Dr. O. P. Tiwari
Chairman, Kaivalyadhama
Dr. O. P. Tiwari
Dr. Om Prakash Tiwari was born in the town of eastern Uttar Pradesh, Etawah in the year 1933. His father was a lawyer, but passed away early in 1940’s. Shri. Tiwari-ji toiled his way hard to complete his education. He completed his double Masters in Art from the prestigious Allahabad University, In the year 1958 he landed up a government job, but at the same time he had an option to come to Kaivalyadhama Lonavala, where he was granted admission in the two year course of Yoga Pravishta. He choose the latter, and rest is history.
Dr. Tiwari-ji arrived at Kaivalyadhama in the year 1958 and spend time under the direct guidance of the founder Swami Kuvalyananda un-till 1966, when Swami ji passed away. IN 1965, the founder nominated him to be the Secretary of the Trust Kaivalyadhama.
Passing away of the founder had left a great vaccum in the institute. Shri. Tiwari-ji at the young age, steered the institute towards progress in research, training and therapy. The scientific research of the institute depended on a large scale, on the grants of the Government of India and Maharashtra, this continued due to his great dedication and devotion.
Dr. Tiwari-ji carried the great legacy of the founder and represented the institute at various forums at national and international levels. He was instrumental in starting of the Yoga Camps all over India in early 1970’s, with the help of Ministry of Education. He was the face of Yoga in the SNIPES, the National Board that looked after sports and education. He was Chairman of the committee, which initiated the process of introduction of Yoga in Kendriya Vidyalaya Schools in early 80’s. Shri. Tiwari-ji was founder member of the Central Council of Research in Yoga and Naturopathy. He was deeply involved in the policy making in the Government.
While administration was important, on the other hand, he continued his teachings of the experiential aspect of Yoga in various course in the College. Since 1970’s he visited many countries to share his knowledge and experience of Yoga. In times to come, he became one of the most prominent teachers of Classical Pranayama. Since 1997 he devoted more time to teaching and had extensive tours to Japan, China, US, Canada, Europe and other continents.
Dr. Tiwari-ji was appointed as the Chief Patron of the Indo-China Yoga School Established in Yunnan province, post the visit of the Hon’ble Prime Minister in 2015. He has been recipient of many awards and was conferred Honorary D Lit by the Kavi Kul Sanskrit University.
At the age of 89, Dr. Tiwari ji continues his teachings with all humility and simplicity, to contribute towards the society. His primary objective in life is to serve the vision of his teacher Swami Kuvalyananda, and believes in ensuring that Yoga is not diluted.
He often quotes his teachers favorite lines
“ माना अपमाओ
यवेटि योगिनास्तौ विशमृते ! अपमानो मृतम प्रहरमनस्तु विषम विषम !
For a Yogi praise and insult are verily poison and nectar. The wise dealers that insult is nectar and praise the gravest poison.
Justice Dr. S. Radhakrishan
Former Judge – Bombay High Court
Justice Dr. S. Radhakrishan
Justice Dr. S. Radhakrishan was born on 25th December, 1946. He rank First in LL.M. in Bombay University. He went on and did his doctorate in Law by Bombay University.
He served as a Judge of Bombay High Court from 15th April, 1996 to 24th December, 2008 for nearly 13 years. He was the Chairman of High Court Legal Services Committee and was heading various Committees of the High Court including Finance and “Budget Committee”.
As a Judge of Bombay High Court he handled various Commercial matters, Company matters, Arbitration matters including Income Tax, Central Excise, Customs, Service Tax matters. As a Judge, he was instrumental in orders related to environment protection orders. He gave directions to plant 1 Lakh trees in the city of Nagpur, gave various directions to protect Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Venna Lake at Mahabaleshwar etc.
He was also the Chairman of Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal from 28th January, 2009 till 27th January, 2014. Have streamlined the disposal of cases, with minimal pendency now. Mostly cases were disposed of within a year or six months.
Practiced Law for about 25 years in the Bombay High Court mainly in Civil, Commercial, Constitutional and Administrative Law fields. He was designated as a Senior Advocate in 1991. He appeared in various P.I.L. matters to protect Green Spaces in Mumbai and for visually impaired, to protect privacy of women, enhancement of pension for old retired teachers.
In the light of a PIL, Bombay High Court requested the Government of Maharashtra to appoint Prison Reforms Committee, post which he was appointed by the Government of Maharashtra as the Chairman Prison Reforms Committee from June 2017 to June 2018. This Committee submitted various Recommendations to State Government and Bombay High Court in June 2018.
Shri. Subodh Tiwari
Hon Secretary | CEO
Shri. Subodh Tiwari
Born in the yogic atmosphere at Kaivalyadhama Lonavala and with schooling in this hill station. Since a young age was initiated into the spiritual practices by Swami Digambar-ji, who at that time was the Chairman and Spiritual head of Kaivalyadhama. Initiated into yogic practices at the age of 6 under the guidance of his father Dr. O. P. Tiwari, the disciple of the founder Swami Kuvalyananda. In March 1997 decided to devote my life at the institute and to serve it.
Over past two decades, he has been able to strengthen the foundations of the institute to achieve the vision of the founder i.e to ‘coordinate the spiritual phenomena of Yoga with Modern science’. He serves in various capacities in committees relating to policies, academics and research in the field of Yoga under the ageis of Government of India, Government of Maharashtra and various Universities.
Travelled to various countries to conduct workshops on Yoga. Invited as a guest speaker in numerous conferences across the world.
Passionate to preserve nature and promote efforts towards a better environment.
Presently the Hon. Secretary / CEO at the Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute holding firm belief that, Yoga is not only ‘doing’ but also ‘being’, and therefore in broad parameters harmony with nature and discipline, dedication and devotion in life are key to a meaningful life.
He also possess great passion towards enhancing the quality of life holistically and therefore has laid great focus on cleaner environment and service to the society through participation in through various forums. He likes to take off time, with his passion of photography and being amidst nature.
Shri. Shobhit Gupta
Director (IFD)
Ministry of Education, Department of SEL, Govt. of India
Shri. Shobhit Gupta
Director (IFD)
Ministry of Education, Department of SEL, Govt. of India
Shri. Subhash Chandra
CAO/IFA
National Council of Educational Research and Training
Shri. Subhash Chandra
CAO/IFA
National Council of Educational Research and Training
Director
Ministry of Education, Department of SEL, Govt. of India
Director
Ministry of Education, Department of SEL, Govt. of India
Mahant Shri. Jagannathdasji
Guru Shri. Premdasji Maharaj
Managing Trustee
Satyanarayana Mandir, Malsar
Mahant Shri. Jagannathdasji Guru Shri. Premdasji Maharaj
Jagdish Chandra Ramkrishna Mehta was born in Audhichya Sahastra Brahmin Family, in a beautiful sacred place of Paramhans Shri. Madhavasji Maharaj at Malsar of Vadodara District, north bank of Narmada river. He was very fascinated towards devotion to God as his parents had high values since childhood. Since the family was in poverty, he could not have higher education, but he studied Sanskrit from Shri. Mafatlal Ratneshwar Shukla, a very learned renowned Sanskrit scholar from Malsar. It was only through their grace that the service-satsang and closeness of Shri. Dongreji Maharaj was achieved by Jagdish.
He used to perform rituals in Malsar village and studied Astrology too simultaneously. Jagdish also got deep knowledge of Shrimad Bhagavat Katha while visiting several pilgrimages along with Shri. Dongreji Maharaj for 10 - 12 years and hence his love for Shrimad bhagavat and Shri. Krishna Bhagwan grew. However, after becoming brahmin by Shri. Dongreji Maharaj (Pujya Bapji), he got the advantage of narrating Shrimad Bhagwat Katha..
Further, due to the association with Shri. Satyanarayan Mandir of his father, Jagdish continued to get the benefit of service from Mandir as well as from Dada
Guru Shri. Sanatkumardasji Maharaj and Guru Shri. Premdasji Maharaj since his childhood. Upon the insistence of Shri. Sanatkumardasji Maharaj , Mother Smt. Bhanuben agreed to appoint Jagdish as the successor and disciple of Mahant Shri. Premdasji Guru Shri. Sanat Kumar Dasji. On 5th October, 2009, the auspicious day, Jagdish Maharaj was titled as Mahant Jagannathdasji Guru Shree Premdasji of Maharaj Shri. Satynarayan Temple, Malsar.
Presently, in the development of temple, Mahant Shri. uninterruptedly performs the services such as the services of the poor narayan, Gauseva, Public service & the service of Narmadaji Parikaramavasi.
Shri. Dinesh Panjwani
Secretary H(S)NC Board
Shri. Dinesh Panjwani
Prof. Dinesh Panjwani, the first Vice Chancellor of the Hyderabad Sind National Collegiate University (HSNCU), and Secretary of the H(S)NCB, is a pre-eminent educationist and administrator with vast experience in institution building of over 43 years. He has provided enlightened, motivational and progressive leadership to the Colleges that he headed as Principal - Smt. CHM College, Ulhasnagar (2000 to 2009) and R. D. National College (2009 to 2017). During his tenure, both the Colleges made substantial qualitative and quantitative progress in academics, sports, cultural activities, research and outreach programmes.
This was seen particularly in the rise in the enrolment of students, the marked improvement in results at all levels of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, the increase in the allotment of research funds to the faculty by statutory bodies of higher education like the UGC, DBT and DST among others, manifold increase in the number of teachers completing their Ph.D., establishment of research centres and the rise in international affiliations and exchange programmes with institutes of higher education in prestigious universities in the US. As Secretary of the HSNC Board 2017 onwards, he has been actively involved in the co-ordination of the establishment of HSNCU.
Prof. Dinesh Panjwani has been the Member of the Senate, Management Council (UoM), Member, Academic Council (UoM and YCMOU, Nashik), Member of Governing Body (NAAC, Bangalore), UGC Nominee as Chairperson/ Member Secretary/ Member on Expert/ Governing Committees for grant of Autonomy of Institutions and 2F and 12 B status and on Governing Bodies of several autonomous institutions, Member, IB Asia Pacific Regional Advisory Council.
Prof. Panjwani has conceptualized and implemented innovative programmes since the earliest years of his career at K. C. College. He has initiated outreach programmes like the Community Awareness and Assessment Survey Projects, Adult Education Programmes, Community Based Rehabilitation Programmes, Yoga Intern and Master Yoga Intern Programmes in the Colleges and the University of Mumbai.
He is committed to community orientation and the immense potential of the programmes of higher education to involve youth in outreach programmes so as to nurture the values of good citizenship and governance in them.
Shri. Rakesh R. Seksaria
Member
Shri. Rakesh R. Seksaria
Shri. Rakesh seksaria is the son of Late Shri. Radheshyam Makhanlal Seksaria who was the main Donor of the Gordhandas Seksaria College of Yoga and Cultural Synthesis. Shri. Rakesh Seksaria is a businessman and also devotes a lot of his time in social and charitable activities.
He is on the board of Trustees and Governing body of Arya Kumar Mahasabha a Charitable trust headquartered in Baroda.They run an Ayurveda Hospital and girls high school in Kareli Baugh and three schools in Saurastra known as Gurukul Songad. He is very active in their day to day management.
Shri. Rajkumar Seksaria
Shri. Rajkumar Seksaria
Shri. Rajkumar Seksaria is a whole time director with SAJJAN CHEMICALS INVESTMENTS PRIVATE LIMITED. Shri. Rajkumar Seksaria was previously associated with 1 company, Fujizakura Private Limited.
Professionally, Shri. Rajkumar Seksaria is a businessman who at a young age of 18 years entered into the business world of sugar mills, textile mills and then in motion picture industries through the Famous Cine Laboratory at Tardeo, where some of the famous films were processed and Famous Recording Studio where a large number of popular Bollywood songs were originally recorded.
He is the Chairman of many Charitable Trusts, the most important of the being:
- Shri. Govindram Seksaria Charity Trust
- Kudilal Govindram Seksaria Foundation
- Govind Nagar Charitable Trust
Shri. Rajkumar and his family inherited the zeal for promoting educational and medical Institutions from his father Late Shri. Kudilalji Seksaria and grandfather Late Shri. Govindramji Seksaria.
His family has established many Institutions and some of the famous ones are:
- Shri. Govindram Seksaria Institute of Technology & Science, Indore.
- Govindram Seksaria Institute of Management and research, Indore
- Govindram Seksaria College of Commerce, Nagpur & Wardha
- Govindram Seksaria College of Commerce & Economics, Jabalpur
- Kudilal Govindram Seksaria Sarvodaya School
- Kudilal Govindram Seksaria English School, Malad
Dr. Srimanta Kumar Ganguly
Former Principal – G. S. College, Kaivalyadhama
Dr. Srimanta Kumar Ganguly
Dr. Shrimanta Kumar Ganguly, former Principal of G. S. College of Yoga, Assistant Director Research at Scientific Research Department of Kaivalyadhama. He was always inclined towards Physical education since early age inspired to turn his life towards Yoga. After completing general education in Bihar and Calcutta in Science, put 8-years of services as a Science teacher in two different junior colleges of West Bengal. In the year 1971, he completed his Master Degree in Physical Education from renowned Laxmibai National College of Physical Education, Gwalior and joined Scientific Research department of Kaivalyadhama serving 21-years successfully, working as Research Assistant, Research Officer and Assistant Director Research. Later on, he served the Institution as the Principal for G. S. College of Cultural Synthesis for more than 15 years. He got his Ph.D. degree from Mumbai University.
As a silent worker, his contribution towards skill of teaching and also the theoretical aspect of yoga and Physical Education as well as researches in these fields are worth mentioning. In this connection, he attended and presented papers in a number of conferences in India and abroad. He was invited in the countries like Czechoslovakia, Spain, Italy & Korea for spreading the massage of yoga and also successfully organized YOGA TRAINING PROGRAM in India and overseas. By now more than 70 Articles & Research papers on various topics exclusively related to Yoga & Physical Education are published in India and other foreign Journals and also in Yoga-Mimamsa – a quarterly Research journal of Kaivalyadhama. He has been associated with more than a dozen of universities as an Examiner, paper setter, framing of Syllabus and evaluating books. He has been awarded with Bharat Gaurav by IIFS, New Delhi. His two books “Yogasanas- A Teacher Guide” (1983) published by N.C.E.R.T. and “Teaching Methods for Yogic Practices” (1988) under joint authorship published by Kaivalyadhama bagged the first prize for the books on National book competition on yoga. The other book “Yogabhyas ki Adhyapan Vidhiya” is printed in Hindi also. The author believes that they will be highly useful for those students, Director of Physical Education, Yoga teachers who intend to teach selected yoga practices. He retired from services as Principal of the G. S. College of Yoga and C.S. after serving altogether for 16 years continuously. He is also governing body as well as life member of the Institute. For couple of months in the absence secretary, he worked as acting secretary. He worked as the Head of Yoga-Mimamsa department and also as guest Professor of G. S. College of Yoga and C.S. and for M.Phil, Ph.D. in Yoga under Pune University in the honorary capacity.
Dr. Ganguly was first Yoga Coach at N. S. N. I. S Patiala (India) and also prepared Syllabus (1979) for the sports participants.
Adv. Nivit Srivastava
Advocate
Adv. Nivit Srivastava
Advocate
Dr. Ranjeet Singh Bhogal
Joint Director – Research, Kaivalyadhama
Dr. Ranjeet Singh Bhogal
Born in a sleepy, remote village of Himachal Pradesh, Dr. Bhogal, as a child, spent hours & hours pondering over the natural landscapes, trees & rainy streams of the hills, taking lessons in silence from the tender whispers of the Mother Nature. No wonder, it developed in him a native inclination towards inward thinking & contemplating for delving deep into fathomless realities of the Nature. The spiritual ambiance of the village inculcated in him panache for meditation which over the years has culminated into discovering simple meditative techniques, based on basic principles, from Hatha Yoga & Patanjala Yoga, with their wider implications for therapy, well-being & cognitive abilities. Mumbai, Pune & Lonavala (Maharashtra) proved nurture grounds for him, where he happened to meet many a luminary, such as Nanaji Deshmukh, P. L. Deshpande, Prabhakar Padhye, S. M. Joshi, Dr. V. V. Pendse, Swami Digambarji, BKS Iyengar and many other eminent authors & poets. He has been deeply associated with many a social & spiritual organizations.
Recipient of prestigious Shivram Apte prize for Sanskrit from Fergusson College and merit scholarship for his Post Graduate studies in Psychology at Pune University, Dr. Bhogal then joined Kaivalyadhama’s Scientific Research Department in 1987 and was merit selected to the post of Research Officer in 1992. Kaivalyadhama’s spiritual climate & encouraging ambience honed further his expertise of communicating meditation. He also worked as Managing Editor of the Research Quarterly Yoga Mimamsa for over a decade. Currently he is Editor in Chief of Yoga Mimamsa. He has worked as Principal of Kaivalyadhama’s G. S. College of Yoga & Cultural Synthesis (2004-13). His research interest includes exploration into psycho-physiological & neuro-psychological perspectives of experiential phenomena of Yoga & Meditation for effective Stress Management & enhancement of Emotional Intelligence, towards a holistic Personality development. Widely traveled globally for lectures/talks/ Work-shops in Yoga Psychology & Yoga Meditation, he has authored seven published books, including “Yoga and Mental Health” (apart from English this book has been published in Hindi, Gujarati, Chinese, Korean, Bulgarian, Brazilian Portuguise, German and Tiwanese) and “Yoga Psychology and Beyond” (Published in English and German). He has over hundred research & scientific papers published in many a reputed research journals. Dr. Bhogal has travelled in many cities across Asia, America and Europe for spreading the classical message of Yoga and Meditation. Recipients of many awards and accolades, nationally and internationally, he has recently, been nominated for the prestigious award, “Yoga Ratna Puruskar” for his achievements in Yoga
Smt. Pushpa L. Mandke
(Associate Member), Kaivalyadhama
Smt. Pushpa L. Mandke
Mrs. Pushpa Mandke has been working in Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute for the last 40 years. Mrs. Mandke has a sense of selfless dedication in herself, duty-fidelity, efficiency, equanimity towards all the workers & towards the organization.
She last served at the position of Administrative Officer. She had started her career as Assistant and with her dedication towards her work and Institute she has rose up to senior level and has been part of important projects at Kaivalyadhama. Her loyalty, sincerity and commitment for the Institute is unparalleled. She is one of the Governing Body members of the Institute and always being there to guide all the subordinates for administrative requirements.