Mentors

Late Architect Laurie Baker
Lawrence Wilfred Baker more known to the world as Laurie Baker studied Architecture at The Birmingham School of Architecture. In 1938, he became Associate of Royal Institute of British Architects (R.I.B.A.). He came to India in 1945. Deeply influenced and inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, Mr.Baker chose to settle down in India and since then till he passed away in April 2007, was involved in moulding a completely organic language of architecture for India . In 1987, Mr.Baker was decorated by the first Indian National Habitat Award. In 1989, Indian Institute of Architects awarded him with the Medal for Outstanding Architect of the year. In 1989, Mr.Baker was given Indian Citizenship. In 1990, the Grand Masters Award - Architect of the year. In 1991, Indian Institute of Architects Medal - Outstanding Architect. In 1992, UNO Habitat Award and Scroll of Honour. In 1993, International Union of Architects - World Habitat Award. In 1995, University of Central England . Doctor of the University.

Vilas N Gore
Geotechnical Engineer, Geoscience Services, Mumbai, Maharashtra
vn_gore@yahoo.com
A Structural Engineer by training, during the early years of his career Mr.Gore has involved with many large scale hydraulic and geotechnical projects in the public and private sector. With his extensive experience in planning, design and construction of structures with a wide range of natural and local materials in combination with state of the art modern materials such as wood bamboo composites, re-constituted bamboo wood, geo-grids, geo-textiles and geo-membranes, Mr.Gore has been instrumental in guiding Inspiration in several path breaking concepts including developing engineering applications of bamboo, construction of large reservoirs, major structural designs, water management and renewable energy applications etc among others.

Prof. M K Prasad
prasad_mk@hotmail.com
Former Pro Vice Chancellor of Calicut University, Kerala, Prof Prasad is a highly respected academician and environmental scientist of international repute. As the President of Kerala Shastra Sahitya Parishad, he has spearheaded studies and research on many environmentally sensitive issues on a national and international level, is on the Board of several international organizations working on people, environment and development. Prof Prasad presently chairs the Information Kerala Mission - among the most ambitious e-governance programmes in the country. Visualised as a sequel to the decentralised plan campaign which has been acclaimed as one of the most deep-rooted and extensive initiatives in strengthening grassroots' level democratisation, the Mission during its initial phase, had put in considerable efforts in building up its perspectives and strategies. The Mission has succeeded in establishing a small and dedicated interdisciplinary team of professionals who have trained themselves in various aspects of Information Communication Technology (ICT) implementation and local body systems.

Nalini Nayak
nalininayak@asianetindia.com
Renowned for her dynamism and her commitment to working with people's movements, Nalini Nayak has been working with the fish workers movement in Kerala, and at national and international level, since over 30 years. She was trained in social work at the TISS in Mumbai and has worked as an activist and researcher in fisheries as well as in medical social work and self employed women.
Nalini has been working with Programme for community Organisation (PCO Centre), International Collective in Support of Fish workers (ICSF) and National Fishworkers Forum (NFF) as well as NAPM. With her vision emphasising the need to nurture and manage natural resources from a holistic perspective, Nalini has been a continued source of inspiration to us – be it in guiding our sensitivity to responding to various issues, in extending our out reach of communication with like minded individuals and organizations world over or bringing gender balance and confidence to our personnel.

Sri. V S Venkitachalam Retd. Senior Engr, BHEL
geeven77@hotmail.com
A civil engineer with over 40 years hands on experience. Has field level experience in the designs, contracts planning, constructions, maintenance works, extensions and township administration of several large scale townships of size upto 14000 units spread over 20 sq.km area.
After retirement, Mr.Venkitachalam continues to serve BHEL Bhopal as a Senior Technical Consultant on several major modernization projects including planning, layout, contracting and construction works including major equipment foundations and rehabilitation works.

Fichtner India
www.fichtner.co.in
Fichtner India is one of the leading Engineering Consultancy firms in India providing comprehensive engineering solutions for a wide range of Utility and Industrial Power Projects. Incorporated in 1987 as a Joint Venture with FICHTNER Consulting Engineers Germany, Fichtner India has grown into a leading multidisciplinary engineering consultancy firm with its main engineering office in Chennai. The Company' s operations mainly cover Utility Power Plants, Captive Power Plants, Co-generation Plants , Renewable Energy Systems, Energy Studies and Energy Transportation, Power Distribution Systems, Switchyards , Infrastructure Works, Off-sites and Utilities in Process and Industrial Plants

Tency Baetens Director, Centre for Scientific Research, Auroville, Tamilnadu, India
tency@auroville.org.in
An Aurovillian living in India for over last 20 years, Mr.Tency Baetens' (Chief Executive, Auroville Centre for Scientific Research, Auroville) continuous effort has been to design and develop the dynamics of the human habitat with an integral approach to sustainable practices through innovative techniques and technologies.
Auroville Centre for Scientific Research (CSR) is an international voluntary organisation working towards a sustainable future in the field of renewable energy systems (wind, solar, biomass), appropriate architecture & building technologies, waste water recycling and sanitation, and the transfer of these technologies through training programmes

V Suresh Former Chairman and Managing Director, HUDCO
sureshv30@hotmail.com
Former Chairman and Managing Director of HUDCO, Mr.Suresh brings with him the best of wealth of connections, networks, technologies and service providers in the construction and housing sector this day in India. With his enormous experience and expertise, he is arguably the best person to advise on practical realities of all matters regarding large scale housing projects in the country, and who can, depending on the need of the hour, bring in the right kind of external or internal expertise.
Now the Principal Executive Officer of HIRCO Developments Pvt Ltd (a Hiranandani Group Company), Mumbai, Mr.Suresh continues to play an active role as an advisor influencing public policy on real estate, urban planning, good urban governance and innovative housing, and urban development financing.
Mr.Suresh has been decorated with several honours including India 2000 Millennium Award from International Association of Education for World Peace, IMM Millennium Top CEO Award for Excellence, “Man of the Decade-Habitat” International Award from Wisitex Foundation, “Griha Nirman Maharishi Award” instituted by Pune Construction Engineering Research Foundation and Builders' Association of India,, “Architectural Engineering Award 2001” by the Institution of Engineers (India), Delhi State Centre among others.

Alchemy Urban Systems
www.alchemyurban.com
Alchemy Urban Systems is headed by Mr. B. R. Balachandran, Architect and Urban Planner who was one of the core team members of Environmental Planning Collaborative (EPC), Ahmedabad for ten years. From 2001 to 2006, he headed EPC's operations as its Executive Director. He is supported by Ms. Sowmya Haran, also an Architect and Urban Planner.
Mr. Balachandran brings to this new venture, the unique experience of being personally involved in the preparation of Development Plans and other town planning projects for several cities in India. The Development Plan and Town Planning Schemes that were prepared for the earthquake-devastated city of Bhuj under his leadership have resulted in a total transformation of that city. He has also been involved in many other pioneering efforts in urban reform during and after his tenure at EPC. Moreover, over the years, the promoters of Alchemy Urban Systems have developed a wide range of relationships in the urban planning profession and its related fields, thus enabling them to access a broad spectrum of professional services to support their work.

CDD (Consortium for DEWATS Dissemination) Society
bangalore@cddindia.org
A Project initiated by BORDA, Germany for design, development and dissemination of decentralized sewage and wastewater treatment systems. Inspiration has been associated with the Project for the last five years and is part of the Governing Body of CDD India.

Dr.Sultan Ismail, Managing Director, Eco-science Research Foundation:
sultanismail@gmail.com
Dr.Sultan Ismail is a soil biologist and ecologist who has pioneered the concept of vermi-composting for treatment of biodegradable solid wastes. His technology called Vermitech is extremely popular with farmers and urbanites and is used to recycle organic garbage into extremely valuable fertilizer using local varieties of earthworms and is also applied in soil bioremediation.
Faculty to several national and international academic and research institutions, Dr.Sultan has also authored several books on environment and earth worms. He is recipient of several awards including Vocational Service Award 1992-93 by the Rotary Club of Madras Metro,  Exnora's Friend of the Environment Award for 1993, Commonwealth Association for Science Technology and Mathematics Educators (CASTME) Award for 1994-95 in London , UK , Australia International Education Foundation's Visiting Fellowship for 1996 etc.
Dr.Sultan has held key roles including Coordinator for Research, The New College, Chennai, India, Vice-Principal, The New College, Vice President, EXNORA International, Member, New York Academy of Sciences, USA, National Expert on Composting, UNIDO, Asia Programme, Member CPCSEA, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt. of India, Committee member, Environmental Society of Madras, Chennai, India, Chairman, Agricultural Renewal in India for a Sustainable Environment (ARISE) and Member (Environment) High Level Committee for study of Rivers and Riverbeds as a result of sand quarrying. Government of Tamil Nadu.