OUR TEAM
SHIKHAMONI CHETIA
Director
With over a decade of experience in education and social development, Shikhamoni Chetia brings a strong blend of leadership, compassion, and community engagement to her role as Director of Tukura Foundation. She has served for 10 years as a dedicated teacher and for 3 years as a Medical Social Worker, supporting individuals facing physical and emotional challenges. She also worked as a Senior Public Relation Officer and Faculty at the Cancer Centre Welfare Home and Research Institute, Kolkata, contributing to patient welfare and awareness initiatives.
Shikhamoni has been recognized for her voluntary service, receiving an award for her counseling support to individuals experiencing physical and mental distress. She holds a Master’s degree in Sociology, strengthening her understanding of community development and social welfare.
She has recently taken on the role of Principal in early childhood education, further enhancing her leadership journey. As Director of Tukura Foundation, she guides initiatives focused on education, women empowerment, and sustainable livelihood development at the grassroots level.
Abhishek Prakash Paul
Director & Head – Craft & Product Innovation
Abhishek Prakash Paul is an award-winning designer, educator, and entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience in indigenous innovation and industrial design. A Gold Medalist in Leather Design, he has built a distinguished career bridging grassroots artisanal skills with contemporary market demands. Currently pursuing a Master of Design (M.Des) in Product & Industrial Design at the School of Planning & Architecture, Bhopal, his work focuses on usability, ergonomics, and integrating traditional craftsmanship with modern design.
Abhishek has collaborated with prominent organizations such as Fabindia, Biswabangla, Manjusha (WBHDC), Kadam-Haat Kolkata, Banglanatak.com, and Baaya Design Mumbai. His professional journey includes collections management at Global Vantage in Gurgaon, product design at Hidesign in Pondicherry, and product design and merchandising at Lloyd Baker Manufactory in Kolkata. He also brings extensive experience in artisan skill development training programs, with specialized focus on bamboo, indigenous materials, and vegan leather. His expertise spans systems thinking, research methodology, and design-led product development.
As Director & Head – Craft & Product Innovation at Tukura Foundation, Abhishek leads indigenous craft revival initiatives, product innovation, and livelihood-focused design programs. He works closely with artisan communities to enhance craftsmanship, improve market relevance, and promote sustainable design practices, strengthening the foundation’s mission of empowering traditional craft ecosystems.
USHOSHI SENGUPTA
Goodwill ambassador & Strategic Partnerships Lead
Ushoshi Sengupta, an inspiring leader and changemaker, brings her dynamic energy and expertise to Tukura Foundation as the Goodwill Ambassador & Strategic Partnerships Lead.
Born in New Delhi and raised in a defence family, Ushoshi seamlessly blends discipline with creativity. A graduate in Humanities from St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata, she also holds a diploma in Hospitality, Aviation & Travel Management. Her multifaceted career spans achievements in modeling, entrepreneurship, mental health advocacy, and social reform.
Ushoshi gained national prominence as Miss Universe India 2010, and since then, she has passionately dedicated herself to empowering individuals and uplifting communities. Her accolades include the Banga Baidya Daman Achiever Award (2018), the Women Economic Forum’s Iconic Women Creating a Better World for All Award (2017), and the Bharat Nirman Award for Uplifting the Education Sector (2017), among others.
As a TEDx speaker and mentor, Ushoshi thrives on inspiring the next generation, embodying the values of leadership, vision, and action that drive the mission of Tukura Foundation.
PAPLI GOGOI
Strategic Partnerships & Outreach Lead North East
Papli Gogoi is a design professional and entrepreneur, and a proud alumna of NIFT Kolkata. She is the founder and creative force behind Fashion Bloom, a brand known for blending innovation with tradition through handcrafted collections rooted in Indian heritage. Since launching her label in 2008, Papli has showcased her work across national and international platforms, earning recognition as one of the leading fashion voices from the North East.
A passionate advocate for indigenous textiles and craftsmanship, she has curated exhibitions and platforms that connect artisans, weavers, and emerging designers with wider markets. She also served as the North East Region Coordinator for the 37th Surajkund International Crafts Mela in 2024, strengthening regional representation at the global level.
Papli actively contributes to the fashion ecosystem through leadership and community engagement. Her work focuses on promoting local crafts, supporting women-led initiatives, and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities, aligning with Tukura Foundation’s vision of empowering communities through design and cultural innovation.
Deepjyoti Baishya
Program Lead – Events & Workshops
Deepjyoti Baishya is a design professional and academic with a strong commitment to sustainable and regionally rooted design practices. He holds a Bachelor of Design degree from the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Kolkata, and currently serves as an Associate Professor at the Guwahati Institute of Fashion Technology, where he mentors emerging designers and promotes responsible design thinking.
With a focus on preserving and innovating traditional crafts, Deepjyoti has worked extensively on developing handloom textiles in collaboration with weavers from Majuli and Dhemaji. His multidisciplinary expertise also extends to working with bamboo and other sustainable materials across product and spatial design, reflecting his commitment to indigenous craftsmanship and environmentally responsible practices.
He is the Co-Founder and Creative Head of PREVIEW, an initiative launched in 2016 to promote local handloom, support weavers, and provide a platform for emerging designers. In recognition of his design excellence, he was a Grand Finalist in LET’S DESIGN, Season 5, a national design reality show organized by the Cotton Council International and the Fashion Design Council of India.
Through his association with Tukura Foundation, Deepjyoti contributes to strengthening craft-based innovation, supporting artisan communities, and promoting sustainable design approaches that bridge tradition with contemporary market opportunities.
ZEESHANT BEZBARUAH
Production Manager
Zeeshant Bezbaruah is a production line operator in CLA Proprietorship Manufacturer and has years of experience in bamboo and cane production. He holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Management and has undergone 2 training sessions in Basic Course on Bamboo Technology under Cane and Bamboo Technology Centre (CBTC, Assam). Zeeshant specializes in Production, Marketing, and Sales, making him a well-rounded professional ready to contribute to the industry.
KAMAL PUGALIA
Advisor – Events & Industry Partnerships
Kamal Pugalia is a renowned figure in the textile industry and the Co-Founder of The Stori Teler, an events and marketing agency based in Surat, India’s textile hub. He has been instrumental in organizing large-scale B2B platforms such as Kolkata Fashion Expo, The Designers India, and South Textile Expo—bringing together industry experts, artisans, designers, manufacturers, and corporates under one roof.
Driven by a vision to empower artisans and emerging designers, Kamal focuses on creating opportunities that foster collaboration, mentorship, and sustainable growth within the fashion ecosystem. His initiatives aim to provide resources, exposure, and meaningful connections that help creative talent thrive in the highly competitive fashion industry.
Through his events, Kamal has successfully built bridges between sellers and buyers—uniting designers from across India with manufacturers, design houses, and corporates. These platforms enable designers to showcase their talent to potential partners, unlocking new avenues for career growth, while businesses benefit from connecting with a diverse pool of 500+ talented designers beyond geographical limitations.
At Tukura Foundation, Kamal Pugalia brings his expertise in networking, event curation, and industry collaboration to strengthen artisan communities and elevate Indian ethnic craftsmanship. His association supports the Foundation’s mission to empower grassroots creators, promote sustainable livelihoods, and take traditional crafts to new heights in the Indian and global fashion landscape.
ANAND CHATTERJEE
Technical Instructor
Anand Chatterjee is a Bamboo Consultant (Mechanical) at the Cane and Bamboo Technology Centre (CBTC, ASSAM) in Guwahati, Anand brings a wealth of expertise in the field. His contributions span various facets of bamboo technology, including pioneering work in Bamboo Charcoal technology and conducting training programs for international participants, such as training Israel Nationals on Bamboo Technology. Anand has also collaborated with the Architecture Association of Assam, focusing on low-cost bamboo treatment methods. An alumnus of "Sai Ram College of Engineering" in Bangalore, where he earned a B.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering, Anand further honed his skills through a three-month training program in Bamboo primary processing from CBTC, ASSAM. His areas of specialization include training, design development, and management, making him an invaluable asset in the promotion of sustainable bamboo technology and craftsmanship.
Ramanuj Das
Founder & Vision Lead
Ramanuj Das is a fashion and commercial photographer, graphic designer, and brand identity builder with over two decades of experience travelling across cities, landscapes, and communities. Through his work, he has used visual storytelling as a powerful tool for awareness, connection, and meaningful impact. Holding a Bachelor of Mass Communication and guided largely by a self-taught journey, his path reflects adaptability, creativity, and a deep commitment to purpose-driven work.
Born in the North-Eastern region of India, Ramanuj grew up surrounded by abundant natural resources and a rich legacy of traditional craftsmanship. This exposure shaped his belief in sustainable living and the potential of indigenous materials and skills. Recognizing the strength of the region’s handicraft, textile, and agriculture sectors, he envisioned a platform that could connect traditional knowledge with modern opportunities.
Driven by the belief that meaningful change begins at the grassroots, Ramanuj founded Tukura Foundation to promote eco-friendly practices and empower communities. Through collaborative initiatives, skill development, and market-driven approaches, he works to create sustainable livelihoods while preserving cultural heritage. His vision is to build a collaborative space that brings together artisans, designers, experts, and community leaders to co-create solutions for long-term social, economic, and environmental impact.