Intro of SACF Volunteers

Merchant Ivory Heritage Project / Jul 12, 2024

RATNA DHAR 
“I chose to teach in schools after my Master degree.
Had wanted to do a PhD in Indo-Anglian literature but shelved it to bring up my daughters.
Have spent over 38 years in education. I’ve written plenty of books for children, mostly on making them learn English in such a way that they love to read and write.
These days I paint and also travel a lot.
Ruth Prawer Jhabvala and Kamala Markandeya were part of my MPhil thesis.
I consider myself lucky to be part of the group.”

ANUSHA DAVE
Anusha has been in York for almost 20 years and did her PhD at the Department of Biology, University of York on plant hormones. She then spent some years doing postdoctoral research in York. A couple of years ago, she decided to leave work at the University and now does freelance editing for scientific research articles and journals.
Since joining our group, Anuja has been doing proofreading for our project that has been benefitting our project.

KRISH CHANDRAN
Krish is a mechanical engineer turned professor with experience in working in Singapore, Hong Kong and Abu Dhabi. He still has a few students he supervises in the UK.

MEERA CHANDRAN
A retired counselling psychologist with an avid interest in cultural pursuits.

VAISHALI KHULBE
Vaishali Khulbe is from Delhi, India. She’s a teacher by profession and has written a book ‘Monthly Canvas’ and hopefully will be writing more books in the future.

SUSHMITA MITRA
Sushmita Mitra, born into Bengali family hailing from Kolkata, comes from a defence background. Sushmita has lived in cities like Pune; Ambala before moving to Kolkata when her father retired from the Indian Air force. Sushmita completed her graduation in English from the Kolkata University alongside pursuing a course in IT. Additionally, she has a PGDip in Public Relations. Sushmita moved to the UK in 2003 to pursue a master’s in international management. Although Sushmita has had a long standing career in Banking and Finance; she takes an active interest in films and music. Alongside her day job, Sushmita is actively engaged in submission of regional titles for In-Flight Entertainment and doing voice overs for the Asian radio.

HUSSAIN JASANI
Hussain Jasani has been associated with The Institute of Ismaili Studies since 2012, where he currently serves as the Head of South Asian Studies.
Hussain is also a member of the Advisory Board for The Encyclopaedia of the Ismailis. He has obtained multiple qualifications from Asia, Europe and North America. Hussain is currently studying for his PhD at SOAS. He has recently been appointed as a director in an impact company fighting hunger and climate change. Hussain has presented academic papers at various universities and conducted HR Development workshops for several governmental agencies, corporates and NGOs in over a dozen countries. His contribution to the academic and social sectors has resulted in his name being included in multiple editions of Asia Pacific Who’s Who since 2000.

DHRUV PANT 
“As an entrepreneur, I thrive in the dynamic business landscape. Beyond boardrooms, I’m a nature enthusiast and avid trekker. The great outdoors—whether dense forests or rugged mountain trails—beckon me. History captivates my mind; I delve into narratives of bygone eras, seeking wisdom. When not immersed in business ventures, I find joy in farming and constructing things—be it a thriving crop or a dream-turned-reality. Nature, history, and creation define my journey.”

STEFANIA IANNE
Born in Italy in 1970, Stefania is a linguist who graduated in Languages and Literature with top marks from the Italian University of Lecce with a degree centred on the theatrical production of Christopher Isherwood and W.H. Auden poetic drama, The Dog Beneath the Skin or Where Is Francis? She holds an MA in Multimedia Translation – Cinema and Television from the prestigious University of Bologna’s SSLMIT, and a second MA in Multimedia Communication from the University of Ferrara. She is currently freelancing as a Language Consultant / Key Accounts Manager with Dragon Group Corporation in London. Stefania is passionate about languages, nature, art and culture and she is a skilled copywriter and freelance writer. Specialising in music, she has been writing for the Italian music magazine Rumore for the past 10 years while also working as an advisor, editor and copywriter for several artists and writers. Volunteering has been always an important part of Stefania’s life. After years volunteering for ecological NGO Greenpeace and for human rights NGO Amnesty International both in her native Italy and in the UK, she is presently an enthusiastic volunteer for the South Asian Cinema Foundation (SACF).

DAPHNE DE SOUZA
Daphne works with community organisations at a multicultural marketing agency, having worked in UK central government for over 20 years and volunteered for several years in Nepal and Tanzania. She has a keen interest in all things related to London and culture.

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