Rajshree Dayanand Katke was born into an environment that deeply valued academic discipline, intellectual pursuit, and selfless public service. Her parents, Smt. Kamal Sonkawde and the late R. N. Sonkawde, were dedicated schoolteachers whose pedagogical ethics and strong principles profoundly shaped her early perspective. Growing up in the remote rural terrain of Maharashtra, she witnessed firsthand the profound challenges resulting from limited regional infrastructure. Undeterred, she pursued her early education with remarkable resilience, often walking multiple kilometers daily across rustic villages to reach school. Her family recognized her exceptional cognitive aptitude and wholeheartedly supported her aspirations for a higher career in medicine.

Education

Dr. Katke pursued her medical education at the Government Medical College, Aurangabad. She completed her Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery degree with distinction in 1987, receiving the prestigious Gold Medal in Medicine during her final year. Driven by a deep empathy for women’s health, she specialized further at the same institution, successfully obtaining her Doctor of Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in 1993.

Committed to continuous clinical mastery, she expanded her surgical horizons through advanced certifications and fellowships over the subsequent two decades. She was bestowed with the Fellowship of the Indian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in 2011, followed by a Fellowship in Minimal Access Surgery in 2013. She has bestowed fellowship of Maharashtra college of Obstetrics and Gynecology on 14 th March 2026.Her specialized credentials further include intensive training in Gynecological Endoscopic Surgery, Advanced Obstetric and Gynecological Ultrasound, Fetal Heart Monitoring, and Robotic Assisted Surgical Systems.

Personal Life

Despite the intense and relentless demands of navigating high-volume public operating rooms, emergency disaster response, and sprawling institutional administration, Dr. Katke remains deeply anchored by her family and core spiritual values. She credits her husband, Dr. Dayanand Katke, who is also a respected medical professional, and her daughters, Sonam and Monisha, as her enduring pillars of unconditional support, balance, and inspiration throughout her demanding public career.

For over twenty consecutive years, Dr. Katke has been a deeply dedicated practitioner of Vipassana meditation. She attributes this strict mental discipline as the true source of her emotional equilibrium, absolute clarity, and inner resilience while making split-second, life-and-death decisions within high-stress clinical systems. Operating under the guiding spiritual framework that direct service to vulnerable, suffering populations is the ultimate expression of faith, she beautifully embodies the profound ancient philosophy that work is truly worship.

Career

Dr. Katke has accumulated over thirty years of active clinical, surgical, and administrative experience within the public healthcare apparatus of Maharashtra. Her diverse professional journey spans major clinical breakthrough operations, high-level institutional governance, academic leadership, and dedicated grassroots advocacy.

Professor,Clinical Practice and Surgical Breakthroughs

Specialized in Obstetrics and  Gynecology  and complex maternal care, Dr. Katke built a stellar reputation for handling extreme pathologies that standard facilities were unequipped to treat. Among her most notable surgical interventions are the successful resections of exceptionally large abdominal masses, including a thirty-kilogram (30KG Tumour)uterine leiomyomatous tumor and a separate twenty-kilogram(20 KG) ovarian tumor. In another high-stakes case, she successfully excised a ten-kilogram (10KG)ovarian tumor from a patient during gestation, managing to preserve the pregnancy safely until a full-term delivery. Her clinical expertise also includes managing critical reproductive system emergencies, treating advanced uterine inversions, and safely delivering macrosomic infants weighing over five kilograms.

Institutional Leadership and Public Administration

Her career is equally defined by her extensive tenure in medical governance and state health administration. For seven years, she served as the Medical Superintendent of Mumbai’s historic Cama and Albless Hospitals, a premier public facility dedicated entirely to women and children. During her administration, she drove significant infrastructural modernization, establishing advanced oncology care pathways by introducing a Linear Accelerator for radiotherapy alongside a dedicated chemotherapy unit. Her tenure at Cama and Albless Hospitals also included managing the emergency response and post-crisis care during the tragic terrorist attacks in Mumbai, an effort she later commemorated by erecting a permanent memorial on the hospital grounds for the fallen security personnel.

Her administrative footprint spans several other key state roles. She served as the Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at both Grant Government Medical College in Mumbai and the Swami Ramanand Teerth Rural Medical College in Ambajogai. During the pandemic crisis, she was deputed by the Director of Medical Educationdirectly to the Department of Medical Education and Research, where she served on the state’s Member of Ayush task force and contributed to the strategic purchase committee establishing dedicated hospitals at St. George’s and G.T. Hospital. She has represented medical experts on the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques State Advisory Committee to combat female foeticide, and worked closely with the Indian Council of Medical Research on maternal emergency care projects. she has worked tremendously in Covid 19 Pandemic.

Academic and Educational Contributions

As an educator, Dr. Katke has over twenty-eight years of undergraduate teaching experience and twenty years of postgraduate medical mentorship, shaping generations of physicians. Her research portfolio includes more than one hundred (100+)scientific publications in indexed national and international medical journals, which have garnered over 444 academic citations and more than 2.15 lakh global reads. She has authored numerous textbook chapters on critical conditions like postpartum collapse and first-trimester medical termination of pregnancy. Her editorial work includes serving as the Editor-in- for competitive examination books and as a co-editor for definitive texts addressing government healthcare policies, legal acts, and non-communicable diseases in pregnancy. She has written a book on women’s Health awareness and Health Issues in Regional Language Marathi for the Rural and all women to read. the book has been selected by the Committee of Asiatic Library to keep this Book for its 43 Government Branches of Asiatic Library for Common public to read and to get health awareness.

Grassroots Public Health and Social Impact

Believing that medical expertise must extend beyond the walls of elite tertiary hospitals, Dr. Katke has dedicated a massive portion of her career to driving healthcare access into under-resourced segments of society. She has done  extensive diagnostic, operative, and ,preventive medical camps in remote tribal corridors and rural villages, including targeted health camps in Beed, Dharavi, and Nandurbar. To bridge public knowledge gaps, she frequently speaks on state media networks, lecturing on family planning, contraceptive literacy to prevent regional malnourishment, gestational hypertension, and breastfeeding guidelines for working mothers,women’s cancer awareness and prevention,Unwed Mothers,Human Milk Banking,HIV&AIDS Awreness Etc.

Achievements

Dr. Katke’s medical and administrative work has received prominent regional and international citations. Her international accolades include a formal letter of appreciation from the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, who highly praised her hospital administration and maternal safety metrics during an official diplomatic visit to Mumbai. Her work is further cited via a commitment certificate from the World Record of London.

On the national front, she was conferred the Gaurav Pramanpatra by the Governor of Maharashtra in strict recognition of her medical administration during the height of the pandemic. She was also consecutively named both Best Associate Professor and Best Medical Superintendent by the leadership of the Directorate of Medical Education and Research. Her civil and media honors include the Rajiv Gandhi Excellence Award and Gold Medal, the National Mahila Ratna Gold Medal, the Lokmat Women’s Achievers Award for Women’s Health, the Mumbai Achievers Award, the Waghini Puraskar, the Dr. Sarojini Naidu International Award for Working Women, and a special operative excellence citation from the Chief Minister of Maharashtra for delivering life-saving surgical interventions during the state mega-medical camps.

External Links

Research gate:
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rajshree-Katke
Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajshree-dayanand-katke-sonkawde-katke-58722a80?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/share/1By3FQebum/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Youtube:
https://youtube.com/@drrajshreedayanandkatke1?si=wu5FAyvXnRdB3bid
Blogspot:
https://share.google/mOySjlczp369ADyZv
Scholar:
https://scholar.google.com/citations?u

Prof. Dr. Saraswati Raju Iyer was born on September 30, 1968, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, to Smt. Jalajakshi Ramachandran, a homemaker, and Sri P.S. Ramachandran, a retired Senior Personnel Officer from South Central Railways, Hyderabad. She is the second of three daughters. Her elder sister, Smt. Usha Subramaniam, resides in Hyderabad, while her younger sister, Smt. Parvathi Shivakumar, lives in Canada.

She completed her school education at Keyes High School for Girls and pursued her intermediate studies at Railway Junior College. Her graduation in Social Work was completed at P.G. College of Social Work, Hyderabad. She later pursued higher education from Osmania University, Acharya Nagarjuna University, and Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi.

Career

Prof. Dr. Saraswati Raju Iyer is an eminent academician, sociologist, researcher, and social worker with decades of experience in teaching, research, administration, and community service. She currently serves as Professor and Chairperson of the P.G. Board of Studies in the Department of Sociology and Social Work at Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur.

Throughout her career, she has held several important academic and administrative positions including Head of the Department of Sociology & Social Work, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Member of the Executive Council and Academic Senate, Director of IQAC, and Coordinator of Community Social Responsibility.

Her professional associations extend nationally and internationally. She is a Fellow of the Indian Academy of Social Sciences, Allahabad, and holds memberships in organizations such as NIMHANS Bengaluru, Andhra Pradesh Sociological Society, National Social Science Association (USA), International Justice Mission (USA), Commonwealth Foundation London, and Civil 20 India 2023 (C20). She has also served as Advisory Group Member of the Global Ocean Conservation Sustainability Programme, USA, and Executive Member of the Human Rights International Federation, Government of India.

Prof. Iyer has been actively involved in teaching, mentoring, and academic research. She has guided 30 Ph.D. scholars and 5 M.Phil. scholars and completed 42 research and consultancy projects. Her scholarly output includes 151 research papers published in national and international journals, 82 book chapters, 158 study lessons for the Centre for Distance Education, and 21 e-content modules for the UGC SWAYAM platform.

She has authored books including Counselling for Women Living with HIV/AIDS and Indian Society: Problems and Issues, both published in 2016.

Prof. Iyer has represented India at several international conferences and academic forums in countries including the USA, Nepal, Vietnam, Morocco, the Netherlands, the Philippines, and the United Arab Emirates.

Personal Life

Prof. Dr. Saraswati Raju Iyer is married to Dr. Raju S. Iyer, a cardio thoracic surgeon associated with Katuri Medical College Hospital, Guntur. The couple has two children. Their daughter, Dr. Deepa Raju, is married to Sri Balaji, a Chartered Accountant, and resides in Dubai with their children Dhruv Iyer and Tanya Iyer. Their son, Sri Hariharan Raju pursuing his M.S. in Computational Sciences from Germany. Prof. Dr. Saraswati Raju Iyer is a distinguished academician, researcher, and social development expert whose contributions to Sociology and Social Work have significantly impacted higher education and community welfare. Former Head of the Department at Acharya Nagarjuna University, she currently serves as Chairperson of the Postgraduate Board of Studies in Sociology and Social Work.

Over the course of her illustrious career, she has held several key academic and administrative positions, including Member of the Executive Council and Academic Senate, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Director of the Internal Quality Assurance Cell, and Coordinator for Community Social Responsibility at Acharya Nagarjuna University.

A gold medalist from Osmania University, Prof. Iyer possesses an impressive academic background that includes B.S.W., M.S.W., M.A. in Sociology, N.E.T., S.L.E.T., I.C.C.C. (USA), Ph.D., and D.Litt. (USA). A trained psychological counsellor, she has also completed specialized courses in Guidance and Life Skills Education, strengthening her expertise in counselling and human development.

Her academic presence extends across the global stage. Prof. Iyer has presented papers and chaired sessions at international conferences in the U.S.A., Nepal, Vietnam, and Morocco. She has participated in Global Fellows’ Meetings in the Netherlands, the U.S.A., and the Philippines, and attended the Best Diplomats Conference in Dubai. Since 2019, she has been serving as a NAAC Peer Team Member in Bangalore while contributing to several national and international academic and professional bodies.

Her international associations include serving on the Seafood Watch Social Sustainability Advisory Group at Monterey Bay Aquarium, U.S.A., advisory board membership at the Lifeboat Foundation, U.S.A., membership at the International Institute of Knowledge Management (TIIKM), Sri Lanka, the International Sociological Association, Spain, and her role as Adjunct Professor at the Institute for Health and Management, Melbourne, Australia.Global Roster of Gender Expert of Gender Associations International Consulting, (GAIC), Berlin, Germany.

With more than 26 years of postgraduate teaching experience, Prof. Iyer has authored 20 books, presented 136 research papers, delivered 146 academic sessions, and contributed 21 MOOCs lectures for SWAYAM under the Government of India initiative. She has guided 30 Ph.D. scholars and completed 42 research and consultancy projects funded by national and international agencies.

Her work in counselling, gender studies, HIV/AIDS, marginalized communities, child rights, and disability continues to create meaningful academic and social impact across communities., is pursuing his Master’s degree in Computational Sciences in Germany.

Despite her extensive academic and professional responsibilities, Prof. Iyer has remained deeply committed to family values, social welfare, women empowerment, and educational development.

Achievements & Recognition

Prof. Dr. Saraswati Raju Iyer has received more than 66 prestigious national and international awards in recognition of her outstanding contributions to education, research, social work, and women empowerment.

Some of her notable honours include:

• Best Citizens of India Award (2011)
• Rajiv Gandhi Excellence Award (2014)
• Award for Eminent Teacher (2015)
• Women of Distinction Award (2016)
• Adarsh Vidya Saraswati Rashtriya Puraskar (2016)
• Honorary DLitt from the University of South America, USA (2016)
• Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Award (2017)
• Outstanding Woman Educator & Scholar Award (2017)
• Asian Education Award (2020)
• Global Teacher Role Model Award (2020)
• Andhra Pradesh Scientist Award (2020)
• International Women Award (2022)
• Top 100 Women Leadership Award (2022)
• 100 Influential Indians Award (2022)
• India Social Impact Award (2022)
• Asian Excellence Award (2023)
• Global Legends Award (2024)
• World Book Record (2024)
• Leading Educationist of India Award (2024)
• Best Indian Golden Personalities Award (2025)

Her biography has also been featured in Asia Pacific Who’s Who and the Golden Award Book 2024.

External Links

Address:
Department of Sociology & Social Work
Acharya Nagarjuna University
Nagarjuna Nagar, Guntur – 522510, Andhra Pradesh, India

E-mail: saras1_2rajuiyer2003@yahoo.com

Dr. Deepa Mordia was born in Shillong, Meghalaya and brought up in Jaipur Rajasthan, where she developed an early affinity for education, analytical thinking, and academic excellence. Growing up in a culturally rich and intellectually supportive environment, she was encouraged to pursue knowledge with dedication and discipline. Her formative years were marked by a strong inclination towards mathematics and statistics, which later shaped her academic and professional trajectory.

Her educational journey at reputed institutions, including Maharaja College and the University of Rajasthan, played a significant role in nurturing her intellectual curiosity and research orientation. The academic environment she was exposed to instilled in her a deep appreciation for quantitative analysis and its application to real-world social and economic issues.

Influenced by a commitment to education and societal development, she developed a keen interest in understanding socio-economic challenges, particularly in the context of literacy, gender disparities, and development indicators in Rajasthan. These early influences laid the foundation for her long-standing career in teaching, research, and academic leadership.

Career

With over two decades of professional experience, Dr. Deepa Mordia has established a distinguished academic career in the field of Statistics, marked by extensive teaching, research, and institutional contributions. She is currently serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Statistics at the University of Rajasthan, where she plays an active role in academic development, student mentorship, and administrative leadership. Presently cheif proctor at university of Rajasthan college. She has taught in various Branches such as btech civil , com sce,electrical, electronic, mechanical, mca, bca, mtech, bba , mba and many more

Her career trajectory spans multiple reputed institutions, including JECRC University, St. Wilfred P.G. College, Birla Institute of Technology Mesra Extension Centre Jaipur, and Kanoria P.G. College. Across these institutions, she has taught undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students in areas such as quantitative techniques, research methodology, and applied statistics, contributing significantly to academic excellence and capacity building.

In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Dr. Mordia has held several important administrative and leadership roles. She has served as a nodal officer under NEP 2020 initiatives, NSS coordinator, staff secretary, and member of various academic and disciplinary committees. Her involvement in organizing national and international youth festivals, and academic programs reflects her commitment to holistic institutional development.She has also been a Member of the Board of Studies for more than 15 years.

Her academic work is complemented by a strong research profile, with numerous publications in national and international journals focusing on literacy trends, socio-economic analysis, cybercrime statistics, and social media data analytics. She has also contributed as a keynote speaker, session chair, and resource person at various conferences, demonstrating her active engagement with the broader academic community.

Dr. Mordia’s career reflects a blend of academic rigor, research innovation, and administrative leadership, with a sustained focus on applying statistical methods to address real-world social and developmental challenges.

Personal Life

Dr. Deepa Mordia leads a balanced life centered on her dedication to education, academic service, and personal growth. With a long-standing career in teaching and research, she has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to nurturing students, guiding research scholars, and contributing to institutional development.
Beyond her professional responsibilities, she actively engages in academic and community-oriented initiatives, including student counseling, participation in National Service Scheme (NSS) activities, and involvement in programs aimed at rural development and youth empowerment. Her role in coordinating educational and extracurricular activities reflects her belief in holistic development and social responsibility.

She maintains a disciplined and purposeful lifestyle, shaped by years of academic engagement and leadership responsibilities. Her interests remain closely aligned with intellectual pursuits, continuous learning, and contributing meaningfully to society through education and research.

Achievements & Recognition

Dr. Deepa Mordia has built a strong academic profile through her extensive contributions to teaching, research, and institutional development. She has authored and co-authored books in the field of statistics and socio-economic analysis, along with a significant number of research publications in reputed national and international journals. Her work spans diverse areas such as literacy trends, gender disparities, cybercrime analysis, and social media analytics, reflecting both depth and interdisciplinary relevance.

She has been actively recognized within academic and research communities through her roles as keynote speaker, session chair, and resource person at numerous national and international conferences. Her consistent engagement in scholarly activities, including presentations, workshops, and faculty development programs, highlights her commitment to advancing statistical research and education.

Dr. Mordia has also played key leadership roles in organizing major academic events, including international conferences, national seminars, and university-level programs. Her contributions as organizing secretary, convener, advisory member, and coordinator demonstrate her academic leadership and organizational capabilities.
In addition, she holds memberships in several prestigious professional bodies, including the Indian Science Congress Association and the International Association of Engineers, along with life membership in statistical and research associations. These affiliations reflect her active involvement in the broader scientific and academic community.

Her sustained contributions to higher education, research mentorship, and applied statistical analysis continue to make a meaningful impact on academia and society.

Early Life

Dr. Kriti Singh was born and brought up in Delhi, in a family that reflected a unique blend of civil services, academia, and defence forces. Growing up in an environment rooted in discipline, public service, and intellectual inquiry, she developed an early inclination towards nation-building and societal contribution. Deeply influenced by her father, who served in the civil services and instilled in her a strong sense of grassroots engagement, she was encouraged to understand India beyond textbooks through People, communities, and lived realities.

A defining influence in her life was her late brother, who served in the Indian Army and laid down his life in the service of the nation. His legacy continues to shape her worldview, reinforcing her commitment to national service, resilience, and purpose-driven work.

Career

With nearly two decades of professional experience, Dr. Singh has built a multidisciplinary career spanning academia, media, research, and strategic advisory. She is currently an Associate Professor at a Noida-based private university, where she has held key leadership roles in quality assurance, student support, and institutional systems .

Her academic journey is marked by exceptional diversity, with five master’s degrees across Mass Communication, International Relations, Political Science, Psychology, and Business Administration, along with a degree in law. She is currently pursuing postdoctoral research in media–military relations, focusing on conflict reporting and strategic communication.

Dr. Singh has been associated with leading think tanks in India and abroad and has worked with prominent media houses, giving her a strong blend of academic depth and industry exposure. She is also an advisor to emerging startups, particularly in communication strategy and digital positioning. A cyber policy enthusiast and strong advocate of data sovereignty, her work engages critically with issues of AI, governance, and information ecosystems.

Personal Life

Dr. Kriti Singh is married to a man in uniform now an entrepreneur and is part of a third-generation Army family, reflecting a deep-rooted connection with the values of service, discipline, and national commitment. She is a devoted mother and balances her professional and personal responsibilities with remarkable resilience.

Beyond her academic and advisory roles, she leads an active and dynamic lifestyle. She is an authorised drone pilot and has a keen interest in adventure sports, including skydiving. A long-distance runner and half-marathon finisher, she also enjoys air rifle shooting and is currently learning Krav Maga.

Dr. Singh is also a trained classical Kathak dancer, reflecting her grounding in Indian cultural traditions. A dog lover at heart, she finds joy in simple, meaningful connections that bring balance to her otherwise demanding professional life.

Achievements & Recognition

Dr. Kriti Singh is the author of four books and has an extensive body of research publications in reputed journals and academic platforms. She has been widely recognised for her contributions to media education, research, and social impact. She was honoured among the “100 Inspiring Women of 2023” and received the Best Media Educator in Communication Research Award (2023).

She has also been conferred the Best Researcher of the Year Award (2021) and honoured with the Sashakt Naari Samman Award and the Dr. Sarojini Naidu International Award for Working Women, acknowledging her contributions to academia and women empowerment.

In addition to her academic achievements, she has been actively engaged in social work for nearly 20 years through the Captain Ayush Purusartha Foundation (CAPF), contributing to grassroots initiatives in education, legal awareness, health, and community development. A firm believer in nationalism and service to the nation, her work continues to reflect a commitment to strengthening society through knowledge, awareness, and action.