Dr Sukamal Deb, Professor of Practice, and Lead, Anant Centre for Documentation and Development of Crafts at Anant National University, is a strong advocate for inclusive development. His research interests include rural development, Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS), sustainable development approaches and issues related to women and tribal development.

At Anant, Dr Deb’s work focuses on the revitalisation of languishing crafts and the exploration of the Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS). Alongside this, he teaches courses in Rural Development, Entrepreneurship and Sustainability, guiding students to engage with grassroots contexts, build viable solutions and develop a deeper understanding of sustainable and culturally rooted practices.

He holds a PhD in Rural Development from Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi, has specialisations in Sustainable Development, Columbia University, NY, Social Sector Leadership, Haas School of Business, University of California and Social Enterprise, Acumen Academy, the World’s School for Social Change. He has also studied Business Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, Ahmedabad and pursued short-term courses in Social Impact, Human-Centred Design, Storytelling for Change. Dr Deb also was a Climate Action Fellow at Anant National University.

Dr Deb has held several senior positions in government departments, contributing significantly to the development of the North-East region, the promotion of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and engagement with youth, tribal communities and women artisans. He has also worked with the Foundation for MSME Clusters, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), New Delhi and on projects with the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta.

He is a nominee of the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi at Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University. He served as a Member of the Expert Committees on Rural Development of the Government of India, a Member of the World Bank Project, and in several other positions. He is an Editorial Board Member for the International Journal of Economics, Finance, and Management Sciences, NY, and an Empanelled Reviewer for a few research journals. He has 12 books and more than 20 research publications to his credit. He writes widely in newspapers.

Dr Deb had been interviewed by the media and news agencies and led the creation of national and international records in the development sector in the North East while serving in the government.

Dr Deb was conferred the title of Social Development Hero, 2024 by the Sri Lanka-United Nations Friendship Organisation (SUNFO), an organisation of the United Nations and the Parliament of Sri Lanka, Colombo, Leader of the Decade: Creating a Better World by WICCI India ASEAN Award, 2025, and the Leader of the Decade in Community Leadership by WICCI, New Delhi, in 2022.