This finance guru has his hands on many pies: “Subbu” is a chartered accountant for many major units in Auroville, including the Auroville Foundation, which is directly under the Human Resources Department of the Government of India). In addition to being the Executive Director of SLI, he also manages the Institute's finances and carries important responsibilities in the smooth communication and collaboration between SLI and its various government partners.

Ram, the driving force behind the Institute, is an advocate for safe food and sustainable societies. He has extensively worked with state and the national governments, academic circles, and grassroot organisations. He inspires, shapes and supports these different organisations, especially focusing on rural recovery and self-reliance. Along with Joss from Pitchandikulam Forest, Ram co-founded the Institute in 2015.

A Social sector professional and having experience in Governmental, Non-Governmental, CSR and Corporate sectors. He specializes in designing and organizing capacity-building programmes to different professionals and rural communities on various rural livelihood subjects. Being a trained Farm designer and an experimental learner of alternative farming practices, he is working on designing farms following agro-ecological principles. As a part of his profession, he is translating various farming related publication materials into Tamil.

After completing her B. Tech in Electronics and Communications Engineering, Pavi decided to join the social sector by becoming an administrator for sustainable change at SLI. Pavi coordinates the schedule, curriculum, faculties and exposure visits for all of the training programmes at the Institute. She has a gifted quality of making people feel at home and that’s why all our trainees love her.

Susmita, an Azim Premji University graduate, joined SLI in June 2019 and has been working diligently as the project manager for our sustainable tourism project with the Tamil Nadu Rural Livelihood Mission (TNRLM). During her first few months at SLI, Susmita has brought her background in gender and livelihood studies, which she has used to help strengthen our understanding of gender and the impact we have with our participants. Her work at SLI has so far led her to travel across the state to assess potential tourism sites and develop a programme framework that will help establish a sustainable tourism industry in these areas through trainings held at SLI. She is from Calcutta and is taking this opportunity to explore women's roles in rural livelihoods.

Abel also joins us from Azim Premji University, where he earned a master's degree in development studies. Abel is leading the new spirulina project at SLI, which is funded by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), which will study the current Tamil Nadu spirulina industry and create a road map for its revival. A Kerala native, Abel is settling into Auroville and learning about all the city has to offer. He loves travel, good food -- especially if it has spirulina -- and music.

Kumar is a team member every Institute wishes to have; efficient and flexible, he is the go-to logistics man. His calculative, able shoulders and prior hands-on experience in accounting and practical management provide the backbone for SLI’s many logistic needs. In the Institute, he manages the accommodation and transportation of all programme participants.

A B. Com graduate with Cost Management Accounting and a trained account from from Auroville Village Action Group (AVAG), Aasif is the money man at SLI. In the Institute he prepares and maintains daily accounts, prepare authorised vouchers and maintain the monthly financial statement and yearly balance sheet. He has a keen interest in sustainable farming, community enterprises and finding ways to enhance people’s income, health, lifestyles and quality of living.

After completing a undergraduate course in Commerce, Ram worked in hospitality industry and with the several Auroville units before he joined SLI. He dabbles quite a bit in carpentry. Silent, willing to learn, dedicated and very supportive, Ram is an integral member of the team and supports SLI in all of its work.

Jeeva is one of our programme facilitators. His degree in engineering from Anna University did not lead him to expect a position in the social sector, but he as taken this opportunity to work at SLI as a chance to learn, and as a programme facilitator, Jeeva has been able to learn more about sustainability and rural livelihoods. Jeeva has lived in Auroville his entire life and enjoys being able to tell our participants about the unique opportunities Auroville has to offer.

Sandhiya is our newest programme facilitator. She is a native of nearby Sanjeevinagar village. She already connects very well with the participants, who see her as an accessible resource person. She actively engages with the programmes by participating alongside the group (you may have seen her on our Instagram page getting a haircut from our Wellness Consultant programme participants). Sandhiya likes working at SLI because she is able to learn about sustainability, agriculture, wellness, enterprises... everything!