from IIT Kharagpur, and a Masters in Design Theory and Methods from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

[13] In 1985, Makkuni joined the System Concepts Lab of PARC, becoming part of the group which developed the object-oriented programming language Smalltalk-80 and the world's first graphical user interface.

[14] From that base, Makkuni pioneered explorations in computer-aided design (CAD), gesture recognition interfaces, and multimedia applications to develop the Active Learning Project at PARC.

[22] This project represents one of the world's first multimedia applications of any kind[23][24] and a pioneering example of a computer based cultural learning tool.

Located at the site where Mahatma Gandhi attained martyrdom, the museum preserves the historical events of Gandhiji's life in digital form but also presents a spectrum of information technology visions inspired by Gandhian thought.

Starting from the concept of health and Indian perspectives of the body, the project illustrated new visions and tools for a healthy society and planet.

[52] [53] [54] [55] In 2018, Makkuni was invited by Professor Alfredo Ronchi to participate in the WSIS conference, Geneva, panel on Cybersecurity.

With the impacts that globalization economics and IT have had on the environment in developing economies, he presented a vision that will allow mankind to become rooted in the commitment to ecological awareness, potentially leaving future generations with an 'abundant Mother Earth', especially as the world today lies at the cusp of irreversible environmental degradation.

Makkuni studied sitar under the tutelage of ustad Ali Akbar Khan, and carries jewels of composition from bygone eras.