplift socio-economic growth and development. She has a strong foundation in Architecture, having earned her bachelor’s degree from Piloo Mody College of Architecture, Cuttack. During her 4 years of experience as an architect, she honed her leadership skills by leading various teams on a variety of projects, including smart-city projects, residential, high-rise commercial projects, etc. She recently furthered her education by completing Masters in Urban Planning. This academic background combined with her architectural experience, allows her to approach Urban Planning from a comprehensive
perspective. Throughout her academic career she has tackled diverse range of macro and micro planning projects such as Bharuch development plan, town planning schemes for Navi-Mumbai Airport Influenced Notified Area(NAINA), Accessibility analysis around Surat HSR station, feasibility studies in Bhubaneswar etc. Her Internship at ASCI focused on training needs for climate resilient Urban Planning and Development, highlighting her commitment to sustainable practices. Her creativity is evidenced by her skills in graphic design and sketching. Currently she leverages her expertise as a Project Associate at the UMC. monalisa@umcasia.org

Namrata Pradhan
Namrata Pradhan
Member State Team - MUKTA

Namrata is a development sector professional with more than 4 years of experience working in Plastic and Solid Waste management, urban livelihood, with a focus on gender mainstreaming and social inclusion. She has experience in working with Government of Odisha, Municipal Corporations, not-for-profit organizations and UN Agency- UNDP. Namrata have demonstrated skills in stakeholder management, liaising, project management, capacity building, monitoring, and evaluation. She holds a MBA degree in Rural Management from KIIT School of Rural Management, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar. Namrata loves to travel and explore local delicacies.

Narendra Kumar Swain
Narendra Kumar Swain
Coordinator, TSU - Capacity Building, Odisha

A Master’s Degree in Social Work from Utkal University, Odisha has diverse experiences. Ability to conduct assessments and provide help to wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic,
cultural, ethnic, educational and other diversified backgrounds, utilize community resources and provide education to those in need. Also has experience in different projects of Govt of Odisha & international
organization. narendra@umcasia.org

Neeraj Sharma
Neeraj Sharma
Senior Program Manager - TSU Delhi

With an extensive 10-year+ background, exclusively within the Government-PSU ecosystem, Neeraj possesses a wealth of expertise in Management Consulting, Stakeholder Management, Project Management, Capacity Building, Problem Solving, Operations Management, and Business Development. During his highly successful 2-year tenure in the Public Sector Consulting domain, Neeraj had the opportunity to develop capacity-building plans for six Government of India (GoI) Departments associated with the Agriculture & Allied Sector. He not only facilitated the creation of a roadmap for need-based capacity building for officials within the Departments, but also proposed organizational-level improvements having a positive and lasting impact on both the State and Central Governments, as well as the farmers.
Before entering the Consulting domain, Neeraj worked as the Executive Assistant to the Chief Secretary, Gujarat, where he gained a holistic view of State Administration and provided valuable insights as an internal consultant on 34 projects of significant importance to the State and Central Government.
Academically, Neeraj holds a B.Tech degree in Mechanical Engineering from NIT Nagpur (VNIT) and is an alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad (PGPX Co’ 2021). Before pursuing MBA, Neeraj had worked in the Coal Mining sector for over 7 years overseeing management of core technical operations. neeraj@umcasia.org

Nikita Popat
Nikita Popat
Senior Program Manager

Nikita is a development sector professional with about 4 years of work experience in WASH sector. A graduate in Engineering, Nikita has a masters’ degree in Urban & Regional Planning with specialization in Infrastructure planning. She has contributed in various capacities in preparation of WASH assessment tools, preparation of city based WASH improvement plans, worked as technical consultant in Swachhta Sarvekshan, Swachh Bharat Mission, and supporting innovations in WASH. nikita@umcasia.org

Pankaj Barik
Pankaj Barik
Deputy Team Leader
Pitambar Polei
Pitambar Polei
Community Co-ordinator

Post Graduate in Social Work course from Killing University, Raipur, India. Have a total 5 years of experience in the social work sector including an experience in the field of Women empowerment role of Health and
Livelihood facilitator in the NULM project of SUDA conducted by VISHWA JEVEEN SEVA SANGHA, Bhubaneswar. Also have an experience of working in different slums of Bhubaneswar. Worked in Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) as block coordinator at Ganjam for 2 years, facilitated different youth and women specific programme committee and 2 years experience at SOPVA, Bhubaneswar in women hygienic related programme.pitambar@umcasia.org

Poushya C
Poushya C
Project Associate

Poushya C, a dedicated Civil Engineer and Urban Planner, is fervently committed to transforming the sanitation sector in India to bringing about positive change at both the grassroots and systemic levels. As a Project Associate at the Urban Management Centre – Technical Support Unit, she actively contributes to the Sanitation Workers Development Scheme in Tamil Nadu. Collaborating with the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, Poushya oversees the scheme’s progress, ensures city- wide implementation, and plays a key role in its strategic development across all Urban Local Bodies in the state of Tamil Nadu. Poushya, with expertise in civil engineering and urban planning, is realizing her dream of improving sanitation in Tamil Nadu. Her hands-on involvement demonstrates a genuine concern for sanitation workers’ well-being. With a civil engineering background, she is drawn to urban planning for its infrastructure development opportunities and enjoys the multidisciplinary challenge of solving complex urban issues. Poushya is actively contributing to creating healthier, more sustainable urban environments, making a significant impact on sanitation practices and workers’ lives. poushya@umcasia.org

Pradheeps Muthulingam
Pradheeps Muthulingam
State Program Manager, TSU - SWDS

Pradheeps is a seasoned professional in Ecology and Environmental Sciences, boasting a solid academic background and ten years of career experience. Armed with a graduate degree in Agriculture and a Ph.D. in Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Pradheeps exemplifies a deep-rooted commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable practices.
His career journey is marked by active involvement in a diverse array of environmental initiatives, spanning areas such as Environmental Planning, Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, Disaster Management, Biodiversity conservation, Climate finance, Solid Waste Management, and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) projects. Blending academic expertise with practical experience, Pradheeps adeptly navigates complex environmental challenges with innovation and effectiveness. Driven by a passion for sustainability, Pradheeps engages in rigorous research, contributes to policy development, and excels in project management, all aimed at advancing global sustainability goals while empowering communities and ecosystems to thrive amidst environmental changes.
His collaborative spirit shines through his eagerness to partner with individuals, organizations, and institutions that share his vision of creating a greener, more sustainable world. pradheeps@umcasia.org

Pranati Das
Pranati Das
Program Lead, TSU - Capacity Building, Odisha
Pranati Das is the State Programme Coordinator – NULM in Odisha, who oversees UMC’s technical support to Government of Odisha for the DAY NULM and SBM Convergence interventions in the state. Pranati has more than 10 years of demonstrated experience in managing development programmes in international not-for-profit organizations and UN Agencies – UNFPA and UNDP. Pranati expertise in thematic areas of women’s land and habitat rights, gender equality, socially smart city interventions, livelihoods, skill development and vocational education, and has led technical support to governments in Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. Pranati has also managed advertising and communications for 12 years in the for-profit sector including media.
Master in Economics, a post graduate in Business Management from Xavier Institute of Management Bhubaneswar, and a certificate in Communications from Duarte Academy, San Francisco (USA), Pranati is an avid traveller and trekker, who takes interest in exploring nature. pranati@umcasia.org
Prasanta Kumar Dhal
Prasanta Kumar Dhal
Cluster Coordinator

Prasanta Kumar Dhal has more than 18 years of experience in both the government and the development sectors with various positions in both urban & rural community development projects for housing, promotion of livelihood; sustainable development for the rural and urban poor with entrepreneur’s development program as well as mentor development program and well versed for training & capacity building activities,
stakeholder analysis & management, beneficiary interaction, and community mobilization, active community participation, institution building, liaison & networking with demonstrated abilities across various projects in different states. He has a Master of Rural Development (MRD) from Utkal University, Odisha, and is always a helping hand to needy people and People with Disability. prasanta@umcasia.org

Priyambda Tripathi
Priyambda Tripathi
Senior Program Manager

Priyambda is a Ph.D. and Masters in Social Work from Tiss, Mumbai. She has more than 15 years of experience in Government Advisory, Social Research, and Project Management. She has worked with diverse organizations and her research interests include Collective Action Models such as grass root organizations (FPO, Self Help Groups), Social Exclusion, and Public Policy
priyambada@umcasia.org

Prutha Shah
Prutha Shah
Project Associate

Prutha is an urban planner and holds the degree of Bachelors in Planning from Nirma University, Ahmedabad, and Masters in Urban Planning from CEPT University, Ahmedabad. During her academics, she has worked on preparing Development Plans for Ahmedabad and Dehradun, Town planning Schemes for S.G Highway, Ahmedabad, and Koba Circle, Gandhinagar, City Climate Action Plans, and dealing with the triple challenge of urbanization, fractured urban governance, and climate change to name a few. At UMC, she is working on Sanitation Workers Safety Scheme. Her major areas of Interest include but are not limited to public policy, urban development and management, environmental planning, and climate change. prutha@umcasia.org

Rabindra Nahak
Rabindra Nahak
District Co-ordinator

Rabindra has 19 years professional experience in the development sector for Program & Project Management, partnership management, and Community development. He has provided technical support to Govt. of Odisha for the reform initiative of MGNREGS, PDS, Skill development, Land Rights and Livelihood. Extensive experience of working with Government at state and district level for execution of development projects like health & nutrition, disaster response, safe Migration, and Capacity building of Govt. Officials, service providers of government, Staff, NGO partners, SHGs & PRIs. A Masters in Social Work and MBA-HR from Eiilm University. rabindra@umcasia.org

Rakesh Vasavda
Rakesh Vasavda
Senior Accounts & Administration Manager

Rakesh Vasavda has been maintaining the accounts and finance reports since the inception of UMC. With 15 years of experience in accounting and finance management, he assists the senior finance manager in preparing financial MIS, budgets, setting out financial and administrative procedures. He is also responsible for book keeping, file maintenance, issuing cheques and vouchers for the organisation projects and programs. Rakesh holds a first-class degree in Commerce from the Gujarat University. rakesh@umcasia.org

Ramchandra Samal
Ramchandra Samal
City co-ordinator, Garima

Ramachandra has over 14 years of experience in field of Adolescent Health & Nutrition, Menstrual Hygiene Management(MHM), Child Health & Nutrition, Primary & secondary Education, Child Right & Protection program with national & international funding and implementing agencies in state of
Jharkhand and Odisha.He holds Master degree in Social Work, Post graduate certificate in Ambedkar Philosophy and Development of Weaker section and Certificate in Human Rights from IGNOU.
ramchandra@umcasia.org

Rashmita Patel
Rashmita Patel
Team Lead, Odisha State

Rashmita is a development professional with more than thirteen years of experience working with the Government of India, different state governments and with national and international development organisations. She has worked across sectors of urban management, with a focus on gender mainstreaming, social Inclusion and inclusive sanitation.
Rashmita holds a post-graduation degree in English language and social work and a MBA in rural management from Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar. She has also worked in areas of water-sanitation in Srilanka, Bangladesh and Nepal. rashmita@umcasia.org

Rishika Srivastava
Rishika Srivastava
Legal and Policy Researcher

Rishika Srivastava is a lawyer exploring ways to make our cities more equitable and sustainable. She graduated from the 2020 batch of the Institute of Law, Nirma University and has practiced with senior advocates and law firms to better understand how laws and organisations intersect. At UMC, she has contributed to program design, social mobilization, institution building, policy implementation, and governance. She is currently managing UMC’s education projects and capacity building and training vertical. Her key skills include communication for diverse audiences, bridging the gap between policy design and implementation. Rishika has also received certificate from the London School of Economics for completing their professional development course on Public Policy Analysis. Rishika@umcasia.org

Roshan Mishra
Roshan Mishra
Cluster Coordinator

With over eight years of experience, Roshan is a seasoned professional who thrives in seeing projects through to completion with careful planning and execution. His experience includes overseeing a variety of programs (Skill Development, Capacity Building) and making sure that budgets and schedules are followed. Through meticulous attention to detail and a methodical approach, he has continuously raised income, productivity, and efficiency on projects of all sizes. Impact assessment, stakeholder communication, community mobilization and project planning are all part of his dynamic skill set. For an expert dedicated to the highest standards of execution of projects, contact roshan@umcasia.org

Rujul Joshi
Rujul Joshi
Senior Program Manager

Rujul Joshi is an architect and holds a Master’s Degree in Infrastructure Planning from CEPT University, Ahmedabad. Since 2014, he has been engaged in a diversified project portfolio viz. Tourism, Urban Development, Urban Solid Waste Management and Real Estate to name a few. Owing to this, he has gained experience in project development, project financing and Business development.

He started his urban planning career with Urban Management Centre in 2015, wherein he was involved in projects such as HRIDAY, Heritage Management Plan for Jodhpur, Rajasthan, DPR preparation for Solid Waste Management projects and so on. Later, he worked as an independent consultant for a few years working across projects in SWM and Tourism, before recently joining UMC back as Program Manager in February 2023. rujul@umcasia.org

Rupjyoti Khaklari
Rupjyoti Khaklari
Information, Education & Communication (IEC) Coordinator - TSU Assam

Rupjyoti holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication and Journalism and boast over five years of professional experience in the domains of WASH and Public Health, strategic communications, and program implementation. During his tenure, he dedicated four years to UNICEF in diverse roles within the Swachh Bharat Mission Program. Most recently, he worked as a Team Lead – Communications at Dasra, followed by a position as a Communication Officer at John Snow India in Mizoram. His skill set encompasses a wide range of competencies, including expertise in behavior change communication, program implementation, knowledge management, research, advocacy, social mobilization, demand generation, capacity building, and effective
collaboration with various partners. Beyond his professional pursuits, he is an an avid traveler with an insatiable curiosity for exploring the world’s wonders. He finds joy in hiking, immersing himself in diverse cultures, savoring culinary delights, and engaging in stimulating conversations. rupjyoti@umcasia.org

Rutuprajna Nathsharma
Rutuprajna Nathsharma
Field Coordinator

Rutuprajna is a development professional with over four years of experience in the social and development sector. She holds a master’s
degree and a bachelor’s degree in social work from Utkal University. Rutuprajna possesses in-depth knowledge and expertise in various social issues, including child rights, labor rights, and women’s rights in both rural and urban Odisha. rutuprajna@umcasia.org

Sai Rashmi
Sai Rashmi
Project Associate

Chimmiri Sai Rashmi is an urban planner, who has done her Bachelors of planning from NIT Bhopal and Masters in urban planning from CEPT University. She is inclined towards the development sector while tackling multilayered urban issues. During her academics, she has done research on socio-cultural dynamics of migration, City Climate Action Plans, and dealing with the triple challenge of urbanization, fractured urban governance, and climate change. She has worked on capacity building programs for government officials including AMRUT, SBM & the Smart City Mission. Her major areas of interest include urban development, social planning and infrastructure, environmental planning, climate change and sustainability. At UMC, Sai Rashmi works in the National Urban Livelihood Mission Programme. sai@umcasia.org

Samikshya Singh
Samikshya Singh
Program Associate

Samikshya is an urban planner with a passion for creating communities that include equity, innovation, and a sustainable environment. My interest areas broadly includes rural & urban development, biodiversity & climate change and urban governance. She recently earned her Masters in Urban Planning from the Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women in New Delhi in 2022.
samikshya@umcasia.org

Sandeep Khasnavis
Sandeep Khasnavis
Project Associate

Sandeep Khasnavis, a versatile Urban and Regional Planner, boasts a robust foundation in Architecture with a specialization in Sustainability and expertise in Data Analytics. With a four-year track record, he has made impactful contributions to numerous green commercial and residential projects. Holding a Master’s degree in Urban Planning from COEP Technological University and a Post Graduate Diploma in Data Science Business Analytics from IIIT Bengaluru, Sandeep has showcased his proficiency in various domains. Notably, his outstanding work on revitalizing traditional local water bodies for water security and community development, recognized during an internship with Mission Amrit Sarovar – Jal Dharohar, MoHUA, earned his team a prestigious top 25 national accolade. He has also presented his work at various international conferences where his work showcases a critical connection between land records and town planning, emphasizing the “significance of data analytics in tackling complex urban challenges”. His areas of expertise and interest include Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM), Circular Economy, Data Analytics, and Sustainability. Beyond his professional pursuits, Sandeep is an enthusiastic traveler and enjoys creating travel vlogs while indulging in his passion for reading. sandeep.k@umcasia.org

Sandip Barik
Sandip Barik
Cluster Coordinator

Sandip is a civil engineer with over 10 years of experience in the development sector. His areas of work include watershed management, the MGNREGA migration project, and the integrated farming project.
With a strong background in civil engineering combined with expertise in community-centric approaches, he is driven to continue making meaningful contributions to the advancement of society, particularly in enhancing the well-being of marginalized & vulnerable populations. sandip.b@umcasia.org

Sarbeswar Singh Sahoo
Sarbeswar Singh Sahoo
Coordinator-TSU Capacity Building

Sarbeswar is a development professional over 18 years of experience in the sector in a progressive
responsible capacity, specialized in project management, monitoring & evaluation,
networking and partnership building, training and advocacy.
He has worked with various national and international organization with the projects
focused on empowering youth and women about their rights and entitlements, land
rights, livelihood, Natural Resource Management, child education, nutrition, skill
development training. Sarbeswar@umcasia.org

Sashank Sharma
Sashank Sharma
Program Manager

Sashank has a bachelor’s degree in Architecture, with 4 years of work experience in the sector. In 2019, he enrolled in a master’s course in Urban Management from Technical University Berlin. Post masters, he explored the urban development sector by working on a smart city project with IBI Group in Bhubaneswar, Orissa, and then he worked on a UNDP project on disaster management in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. In 2021, he began working as a Program Manager with Social Alpha. Working with the climate Change vertical, he designed and launched India’s first incubation program on sustainable construction.

Currently, he is working as a Program Manager with Urban Management Centre, stationed in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, as a part of USAID’s Central Tibetan Administration – Capacity Building and Sustainability Initiative program.

Sathish Kumar
Sathish Kumar
Program Coordinator

Sathish is a highly motivated and results-oriented urban planner with 7-plus years of experience in master and regional planning. He has a proven ability in land use planning and master planning through technical and analytical skills. He is also passionate about creating sustainable and livable communities. sathish.planner@umcasia.org

Sathish Kumar Murugesan
Sathish Kumar Murugesan
GIS Manager

Dr. Sathish Kumar M is a distinguished GIS expert with a multifaceted background in academia and research, boasting over 14 years of extensive experience in Geography, Remote Sensing, GIS, and Civil Engineering. Currently serving as a GIS Manager at UMC, , he brings a wealth of knowledge and practical skills to the field of GIS.
Dr. Sathish Kumar M is proficient in various software and practical skills essential for GIS applications, including ArcGIS, QGIS, Erdas Imagine, and GPS. His research interests span a wide array of topics such as Morphometric Analysis, Land Use Land Cover Change, Coastal Zone Management, and Groundwater Quality Management. Tourism Impact on Coastal area, Socio Economic Activities of fisher folk community etc. sathish@umcasia.org

Shashwat Sethi
Shashwat Sethi
Program Manager

Shashwat is an architect and holds a masters’ degree in urban planning from CEPT University Ahmedabad. At UMC, he contributes in providing support to Jodhpur ULB with a focus on WASH, sanitation mapping and heritage management.

He has worked on urban development projects with the ULBs in the states of Chhattisgarh and Telangana for their respective State Finance Commissions. He has also worked on National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) along with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and has assisted on projects of UNICEF and MHRD looking at WASH compliance in schools. He has worked as an architect professionally in Hyderabad and Auroville and has also been associated briefly as a faculty with JNAFAU in Hyderabad. shashwat@umcasia.org

Shiva Pandey
Shiva Pandey
Senior HR Associate

Shiva is an HR professional with five years of experience in managing human resources functions for different organisations. Her passion for people and talent development has driven her to excel in the field of human resources. She is skilled in Talent Acquisition and Recruitment, Employee Relations and Conflict Resolution, Performance Management, Training and Development, HR Compliance and Legal Knowledge, HRIS and Data Management, Strategic Planning and Decision-Making. Her mission is to contribute to organizational success by attracting, developing, and retaining top talent. She thrives on creating inclusive and supportive work environments where employees can flourish, leading to improved business outcomes. She has completed her graduation in B.Com (Management Honours) from IEHE, Bhopal and MBA in Human Resource from IPER, Bhopal while securing 91% in Human resource planning & development.
Feel free to reach out to her at shiva@umcasia.org for any HR-related inquiries or opportunities.

Shravani Kendki
Shravani Kendki
Project Associate

Shravani is an urban planner with a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Mumbai University and a Master’s degree in Urban Planning from CEPT University. She has experience working as an architect on public buildings, landscape, and urban design projects with government entities. She has worked on projects such as the analysis of the Ahmedabad rental market, the Bharuch and Ankleshwar development plan, the town planning scheme for the Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA), and analysis and policy intervention for the Mumbai redevelopment scenario during her academic career at CEPT University. She works on Assam for UMC as a member of the Solid Waste Management
Team. Her areas of interest are urban governance and policy-making, research and analysis, environmental and sustainable planning, and urban mobility. In addition to this, she is also an enthusiastic cyclist. shravani@umcasia.org

Shruthi Gurumoorthy
Shruthi Gurumoorthy
Program Coordinator

Shruthi Gurumoorthy is a development professional and has completed her graduation and post-graduation in Social Work from the University of Delhi and Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. She has worked with NGOs, and policy think tanks and has been part of a reputed Delhi Government Fellowship. Her interests include caste and gender. shruthi@umcasia.org

Sneha Maria Varghese
Sneha Maria Varghese
Program Coordinator

Sneha Maria Varghese has an MSc in Urbanization and Development from the London School of Economics, a bachelors degree in architecture from NIT Trichy, and a PG Diploma in Sustainability and Built Environment from the Anant Fellowship program. She has 2 years of work experience with non-profit organizations in Bangalore and Ahmedabad and has worked on projects such as the AMRUT Masterplan 2040 for Thanjavur, Kumbakonam and Pudukkottai, the NUDGE Research Innovation Grant supported action-research on ecological resilience in urban villages of Ranchi, and an advocacy project on enhancing access to skilled jobs for women construction workers. She is passionate about addressing the interlinked challenges of gender and urban inequality and she aims to grow and develop as a feminist urban development practitioner. sneha.m@umcasia.org

Soumya Mishra
Soumya Mishra
Training Specialist, TSU-Capacity Building Odisha

Soumya Mishra is a social impact professional with 15+ years of experience in research, documentation, program planning and management, policy analysis and advocacy, stakeholder management, and providing technical assistance to the government, in the space of urban transformation. In her previous assignments, she has been engaged in knowledge-based learning and institutional capacity building for a wide range of stakeholders, including policymakers, civil societies, community-based organisations and
leaders, and other vulnerable and marginal groups. She has been responsible for knowledge development, documentation, overall project coordination, and management in her previous assignments with NGOs. Her strengths have been in project planning, stakeholder
management, strengthening governance, citizen participation, bringing social inclusiveness, and empowerment of diverse vulnerable and marginal communities including informal settlements, Transgenders, Persons with Disabilities, elderly, adolescent girls, and boys.
She has worked closely with government departments, particularly, the Housing and Urban Development Department, Municipal Corporations, Women and Child Development, and the Health and Family Welfare Department as a vital component in her previous assignments.
She has contributed to the process of the Smart City development, in Bhubaneswar with her involvement in building a child-friendly city, citizen connect forums, and neighborhood planning during her association with the IBI group, thereby working as the interface
between the urban planning agency (Bhubaneswar Development Authority) and the local citizen forums (wards, associations, societies, clubs, etc.), enabling community engagement and bringing social inclusiveness through micro-level planning. Her education has been in
Rural Management and Sociology. Soumya has been a part of the UMC State team partnered as TSU with the Housing and
Urban Development Department, Govt of Odisha, for managing the Garima scheme designed for core sanitation workers. Presently she is part of the TSU team for Capacity building of the “Jalasathis”, a community-led intervention for urban transformation. soumya@umcasia.org

Sowmiya Titus
Sowmiya Titus
Project Associate

Sowmiya is a Project Associate at the Technical Support Unit (TSU) for the “Sanitation Workers Development scheme” in Tamil Nadu. She provides research, city-wise coordination and capacity building support for implementation of the scheme in all the urban local bodies of Tamil Nadu. She is currently seated at the Commissionerate of Municipal administration office and works closely with the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department of Tamil Nadu.

She has completed her Masters in Urban and Regional Planning (M.Plan – MURP) from School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal in 2022. She also has her bachelor’s degree in architecture with a significant one year of experience in the architectural domain. She is a passionate and technically sound Urban enthusiast who is constantly exploring the layers of urban fabric and aims to contribute towards improving the essence of life that exists within them.

Subrajit Mohapatra
Subrajit Mohapatra
City Coordinator

Subrajit Mohapatra is a highly accomplished professional with a distinguished academic background, holding a Masters in Structural Engineering. With an impressive tenure of 12 years, he is currently working as City Coordinator at UMC under the GARIMA scheme. His dedication to continuous learning and staying at the forefront of technological advancements allows him to incorporate cutting-edge approaches into his work, elevating the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the projects he undertakes. His expertise lies in Engineering, teaching professional & developing strategies to improve waste management systems, sanitation infrastructure, and public health awareness campaigns. He has also worked with local government as well as state government to develop strategies for improvement in urban areas of Odisha. subrajit@umcasia.org

Sumedha Wasan
Sumedha Wasan
Project Associate

Sumedha is an architect-planner who has earned a Master’s degree in Urban Infrastructure Planning, specializing in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WaSH) Sectors from CEPT University, Ahmedabad. Throughout her academic journey, some of the research conducted by her include the Effective Utilization of Treated Used Water in the commercial sector in Mumbai and the final waste disposal methods for Municipal Solid Waste Management in Rajkot city. Sumedha’s primary areas of focus encompass WaSH services, water and waste management, climate change, resilience, and public policy. At UMC, she is actively involved in the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme. sumedha@umcasia.org

Swagat Jhankar Mallick
Swagat Jhankar Mallick
City Coordinator

Swagat Jhankar Mallick has 7 years of experience as a development professional. He was engaged in WASH based projects focusing on diverse communities including persons with disabilities, elderly and adolescent girls. He primarily coordinates and manages projects on ground while securing support from decision makers and duty bearers followed by tracking the activities for overall development of the community. He plays a prime role in advocacy for persons with disability on RPWD Act disability schemes with the government, private stakeholders and other private agencies for welfare of the community. swagat@umcasia.org

Varun V Nair
Varun V Nair
Project Associate

Varun V Nair, a distinguished professional in the field of urban planning, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Karpagam School of Architecture, Coimbatore. Following his academic endeavors, Varun commenced his career as a Junior Architect at KEC International, contributing his expertise to significant infrastructure projects encompassing electricity substations, data centers, and airports. Eager to deepen his understanding of urban planning, he pursued and successfully completed a Master’s degree in Urban Planning from Sushant School of Art and Architecture, Gurugram. During this period, Varun cultivated a keen interest in the development of Child Friendly Cities and the application of Blockchain Technologies in Urban Governance. Post-masters, he further enriched his experience as a Research Associate at Flame University, actively contributing to the documentation of the urban development landscape in Maharashtra. varun@umcasia.org

Vinay Parmar
Vinay Parmar
Administration Associate

Qualification – B.Com Graduate from Gujarat University.
Work Experience – 16 Years in UMC, Ahmedabad.
Area of Interest – Always wanted to learn new things, which is useful in skill Development.
vinay@umcasia.org

Vinay Patel
Vinay Patel
Sr. Manager - Technical & Business Development

Vinay Patel is an expert in municipal accounts, finance, income tax and auditing, Vinay has more than 16 years of experience in the field of urban finance and accounts. His key areas of expertise include municipal accounts (conversion of cash to accrual), assessment, finance, FOP preparation and taxation. Vinay assists to capture financial information from the field. He has assessed the municipal finance for the City Sanitation Plan and Solid Waste Management Master Plan for Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation; and prepared a financial operating plan for the City Development Plans for 7 cities of Madhya Pradesh.

He worked as program assistant at City Managers’ Association Gujarat (CMAG) where he worked for the Gujarat Municipal Accounting Reform Project. He was involved in working with 159 urban local bodies of the state to prepare Balance sheet on accrual based double entry accounting system. He has supported in financial operating and modeling for Jodhpur Heritage Management Plan (HMP).

He has also gained technical expertise in WASH through working in this sector since 10 long years. Moreover, he has acquired wide knowledge on local governance as he is involved in supporting Government of Gujarat for Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban for solid waste management; providing guidance and support for ODF, ODF+, ODF++ to ULBs. He is also a part of the technical support and program management unit at Commissionerate of Rural Development, for Swachh Bharat Mission-Garmin in ODF Sustainability and preparing Solid Liquid Resource Management (SLRM) plan for 14,057 GP and 18,000 villages of Gujarat.

He has completed a certification course in Malaysia on FSSM and has gained international exposure through his recent visit to Pearland and Houston in United States of America for study tour under city to city partnership program under MISAAL project. vinay.p@umcasia.org

Vivek Chaurasia
Vivek Chaurasia
Software Program Manager

Vivek is an IT Manager having experience of more than thirteen years in oversees technology deployment and maintenance. He has led IT staff members in support of hardware, software and networking infrastructure. He also actively works with executives to determine and implement tech needs. vivek@umcasia.org

Munindra Joshi
Munindra Joshi
Heritage Consultant

Munindraji worked with Gujarat State Archaeology Department for 32 years in a variety of roles ranging from exploration assistant, technical assistant, superintendent archaeology, head of office (Saurashtra region), assistant director, head of office (North Gujarat Circle). At UMC, his field experience and expertise provide guidance to the team involved in the heritage survey projects. Munindraji holds a Master’s degree in Indian Culture from the Gujarat University. munindra@umcasia.org