Leadership & Governance

The Guardians

Acharya Shanti Sagar Foundation is guided by trustees and advisors who bring diverse expertise and a shared commitment to heritage preservation and community welfare.

Founder trustees

8 founder trustees. 5 carry a named role — Param Samrakshak Margadarshak, Settlor, President, Working President and Secretary — and 3 serve as founder trustees.

Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade
Param Samrakshak Margadarshak & Founder Trustee
Hereditary Dharmadhikari of Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala since 1968, and a nationally respected institution-builder through the SDM institutions and SKDRDP. Conferred the Padma Vibhushan in 2015 and nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 2022.
Param Samrakshak Margadarshak & Founder Trustee
Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade
Padma Vibhushan Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade is the Hereditary Dharmadhikari of Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala, one of India's most respected centres of faith, service and cultural heritage. Since assuming this responsibility in 1968, he has devoted his life to advancing rural development, education, healthcare, environmental conservation and the preservation of India's cultural and spiritual legacy.
A nationally respected philanthropist and institution-builder, Dr. Heggade has led numerous transformative initiatives through the Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara (SDM) institutions and the Shri Kshethra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP). In recognition of his contribution to public service, he was conferred the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honour, in 2015, and was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 2022.
As the Param Samrakshak, Margadarshak and Founder Trustee of the Foundation, his vision and guidance inspire its commitment to preserving India's manuscript heritage, while keeping conservation rooted in service, authenticity and social responsibility.
Shri Ashok Patni
Settlor, Visionary & Founder Trustee
Chairman Emeritus of R.K. Group and founder of R.K. Marble and Wonder Cement. His conviction that business success carries a social responsibility shaped the Foundation's founding values.
Settlor, Visionary & Founder Trustee
Shri Ashok Patni
Shri Ashok Patni is an entrepreneur and philanthropist whose vision founded the Foundation. As Chairman Emeritus of the R.K. Group and founder of R.K. Marble and Wonder Cement, he built businesses of scale while maintaining a deep commitment to environmental stewardship and to the welfare of the underprivileged.
His belief — that success in business must translate into responsibility to society — shaped the Foundation's core values. Shri Patni brought together the trustees who share this vision of combining social service with heritage preservation.
Shri Anil Kumar Sethi
President & Founder Trustee
Chairman of ADD Group and a long-time infrastructure leader, having pioneered work in water, power, sanitation and smart-city development through Pump Academy and iPUMPNET.
President & Founder Trustee
Shri Anil Kumar Sethi
Chairman of ADD Group and a long-time infrastructure leader, Shri Sethi has pioneered innovations in water, power, sanitation and smart-city development. As the founder of Pump Academy and iPUMPNET technology, he has created impact in critical sectors.
His commitment to the Foundation is personal: he leads major charitable health, education and heritage-preservation initiatives. As President, he provides strategic leadership and ensures operational excellence.
Shri Rajendra Kumar Kataria
Working President & Founder Trustee
Leads Kataria Automobiles, one of India's largest Maruti-Suzuki dealership networks, and has extended that customer-centred approach into education, health and environment initiatives.
Working President & Founder Trustee
Shri Rajendra Kumar Kataria
The driving force of Kataria Automobiles — India's leading Maruti-Suzuki dealership, with 125+ touchpoints and record-breaking sales milestones — Shri Kataria demonstrates that customer-centric, innovation-led leadership creates both business excellence and social responsibility.
His philanthropic contributions in education, health and the environment reflect his belief that prosperity must serve the community.
Shri Rakesh Kumar Jain
Secretary & Founder Trustee
FCA and FCS with expertise in insolvency, valuation and governance. Served as National Secretary during the Bahubali Mahamastakabhisheka at Shravanabelagola in 2018.
Secretary & Founder Trustee
Shri Rakesh Kumar Jain
An FCA and FCS with expertise in insolvency, valuation and corporate governance, Shri Jain brings rigorous financial and organisational discipline to the Foundation.
His deep involvement in social activities and his leadership of large-scale humanitarian initiatives — including prosthetic-limb camps — demonstrate strong organisational capacity and humanitarian commitment. He served as National Secretary during the Bahubali Mahamastakabhisheka held at Shravanabelagola in 2018.

Shri Suresh Sablawat
Founder Trustee
Leads Readiprint International and has long been involved in cultural-heritage preservation and community welfare as a trustee at major institutions.
Founder Trustee
Shri Suresh Sablawat
Leader of Readiprint International, a reputable printing and publishing enterprise, Shri Sablawat has devoted himself to preserving cultural heritage and advancing community welfare.
A key trustee at major institutions, he understands that heritage preservation requires both expertise and a genuine commitment to stewardship.
Shri Vinod Doddanavar
Founder Trustee
Secretary of Bharatesh Education Trust, with a background spanning pharma research and academia. Has supported heritage restoration and COVID-care initiatives, and served as National Secretary during the 2018 Bahubali Mahamastakabhisheka.
Founder Trustee
Shri Vinod Doddanavar
Secretary of Bharatesh Education Trust, with expertise spanning pharmaceutical research, academia and family enterprises, Shri Doddanavar has expanded educational access, supported heritage restoration and launched major social projects, including COVID-care facilities.
His background across diverse sectors brings a comprehensive understanding of societal challenges and their solutions. He also served as National Secretary during the Bahubali Mahamastakabhisheka held at Shravanabelagola in 2018.
Shri Ashok Kumar Jain
Founder Trustee
Holds senior positions across community organisations, with long-standing responsibility for heritage conservation and community cohesion.
Founder Trustee
Shri Ashok Kumar Jain
A retired businessman with senior positions across key community organisations, Shri Jain holds significant responsibility for heritage conservation and community cohesion.
His role in the management of cultural institutions reflects his understanding that heritage preservation is both a financial and a moral responsibility.

Advisors

Shri Rajeev Jain
Chief Advisor & Mentor
Former Director General of the Press Information Bureau, Government of India (IFS, 1991), with three decades across Finance, Defence, Civil Aviation and Commerce & Industry. Mentors the Foundation's strategic expansion, institutional partnerships and policy alignment.
Chief Advisor & Mentor
Shri Rajeev Jain
Shri Rajeev Jain, former Director General of the Press Information Bureau (Government of India; IFS, 1991), brings three decades of distinguished service in national government leadership. His tenure has spanned senior strategic and communication roles across key ministries, including Finance, Defence, Civil Aviation, and Commerce & Industry.
Recognising the national importance of safeguarding India's ancient knowledge traditions and making them accessible through modern digital platforms, he formally associated with the Foundation to mentor its strategic expansion, institutional partnerships, policy alignment and capacity-building.
Under his guidance, the Foundation's conservation programme is being positioned as a scalable national heritage initiative that integrates scientific conservation, digital preservation, research access and public engagement, in line with India's broader cultural-preservation priorities.
Dr. Jasvant Modi
Advisor
A retired gastroenterologist and philanthropist based in Los Angeles, with decades of experience supporting healthcare, education and Jain community initiatives across India, the United States and Europe.
Advisor
Dr. Jasvant Modi
Dr. Jasvant Modi is a retired gastroenterologist and philanthropist based in Los Angeles, with a distinguished career in healthcare and community service. With decades of experience in medicine, institution-building and philanthropy, he has supported initiatives in healthcare, education, and Jain heritage and community development across India, the United States and Europe.
He has also held leadership roles in Jain community organisations. As an Advisor, Dr. Modi provides guidance towards strengthening the Foundation's vision and advancing its commitment to heritage preservation and service to society.
Dr. Ashok Jetawat
Advisor
An academic, researcher and e-governance specialist with a Ph.D. in e-Governance, contributing organisational-development and institution-building expertise to the Foundation's growth.
Advisor
Dr. Ashok Jetawat
Dr. Ashok Jetawat is an academic, researcher, corporate trainer and e-governance specialist with extensive experience in education, professional development and institutional leadership. With a Ph.D. in e-Governance, he has contributed extensively to research, mentoring, leadership development and capacity-building.
His expertise spans organisational development, team building, productivity, e-governance and professional training. As an Advisor, Dr. Jetawat provides strategic guidance to strengthen the Foundation's programmes, institutional capabilities and long-term impact.