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A Movement of Gratitude dedicated to Grass-Roots Changemakers…
A Movement of Gratitude dedicated to Grass-Roots Changemakers…
Yashraj Bharati Samman
A Movement of Gratitude dedicated to Grass-Roots Changemakers…
Yashraj Bharati Samman

YBS Board Member

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Yashraj Bharati Samman

Board of Trustee

Ms. Deepali Bhanushali

Chairperson & Trustee

Ms. Deepali Bhanushali is the Chairperson and Trustee of the Yashraj Research Foundation and a passionate advocate for tribal welfare and community development. A pharmacist by profession and philanthropist by commitment, she plays a pivotal leadership role in transforming the lives of underrepresented communities in Maharashtra, particularly in the Palghar region. Through her strategic direction and deep community engagement, she drives the Foundation’s vision of inclusive development and social empowerment.

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Mr. Subhash S. Mundra

YRF Board of Trustees & YBS Advisory Board Member

Mr. Subhash S. Mundra is a Board of Trustee at the Yashraj Bharati Foundation and a highly respected figure in India’s financial ecosystem, with over four decades of distinguished service in banking, financial regulation, and corporate governance. As a former Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, he exemplifies a deep commitment to institutional integrity, inclusive development, and ethical leadership.

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Ms. Vandana Bhansali

YRF Board of trustees

Ms. Vandana Bhansali is a seasoned development sector professional and corporate leader with over two decades of experience spanning financial inclusion, sustainable development, and women’s empowerment. With deep roots in both the nonprofit and corporate sectors, she brings a unique cross-sectoral perspective to social change. She currently serves in a leadership role at YBL, driving human capital development and organizational culture. Ms. Vandana is also a member of YRF Board of Trustees, supporting the platform’s mission to recognize transformative impact at the grassroots level.

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Advisory Board Members

Shri D.K. Jain

Chair of YBS Advisory Board

Shri Dinesh Kumar Jain is a seasoned administrator, policymaker, and corporate leader with over four decades of distinguished service across Indian and international institutions. A former Chief Secretary to the Government of Maharashtra and Ex-Member of Lokpal, India, he has played key roles in governance, rural development, and industrial advancement. He currently serves as the Chair of the Advisory Board of the Yashraj Bharati Samman and as Managing Director of Yashraj Biotechnology Ltd., leading with a vision for innovation, sustainability, and national impact.

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Mr. Om Porwal

YBS Advisory Board Member

Mr. Om Porwal is a seasoned finance specialist and a member of the Yashraj Bharati Samman Advisory Board, bringing over 30 years of expertise in financial structuring, stress resolution, and corporate finance advisory. He is a Promoter and Whole‑Time Director of Chartered Finance Management Limited (CFML), and has held pivotal board roles in esteemed institutions including Yashraj Biotechnology and OTC Exchange of India.

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Mr. Syed Raza Haider

YBS Advisory Board Member

 Mr. Syed Raza Haider, a member of the Advisory Board of the Yashraj Bharati Samman, is a distinguished development practitioner and communication strategist with over three decades of experience in social advocacy, documentary filmmaking, media consultancy, and grassroots engagement. His deep commitment to gender equity, child rights, public health, and inclusive development has made him a catalyst for transformative communication in India’s civil society landscape.

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Mr. Ved Arya

YBS Advisory Board Member

Mr. Ved Arya is a distinguished social development entrepreneur, author, and policy influencer who has spent over three decades working to transform rural livelihoods and alleviate poverty in India. An alumnus of IIT Kanpur and IIM Ahmedabad, he is the Founder of SRIJAN, the Buddha Fellowship Program, and Srijan Infratech & Development Services. His work spans institution-building, grassroots empowerment, and nurturing a new generation of social entrepreneurs committed to inclusive development. He currently serves as a member of the Advisory Board of the Yashraj Bharati Samman, lending his expertise to recognise and support changemakers across India.

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Mr. Haseeb Drabu

YBS Advisory Board Member

Dr. Haseeb A. Drabu, a member of the YRF BOARD OF TRUSTEES, is a renowned economist and policymaker with a multifaceted career spanning government, banking, media, and commentary. His contributions to India’s economic governance make him a key asset in recognizing and guiding social impact initiatives.

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Mr. Jayesh Patel

YBS Advisory Board Member

Mr. Jayeshbhai Patel is a revered development practitioner, environmental sanitation advocate, and creative communicator whose lifelong work has brought dignity and opportunity to India’s underserved communities. As an Advisory Board member of the Yashraj Bharati Samman, he infuses the platform with his ethos of service, compassion, and grassroots innovation.

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Ms. Deepali Bhanushali

Chairperson & Trustee

Mr. Subhash S. Mundra

YRF Board of Trustees & YBS Advisory Board Member

Ms. Vandana Bhansali,

YRF Board of trustees

Shri D.K. Jain

Chair of YBS Advisory Board

Mr. Om Porwal

Member YBS Advisory Board

Mr. Syed Raza Haider

YBS Advisory Board Member

Mr. Ved Arya

YBS Advisory Board Member

Mr. Haseeb Drabu

YBS Advisory Board Member

Ms. Deepali Bhanushali

Chairperson & Trustee

Ms. Deepali Bhanushali, Chairperson and Trustee of Yashraj Research Foundation (YRF), combines professional expertise with compassionate leadership to bring about transformative change at the grassroots. A trained pharmacist, she chose to devote her life to philanthropy and rural development, with a special focus on tribal communities in Palghar, Maharashtra. Her work is rooted in inclusive development-ensuring access to education, healthcare, clean water, and sustainable livelihood opportunities for marginalized groups.

Under her stewardship, YRF has expanded its footprint through initiatives like the Inclusive Village Development Program, empowering tribal households through capacity-building, access to government entitlements, and the revival of traditional knowledge systems. She actively leads on-the-ground interventions, ensuring that program implementation is both community-centric and impact-driven.

Ms. Bhanushali also plays a vital role in guiding the Yashraj Bharati Samman, a national platform recognizing exceptional contributions in Innovation in healthcare, Transforming People’s Lives , and ethical governance. She offers strategic oversight and ensures the Samman continues to elevate the work of unsung heroes across India.

Respected for her dedication, clarity of purpose, and empathetic leadership, Ms. Deepali Bhanushali continues to inspire a values-based approach to philanthropy-where sustainable impact and human dignity lie at the heart of all action.

Mr. Subhash S. Mundra

YRF Board of Trustees & YBS Advisory Board Member
Mr. Subhash Sheoratan Mundra serves as a Trustee of the Yashraj Bharati Foundation and a member of the Advisory Board of the Yashraj Bharati Samman, where he contributes his extensive experience in financial governance and public service to advance the platform’s mission of recognizing transformative changemakers across India.

A distinguished veteran of India’s banking and regulatory landscape, Mr. Mundra retired as Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in 2017, following a stellar career spanning over four decades. Prior to his role at the RBI, he held several key leadership positions, including Chairman and Managing Director of Bank of Baroda and Executive Director at Union Bank of India. His diverse portfolio included retail and corporate banking, international banking, treasury operations, and risk management.

He has represented India on prestigious global platforms such as the Financial Stability Board of the G20, and served as Vice-Chair of the OECD’s International Network on Financial Education (INFE). His lifelong dedication to financial inclusion, literacy, and ethical leadership has earned international recognition.

Mr. Mundra currently serves on the boards and advisory councils of leading institutions, including Airtel Payments Bank, Havells India, IndiaFirst Life Insurance, CDSL, Clearing Corporation of India Ltd. (CCIL), and Yashraj Biotechnology Ltd. He is also a Trustee of Sammaan Capital. In recognition of his outstanding contributions, he was conferred an honorary Doctorate (D.Phil.) by Amity University.

At Yashraj Bharati Samman, Mr. Mundra’s thought leadership and unwavering commitment to integrity and impact enhance the institution’s credibility and its mission to celebrate India’s most committed social leaders.

Ms. Vandana Bhansali

YRF Board of trustees
Ms. Vandana Bhansali is a dynamic and purpose-driven professional whose career has seamlessly bridged the development and corporate worlds. She holds a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Human Development from Mumbai University, and a Diploma in Management of Voluntary Service Organizations from NMIMS, Mumbai. Her career began in the social sector and transitioned into the corporate space, with a notable decade-long tenure at HSBC India, where she honed her expertise in strategy, sustainability, and stakeholder engagement.

Answering her inner calling, Vandana moved from corporate banking to rural development, joining the Mann Deshi Foundation as Head – Innovation and Special Projects, where she led high-impact initiatives focusing on women’s entrepreneurship, rural finance, and community development. In 2020, she joined Yashraj Biotechnology Ltd., where she currently leads Human Capital Development, champions Culture Building Initiatives, and spearheads Talent Management Strategies.

She brings to the table deep skills in project leadership, innovation, ESG compliance, government advocacy, and impact assessment. A strong proponent of the triple bottom line approach, she is known for converting ideas into high-quality deliverables with bold innovation and a sharp eye for detail.

As a member of the Advisory Board of Yashraj Bharati Samman, Vandana contributes her interdisciplinary experience and passion for social equity to help recognize and amplify grassroots changemakers. Outside work, she is an avid trekker, adventurer, music lover, and explorer at heart.

Shri D.K. Jain

Chair of YBS Advisory Board
Shri Dinesh Kumar Jain is an accomplished technocrat and administrator with a rare blend of academic rigor and public service. A B.Tech and M.Tech graduate from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, and an MBA from the University of Hull, UK, he joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1983. Over the years, he has held crucial leadership positions in the Government of India-serving as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Rural Development (NREGA) and Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture. In Maharashtra, he contributed as Secretary in the Departments of Rural Development and Information Technology, and later as Finance Secretary and Chief Secretary, where he played a pivotal role in inter-departmental coordination, policy formulation, and fiscal stabilization.

His expertise extends globally, having served as National Program Director at the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, where he led capacity-building initiatives, especially for automotive SMEs, focusing on manufacturing competitiveness. As a former Member of the Lokpal, India’s anti-corruption ombudsman, he brought his integrity and institutional wisdom to the highest echelons of public accountability.

Currently, Shri Jain serves as the Chair of the Advisory Board of the Yashraj Bharati Samman, guiding the vision and values of the platform. He also leads as Managing Director of Yashraj Biotechnology Ltd., steering the company toward excellence in innovation, sustainability, and impact in the biotechnology sector.

Mr. Om Porwal

Member YBS Advisory Board

Mr. Omprakash R. Porwal, a Chartered Accountant since 1985, is the Promoter and Director of Chartered Finance Management Limited (CFML), a leading advisory firm in project financing and financial restructuring operating across India and overseas. Serving as a Whole-Time Director since 1991, he has led the company through successful financial closures exceeding ₹15,000 crore and spearheaded resource mobilization for major public sector entities in Maharashtra-including MSEB, MIDC, MSCGMF, and MSRDC.

His specialized skills in financial modelling and structuring have benefited numerous large corporates and government undertakings. Beyond CFML, Mr. Porwal served as a Director on the boards of Yashraj Biotechnology Ltd. and the OTC Exchange of India, bringing governance depth and financial acumen to both institutions.

An active voice in the finance community, he frequently engages with investor associations, financial consultancies, and academic forums, delivering talks on financial restructuring and strategies.

His role on the Yashraj Bharati Samman Advisory Board enhances the platform’s strategic and financial governance. Mr. Porwal’s extensive experience in complex deal structuring, institutional financing, and crisis resolution provides essential guidance in evaluating and selecting impactful grassroots change-makers.

Mr. Syed Raza Haider

YBS Advisory Board Member
Raza Haider brings a unique confluence of creativity and activism to his role on the Yashraj Bharati Samman Advisory Board. With a professional journey spanning over 30 years, he has led pioneering efforts in campaign design, multimedia storytelling, and community-driven development across health, education, environment, and gender equity sectors.

A media consultant to several national and international organizations-including the International Labour Organization (ILO), WHO, FAO, NHM, and Plan International-he has designed strategic outreach programs that blend policy advocacy with participatory communication. His role as Media Consultant for ILO’s International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour involved a comprehensive 24-month campaign integrating both grassroots and national-level impact.

As Creative Director and Filmmaker, Mr. Haider has produced over 1,000 socially charged documentaries and audio-visual spots, addressing themes ranging from elder welfare and urban mobility to adolescent health and climate justice. His storytelling has earned accolades such as the Jeevika Award for “Pedal Soldier of India” and Plan International’s Global Honour for ‘Learn Without Fear’-ranked among the top 3 global campaigns across 40 countries.

Raza Haider’s leadership has also shaped alternative art and advocacy platforms. He founded NARINAMA, a citizen initiative to reimagine safer, more inclusive cities for women through participatory arts. He has collaborated with acclaimed filmmaker Muzaffar Ali, serving as Chief Assistant Director and Associate Director on spiritual and social cinema projects.

An accomplished researcher and translator, he has contributed scholarly work on theatre and cinema, authored educational comics on health and abuse awareness, and translated over 1,000 scripts for National Geographic and Discovery Channel. He is also a Board Member of the Book Bank Trust and Public Media Trust.

At Yashraj Bharati Samman, Mr. Haider’s expertise in strategic communication, visual storytelling, and inclusive campaign development enhances the platform’s ability to amplify the voices of changemakers and deepen its impact across diverse social narratives.

Mr. Ved Arya

YBS Advisory Board Member
Mr. Ved Arya is a pioneering social entrepreneur and development leader, whose work has positively impacted the lives of over 1.25 lakh rural families across six Indian states. An aeronautical engineer from IIT Kanpur (1979) and a management graduate from IIM Ahmedabad (1981), Mr. Arya began his professional journey in the corporate sector with TCS but soon transitioned to the development space, motivated by a vision to serve India’s most underserved communities.

In 1997, he founded SRIJAN (Self-Reliant Initiatives through Joint Action)-a leading nonprofit working in sustainable rural livelihoods, water resource revival, and women’s empowerment. He is also the Founder and Managing Director of Srijan Infratech & Development Services (SIDS), which provides strategic HR support for government-led rural development programs.

To cultivate future changemakers, Mr. Arya established the Buddha Fellowship Program in 2016, nurturing young leaders from India’s top institutions to build development enterprises with a collective goal to uplift 5 million lives by 2030. During the COVID-19 crisis, he co-founded RCRC India, a coalition of 80+ NGOs that reached over 16 million people across 15 states.

Mr. Arya is the recipient of prestigious honors including the Ashoka Fellowship (2008), Hubert Humphrey Fellowship (1990), and the Distinguished Alumnus Award from IIT Kanpur (2020). His thought leadership has influenced major national and international bodies including SEBI, the Ministry of Rural Development, IFPRI (Washington), and ODI (London). He also co-authored Human Resource Strategies to Build Pro-Poor Institutions (McGraw Hill Education), widely read across government circles.

He currently serves as a member of the Advisory Board of the Yashraj Bharati Samman, contributing to its mission of honouring transformative work in grassroots leadership, innovation, and ethical governance.

Mr. Haseeb Drabu

YBS Advisory Board Member
Dr. Haseeb A. Drabu is a distinguished professional economist whose strategic insights shape the Advisory Board of the Yashraj Bharati Samman. Over the past seven years, he has influenced national economic policies at the highest levels-as part of the Planning Commission, Finance Commission, and the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister. His depth of experience also extends to the GST Council, where he served for three vital years during India’s tax reform period. Transitioning from policymaking to implementation, Dr. Drabu headed Jammu & Kashmir Bank as Chairman and Chief Executive for five years (2005-2010), applying his economic expertise to real-world operations and reform. Earlier, he also directed India’s premier financial daily, Business Standard, enhancing public debate through incisive commentary.

As Finance Minister of Jammu & Kashmir (2015-2018), Dr. Drabu spearheaded landmark initiatives-he played a pivotal role in the state’s successful placement at rank 7 in fiscal management, led the signing of an ₹80,000 crore development package, and took the historic step of presiding over a GST Council meeting in Srinagar. Over his career spanning nearly three decades, Dr. Drabu has been a trusted voice in national and regional economic discourse-as advisor, policymaker, banker, media leader, and public intellectual. His appointment to the Yashraj Bharati Samman Advisory Board ensures the platform benefits from his analytical prowess, fiscal discipline, and commitment to national development.
Jayesh Patel

Mr. Jayesh Patel

YBS Advisory Board Member

Jayeshbhai Patel inherited a legacy of sanitation and social service from his father, Ishwar Patel—often called the ‘Toilet God of India’—who built over 400,000 toilets for underprivileged communities and inspired numerous initiatives. Motivated by this legacy, Jayeshbhai co-founded Manav Sadhna, an NGO rooted in service, values-based education, health, and empowerment. After 25 years, Manav Sadhna supports over 4,500 women and children through integrated health, hygiene, education, and livelihood programs.

Following his father’s passing, Jayeshbhai expanded his focus to include the Environmental Sanitation Institute, specializing in low-cost sanitary technologies and training professionals in sanitation services across India.He also leads “inner sanitation” efforts through Moved by Love retreats, nurturing personal and spiritual reflection in service.

He now serves as President of the Harijan Sevan Sangh, a revered national organization founded by Mahatma Gandhi. His commitment to selfless service and inspired leadership has earned him admiration from global luminaries, and has sparked countless stories illustrating his innate kindness and radical compassion.

Jayeshbhai’s extraordinary ability to transform simple, genuine acts into impactful, large-scale change embodies the spirit of the Yashraj Bharati Samman. His presence on the Advisory Board enriches the award’s mission to honor changemakers who lead through love, humility, and deep human connection.