Distinguished Ex-Faculty & Alumni

Rev. Fr. John Macia, S.J. (1926-1992)

Fr. Macia came to India from Spain in 1948. The discovery of and encounter with Indian culture - during his years of philosophy, regency and language study (Hindi) - seasoned him for a long and fruitful association with higher education. He was instrumental in exposing the students of sociology and anthropology to practical aspects of the subjects through the various field trips to different regions of both sociological and anthropological interest. Students fondly recollect his dynamic personality and the numerous field trips he took them for, including ones to Vyara (Gujarat), Bhutan and Andaman islands. He was the Rector of the college and also the Provincial of Mumbai Province of the Society of Jesus.

Fr. Rudolph C. Heredia, S.J.

Fr. Rudy (as he was fondly called) joined the Department in 1969, two decades after its institution. He was a firm believer of the need to apply the techniques of social sciences to numerous problems being faced by contemporary society. He was instrumental in establishing ‘The Social Science Centre’ in 1980, which provided an effective outreach for the social sciences departments of our college. He’s currently the Director of Indian Social Institute in New Delhi and had edited the institute’s journal, Social Action, in the past. He has an illustrious academic career that includes numerous publications across journals and independent books on his various areas of interest that include issues related to religion, education, family and globalisation.

Fr. Emil D’Cruz, S.J.

Fr. Emil D'Cruz SJ, was former Principal of the college and a Professor of Sociology and Anthropology. He was a part of the department from 1986 to 1992 where he also served as the Head of Department before becoming Principal of the college. He loved interacting with students on field trips and exchanging stories with them. He was known as a warm gentle person who was very approachable and helpful. He would always patiently guide anyone who ever asked him for help and an excellent guide and counsellor to all, students and faculty alike. Fr. Emil D'Cruz, passed away at the age of 80 on the morning of April 10, 2018.

Fr. Frazer Mascarenhas S.J.

Fr. Frazer was a student of the Department and received his doctoral degree from Mumbai University. He joined as a faculty member in 1988 and went on to have a remarkable run as the Principal of our college for twelve years. He was instrumental in the college being granted academic autonomy. Besides being an affable teacher, Fr. Frazer was an excellent administrator who also held various eminent positions in government-constituted committees. He’s currently the head priest of St. Peter's Parish in Bandra, Mumbai.

Dr Jean D'Cunha

Has held various offices with the UN Women. A widely published author, D'Cunha has worked on women's issues of violence, migration and trafficking. She is also adviser to several governments globally on the issue of violence against women. Her areas of internationally recognized expertise include Ending violence against Women, gender and labor migration, trafficking, disasters, and peace. Dr. D’Cunha received a National Award for ‘Outstanding Writing on Women’s Issues’, in India in 1986.

Dr Kamala Ganesh

Dr. Ganesh was associated briefly with the department, moving on to Mumbai University and headed the Department of Sociology there until her retirement. She is a renowned sociologist with 24 years of teaching experience and 35 years in research.

Ms Nandini Sardesai

Ms. Sardesai taught in the department from 1978 to 2004. A faculty who always asked every batch and every generation of students to keep up to date with current affairs in the country by reading newspapers or watching the news. She has encouraged students to be fearlessly pursuing their passion. She served as Head of the Department from 1990. Even after retirement from the Department she has continued to be a visiting faculty in several colleges and institutes.

Prof. Edward Rodrigues

Dr. Rodrigues was affectionately known to all as Eddie. He was an integral part of the department from 1987 to 2009. He was an intense and passionate teacher, very well read and highly respected amongst his students. He motivated his students to have a rigorous work ethic and engage in research and develop intensive reading habits and to be analytical and critical. He was also an active member of the college staff council. Apart from his critical contributions to advancing academic thought and knowledge, he was a renowned civil rights activist. He went on to join the Centre for Study of Social Systems at JNU and had a flourishing career there until his demise. He passed away on the 13^th of December 2017. His untimely demise has left a void in the academic fraternity.

Amrita Nadkarni

Groomed generations of budding sociologists and anthropologists. Dr. (Ms.) Amrita Nadkarni, Department of Sociology (Junior College), retired on superannuation on 31st May 2014, after a long and dedicated service to the College for over 30 years. Besides competence in teaching her subject, she helped the College by serving on various Faculty Committees, including the Infrastructure Committee, helping to sustain the various activities on campus which add to the quality of education. She was for several years on the Core Committee of the Junior College, helping to guide decision-making and problem solving for the College. Her competence in Sociology was seen in the way she engendered a love for the subject in her students. She took the trouble of taking her students for a visit to the tribal areas on the outskirts of the city in order to give them a first-hand experience of tribal life. She acted on the principle of ‘field experience’ and had a very good rapport with her students. Most of all, she showed her dedication to scholarship by undertaking and completing her doctoral studies, while managing a full load of teaching.

Ms. Vinita Bhatia

She was the Gender Studies specialist at the department and was the go to person when doubts had to be clarified regarding issues connected to gender. Vinita has always ensured that there was a democratic space opened up for students to voice their opinions in class and outside too when they came up to her to discuss several issues and topics within the disciplines of Sociology and Anthropology. She has been somebody who was always up to date with information about current affairs to new research in either of the two subjects. It has been rare that anybody has gone away without resolving their queries with her.

Dr. (Fr.) Arun deSouza S.J.

Fr. Arun, as he was fondly referred to, was associated with the department for 12 years. In this period of time, he contributed immensely to innovative pedagogies and encouraged the introduction of novel course components like sports anthropology and sociology of food in our curriculum. He also led groups of students in fieldwork to rural Maharashtra which enabled them to establish a connection between their readings in Ethnography and its practicum on ground. He is currently the Provincial of Bombay/Mumbai within the Jesuit community organization.

Madhuri Raijada

Retired in December 2017 as Vice Principal (Arts) after 26 years of glorious service to the department and college. During her tenure, she held the post of convener for the Women's Development Cell and the coordinator for the BMM program. She continued the glorious tradition of fieldwork in our department and would annually accompany students for a location-specific industrial visit to various companies and organisations.

Dr. Sam Taraporevala

Dr. Taraporevala had a long and illustrious career of more than three decades with our department and retired on superannuation in December 2019. Apart from his regular engagement, he had a prolific career in advancing inclusion for the disabled within institutions and society at large. His relentless activism contributed to the modification of Copyright Act in India making reading material accessible to the visually challenged in a format convenient to them and the introduction of talking ATMs across the country. Apart from these, he has conducted numerous workshops for corporates and non-profit organisations, served on government-initiated committees, conducted research on a range of issues and been published widely. He continues as the Director of Xavier’s Resource Centre for the Visually Challenged.

Armaity Desai, Former Chairperson of the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Shilpa Phadke, Associate Professor, Centre for the Study of Contemporary Culture, School of Media and Cultural Studies, TISS, Mumbai Campus.

Subashini Sankaran, IPS officer of 2010 batch in Assam cadre and the first lady IPS officer to be in charge of the security of a Chief Minister in 2016.

Mokshada Patil, IPS officer of 2011 batch in Maharashtra cadre, has served at different posts in districts across Maharashtra.

Farida Pacha, an internationally known documentary filmmaker with a National Award for the documentary The Seed Keepers and another documentary My Name Is Salt has won over 40 international awards in various categories.

Arshiya Lokhandwala, graduated in 1986 and went on to become an art historian, curator and also established Lakeeren Art Gallery (1995–2003) in Mumbai.

Sonia Nazareth, is a popular travel writer and photographer whose works have been published in Conde Nast Traveller, Time Travel, among others.

Oomandra Nath Varma, graduated in 1979 and is the director of Mauritius Institute of Education (Moka).

Nayana Kathpalia, is a distinguished urban scholar and activist who has been fighting to make Mumbai a sustainable and inclusive city. She has been actively associated with numerous civil society organizations like the Oval Trust, Horniman Circle Garden Trust, NAGAR, UDRI and INTACH.

Heeba Shah, is a distinguished theatre and film actress.

Rhea Pillai, graduated in Economics and Sociology and went on to become a popular model. She’s currently a much sought after Art of Living teacher.

Vanessa Vaz, graduated in 2014 and is presently engaged with the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, DC.

Anita Kulkarni, is a senior Bollywood actor.

Pallavi Jha, graduated in 1985 and is a popular leadership and executive skills’ trainer with her own organization, Dale Carnegie Training India.

Shilpa Mehta, is a senior actress who has worked across multiple mediums like cinema, television and theatre. Some of her roles were in popular films like Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, Delhi Belly and Student Of The Year.

Shriya Pilgaonkar, graduated in 2010 and has worked extensively in the Mumbai theatre circuit. She received critical acclaim for her debut in the film Fan (2016).

Vidya Balan, is an established and celebrated actor who has worked in films across different regional languages and gained immense popularity for her strong roles in Hindi films like Parineeta, Paa, Kahani and Tumhari Sulu.