Mr. Hasmukh P. Rama
Founder Chancellor, Auro University, Surat and
International Advisory Council Member of Auroville Foundation
Tenure: 07-10-2026 to 06-10-2030
Hasmukh P Rama is the Chairman of Auro Hotels, a hospitality company renowned for hotel development and management affiliated with the Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt brands. In addition, Mr. Rama is the founding Chairman of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) and has served as Past Chairman of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA). Mr. Rama is also the Chairman of Gujarat JHM Hotels Ltd., which owns both the Marriott and Courtyard by Marriott, in Surat, that through HP’s influence, have a culture of giving back to their local communities through the O.N.E. program.
HP has demonstrated great commitment towards bettering humanity, evidenced through his service and social action. His efforts have been transformative to the welfare of society. For instance, in Sarona, Gujarat, HP’s native village, he led many initiatives, improving physical infrastructure like roads, running water, power and drainage, arranged for free healthcare for the well-being of the needy patients of rural areas. He helped develop and fund over 120 toilet blocks for underprivileged women in various neighborhoods of Surat. To honor his brother, Denu P Rama, since his passing in 2006, every year, HP donates hundreds of uniforms to the visually impaired students of the Andhajan School in Surat. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Gujarat JHM Hotels team stepped in to help with many initiatives including supplying over 250 meals/day for over 120 days to law enforcement officials, health care workers and first responders.
Perhaps, HP’s greatest contribution to the welfare of society has been in the form of education. He is the Founder and President of the AURO University in Surat, Gujarat. The University was inspired by the vision and teachings of Sri Aurobindo Ghosh and The Mother with the purpose of transforming learners to leaders through integral and holistic education. The university is not-for-profit entity, established with personal funding.
In addition, HP and his family established the Rama Scholarship for the American Dream through the AH&LA. Since its inception the fund has awarded over $1.2 million in scholarships to more than 650 students, helping them realize their own American Dream.
Finally, throughout his entire life, HP has devoted much of his time serving Sri Aurobindo and the Mother as a devotee and seeker. As his commitment to their philosophy of life, HP is working to develop the Sri Aurobindo Integral Life Center (SAILC) at AURO University and the La Grace Center in Greenville, SC, USA whose mission is to invest in current and future carriers of the Integral Yoga teachings and connect a global community of Integral Yoga practitioners.
Dr. David Frawley
American Hindu Scholar and
International Council Member of Auroville Foundation
Tenure: 07-10-2026 to 06-10-2030
Dr. David Frawley (Vamadeva Shastri) is Vedic teacher (Vedacharya) and author of over fifty published books on Yoga, Ayurveda and Vedic studies translated into twenty languages worldwide.
Vamadeva has been one of the main teachers bringing Yoga and Ayurveda to the West over the last forty years, helping to found Yoga and Ayurveda programs, schools and associations in North and South America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. His work is highly respected in India where he has received the Padma Bhushan award of the government of India (2015 and the National Eminence Award of the South Indian Educational Society (SIES).
He is also a Sanskrit scholar known for his indepth study of Vedic and Yogic texts, from Rigveda to Yoga Sutras. He has been associated with such Yoga Centers as Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Sri Ramanashram, Himalayan Institute, Swami Rama Sadhaka Gram, Self-realization Fellowship, Swaminarayan, Chinmaya Mission and Arshavidya.
Vamadeva is director of the American Institute of Vedic Studies in the United States (www.vedanet.com), which offers courses in Vedic knowledge systems of Yoga, Vedanta, Ayurveda and Jyotish. He emphasizes the interrelationship of all these Vedic disciplines and their global relevance for the future of humanity.
Dr. Kiran Vyas
Founder of Tapovan, Open University of Yoga & Ayurveda and
International Advisory Council Member of Auroville Foundation
Tenure: 07-10-2026 to 06-10-2030
Shri. Kottamasu Venkateswara Rao
Chairman & Director, Tata International Singapore Pte. Ltd. and
International Advisory Council Member of Auroville Foundation
Tenure: 07-10-2026 to 06-10-2030