The Advisory Board is the leadership body representing the North American grassroots supporters of ICJB. Composed of 9 volunteer members, the Advisory Board coordinates the actions, projects, and initiatives undertaken by ICJB in North America. Read the Advisory Board's mission statement here.
Introducing the 2012 Advisory Board:
Saif Ansari
After hearing stories about the disaster from his mother, a survivor, while growing up, Saif went to his first ICJB conference in 2010 at MIT. He learned that the disaster is still ongoing and met others who care about and fight for the Bhopal cause. Afterward he volunteered with the campaign for Bhopal in New York, where he is currently graduate student. He went to the following ICJB conference in 2011 at Stanford and shortly after became an AB member. Saif is committed to a just resolution to the disaster and a guarantee that another one doesn't happen ever again. He is finishing up his master's at NYU, where he studies moral and political philosophy, and graduated from UCLA with a BA in 2010, also in philosophy.
Leonid Chindelevitch
After being involved with the Bhopal campaign for three years at the local level (Boston), and having gained experience in activities ranging from making banners, to folding his body in the shape of various letters, to preparing budget requests and coordinating the chapter's activities, Leonid took the next step of joining the campaign's Advisory Board in 2009. His campaign work is notable for its creativity. For example, on the 26th anniversary of the disaster, Leonid co-organized consecutive die-ins staged at 4 major Boston universities, leading to strong local media coverage. Professionally, Leonid works as a Computational Biologist at Massachusetts General Hospital. When he isn't working or campaigning, Leonid can be found thinking (and doing) outside the box.
Wendy Crumrine
Wendy became personally acquainted with the continuing fight for justice of the victims of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy when she spent three months in 2008 as a volunteer at the Sambhavna Trust Clinic. Working closely with the survivors of the tragedy fostered within her a deep respect for their non-violent pursuit of justice, and simultaneously, a profound disquiet concerning the corporate prioritization of profit over human lives that infects the global economy. She sees the fight for justice in Bhopal as the epicenter of an international movement towards corporate accountability, and is honored to be increasing her involvement by joining the 2012 Advisory Board. She received her B.A. from Harvard in 2006 where she studied Child Psychology and has been teaching high school math and science ever since. She is eager to apply her experience as an educator and writer, as well as her general enthusiasm, to the Campaign’s goals.
Rox Chwaluk
Rox Chwaluk describes herself as an artist, educator, and activist – the real triple threat! She graduated in 2009 from Brock University with a degree in Drama in Education and Society, and received her Bachelor of Education in 2010. Rox will begin her MA in Social Justice and Equity Studies in September of 2012. During her university years, Rox co-founded TAP (Turn Around Projects of the Arts) – a not for profit arts organization. Rox first got involved with the fight for justice in Bhopal when she produced the play Bhopal by Rahul Varma in 2010. Her passion for Bhopali’s and justice in Bhopal, gave her the inspiration and motivation to create a TAP project in Bhopal. The first program ran in the winter of 2011 at Sambhavna! A confident public speaker, and improviser by night – Rox aims to encourage and inspire YOU through her passion and conviction and belief that you must BE THE CHANGE you wish to see. Rox may or may not be a scorpio, and may or may not enjoy long walks on the beach.
Shyamala Gopalan
Being from India, Shyamala grew up well aware of the Bhopal disaster and the tragedy it caused. Joining Association for India’s Development (AID) in 2010 opened her eyes to the ongoing struggle of the survivors of Bhopal and the injustice they have been subjected to. She also realizes that there are many in India and across the world in the dark about the ongoing struggle to bring justice to these victims. By joining the advisory board Shyamala hopes to help raise public awareness about the issue and help build activists base in North America. Shyamala works in the health care industry as an occupational therapist and is a volunteer with the DC metro area chapter of AID.
Bridget Hanna
Bridget is a graduate student in anthropology with a focus on environmental issues in India. She has been involved with ICJB since 2003 as a supporter and researcher, and is pleased to be able to continue supporting the Bhopal campaign as a member of the AB. She believes strongly in supporting the Bhopal gas survivors to resolve the many environmental, medical, legal, and social issues raised by the gas disaster.
Vinay Pandey
Four years ago, Vinay learned in depth about the struggle for justice for the victims of Bhopal gas tragedy through his involvement with the Association for India's Development (AID) Bloomington chapter. He helped with the AID-Bloomington City Council resolution, calling upon Dow Chemical to assume its liabilities in Bhopal, which passed in December of 2009. After moving to Austin, Texas, Vinay reignited the Bhopal campaign in AID Austin chapter. His work in Austin ranged from organizing public actions to fundraising for Bhopalis to support their 2010 Dharna following another gross miscarriage of justice resulting from the June verdict. Vinay joined the Advisory Board in 2011 to play an active role in making key decisions shaping the Bhopal campaign. He currently works at Cognizant Technology Solutions in Austin, TX. Vinay brings valuable grassroots leadership experience.
Pooja Parameswaran
I have been with the Bhopal campaign since October 2011. My first event with ICJB was a protest at a Dow sponsored event at MIT. Since then I’ve also participated in the protests and screening of Bhopali on the 27th anniversary in Boston. As a part of the AB, I would like to contribute by writing for the campaign and be involved in education efforts about the Bhopal disaster. What happened in Bhopal is universal and could have happened anywhere in the world. Corporates should be made accountable not just to their shareholders but also the people they affect. This is great period for social change and I hope that we are able to find a resolution for the people of Bhopal soon. Professionally I work at a biotech company in Cambridge in a research capacity.
Saif Pathan
Saif has been an active leader in ICJB Boston for several years....more info to come!
Interested in joining the Advisory Board? In the fall there are Advisory Board nominations for positions that last for one year. Occasionally there are openings during other parts of the year. Email icjb.us.ab@gmail.com to learn more.
