BCC&I Business Meets Sustainability Summit

Alok Gupta

Aloke Mookherjea

Ambarish Dasgupta

Amit Mitra

Anuj Mittal

Shri Anupam Mukhopadhyay

Shri Anupam Mukhopadhyay took charge as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in Bengal Gas Company Limited (BGCL) w.e.f. 16th January 2024. He has been graduated as Electrical Engineer from IIT, Kharagpur, India's Prestigious Engineering Institute.

He has rich and diverse experience encompassing more than 33 and half years in the Oil & Gas Sector with a special aptitude in Digital Transformation, Analytics and Process Improvement. Before Joining BGCL, he was Managing Director in Aavantika Gas Limited, a joint venture of GAIL (India) Limited & HPCL meant for City Gas Distribution in Madhya Pradesh.

Under his leadership, Aavantika Gas Limited has started H2 blending in CGD Network and Biogas consumption through cascade and PNG Network. Prior to this, he has served as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of GAIL Gas Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of GAIL (India) Limited, engaged in the City Gas Distribution Business.

Prior to this assignment, he has served in the National Gas Management Centre of GAIL India Limited located in Noida, Uttar Pradesh which is responsible for coordinating pan India commercial transaction for Gas trading and gas transmission business.

Presently, Shri Anupam Mukhopadhyay is Executive Director - CGD (MKTG) in GAIL (India) Limited and is currently Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in BGCL.

Barbara Voss

Mr. Benno Bõer

Dr. Benno Bõer is a seasoned environmental scientist and project manager with over 35 years of international experience across Europe, the Arab Region, Africa, and Asia. A founding figure in several key environmental institutions, he has dedicated his career to ecosystem conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable resource management. His long-term work was instrumental to catalyse the establishment of numerous UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, World heritage Sites, and Global Geoparks. Currently serving as a Natural Science Specialist at UNESCO's South Asia office in New Delhi, Dr. Bõer is also a strong advocate for advancing socio-ecological solutions related to sustainable human living. He has published many scientific papers and books, and, most recently, he initiated the new book series 'Blue Carbon Ecosystems for Sustainable Development'. He had several terms of service in Germany, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Ethiopia, Thailand, and India. He holds a PhD in Physical Geography from the University of Paderborn.

Dr. Debalina Sengupta

Assistant Vice President, Energy and Innovation, University of Houston.

Dr. Debalina Sengupta's research focuses on sustainability in process systems engineering, encompassing process design, integration, optimization, life cycle assessment, and sustainable supply chain design for biofuels, natural gas, consumer products, and waste valorization. She has recently expanded her work to include energy transition, sustainable manufacturing, advanced manufacturing, and disaster resilient design, while also developing educational modules for sustainable manufacturing.

Currently serving as Assistant Vice President of the Energy Transition Institute at the University of Houston, Dr. Sengupta previously held leadership roles including Coastal Resilience Program Director for Texas Sea Grant at Texas A&M University, Associate Director of the TEES Gas and Fuels Research Center, and Water, Energy and Food Nexus Coordinator at Texas A&M Energy Institute. Her current research interests center on resilience in the process industrial sector under disaster conditions and energy transition.

Dr. Sengupta has authored two books: "Chemicals from biomass: integrating bioprocesses into chemical production complexes for sustainable development" (CRC Press, 2012) and "Measuring Progress towards Sustainability" (Springer, 2017), along with numerous peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and conference proceedings. She is passionate about quantifying sustainability into actionable implementation and works with diverse underrepresented communities globally.

Mr. Gautam Ray

President Corporate - RPSG Group and Former President, BCC&I.

Mr. Gautam Ray, Fellow of The Institution of Engineers, graduated in Electrical Engineering from Calcutta University (erstwhile Bengal Engineering College, Shibpur, presently IIEST) in 1981 and completed Post Graduation in Electrical Power System, from the same Institute in 1983. He was, till recently, Executive Director of CESC Limited, age-old power utility serving the city of Kolkata for more than 100 years and also President (HR), Power Group of RPSG. Presently, he is President-Corporate, RPSG Group Mr. Ray has an experience of close to 40 years of working in Power System operations and load dispatch, before he migrated to HR & Admin. He was instrumental in working on a collaborative project with Singapore Power for improvement in Distribution Sector. He also established AIPM (Asia Institute of Power Management) under CESC, which imparted training and consultancy services for many power utilities of India and neighbouring countries. He was the President of The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He is the Chairman of National Safety Council - West Bengal Chapter, Former President - Calcutta Management Association for 2015-16 and 2016-17.

Mr. Jaison Thomas

Jaison Thomas currently serves as the Head of Natural Capital and Business Integration at Tata Steel, where he leads strategic initiatives that integrate sustainability into core business operations.

With a background in Mechanical Engineering and a General Management Programme from XLRI Jamshedpur, Jaison brings over 13 years of experience in steel plant operations, maintenance, and corporate sustainability.

He played a key role in Tata Steel's contribution to the Tata Group's visionary 'Project Aalingana', which aims for Net Neutrality by 2045. As part of this mission, he led the erection and commissioning of the Coke Dry Quenching plant, a major step in Tata Steel's decarbonization journey.

Jaison is also responsible for driving Nature-based Solutions (NbS) within Tata Steel, focusing on leveraging ecological approaches to enhance environmental resilience and sustainability. An innovator at heart, his patented Intelligent Belt Guard improves workplace safety by eliminating hazardous man-machine interfaces-an-industry-first in material handling.

He is a certified Data Gold Assessor under the Data Excellence Assessor Programme and has co-authored papers in Steel & Tech publications, with research centered on carbon footprint accounting and sustainability roadmaps. Jaison remains committed to advancing eco-friendly innovations and embedding sustainability into industrial transformation.

Mr. Keiichi Higuchi

Mr. Keiichi Higuchi is the President of Kawasaki Rikuso Transportation Co., Ltd. (KRT), a Tokyo-based company with over 100 years of history and a leading provider of food logistics services in Japan. The company's annual revenue is approximately USD 58 million. KRT handles logistics for a significant portion of Japan's food supply chain, including around 20% of the country's chocolate distribution volume.

Mr. Higuchi has been a pioneer in introducing renewable energy solutions to the warehousing and logistics industry in Japan, particularly the use of solar power for warehouse operations.

In India, KRT established a wholly owned subsidiary, Kawasaki Solar Warehousing Pvt. Ltd. (KSW), in 2017, headquartered in Kolkata. Under his leadership, KSW has been actively developing sustainable and technology-driven logistics infrastructure. Mr. Higuchi played a key role in introducing solar-powered energy storage systems to support agricultural produce supply chains in India.

In 2019, KSW set up its first state-of-the-art temperature-controlled warehouse powered by solar energy in Singur, West Bengal. KSW is currently developing another large-scale warehouse in the Dabgram Industrial Estate in Jalpaiguri District, scheduled for completion by the end of 2026. The company is committed to reducing post-harvest losses and building a resilient and sustainable supply chain for horticultural produce in West Bengal through renewable energy and advanced logistics solutions.

Mr. Higuchi strongly believes in building long-term partnerships between Japan and India through sustainable logistics, skill development, and technology transfer.

Mr. Manjeev Singh Puri

Former Ambassador (Indian Diplomat).

Ambassador Manjeev Singh Puri is a former Indian diplomat who has served as Ambassador to the European Union (EU) and to Nepal. He was also India's Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg. Furthermore, he has been India's Ambassador &Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN and has served twice in Germany and held diplomatic assignments in Thailand, Venezuela, South Africa and Oman.

His long diplomatic career spanning 38 years with service at senior Ambassadorial positions and in New Delhi has given him a unique opportunity to understand and practise international relations, including in the Commonwealth, at the highest level. This includes developing policy approaches for India and intensively interacting with foreign policy stakeholders in India and overseas.

His special areas of expertise are multilateralism and the United Nations (UN) system with climate change and sustainable development being major areas of his focus. He was, in-fact, India's lead negotiator in these areas for years, including at the UNFCCC conferences and the Rio+20 conference on Sustainable Development.

In recognition of Ambassador Puri's expertise in the areas of climate change and sustainable development, The Energy and Resources Institute, New Delhi (TERI) has him as a Distinguished Fellow. In addition, he is an Adjunct Distinguished Fellow at the Institute of Global Relations (Gateway House), Mumbai.

Ambassador Puri has a Master's in Management Studies and did his BA (Honours) in Economics from St. Stephen's College, Delhi.

Dr. Meera Mitra

Member, Governing Body, Centre for Responsible Business.

Dr. Mitra is a Development Specialist & Author with over two decades of experience in development consultancy, academic teaching in India and the U.S.and development practice in India. She is Member, Governing Body, 'Centre for Responsible Business'(CRB). She is with the Sustainability Forum, Bengal Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCC&i) as Special Invitee and Adviser.

Meera has a Ph.D. Sociology, Delhi School of Economics, Delhi University. She taught at JMC (Delhi University), Franklin & Marshall College, & Millersville University, Pennsylvania USA.

Her books: 'It's Only Business - India's Corporate Social Responsiveness in a Globalised World: Oxford University Press 2006/2009 brought early insights to contexts of business engagement in social development and multistakeholder partnerships.

Meera's book 'Breaking Through POVERTY' Rupa 2014): are of case studies of the poor, navigating barriers to the ease of doing business, entrepreneurship, navigating access to quality education, to health and managing livelihoods.

Meera's consultancy work has been with national and global organisations including with JPS/Adam Smith International, Partners in Change, IFRP, Research Triangle Park USA (previously part of University North Carolina, Chapel Hill). She has served as member IFAD/FAO Micro-enterprises country evaluation committee; and served on BIS Panels for 'Social Accountability at Workplace Standard' and 'Good Governance Principles'.

In development practise, she designed/resourced/ managed multi-state and multi-sector projects/programs for organizations in India, supported by national, bilateral/multilateral entities and foundations. Meera's interest is in expanding the boundaries of Sustainability, through convening knowledge-sharing dialogues at institutions, developing sustainability data-hubs, and bringing multi-stakeholder-friendly communication & material on sustainability.

Rajeev Mondal

S K Das

Dr. Sangita Mitra

Dr. Sangita Mitra is a distinguished professional in the fields of ecology, wildlife, and environmental conservation. With a Ph.D. in Ecology and Wildlife and a postgraduate degree in Zoology, she also brings additional expertise in Environmental Law, enriching her extensive 27-year career. Her professional journey includes engagements with esteemed organizations such as the Zoological Survey of India, the Centre for Environment Education, the National Biodiversity Authority under the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India, and her current role as State Director of WWF-India, West Bengal Office.

Dr. Mitra's career is characterized by her significant contributions to natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, human-wildlife conflict mitigation, and public awareness. She has demonstrated exceptional adaptability and skill in working with a diverse array of stakeholders, from local communities to policymakers.

As a skilled communicator, Dr. Mitra has excelled in conservation education, leveraging platforms such as electronic media (Radio, Doordarshan, and private channels) to engage audiences effectively. She has been instrumental in fostering biodiversity conservation through citizen science initiatives and has developed innovative knowledge materials and educational tools to promote environmental awareness and stewardship.

Sanjay Kmar Verma

Soma Mitra Mukherjee

Mr. Subir Chakraborty

Former MD, Exide Industries Ltd. & Former President, BCC&I.

Mr. Subir Chakraborty has spent more than four decades working in various capacities in several organizations such as Berger Paints, Balmer Lawrie & Co Ltd and Exide Industries Ltd, out of which he spent more than two and half decades in the last-named company, rising from the level of General Manager to the apex level, through several tiers in the company. He joined the Exide board in 2013 serving in various capacities, prior to becoming the Managing Director & CEO in 2021.

Subir qualified as a Mechanical Engineer from IIT Madras, earning his B.Tech in 1980 with Distinction. Thereafter, he worked for two years as an engineer, and then enrolled at IIM Calcutta to pursue a Post Graduate Program in Management, completing his PGDM in 1984.

Subir is deeply involved in business bodies and associations and is a Former President of Bengal Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI). He has also been a National Council Member of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for the years 2022-24.

Subir has received several accolades and awards during his career, including the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA) Lifetime Achievement Award in May 2023 as well as the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta in Nov 2023.

Subir remains interested in academic pursuits and has been a guest faculty at several reputed management institutions of repute, such as IIM Calcutta. He is committed to the cause of sustainability and spearheaded multiple initiatives at Exide to further this objective. He has also delivered several addresses on this topic at important forums and is a sought-after speaker on the subject. His speeches are all available in the public media.

Subir has operated for more than ten years at the board level of Exide and several other subsidiaries both in India as well as abroad. After traversing an eventful career path of around forty-two years, he retired from Exide effective May 1, 2024. Following his retirement from Exide he is engaged as an Independent Director with a reputed public limited company besides involving himself in business mentoring and other such related activities.

Sudipta Mukherjee

Supriyo Sinha

Shri Vijay Goel

Shri Vijay Goel is a distinguished leader in the Indian power sector and currently serving as the Regional Executive Director (Eastern Region-1), NTPC Ltd. A graduate in Electronics & Communication Engineering from GB Pant University, Nainital and MBA in HR. He joined NTPC in 1988 as 13th batch of Executive Trainees. Over the last 37 years, he has gained wide-ranging experience across Coal, Gas, and Solar projects as well as in various functions of Commercial, Engineering, New Projects, Project Monitoring at NTPC's corporate offices. His career journey includes leadership roles in Operations & Maintenance, Engineering, Commercial, Fuel Management, and Project Development, besides serving as OSD to Chairman and Managing Director, NTPC and Director (Commercial), NTPC. He has successfully led critical functions such as ProjectMonitoring, Erection and Commissioning, and stakeholder engagement. As Head of New Projects, he had takencare from concept to investment approval of coal based, solar and large power projects. He was leading team in selection of sites for new projects, conducting various studies, obtaining statutory clearances from Govt departments in state as well as centre, guiding the team in preparation of Detailed project, Feasibility reports and Investment approvals. In Project Engineering, he has led a team of Engineers for the preparation of bidding documents (QRs, Specifications and Cost estimates), their evaluations, review of Detailed Engineering drawings and co-ordination for supply of equipment, testing and Factory Approval Test (FAT)and Commissioning of systems.

During his leadership as Executive Director (Safety), he spearheaded several systemic interventions to strengthen the overall safety culture and introduced use of latest technology such as AI and digital integration in safety at the organizational level. As Head of Project, Kawas, he provided strategic direction for efficient operations and project management. During his tenure as Head of Project, Barh, newly commissioned units were stabilised under his leadership, while the commissioning of the final unit was fast-tracked. As Head of Project, Solapur, he introduced key interventions to enhance the reliability and efficiency of the units. As CEO, RGPPL, his interventions have brought huge commercial benefits for the company.

Shri Goel has also contributed at the national level, serving as board member of National Safety Council, Industry member in Expert Committee of AICTE, and Board Member in Board of Studies at NSUT, Delhi. He received appreciation letter from CMD, NTPC for conceptualizing and implementing the Project Monitoring Center at NTPC. In the current year, he received the award for Outstanding Contribution in Technical field from Honourable Speaker of Lok Sabha and Eminent Engineer Award from Institution of Engineers (India). Presently, he is responsible for NTPC's Power Generation and Power Plant Construction business in Bihar, West Bengal, and Jharkhand, with 11,610 MW installed capacity and 2,400 MW under construction. He is also serving as Director on the Board of BRBCL, a JV of NTPC and Indian Railways and NBPPL, a JV of NTPC and BHEL.

Virendra Bansal