Speakers Profiles
Mr. Yogen Parikh
Mr. Yogen Parikh during his illustrious career has held many important positions including as First Director for US AEP project of US Government. He retired as Associate Director – Environmental Engineering from Jacobs Engineering India Pvt. Limited. Jacobs is among top three engineering consultancy firms in the world. He has a Chemical Engineering Degree from USA.
Mr. Parikh is Past President of Indian Environmental Association, Past Chairman of Environment, Health and Safety Committee of Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry and a member of many professional organizations. He serves as an advisor to many professional organisations and business houses. He has more than 4 years of experience in all areas of Environmental Engineering and Pollution Control.
Mr. Parikh has successfully handled World Bank aided projects for design and engineering of Sewage Treatment Plants. He has also been involved in preparation of comprehensive documents for Central Pollution Control Board. Mr. Parikh has authored and published several papers on environment and pollution control. With his rich experience in design and engineering of Effluent Treatment Plants, Environmental Impact Assessment Studies as well as Environmental Audits & Due Diligence, he is considered as one of the leaders in environmental consultancy. Mr. Parikh is the recipient of Hall of Fame Award in its inception year awarded by Everything about Water.
After retirement, he has been active in environmental work for social service. He worked with IIT Bombay to help in the research and development of a Natural System for sewage treatment. He is involved in implementing these systems in Ashrams, hostels, small towns, etc. He is Honorary Member of Rotary Club where he is involved in Swachh Mumbai project. He is associated with Swachh Parle Andolan. He is active in social work for household solid waste management.
Ms R. Vidhya
With over 30 years in water and wastewater treatment, R. Vidhya is a seasoned leader specializing in process and bid engineering for EPC projects. Known for delivering technically robust solutions with cost efficiency, Vidhya has a strong track record across leading organizations like Gradiant India, BGR Energy Systems, and VA TECH WABAG, where she built and led teams, managed desalination projects, and developed competitive solutions in zero liquid discharge and recycling systems. Her extensive knowledge and leadership skills have contributed to major projects, including the Tata Power Solar Wastewater Recycling Plant and the 55 MLD Desalination Plant at Krishnapatinam. Vidhya holds a Bachelor of Science from Sri Sarada College for Women, Salem.
Dr. Balaji Narasimhan
Dr. Balaji Narasimhan is a Hydrologist with expertise in modelling the impact of land use and climate change on hydrology using GIS, remote sensing and hydrologic / hydraulic / crop growth models with experience of over 15 years. He is currently involved in a project funded by the Department of Science and Technology to design and develop Low Impact Development (LID) measures in the form of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) for reducing flooding and improving the water security of cities such as Chennai. Balaji Narasimhan served as an advisor to CLIMARICE project, Sponsored by Norwegian Government at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Clima Rice is an integrated project that aims to assess the climate variability and its impacts on the water availability and rice production systems in the Cauvery River basin of Tamil Nadu, India. He is one of the coordinators involved in the development of the Ganga River Basin Management Plan and is the lead investigator in the development of a hydrological flow health condition report for the entire Ganga River Basin. Balaji Narasimhan was also a Member of "Think Tank" for the development of the Water Resources Information System (WRIS), Ministry of Water Resources, Govt. of India. He was involved in a large team project to develop a flood forecasting system for Chennai city, following the floods in 2015, funded by the Principal Scientific Advisor, Govt. of India.
Dr. Keerthi
Assistant Professor (Senior Grade), Department of Chemistry, CEG Campus, Anna University, Chennai
Dr. Keerthi is an accomplished academician and researcher with extensive expertise in industrial wastewater treatment. A gold medalist and university rank holder in M.Phil. from Madras University, she possesses strong technical knowledge, excellent communication skills, and a proactive approach to research and teaching. She earned her Ph.D. from Anna University in 2013, following an M.Phil. in Chemistry from Loyola College (Madras University) in 2010. She also holds a postgraduate and bachelor's degree in Chemistry from Calicut University, Kerala. With a career spanning nearly two decades, she has held key roles in academia and research. Currently, she serves as Deputy Director at the Centre for Sponsored Research and Consultancy (CSRC), Anna University, overseeing administrative functions, while also working as an Assistant Professor (Senior Grade) in the Department of Chemistry, CEG Campus since 2015.
Previously, she was a Principal Investigator under the DST-WOS-A program at Anna University's A.C. Tech Campus, leading research projects in chemical engineering. Her teaching experience includes roles as a Visiting Faculty in the Department of Food Technology and a Guest Lecturer at Govt. Victoria College, Kerala. Dr. Keerthi is a dynamic professional with a keen analytical mindset, a strong research orientation, and a commitment to academic excellence. Her ability to think innovatively and work effectively in diverse environments makes her a valuable contributor to the field of chemistry and environmental research.
Mr. N. Sathyanarayanan
Mr. N. Sathyanarayanan
Mr. N. Sathyanarayanan is an accomplished professional with 14 years of expertise in process engineering, environmental management, and mechanical systems. As Manager – Process, Environment & Mechanical Department, he specializes in biogas generation and purification, Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) systems, condensate polishing units (CPU) for distilleries, effluent and water treatment, and integrated water management studies.
With a strong foundation in Chemical Engineering (B.Tech), he has successfully led 100+ projects across diverse industries, collaborating with major public sector units (NTPC, BHEL, Oil India, HPCL, Mahagenco, RRVUNL) and leading corporate groups (Balrampur, Triveni, Dalmia, DSCL, KPR, Wave, TGV SRAAC, ReSustainability). His work focuses on optimizing sustainable water and wastewater solutions, ensuring environmental compliance, and enhancing resource efficiency.
Prof. Vinay Kumar Srivastava
Prof. Vinay Kumar Srivastava
Prof. Vinay Kumar Srivastava is a distinguished chemical engineer with a B.E. (1974) and M.E. (1976) from HBTI, Kanpur. With nearly 39 years at BARC, Department of Atomic Energy, as a Scientific Officer, he has also served as an Associate Professor at MGMCET and is currently an Adjunct Professor at IIT Bombay.
A specialist in desalination, lithium enrichment, and chemical process technologies, he has led major thermal and membrane-based desalination projects across India. His contributions include pioneering nuclear, solar, and electro-thermal desalination solutions.
Prof. Srivastava has held key positions, including President of IIChE (2018) and InDA (2023-25), and has received prestigious honours such as the Indo-US Science and Technology Fellowship, DAE & InDA Lifetime Achievement Awards, and the NDDP Project Group Achievement Award.
An acclaimed researcher and conference speaker, he has presented 115 research papers globally and contributed to multiple desalination installations, including large-scale MSF, SWRO, and BWRO plants. His extensive international collaborations and leadership continue to shape advancements in sustainable water treatment and chemical process engineering.
Dr. Paromita Chakraborty
Dr. Paromita Chakraborty
Dr. Paromita Chakraborty is a distinguished environmental scientist with 14 years of experience in research and academia. She currently leads the Centre for Research in Environment, Sustainability Advocacy, and Climate Change (REACH) at SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST), Chennai, under the Directorate of Research. At REACH, she directs innovative research at the Environmental Science and Technology Laboratory, focusing on the fate, transport, and remediation of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and emerging contaminants in the environment. Her work addresses critical challenges such as the multi-media movement of organic pollutants—including pesticides, industrial chemicals, and plasticizers—across urban hotspots, as well as the long-range atmospheric transport of these pollutants. She also works on quantifying the ecological impact of plasticizers in riverine and marine ecosystems and developing cost-effective remediation technologies for emerging contaminants in soil, sediment, water, and wastewater. Additionally, she explores sustainable solutions for repurposing waste plastics into new products and has contributed to wastewater-based epidemiology, particularly in tracking public health trends during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A dedicated academician, Dr. Chakraborty has played a significant role in environmental education, teaching courses such as Solid Waste Management, Transport of Water and Wastewater, Environmental Science, and Wastewater Treatment. She has also contributed to the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL), delivering expert lectures on topics like Water Quality & Organic Pollutants in Freshwater and India’s Urban Water Crisis. Through her expertise in environmental sustainability, pollution control, and climate resilience, Dr. Chakraborty continues to drive impactful research and innovation, shaping solutions for a cleaner and more sustainable future.
R. Vidhya
R. Vidhya
Vice President - Process and Proposals With an impressive 30+ years in the water and wastewater treatment industry, R. Vidhya stands as a visionary leader specializing in process design and bid engineering for EPC projects. Her expertise lies in crafting technically superior, cost-effective solutions, and she has built a reputation for driving innovation and leading high-performance teams across renowned organizations like Gradiant India, BGR Energy Systems, and VA TECH WABAG.
Vidhya’s leadership shines through her successful management of complex desalination projects and her pivotal role in developing cutting-edge solutions for zero liquid discharge and water recycling systems. Her extensive experience has been crucial in delivering high-impact projects, such as the Tata Power Solar Wastewater Recycling Plant and the 55 MLD Desalination Plant at Krishnapatinam.
A proud graduate with a Bachelor of Science from Sri Sarada College for Women, Salem, Vidhya is shaping the future of water treatment through her innovative approach and strong dedication to sustainability.
Mr Ranganath N.K
Mr Ranganath N.K
He is experienced in the manufacture of Boilers, Burners, Incinerators, Pollution Control and Energy Recovery equipment. He has also been involved in setting up small captive power plants and high-tension transmission lines in the Middle East. His focus in Grundfos has not only been on setting up the company and its production facilities, but also to build the brand and propagate the concept of life cycle costs, energy efficiency and water conservation.
He has been the past President of the Madras Management Association (MMA), past Chairman of the Tamilnadu Council of CII and past Chairman of AEEE (Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy) He is currently a member of the CII National committee on water and the national committee on skills. He is on the advisory board of the CII Triveni water institute and an executive Council member of the IGBC and Madras Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
He is also on the Board of Indian Terrain Fashions Ltd., Celebrity Fashions, L&T Valves, AVK Valves, Smart Joules, Ganga STP Projects and the Cognizant foundation.
Mr. Madhukar Naik
Madhukar Naik is currently Managing Director of M/s Aquachem Enviro Engineers Pvt Ltd Mumbai. He is a graduate in Chemical Engineering from UDCT (now known as ICT) in the year 1976 and distinguished alumnus awardee in 2011.
He brings in almost 48 years of experience in the field of Water and Waste Water Treatment. He has published several articles on Water and Waste Water treatment and has made number of presentations at various conferences His strong point is designing Zero Liquid Discharge and effluent recycle systems. He has a passion for the field of Waste Water treatment and is a strong advocate of recycle and reuse Another strong point of Mr Naik is concept to commissioning of CETP – Common Effluent Treatment Plants. These CETPs are basically designed for a cluster of industries or particular Industrial Estate to include Treatment of the Effluents from all Industries.
He is on many advisory boards and currently holds the post of President of Indian Environmental Association. He is editor of monthly magazine NewsWatch. He is awardee of many associations. Recently Indian Chemical Society has awarded him for his contribution towards Water / Wastewater Chemistry and Treatment
Mr. S Varadarajan
S Varadarajan joined the Company in January 1997 as Senior Manager – Finance cum Company Secretary and held various key positions including Chief Financial Officer prior to his appointment as Whole Time Director & Chief Growth Officer of the Company. During the last 25 years of his service in the Company, he played active role in demerger of the Company prior to its acquisition by VA Tech Wabag GmbH, Austria in the year 2000. He was part of the management team that carried out management buyout in the year 2005. He played an important role in the formation of 4 Strategic Business Units (SBUs) in the Company in the year 2007 and took additional charge as SBU Head for the O&M business of the Company for a few years. He also played a key role in the reverse acquisition of the erstwhile parent Company in Austria in the year 2007 and was instrumental in the successful listing of the Company in the Indian bourses in 2010. He is one of the Promoters of the Company and holds 21,85,762 equity shares of the Company as on date.
Mr. DhilipKumar G
Dr. Rathinam Raja
Dr. J. Sandhya
Dr. J. Sandhya
Dr. J. Sandhya is an Assistant Professor (SG) & Research Coordinator at Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science (HITS), Chennai, specializing in nanomaterials, environmental remediation, and biomedical applications. With a Ph.D. from Anna University, she has over six years of research and three years of teaching experience.
Her work in nanobiotechnology has earned her prestigious accolades, including the Young Scientist Award (2025) and the Sustainable Warrior Award (2024) from IIT Madras & Pollution Control India. She has secured competitive grants, including a Rs. 2 Lakh Seed Grant (2024-2025) for nanotechnology-based water treatment. Dr. Sandhya has published extensively in high-impact journals, contributed to book chapters, and guided multiple Ph.D., PG, and UG research projects. She actively organizes workshops and training programs, driving innovation in biotechnology, nanoscience, and sustainability.
Prof. Madhu Agarwal
Prof. Madhu Agarwal
Prof. Madhu Agarwal is a distinguished academician and researcher with over 25 years of teaching and research experience in chemical engineering. She specializes in water and wastewater treatment, adsorption, biofuel production, and membrane separation. With a strong research background, she has authored more than 130 research papers in reputed journals and has successfully guided 12 Ph.D. students.
Holding a Ph.D., M.Tech., and B.Tech. in Chemical Engineering, Prof. Agarwal’s expertise spans diverse areas, including bioprocess engineering, biofuels, biotechnology, fluid-particle mechanics, energy storage, waste-to-resource valorization, catalysis, and reaction mechanisms. Her contributions to sustainable engineering solutions and resource optimization continue to drive advancements in environmental and chemical engineering.
A passionate educator and mentor, Prof. Agarwal’s work plays a pivotal role in shaping future researchers while addressing critical challenges in energy and environmental sustainability.
Mr Kamal Tiwari
Mr Kamal Tiwari
Mr. Tiwari is the Chief Executive Officer and Director of Daiki Axis India Private Limited, Daiki Axis Environment Pvt. Ltd; 100% subsidiaries of Daiki Japan, and Promoter & Director of Smart Water Innovation Pvt Ltd; He has served at the senior management levels in EWG and Pentair before joining his current positions. He has been associated with the water sector for over 25 years. He has been part of many concepts, Innovations and technology innovations witnessed by Indian water sector over the last 2 decades. He is currently a member of FICCI Water Mission, Invitee member of management council for the implementation of MOC for decentralised wastewater management and effective reuse of treated wastewater between Ministry of Jal Shakti, and Ministry of Environment, Japan. Member of BIS committee drafting standard on Packaged Sewage Treatment Systems.
He has worked extensively with various water and wastewater treatment technologies, particularly decentralised solutions for local treatment and usage. He is currently working with various government agencies, industry associations and bulk users to promote the usage of recycled wastewater for non-potable applications to reduce the load on natural water resources
Ms. Anjana Vencatesan
Ms. Anjana Vencatesan
Programme Head – Evidence Based Policy Research and AdvocacyAnjana’s research interests include climate change risks and resilience, and political ecology. Anjana holds a degree in international security from Sciences Po specialized in Global Risks and South Asia, and work experience in risk consulting. As part of her work at Care Earth, she manages wetland restoration projects, urban sustainability grants and has authored reports on NTFP dynamics and Chennai climate risk. Her works have been published in Mongabay India, The Wire Science and Arcadia.
Dr. Nambi Appadurai
Dr. Nambi Appadurai
Nambi Appadurai is the Director of the Climate Resilience Practice at World Resources Institute, India where he oversees a portfolio of projects that help build climate resilience at different levels. He has been with WRI since 2014. He is currently leading the design and implementation of research and policy work supporting (i) mainstreaming adaptation into development policies and processes, and (ii) promotion of transformative adaptation through experiential learnings at various levels. His work focuses on climate proofing of development plans, creating access to climate finance and scaling up both investments and good practices in climate resilient initiatives at local, subnational and national levels. He has been actively engaged with select streams of work under Global Commission on Adaptation.
Nambi comes to WRI with two decades of extensive experience in research, project management and implementation of community-based adaptation projects across Asia and Africa. His international experience includes stints with the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, UNEP, CGIAR, Millennium Ecosystem Assessment program and M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, primarily working on climate, biodiversity conservation, natural resources management and governance issues. In the past, he served as a member of the Indian delegation to UNFCCC, Conference of Parties meetings and several expert committees setup by Government of India. He has published widely on topics related to environment, climate change and development on various peer reviewed journals.
Nambi pursued his doctoral degree from Maxwell School, Syracuse University in Interdisciplinary Social Science and holds two post-graduate degrees—one in Development Studies from Cambridge University and another in Public Management and a B.S in Physics from the University of Madras. Nambi’s passions include cricket, Indian classical music, and travel.
Mr. Sanjeev Srivastava
Mr. Sanjeev Srivastava
Mr. Sanjeev Srivastava, Chairman & Managing Director of Aktion Waughter Private Limited, is a distinguished expert in water and wastewater management, EPC sales, and technical training. With over three decades of industry experience, he has played a pivotal role in business development, technology-driven sales, and knowledge sharing. A graduate engineer from IIT Roorkee (1999), he has led multiple organizations in driving market expansion, implementing process optimizations, and advancing innovations in water treatment solutions.
Currently at the helm of Aktion Waughter Private Limited (AWPL), he specializes in providing training and consultancy for industries in water treatment, project execution, quality and safety (QSHE), and site management. His leadership in learning and development has empowered professionals and organizations to optimize their technical and operational efficiencies. Previously, as Associate Vice President at Doshion Veolia Private Limited, he led technology transfer initiatives and was instrumental in training over 500 graduate engineers. His extensive career also includes leadership roles at Ion Exchange India, Berkefeld Filter GmbH, Driplex Water Engineering, and GEA Energy Systems, where he played a key role in business process restructuring, ISO implementation, and safety audits.
Beyond his corporate leadership, Sanjeev is a respected trainer and educator. He has conducted over 50 offline training programs under "IMPAKT" for professionals in environmental, health, and safety (EHS) sectors and has been a guest faculty at Nirma University, Larsen & Toubro, and various industry platforms. His contributions to knowledge sharing and skill development have made him a recognized authority in the field of water and wastewater management. Based in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, he continues to shape the future of the industry by mentoring engineers and advising organizations on sustainable and efficient water treatment solutions.
