About Us | Wisdom in Motion

About Us

Wisdom in Motion

The International Buddhist Women's Conference – Pune 2026 is envisioned as a space for Buddhist women to come together in wisdom, dialogue, leadership and shared purpose.

The Conference is brought together by a dedicated team of professionals, educators, Dhamma practitioners and community leaders committed to creating meaningful conversations and lasting connections.

The Team Behind Wisdom in Motion

Core Organising Committee

The people working behind the vision, coordination and execution of the Conference

Dr. Ujjwala Aandurkar

Core Organising Committee

Senior Anaesthesiologist, Medical Administrator and Public Health Professional

Dr. Sandhya Harribhakt

Core Organising Committee

Paediatrician, Medical Educator and Researcher

Dr. Vaishali Bhamare

Core Organising Committee

Senior Administrator and Cultural Coordinator

Ms. Laxmikanta Mane

Core Organising Committee

Media Professional, Pāli Scholar, Dhamma Educator, Digital Content Creator

Dr. Ujjwala Andurkar is a senior Anaesthesiologist, medical administrator and public health professional with over 25 years of experience in the medical field. She holds an MBBS, MD in Anaesthesiology, Postgraduate Diploma in Medico-Legal Systems, and Master’s in Public Health (MPH).

She has been serving as a Consultant Anaesthesiologist at Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital since November 1999 and, since December 2021, has been serving as Medical Superintendent of the Postgraduate Institute, YCM Hospital, Pimpri.

Her professional and academic work includes 8 publications in international journals of Anaesthesiology. She has also been actively involved in public health awareness initiatives, particularly COLS (Compression Only Life Support) activities, through which she has contributed to creating awareness about life-saving emergency response. She has received the ISA President Appreciation Award for her contribution to social awareness through COLS activities.

Alongside her medical career, Dr. Andurkar has developed a strong academic engagement with Buddhist Studies and socially engaged Buddhism. She has completed a Diploma in Buddhist Studies, Diploma in Buddhist Psychology & Psychotherapy, and Diploma in Socially Engaged Buddhism from Savitribai Phule Pune University. She is also pursuing her academic interest in Buddhist Studies through the Department of Pāli and Buddhist Studies, Savitribai Phule Pune University.

Her multidisciplinary interests bring together medicine, public health, Buddhist thought and social engagement.

Dr. Vaishali Sahebrao Bhamare is a Senior Administrator and Cultural Coordinator with over 26 years of experience managing conferences, interfaith forums and cultural events. She is specialized in fostering networks across academic institutions and government bodies, with experience in logistics management, delegate relations, protocol and programme execution for summits. She follows Buddhist philosophy, peace initiatives and heritage conservation.

She holds a Bachelor of Ayurveda Medicine and Surgery from North Maharashtra University and has qualifications in Hospital Management from Symbiosis, Pune. She is also an Ayurveda Consultant, Yoga Consultant, Diet Consultant and Counselor.

Dr. Bhamare is the President of Parivartan Women's Forum and an EC Member of the National Integrated Medical Association.

She has received awards for her contribution as a Covid Warrior during the Covid pandemic and for social work. She has also been felicitated on Women's Day and in schools and colleges for delivering lectures, and has been invited as a Chief Guest at NGOs, schools and colleges.

She is currently working as a Senior Medical Officer at Indira Gandhi Maternity Hospital, Sangvi, in Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation. Her work has included participation in public-health programmes such as Pulse Polio Immunization, Measles-Rubella and Japanese Encephalitis campaigns, as well as national programmes relating to tuberculosis, leprosy, vector-borne diseases, family planning and immunization.

She has also organized medical health check-up camps, blood donation camps, cancer screening camps and International Yoga Day programmes.

Ms. Laxmikanta Sunil Mane is a media professional, Pāli and Buddhist Studies scholar, Dhamma educator and digital content creator, with a multidisciplinary background spanning media and communication, journalism, public relations, Buddhist studies, academic research and Dhamma propagation.

She is the Director of Content Concept Communications Pvt. Ltd., Pune, a media and public relations agency. Her professional experience includes media, journalism, political PR, election management, corporate communication, events, exhibitions, content development and media strategy. She has also worked with The Hitavada and other media organisations.

Alongside her professional career, she has built a strong academic profile in Pāli and Buddhist Studies. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Pāli, specialising in Abhidhamma, at Savitribai Phule Pune University. She has qualified UGC-NET in Pāli (2024), securing All India Rank 2, and UGC-NET in Buddhist Studies (2026).

She holds M.A. degrees in Pāli and Buddhist Studies from Savitribai Phule Pune University, along with a Higher Diploma and Lower Diploma in Pāli and an Advanced Certificate Course in Pāli & Buddhism. Her academic achievements include Department Gold Medals in both M.A. Pāli and M.A. Buddhist Studies, a Gold Medal in P.G. Diploma in Marketing & Sales Management, and a Department Medal for securing first position in the Advanced Certificate Course.

Her academic engagement includes participation in international and national conferences, including the United Nation Day of Vesak Conference in Vietnam (2025) and the All India Oriental Conference, Udupi (2024). She has presented research papers at international student research conferences and has two international research publications. She also holds a Master’s degree in Media & Communication Studies, specialising in Media Research, a Bachelor’s degree in Communication & Journalism, and has qualified Maharashtra SET in Media & Communication Studies.

Her engagement with Dhamma propagation and Buddhist education includes coordinating Ānāpāna Sati meditation programmes for school students, delivering Dhamma talks at Buddha Viharas, and participating in research on the effects of Ānāpāna on students. She has also completed Vipassana courses and observed Uposatha Sīla during the Vassa period for six consecutive years.

She has also been actively involved in academic co-curricular activities, receiving the First Prize in an essay competition on Dr. B. R. Ambedkar’s contribution to Pāli & Buddhist Studies and Second Position for an essay on Dr. B. R. Ambedkar’s views on women’s empowerment. She also runs the YouTube channel Under The Bodhi Three Podcast, dedicated to Jātaka Tales and digital storytelling for contemporary audiences.