Bio: Sanjiv’s quest for knowledge has led him through some unusual terrains and adventures.
His early education was spread across another continent - from Kenya to Zambia, India and then to South Africa where he received his academic qualifications. After earning his degrees in nuclear physics, he became a tenured faculty at the age of 25 and co-established the first atomic force microscopy lab in South Africa. He spent over two decades contributing to academic and scientific life in South Africa, along with several international collaboration projects. Life’s unexpected turns brought him to Canada—first to snowy Edmonton and then to the green-blue paradise of North Saanich.
In this role, as an elected offical he continues his lifelong commitment to learning, innovation, and community-building through collaboration and compassion, being open to serendipity, and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the whole world is family).
As a Councillor he has been a member of the mayor’s official community plan advisory committee (MOCPAC) and tasked with chairing the following working groups: (a) Agriculture and food security, (b) climate, ecology and environment, and (c) Marine and waterways. He introduced the doughnut economic framework, a key scope of the recently adopted Official Community Plan for North Saanich, as a tool of implementation and monitoring of policy progress in the district. Additionally, he has led a survey on the experience of loneliness and social isolation, along with promoting quality of health through food-systems.
Our verdant island home has also inspired me to develop a keen interest in gardening and photography.
Some of the Guiding Principles:
Serendipity: has been a guiding tool.
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: The whole world is family, All my relations.
