Our Leadership

CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE

Pradip Burman - Founder and Chairman of Mobius Foundation

Mr Pradip Burman

Sustainability drives us here at The Mobius Foundation.

An ecosystem, a lifestyle, or a sustainable community supports itself and its surroundings. Sustainability itself can be defined by three core elements, each of which must be considered the others: Environmental Protection, Social Development, and Economic Development.

The Mobius Foundation is focused on sustainability. We must renew, re-use, and replace the finite treasures of our only planet. Schools should include environmental education since the next generation will bear the brunt of the rape of our beautiful Earth. There were no air-conditioners, cars, or planes for thousands of years. Humans survived. There were no power stations and factories spewing smoke into the air just so we could use electric fans, lights, and synthetic fabrics. Our grandparents did not have refrigerators or air-conditioning. They survived quite comfortably. People traveled slowly, but what was the rush? Fields around the cities sent wheat, rice, pulses, and vegetables on bullock carts. Earthen pots kept drinking water cool. This century is all about having everything and doing everything fast!

Mr. Pradip Burman is the Chairman of the Mobius Foundation and promoter director on the Board of Aviva Life Insurance Co. Ltd. After a career spanning decades; he is now giving back to society by devoting himself to the cause of environmental sustainability. Read more about his contribution to society and the environment here.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Praveen garg - Mobius Foundation

Mr. Praveen Garg

“Nature has created a canvas adorned with a masterpiece, where every species is meticulously balanced. Even the disappearance of the smallest species can disrupt this masterpiece, showcasing the interconnectedness and fragility of our natural world.”

More than three decades of public service in the Indian Administrative Service (I.A.S.) (1988, Madhya Pradesh cadre). He has 35+ years of work experience across various domains in the Indian government.

More than eight years with the Government of India in departments such as the Ministry of Law and Justice, Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change.

Chairman and Managing Director of Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited (SPMCIL) in 2016-17 during the country’s remonetisation.

More than 25 years of service in the State Government of Madhya Pradesh (M.P.) holding posts such as District Magistrate ( Sidhi, Satna, Khandwa & Jabalpur), Secretary (Finance), Commissioner (Institutional Finance), M.D., MP State Industrial Development Corporation Limited, and M.D., MP Trade and Investment Facilitation Corporation Limited, Revenue Commissioner (Bhopal Division), among others Practiced as a Chartered Accountant and served in the Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS) (before joining the administrative services).

Government Nominee Director on the Boards of Air India Limited, Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI Bank), Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI)& Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited.

As Special Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change he served as a member of the Board of Governors Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal, Indian Plywood Industries Research & Training Institute (IPIRTI), Bangalore, Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education (ICFRE) Dehradun, Member of the Board of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi, Member of the Board of Governors Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education (ICFRE), Dehradun, Member of the National Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), Central Zoo Authority, New Delhi, Indian National Man and the Biosphere (M.A.B.) Committee, Member of the Governing Body of G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment & Development, Almora, Wildlife Institute of India (W.I.I.), Dehradun Member of the Administrative Committee of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

Member of the Governing Council of the National Institute of Solar Energy, National Institute of Wind Energy, National Institute of Bioenergy, and Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), Coimbatore.

Chairman, India-USA Financial Regulatory Dialogue 2015-18, Chairman, India-Japan Financial Dialogue 2015-18, Member on Delegation for Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to attend Plenary and Working Group meetings 2017-18

Having Executive Education in Leadership and Strategic Thinking, Cambridge University, U.K. (July 2015), Leadership for 21st Century: Chaos Conflict and Courage, Harvard Kennedy School, U.S.A. (September 2017), among others.

Presently, Government Nominee Member, Appellate Authority (Under CA, C.S. & C.M.A. Laws) (Feb 2022 onwards); Senior Advisor-ESG & Climate Change National Productivity Council (N.P.C.) India (July 2022 onwards); Independent Director in L.I.C. Mutual Funds A.M.C. (April 2023 onwards).

ADVISOR'S MESSAGE

Dr Ram Boojh - Mobius Foundation

Dr Ram Boojh

We are delighted to have Dr Ram Boojh as an Advisor to Mobius Foundation. With his rich and diverse professional experience working with the United Nations, Government, and academic and development organizations, he is undoubtedly bringing a new dimension and vision to the foundation’s environmental and sustainability programs. Before joining Advisor, Dr Boojh was associated with Mobius Foundation for successfully organizing the landmark International Conference on Sustainability Education (ICSE 2019) held on 9-10 September 2019 in New Delhi.

Dr Boojh has made outstanding contributions to ecology, biodiversity, climate change, environment education, and education for sustainable development for over three decades in India and abroad. He served the UNESCO South Asia Cluster Office in New Delhi and was Secretary to the South & Central Asia MAB Network (SACAM) for over a decade. He has worked as Regional Director of the Centre for Environment Education and Assistant Director of the Environment Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh. He is associated with many national and international organizations and associations related to environment and sustainable development.

He is the co-founder and Board Member of the World Ocean Network, France, and Executive Board member of the Conservation for the Oceans Foundation, USA. He has chaired the World Ocean Passport project of the World Ocean Network. He has successfully coordinated many programs during his 30 years working with academic institutions, the voluntary sector, the Government, and international organizations. He has published over 100 research/ technical papers/ popular articles and 15 books. He has many honors, awards, and recognitions to his credit, including the prestigious Science Academy Medal for Young Scientists by Mrs. Indira Gandhi, then Prime Minister of India in 1984.

ADVISOR, THINK-TANK

Dr._Aditya_K.-Joshi

Dr. Aditya K. Joshi

With a Master’s degree in Microbiology and Biochemistry, followed by training in forestry and wildlife at the National Forest Academy, Dehradun, Dr. Aditya K. Joshi embarked on a distinguished 34-year career in the Indian Forest Service.

His expertise spans forestry, wildlife, and governmental roles. He served as Joint Secretary overseeing the Fishery sector, contributing significantly to the Blue Revolution and formulating key policies. As Chief Vigilance Officer of Air India Limited, he led the Vigilance Wing, ensuring fiscal prudence. His diverse experience includes Director roles in the Department of Personnel and Training, handling vigilance matters and training policy implementation.

He served as the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests/Head of Forest Force (PCCF & HoFF) and Chief Wildlife Warden (CWLW) in Manipur and displayed remarkable leadership in forestry and wildlife management during his tenure. He superannuated in 2023.

His academic pursuits include a Ph.D. in ‘Resource Utilization Patterns and Forest Ecosystem Services,’ and a Certificate Course in Public Policy from the University of Berkeley, California.

His interests span public policy, environmental legislation, eco-system services, climate change, and sustainable development. This journey reflects his commitment to policy formulation, implementation, and environmental stewardship, blending scientific acumen with administrative finesse.

TRUSTEES

Ms. Indira Burman

Ms. Indira Burman, the wife of the Late Shri Siddharth Burman, was a devoted caregiver to people suffering from various diseases during her stay in the United Kingdom. After her husband’s demise, Ms. Burman returned to India and continued her social endeavors. She has since helped several medical clinics in Delhi extend their services to the underprivileged sections of society and has also facilitated medical research worldwide.

Indira Burman - Mobius Foundation

Mr Ashish Bahugana

Mr Ashish Bahugana is an IAS (Indian Administrative Service) officer from the 1978 batch who served in multiple government positions before being superannuated from the Agriculture Secretary post in 2015. He then served as the Chairman of India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority until July 2018. He has a strong academic background with degrees in chemistry and law from the University of Delhi and a diploma in Development Studies from the University of Bath, UK.
Ashish Bahugana - Mobius Foundation

Mr Pradeep Wig

Mr Pradeep Wig was the founding chairman of The Agriculture & Food Processing Committee and The National Council of ASSOCHAM and played a central role in formulating the Food Safety Act. He was the appointed speaker at Indo-Euro Chambers in the European Parliament and a part of the Prime Minister’s Delegation to Brazil. Additionally, he was appointed as a member of the Council to the President of Carnegie Mellon University in the USA. No stranger to corporate success, Mr Wig also piloted Kwality Ice Creams India for over 45 years.
Pradeep Wig - Mobius Foundation

Mr Abhay Kumar Agarwal

A practising Chartered Accountant, Mr. Abhay Kumar Agarwal is well-versed in the areas of accounting, finance, management, and corporate advisory services. His credentials include serving on the Audit Committee, the Shareholders’ Committee, and the board of directors of various companies for over ten years.

Mr abhay Kumar Agarwal - Mobius Foundation

Dr Gautam Vohra

Dr Gautam Vohra was an editor with The Times of India and founded The Development Research and Action Group [DRAG], an organization focused on poverty alleviation. Through DRAG, Dr Vohra has worked for the upliftment of the tribes of Maharashtra and the Gujjars of Haryana for the last 30 years.

Dr Gautam Vohra - Mobius Foundation

Universal Trustees

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