Mysuru: Dr. Sudarshana, a distinguished development strategist from Mysuru, has been nominated as Senior Advisor to the High-Level Advisory Council constituted by the Government of India for the integrated development of the Union Territory of Ladakh.

The Council has been tasked with promoting integrated development of Ladakh, with a focus on building resilience to climate change, optimising water resources, disaster mitigation, youth development, strengthening the education sector, reducing community vulnerability and ensuring the sustainable development of the Union Territory and its natural resources.

The Council will also focus on the security and sustainable development of the strategically sensitive mountain region. It has been entrusted with an overarching strategic role, complementing the existing development mechanisms in Ladakh.

Dr. Sudarshana brings over four decades of experience in national and international affairs. He began his career at Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), where he served as Group Director and was involved in planning Earth Observation programmes from space.

He later joined United Nations, where he worked on strategic environmental protection initiatives in the Persian Gulf region, coordinating programmes for countries surrounding the Gulf. Subsequently, he served as Senior Advisor to United Nations Security Council, focusing on post-conflict development in war-affected countries extending from the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean.

After returning to India, Dr. Sudarshana was appointed Chief Advisor for Sustainable Development at Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) under Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, he served as Honorary Chief Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, advising on the long-term strategic development of the National Capital Territory.

Dr. Sudarshana practices organic farming and nature conservation at ‘Farmer’s House’ on Kalidasa Road, along with his wife Dr. Padma Sudarshan, who has served as an Advisor to the National Honey Mission.

Their daughter Anvita Sudarshan, a published author and a popular historian, also runs an independent bookstore called ‘Silverfish Books’ on Kalidasa Road.

To deliver ‘Arthaartha’ lecture tomorrow

As part of its ‘Arthaartha’ lecture series, Kalasuruchi, Mysuru, has organised a talk on ‘UN and its Role in Current Conflicts’ by Dr. Sudarshana at Suruchi Rangamane, Kuvempunagar, tomorrow (July 18) at 6.30 pm.

 Dr. Sudarshana, a former Group Director at ISRO and former Senior Advisor to the United Nations Security Council, will speak on the role of the UN in addressing contemporary global conflicts.