Uncategorized Archives - Samta Group | Inventing a new future

Ashish Kejdiwal

Head – Sales & Marketing, Proto9

Ashish holds a B. Pharma from Amravati University, a PG Diploma in Marketing from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, and an MBA in International Business from Johnson and Wales University, USA.

He brings with him around 32 years of rich experience across the global pharmaceuticals and biotech industries. His career highlights include leading strategic expansions, driving significant sales growth, and being instrumental in the setup of a greenfield formulation plant. He served as the Managing Director of Unosource Pharma Limited. He has extensive exposure to the international markets and has successfully built and scaled businesses across Russia, Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America, navigating complex regulatory frameworks and diverse cultural environments.

Prior to joining us, Ashish was associated with reputed organizations such as Ajanta Pharma Limited, Swati Spentose, Unosource Pharma Limited, Mylan, and Famy Care Limited, among others.

Anant Raheja

Director & CTO, Proto9

Anant is a Doctor of Philosophy in BioPhysics from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras. Anant leads the technology development at Proto9 materials. As an innovator, he has created several impactful product lines using nanotechnology and advanced materials. He has a decade’s worth in research and entrepreneurship. During his doctorate at IIT Madras, he founded his first venture and developed one of India’s largest facilities for the commercial production of nanofiber.

His work has received several global recognitions, the most recent being TiE’s Anti-Covid Innovation Award (2020); the LiF Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Engineering (2018); Top 10 Innovators at the IIGP Award (2017); Sir J. C. Bose Best Patent Award at IIT Madras. In 2017, he represented India at the highly selective gathering of global youth leaders at the SHIP for World Youth Leaders (2017). He has filed 5 patents, 2 industrial designs, and several trademarks.

Navdeep Mehta

Business Head – Agribusiness (B2B & B2C), Gencrest

Navdeep Mehta brings 25+ years of expertise in sales, marketing, business operations and startups across India, South Asia and global markets. With strong agricultural sector knowledge, he has driven strategic growth, innovation and market expansion in competitive environments. Known for sharp business acumen, he excels in strategy, market share growth, regulatory compliance and operational excellence. His strengths include building high-performing teams, launching successful products and creating sustainable business models.

Notable Recognitions:

1. IICA Certified Independent Director
2. Recognized among the Top 10 CEOs of FY24-25 by Trade Flock
3. Awarded “Great Manager to Work With” by Great Managers Institute

Navdeep leads with a solution-oriented mindset, clarity, and commitment, always focused on results.

Ravindran Kanningat

Head – Global Business, Gencrest

Dr. Ravindran is an industry-academic professional with more than four decades of experience in India and abroad. His expertise lies in sales & marketing, business development and organization building. He has worked in various capacities in diverse industries across different geographies. He was the chief architect of three new business start-ups for the Group viz. Biotechnology, Nanotechnology, and Mines & Minerals.

Dr. Ravindran holds a Doctorate degree in Management in pharmaceutical research & development, one of the rare research topics in the world, which was later awarded as the best research thesis by the University.

Aniket Gupta

AVP, Samta Mines & Minerals

Aniket brings over 16 years of professional experience, including more than five years in strategic leadership roles. Throughout his career, he has been associated with leading organizations such as ICICI Bank, Tata Communications, and Shapoorji Pallonji before joining the Samta Group.

He has leveraged his strong analytical skills and strategic acumen to lead financial strategy and planning, fund-raising, corporate treasury functions, and the management of relationships with financial and strategic partners. His strengths include building and mentoring high-performing teams, transforming functions and systems, and scaling them into sustainable and profitable business models.

Aniket holds an MBA from Panjab University and is a graduate of Shri Ram College of Commerce.

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Ms. Shilpa Sharma

Company Secretary, Gencrest

Ms. Shilpa Sharma is a qualified member of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI), combines her expertise in secretarial compliance with a passion for academic coaching. Shilpa, who is a Law Graduate (LL.B.) and Commerce Graduate from the University of Rajasthan, brings vast experience from diverse sectors, including Housing Finance, Broking, and Practicing firms.

She is proficient in conducting meetings, drafting notices and minutes, and liaising with regulatory authorities. Her excellent interpersonal and communication abilities make her an indispensable asset in navigating the complex challenges of group’s various businesses.

Varsha Keshav Rao

Assistant Manager
Company Secretary,
Samta Energy

Varsha has over seven years of experience in handling matters related to Corporate Secretarial Compliance, Due Diligence, Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).

She pursued her Bachelor of Commerce from Mangalore University. She is an associate member of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India since 2016. Prior to joining Samta Group she has worked in Law Firms, Practising Company Secretary Firms and Start-up organisation.

With strong personal attributes and excellent communication, interpersonal abilities and an eye for detail, Varsha is committed to deliver and streamline necessary compliances as applicable to the company.

Sailesh Pati

Chief Financial Officer,
Gencrest

Sailesh Pati is a seasoned Chartered Accountant with an impressive 24-year track record in prominent corporations – Vedanta, Hindalco (Aditya Birla Group), DLF, Coromandel (Murugappa Group), Paradeep Phosphate, and Tata Refractory. His proficiency encompasses various aspects such as conceptualizing and executing financial procedures for startups, establishing standard operating procedures (SOP), designing internal control systems, and implementing enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions.

With a robust background in fund management, treasury and forex operations, he has effectively managed financial resources optimizing company performance. His experience extends to areas like plant accounting & finalization, product costing, budgeting, cost control, taxation, management information systems (MIS), statutory compliance auditing.

His tenure as CFO, Paradeep Phosphate Limited, (turnover of 6000 Crores), underscores his ability to drive strategic initiatives for organizational growth.

Sunil Chikane

Plant Head – Surendranagar,
Samta Energy

Sunil brings to the table over 18 Years of experience in the field of Infrastructure development including Roads, Major & Minor Bridges, Commercial and Residential Buildings, Special Economic Zone (SEZ), Solar Power Infrastructure Development, Topographical Survey, Geotechnical Investigation, and so on. He holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Quantity Surveying & Valuation, from the prestigious Annamalai University, Chennai.

Sunil holds a life membership as an Approved Valuer from the Institution of Valuers (AMV). And is an Associate Member of the Institution of Engineers (AME). His capabilities include: Project Planning, Execution, Engineering, Monitoring, Controlling, Billing and Operation and maintenance of projects.

Socially conscious, he has been an important part of the Tree Planting project at the Solar Plant.

Swaroopa Rautray

Chief Human Resource Officer,
Samta Group

A gold medalist in Human Resource Management from IILM, Delhi, Swaroopa, is a seasoned HR Professional with more than two decades of experience. She has gained a wealth of expertise in HR Greenfield Projects, Process Transformation, Automation & Optimisation through technology, and is into creating sustainable solutions for human capital.

Due to her innate forward-thinking & outcome-based HR perspectives, Swaroopa is a leader par excellence with the vision to steer HR functions at Samta towards the organization’s mission along with a sense of strong ethics and thus construct employees into cultural ambassadors.

Prior to joining Samta Group, She has supported organizations/conglomerates like Matix Fertiliser & Chemical, Yamaha Auto, and LG Electronics. During this journey, she has been accredited as Psychometric Tests Analyst for Thomas Assessment.

Vinod Wagh

Chief Executive Officer,
Samta Mines & Minerals

Vinod brings in 25 years of hands-on experience in Plant Operations and Engineering, where he managed Strategic Business Units and headed Mega Plants, along with experience in identifying new business opportunities.

During his previous stint at the Vedanta Group, he led the business across locations and developed a new business vertical for Waste Product Management. At Samta Mines, his passion for people management and technological advancement works in synergy with the organization’s commitment to innovation and excellence.

A true change agent, Vinod strives to constantly raise the benchmark for performance through his knowledge of sustainability frameworks and innovation for cost optimization.

Anil Tripathi

CEO, Samta Mines & Minerals

Anil Tripathi is a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in mining, metal processing, and advanced manufacturing across India and Africa. He currently serves as the CEO of Samta Mines & Minerals, leading the company’s strategic direction and operational growth.

Throughout his career, Anil has held senior leadership positions at Vedanta Plc, Vulcan (JSPL Group), Hindustan Zinc Ltd., and Konkola Copper Mines. His expertise spans copper and aluminium processing, mineral beneficiation, and the management of large-scale open-pit and underground mining operations.

Anil holds a Master’s degree in Industrial Metallurgical Engineering and is a Certified Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) Facilitator. He has also served on the Advisory Board of Copperbelt University, contributing to global Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives.

He is recognized for driving operational excellence, sustainability, and long-term value creation in the mining and metals industry.

Richa Agrawal

Founder & Director, Samta Aum Foundation Managing Trustee, Samta Foundation

Richa Agrawal is the Founder & Director of AUM Life, an Urban Ashram dedicated to helping people integrate ancient wisdom into modern living. Driven by a lifelong interest in spirituality, self-discovery, and holistic wellbeing, she created AUM Life as a sanctuary within the city, a space where individuals can pause, reconnect, and cultivate greater awareness in their everyday lives.

Drawing from her own journey through diverse traditions and practices, including Vedic philosophy, meditation, yoga, and holistic healing, Richa has shaped AUM Life into an integrated ecosystem that brings together movement, meditation, healing, nourishment, and conscious community. Her approach is grounded in the belief that well-being is not a temporary escape, but a way of living with greater awareness, understanding, and presence each day.

Beyond AUM Life, Richa serves as the Managing Trustee of Samta Foundation, where she supports initiatives focused on healthcare, education, and sustainable livelihoods. Through both organisations, she remains committed to creating spaces, opportunities, and communities that support individual growth while contributing to a more compassionate and conscious society.

Ravi Agrawal

Managing Director,
Samta Group

Ravi graduated with Masters in International Management degree from the Thunderbird School of Global Management and returned to India following an internship with the global marketing team of Sanofi, New Jersey, USA.

He joined Ajanta Pharma, where he oversaw Marketing and Joint Venture Operations in the CIS region and later headed the international business development division. During his tenure, the company saw its brands move up to the top 10 categories and expansion to 8 countries in the CIS region.

Ravi has over 2 decades experience in Life Sciences, Infrastructure Industries and Sustainable Energy. He is passionate about promoting and mentoring new businesses across several verticals such as Energy, Mining, Biotech and Information Technology which includes companies like Gencrest and Credibl, both start-up technology disruptors.

Purushottam Agrawal

Chairman, Samta Group
Principal Trustee, Samta Foundation

A visionary, entrepreneur, philanthropist and above all, a social reformer, his entrepreneurial endeavor, Ajanta Pharma, has today become a highly successful pharmaceutical empire, operating over 30+ countries including the US, Europe, Asia and Africa. The company has a market capitalization of about US$2.0 billion and a footprint that spans the globe.

His simplicity and ethical business approach, coupled with genuine societal concern, particularly for the underprivileged, has led him to start his philanthropic venture, Samta Foundation, which reaches out to over a million under-privileged every year.

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