Chairperson Message
Dr. (Mrs.) Shobhana Vasudevan, M.Com., M.Phil., Ph.D., B.Ed., PGDME
Dr. (Mrs.) Shobhana Vasudevan, M.Com., M.Phil., Ph.D., B.Ed., PGDME
Mrs. Shobana Vasudevan could be described as a hardcore educationist. Having joined the profession as early as 1981, she has been associated with R.A. Podar College since 1985.During her fairly long association with Podar College, till date, she has performed multiple roles. She has been a lecturer, Reader, Associate Professor, N.S.S. programme officer,Vice-Principal, Chairman – Examinations, and the like.She became the Principal of the college in 2009.She has been instrumental in bringing out the in house research journal ‘Podar Prabodhan’ and has completed the process of setting up 3 research centres.She has had opportunities to share her views on Banking, Finance and Higher Education at different platforms in India and abroad.With the active support of RAPAA,(R. A. Podar College Alumni Association) Dr. Shobana Vasudevan dreams of building a model institution which brings about 360 degree development of the learners. She believes in making her children ‘ LEARN’ as she strongly advocates Learning more than Teaching.For her Podar College campus is a “TEMPLE OF LEARNING”.
Jayant Gokhale co-founded the firm Gokhale & Sathe in 1982, and in the 90’s authored two books – ‘Tax Deduction At Source’ & “Accounting Standards Notified under the Income Tax Act”. He is an independant Director of Syndicate Bank. As a member of various committees appointed by the Government of India contributes made by Mr. Jayant Gokhale in the field of Accounting and Finance is immeasurable. He had done his Bachelor of Commerce Degree from R.A.Podar college in the year 1977. He has also been felicitated by PODAR RATNA AWARD in the year 2016.He has the unique talent of balancing the professionalism responsibilities along with pedagogical expertise.The dual role played by Mr. Gokhale – one as a faculty and another as a chairperson of a professional body has earned him a place in the history of ICAI. By balancing Academics and Professionalism, he is a true Podarite.
A request to refer to two milestones. Producing publishing and partly authoring, A unique book ‘’PATHFINDERS” as a reference to About 150 Indian creative souls who enriched the world of ART & CULTURE through their chosen profession of Art( music, visual arts, dance, literature, theatre & cinema).The second one is producing & directing short film titled ‘Bharat Bhagya Vidhata-Architects of India’s destiny ‘ to commemorate the Centenary of National Anthem of India. Mr. Vyas has done his Bachelor of Commerce degree from R. A. Podar College, Mumbai in the year 1975. He was also felicitated with PODAR RATNA AWARD in the year 2016. He bridges the commercial gap between the artist and the audience through his professional expertise. Founder of Pancham Nishad Pvt. Ltd, Mr. Vyas has played a decisive role in promoting talented performing artists. A dynamic individual, a passionate music lover and a man with a vision – Mr. Vyas is a True Podarite.
Shri Jayant Gokhale co-founded the firm Gokhale & Sathe in 1982, and in the 90’s authored two books – ‘Tax Deduction At Source’ & “Accounting Standards Notified under the Income Tax Act”. He is an independant Director of Syndicate Bank.He had done his Bachelor of Commerce Degree from R.A.Podar college in the year 1977. He has also been felicitated by PODAR RATNA AWARD in the year 2016. In 1994, he was elected as a Member of the Western India Regional Council of Institute of Chartered Accountant of India (ICAI), where he became its Secretary (1997-98) and Chairman (1998-99). He was also the Jt. Sec of Chamber of Tax Consultants. In 2000, He was elected as Member of the Central Council of the ICAI. He was re-elected to this apex professional body for a consecutive period of 12 years until voluntarily stepping down in 2012. He is a regular faculty for training government C& AG and PSU officials, and has been a consultant to Ministry of Defence -GoI & Govt. of Maharashtra on the same subject.
Graduate from R.A.Podar college in the year 1978, Mr. Vijay Kenkre is an actor and director, known for ’’Hawa Hawaee’’ (2007), ’’Fakta Ladh Mhana’’ (2011) and ’’Mumbai Pune Mumbai 2’’ (2015). He began his journey in 1979 and has more than 50 plays to his credit. Having been both the director and the directed (and sometimes forging both avatars in one play). He has been part of the magical triangle that forms between the director, playwright and actor, while bringing a play to life. He has been felicitated with PODAR RATNA AWARD in the year 2016 by the chief guest Mr. Sohanlal Jain at R.A.Podar college. Mr. Kenkre was also seen in a cameo role of school principal in the movie ‘’Shikshanachya Aaicha Gho’’ 2010. Mr. Kenkre’s directorial ventures include Natasamrat, starring actor Shreeram Lagoo, and he has worked with theatre personas such as Bhakti Barve, Ratnakar Matkari and Madhu Rye. He has also authored a book on theatre titled “Tyanchi Nataka”.
Kamlesh Shivji Vikamsey is an Indian chartered Accountant and a past president of Institute of chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) & also the Past President of The Confederation of Asian and Pacific Accountants (CAPA).He obtained his Bachelor of Commerce degree from Mumbai University after studying in R.A.Podar college in 1981.He was elected by the Central Council of ICAI in 1998 .He was elected as its Vice President in 2004 and its President in 2005.He was member of The Standing Committee on Accounting Issues of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India(IRDI).He was also the Chairperson of Audit Advisory Committee of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP),New York city. He is appointed as a member of Independant Management Advisory Committee (IMAC) of International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Geneva, Switzerland with effect from 1 January 2016 for a term of four years. He is appointed as a member of the External Audit Committee (EAC) of International Monetary Fund (IMF) Washington D.C.,United States of America with effect from 1 November 2015 for a term of three years and as its Chairperson with effect from 1 November 2017.
Mr. Damodar Mauzo is a Goan short story writer, novelist, critic and script writer in Konkani language. He was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1983 for the novel Karmelin.He has done his Bachelor of Commerce Degree from R.A.Podar College in the year 1965. He has been felicitated with PODAR RATNA AWARD in the year 2016. His collection of Short stories Teresa’s Man and Other Stories from Goa was nominated for the Frank O’Connor International award in 2015.He has been awarded for the Best Screenplay Award for Aleesha and the Best Dialogues Award for Shitoo and O Maria.The Ministry of Culture, Government of India awarded him the Senior Fellowship in 2011-12 for the project on Pre and Post Colonial History of Konkani Literature.He was in the steering committee of Goa’s successful popular movement Konkani Porjecho Avaz’’ .Presently, he is the co-founder and co-curator of the Goa Art and Literary Festival, an annual event that was started in 2010.
Graduate from R.A Podar of batch 1951, Mr. D.M. Sukhthankar was an officer of the Maharashtra State Cadre of Indian Administrative Service (IAS). Mr Sukthankar has held several portfolios in the Government of Maharashtra including that of Secretary of Education Department and Industries Department. He has also been awarded the PODAR RATNA AWARD in the year 2016. He was the Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA and Municipal Commissioner of Greater Bombay.He finally retired as the Chief Secretary to the Government of Maharashtra in August 1990.He has been a Non-executive Director of the Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited (HDFC) since 1989. He serves as Trustee Director of the IDFC AMC Trustee Company Limited.He is recognised as an expert on issues related to urban development and management.
Manohar Shetty is a Goa-based poet, who has eight books of poems to his credit and is considered one of the prominent Indian poets writing in the English language. He graduated from R. A. Podar college in the year 1974 and immediately began working as a journalist. He has also been felicitated by PODAR RATNA AWARD in the year 2016. He is also listed in Sudeep Sen’s essay “New Indian Poetry: The 1990s Perspective”, published in World Literature Today. His poems have the delicacy of touch and texture alike. This book is full not only of promise but, often, of actual achievement.’ – Dom Moraes, on Shetty’s first book of poems, A Guarded Space published in 1981.
“Bombay” Jayashri Ramnath is an Academy Award nominated, Indian Carnatic music vocalist and music composer. She had done her Bachelor of Commerce degree from R. A. Podar College, Mumbai in the year 1983. She was also felicitated with PODAR RATNA AWARD in the year 2016. She performed her first concert in 1982. She has performed at various festivals and venues all across India and in over twenty different countries. Including all the major cities in India. She has dialogued with artistes in dance like Leela Samson and Priyadarsini Govind. Jayashri has sung Thirukkural and an Annamacharya verse in the prestigious audio.
Graduate from R.A Podar of the batch 1976. Mr. Ajit H. Someshwar is an indo-canadian entrepreneur, philanthropist and social activist based in Toronto Ontario, Canada. He is the President & CEO of CSI Group of Companies. He was felicitated by PODAR RATNA AWARD in the year 2016. He is also an active public speaker and participant in various policy forums. He is the co-founder and founding National Convenor of the Canada India Foundation and in the same capacity, has advised governments on both sides on the Canada India Civil Nuclear treaty. He has been very vocal about the importance for the provincial and federal governments to put in a concerted effort on regularizing immigrants’ professional qualifications and experience, making the process of absorbing them into the Canadian system a little less painful.
Dr. (Mrs.) Shobhana Vasudevan, M.Com., M.Phil., Ph.D., B.Ed., PGDME
Mrs. Shobana Vasudevan could be described as a hardcore educationist. Having joined the profession as early as 1981, she has been associated with R.A. Podar College since 1985. During her fairly long association with Podar College, till date, she has performed multiple roles. She has been a lecturer, Reader, Associate Professor, N.S.S. programme officer, Vice-Principal, Chairman – Examinations, and the like. She has been guiding the students to conduct college activities as the Chairperson of Students’
Council. She became the Principal of the college in 2009. She has been working for NAAC accreditation during all the 3 cycles when college was accredited with the highest grade. She has been instrumental in bringing out the in house research journal ‘Podar Prabodhan’ and has completed the process of setting up 3 research centres.
The College has revived the Ph.D. centre which became non functional after the sad demise of former Principal G.P. Palekar. Currently as many as 14 Ph.D. scholars are working towards Ph.D. degree. (including one JRF and SRF candidate)
She has been co-ordinating and conducting Refresher Courses on behalf of UGC MHRD on a regular basis. The research course work conducted at Podar College has its own value and credit. The course work is designed and developed by the course director Principal Shobana Vasudevan.
She has had opportunities to share her views on Banking, Finance and Higher Education at different platforms in India and abroad. She has visited educational institutions and universities in Germany, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, United States of America and Thailand. The effort of the college, under her leadership, in unifying the Alumni and establishing an Alumni network has gathered high momentum during the last decade. Instituting ‘PODAR RATNA” Award is a testimonial in that direction. With the help of resourceful alumni the college has been conducting several activities. The Podar College Platinum Jubilee Celebration is an example of the alumni force and
the integrated efforts of alumni and alma mater. Incorporation of RAPAA as a Section 8 Company is another initiative which is noteworthy.
With the active support of RAPAA ,( R. A. Podar College Alumni Association) Dr. Shobana Vasudevan dreams of building a model institution which brings about 360 degree development of the learners. Dr. Shobana Vasudevan is a strong believer in preserving the culture and aims to instil the basic values of humanity and positive virtues in her children.
She believes in making her children ‘ LEARN’ as she strongly advocates Learning more than Teaching. For her Podar College campus is a TEMPLE OF LEARNING.