Mumbai Program Consultants

Swathi Abhijit
Transformers Events, Special Lab Units, and Food for Thought Series

Swathi Abhijit is the principal architect and urban designer at the Sacred Fig Design Studio and also works as a research associate for the Mythologies of Mumbai project with Partners for Urban Knowledge Action and Research (PUKAR). The Sacred Fig is an independent urban-research and design firm currently pursuing a number of small-scale projects related to urban environment, water, and transportation. At PUKAR, Abhijit’s work concentrates on community-based, urban-planning research and the creation of social-landscape maps, as well as assisting in the development of an independent mapping portal for PUKAR projects.

Photo: Sreeja Nair

Sourav Kumar Biswas
Meet in the Middle Series

Sourav Kumar Biswas is a visiting faculty member for design and graphics at the Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute for Architecture and Environmental Studies (KRVIA) as well as an architect at Design Investigative Group. He studied architecture at the University of Texas at Austin, with professional and research experience in Doha, Auroville, Dallas, and Mumbai. Currently, he is pursuing an independent research project on the Mithi River and is working to bring the Red Swing Projectto Mumbai.

Photo: courtesy Sourav Kumar Biswas

Vikram Doctor
Food for Thought Series

Vikram Doctor is a journalist with the Economic Timesin Mumbai where he writes on social trends and food issues.

Photo: courtesy Meenakshi Doctor

Naresh Fernandes
Meet in the Middle Series

Naresh Fernandes is a journalist from Mumbai who has written widely on city issues. He is the author of Taj Mahal Foxtrot: The Story of Bombay’s Jazz Age and the co-editor of Mumbai Meri Jaan, an anthology of writing about the city. He is a Poiesis fellow at New York University’s Institute for Public Knowledge.

Photo: courtesy Naresh Fernandes

Ammar Mahimwalla
City Dreams Series

Ammar Mahimwalla studied anthropology and history at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver. He is the education officer at the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museumand is involved in conceptualizing and organizing education and visitor-outreach programming, including art workshops for children, gallery tours for contemporary art exhibitions, and museum tours on the history of Mumbai.

Photo: courtesy Ammar Mahimwalla

Aaron Pereira
Unwrapping Mumbai Series

Aaron Pereira is interested in the spaces in which people live and how people live together. He has spent the last five years traveling within and between Europe and India, and is now based in Paris and Mumbai. He cofounded CanadaHelps, a charity that engages hundreds of thousands of Canadians, and raises C$80 million a year for NGO projects.

Photo: courtesy Valentine Giraud

Alisha Sadikot
City Dreams Series

Alisha Sadikot received her bachelor’s degree in history with honors from St. Xavier’s College, University of Mumbai, followed by a master’s in history of art from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, and a post-graduate degree in heritage education and interpretation from the International Centre for Cultural and Heritage Studies, Newcastle University. Sadikot’s specific area of interest is the cultural and artistic heritage of Mumbai; she seeks to promote public engagement with the city’s heritage through her work at the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum.

Photo: courtesy Zeenat Sadikot

Surabhi Sharma
Film Series

Surabhi Sharma is a filmmaker. She studied film direction at the Film and Television Institute of India(FTII), Pune, and made her first film in 2001. She completed a BA in anthropology and psychology from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai University. She has worked on three feature-length documentaries, as well as many short films and documentaries. Her films have been screened and awarded at various international and national festivals. Sharma has scripted telefilms and educational films for children, and has worked as an actor with a Mumbai-based theater group.

Photo: courtesy George Jose

Pooja Warier
Bridging and Unwrapping Mumbai Series

Pooja Warier is the cofounder and director of UnLtd India, Bombay Connect, and Journeys for Change. UnLtd India finds, funds, and supports startup social entrepreneurs in India; Bombay Connect offers collaborative coworking space; and Journeys for Change takes leaders from around the world on expeditions to learn from some of India’s most exciting change-makers. Previously, Warier has worked with a range of organizations and initiatives in the social sector, including the World Social Forum.

Photo: courtesy Pip Dudrah