north
chapter
Regional chapters represent a regional representation of the national WGF organization, and hence carry out most of the activities, albeit for the regional footprint. They help connect the global WGF entity to the grassroots of the ecosystem.
Our current regional chapter for the North region is led by Kishan Goenka, Surinder Makhija, Kapish Saraf and Pravin Kaushal.
Kishan Goenka
Kishan has held executive leadership roles in corporations across three continents over nearly four decades of illustrious career – from vice-president at Hindustan Gas & Industries to running Birla International’s Europe operations, and then country head for PT. Akraya and Mediterranean Fertilizers Company. He has also held board roles at several corporations including Clean Energy India AG, Vasundhara Bio Sciences Pvt Ltd, and Akraya Energy International Pvt. Ltd. All along, Kishan has been a passionate Rotarian with nearly 40-years of service. Additionally, he has supported several other impact organizations including PHS, ESRAG, and ISKCON.
Kishan has a B.Tech (Hons) in Chemical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur (IIT- Kharagpur) and an MBA in BITS Pilani, India.
Surinder Makhija
Surinder is an accomplished thought leader and speaker with 48 years of comprehensive experience in water management in India and International markets. Strong technical base with proficiency in the management of end-to-end operations of irrigation projects. Proven success in strategic planning and in establishing distribution networks that achieve progressive goals.
During his functional head roles, Surinder developed expertise in building sales channels (direct & indirect), driving customer engagement, penetration, and up-selling. Ensured brand management, and brand security & prevented counterfeits by using holograms as early as 1995.
Surinder is associated with various institutions such as IITs, Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Water And Land Management Institute, CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM, RIS, WBCSD TERI to deliver lectures on micro irrigation systems, Centre pivot irrigation systems, and sustainable development in the area of water, energy, food, and agriculture. It is his passion to deliver lectures on water and energy conservation to students.
Surinder received his B.Tech. in Agricultural Engineering at IIT-Kharagpur in 1970.
Kapish Saraf
Kapish is the Founder & CEO of KidEx & masterNAUKRI by KidEx an experiential learning platform for school & college students that partners with IIT, IIM, NSDC, NITI Aayog, etc. KidEx is awarded by Google, MeiTY, and TiE. He is Ex-Board of Director, Rivigo (a tech & AI startup in Logistics); Ex-CEO, Rivigo Freight Pvt. Ltd. (Uber-like marketplace for Trucking Services; Grew to INR 200+ Cr monthly revenue & made breakeven; filed a patent in US for an AI engine as a 1st author); Ex-Project Leader, BCG (a leading Strategy Consulting Company). He also worked in Healthcare & Industrial Goods practice areas across India, US, Europe & Africa.
Kapish is a Young Alumni Achiever 2023, IIT Kharagpur.
He did his MBA from IIM Calcutta (Major in Economics & Finance; Minor in OB) and has a Dual Degree (M.Tech & B.Tech (H) in Biotechnology & Biochemical Engg.), IIT Kharagpur.
Mahendra Shukla
Mahendra Shukla is an IIT Kharagpur alumnus from the batch 2007-12. As the founder of Web Saga, a social media agency, he is dedicated in supporting startup founders in realizing their dreams by providing effective marketing solutions. Additionally, he leads outreach efforts for various social organizations, including UPAY.
Since 2015, Mahendra has been deeply involved in digital marketing. Through his ventures, Web Saga and The Xennial Traveler, he has helped more than 50 entrepreneurs craft effective marketing strategies, including numerous startups and businesses. Mahendra is the member of Marketing & Communication Committee at WGF.
Anurag Srivastava
Anurag Srivastava brings a wealth of experience in Data Science and AI from his work with leading financial institutions to his role at WHEELS Global Foundation. As the Head of Data Science at One Assist Consumer Solutions, he has pioneered AI-driven solutions to enhance customer experiences and improve fraud detection. His professional journey includes impactful tenures at HSBC, American Express, PayU and Billdesk owned Loylty Rewardz where he developed and implemented strategies that significantly improved risk management, marketing strategies and operational efficiencies.
Anurag completed his dual degree (B.Tech + M.Tech) at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, in 2011. His deep understanding of analytics and product management equips him to contribute significantly to WHEELS’ marketing strategies and other critical initiatives, aligning with the foundation’s mission to leverage technology for global betterment.
Pravin Kaushal
Pravin Kaushal is the Programme Director, Eastern Region for WHEELS Global Foundation, supporting Food & Agriculture, Healthcare, AI, public-private partnerships, and livelihood interventions across rural Eastern India. An alumnus of Sainik School Tilaiya and IIT Kharagpur, he works at the intersection of technology, public policy, and grassroots development, building solutions that strengthen public systems rather than bypass them.
He began his career in the Delhi Legislative Assembly before founding civic and environmental technology ventures, including RaastaFix, now institutionalised across Haryana, and Ecovayu Technologies. He also leads skilling initiatives for the Tharu community in West Champaran, Bihar.
He writes regularly for The Mint, ET, TINE, The Hindu, The Wire, Statesman, Guardian, BusinessWorld, & other national publications on governance, AI policy, and inclusive development.
List of the Programs that WHEELs is implementing in Northern Regions of India:
♦ Collaboration with YEIDA to develop 27 villages in the Noida – Jevar Corridor. Read More.
♦ Working with Pan IIT India to conduct various outreach sessions to increase WHEELS awareness among IIT Alumni.
Latest Updates from the North Chapter
♦ Visit the Krishi Bharat – Agri Tech Event at Lucknow by CII from 15-18 November 2024.
