Team
Our Mentors
Sheetal Dubey
Sheetal Dubey is a distinguished gender expert and social activist with nearly two decades of experience in the development sector. Her work is defined by a profound commitment to child protection, women’s empowerment, and the eradication of sexual and gender-based violence. She has worked extensively with diverse communities in Madhya Pradesh, including the Bedia and Bacchara, as well as other vulnerable groups, gaining valuable insights into their unique challenges. Beyond direct advocacy, Sheetal is an accomplished trainer and module designer, specializing in legal awareness, life skills, and gender equality for vulnerable youth at both state and national levels. She is highly skilled in conducting training and maintaining thorough documentation. She holds a Master's in English Literature from Gwalior and a Master's in Sociology from Barkatullah University, Bhopal. As a mentor, Sheetal Dubey brings together grassroots experience, academic depth, and legal insight, making her a valuable guide for programmes and initiatives aimed at social justice, gender equity, and community empowerment.
Sarthak Tyagi
Sarthak Tyagi is a civil engineer-cum development professional with over seven years of hands-on experience in the development sector, currently serving as CEO of Gram Sudhar Samiti. His work spans diverse areas including natural farming, watershed development, rural tourism, and community-led initiatives. With strong expertise in communication, network building, and community mobilization, he has successfully bridged technical knowledge with grassroots action. He is also skilled in proposal writing and project planning, enabling effective resource mobilization and implementation. His approach focuses on sustainable development, local participation, and long-term impact in rural and underserved communities.
Sarita Anand
Sarita Anand is a social development professional with over 18 years of experience in the social sector, working to empower children and holistically develop communities. She currently serves as the Executive Director of Angels Social Development & Research Association, Bhopal, and is also a founder member and Secretary of the organization. She is trained in social worker with a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) from Bhopal. Her core area of specialization is child protection, with a strong focus on the prevention of child sexual abuse. Over the years, she has conducted extensive training and awareness programmes for children, teachers, parents, and community stakeholders, contributing meaningfully to the creation of safer and more responsive environments for children. Her professional journey includes association with several reputed organizations at district, state, and national levels, such as LEPRA India, AARAMBH, ARPAN (Mumbai), State Resource Centre (Indore), MP Samaj Seva Sanstha, and Suchetna Social Service Centre (Nainital). As a mentor, Sarita Anand brings rich field experience, institutional leadership, and a rights-based perspective, continuing to make a significant contribution to child rights, gender sensitivity, and community-led development initiatives.
Rahul Shrivastava
AdvocateRahul Shrivastava is advocate at the Madhya Pradesh High Court and District Court, Jabalpur, with specialized expertise in tribal rights and governance laws, including the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) and the Forest Rights Act (FRA). He is also a State Master Trainer with the Tribal Department, Government of Madhya Pradesh, where he contributes to capacity building, legal literacy, and institutional strengthening related to tribal self-governance and rights-based legislation. Beyond his legal practice, Shrivastava is actively engaged as a social activist, independent researcher, and freelance writer, focusing on legal and social issues affecting marginalized and tribal communities. His writings and research bridge law, policy, and grassroots realities, contributing to informed advocacy and public discourse.
Governing Body
Samadhan Patil
President, Governing Body (Parameswaram Research and Development Foundation (PRDF))Samadhan Patil is a development professional and legal advisor. Also, Samadhan is one of the founding members of Parameswaram Research and Development Foundation (PRDF) and Parmeshwaram Welfare Society (PWS). He has worked in the Development Sector since 2012 and has been associated with various renowned organisations, like Action Aid Association and Sanket Development Group. In Sanket Development Group lead as excustive directore and Action Aid Aassociation he led as National level Programme Officer, where he worked is lead and implemented projects related to land, water and forest. He has experience in research, project coordination, management, legal advisory, administrative, community rights initiatives and leading initiatives in land rights, child protection, livelihood promotion, and skill development. He holds a law degree from Barkatullah University, Bhopal. His work focuses on the rights and livelihoods of marginalized and tribal communities, with deep expertise in the Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA), the Forest Rights Act (FRA), the Right to Information (RTI) Act, and the Land, Forest, and Water Acts.
Pratima Pandey
Vice President, Governing Body (Parameswaram Research and Development Foundation (PRDF))Pratima Pandey is a development professional with over ten years of experience in the development sector. She has worked with reputed organizations such as Sangath, Clinton Health Access Initiative, and Action Aid Association, contributing to programs focused on health, mental health, family planning, community empowerment, labor welfare, and the rights of tribal and Dalit communities. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work and a Diploma in Guidance & Counselling. Her expertise includes program implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, along with strong skills in intervention coaching, data management, and facilitating training workshops for frontline workers. Experienced in guidance and counselling and mental health session planning, she is known for her problem-solving and collaborative approach, effectively working with government and private stakeholders to strengthen program outcomes and sustainability. Currently serving as MIS Manager and Program Manager, she leads initiatives supporting migrant laborers, promoting safe migration, and ensuring access to social security benefits. She also works closely with adolescent girls on issues such as gender-based discrimination and violence against women. She continues her dedicated efforts toward empowering vulnerable communities and advancing social justice through participatory development.
Prema Dhurve
Secretary, Governing Body (Parameswaram Research and Development Foundation (PRDF))Prema Dhurve is social development professional with over 15 years of experience working across rural and urban contexts on issues of women’s rights, tribal rights, social justice, labour rights, and migration. She is one of Board Members of the Parameshwaran Research and Development Foundation (PRDF) and leads a programme implemented in collaboration with the Azim Premji Foundation, continuing to contribute to research-driven, community-centred development initiatives. She has extensive experience in conducting gender training and capacity-building programmes, and has worked closely with communities and local administrations, including support to adult literacy initiatives in rural areas. Her engagement spans critical issues related to water, forests, land, and environmental justice, with a particular focus on the intersections of livelihoods, rights, and sustainability. Prema Dhurve has played a key role in building collective platforms for urban women workers, contributing to stronger organization, visibility, and advocacy for labour rights in informal sectors. Her work reflects a deep understanding of both grassroots realities and institutional processes.
Sanghmitra Khairnar
Joint-Secretary, Governing Body (Parameswaram Research and Development Foundation (PRDF))Sanghmitra Khairnar is a cultural professional, singer, and Dalit activist working in informal settlements in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Her work is rooted in using art and music as tools for social expression, collective strength, and empowerment of women from Dalit and marginalized communities. Currently, she is Joint Secretary of Parameswaram Research and Development Foundation (PRDF). She actively teaches singing and facilitates the formation of women’s music groups and bands, creating safe and creative spaces for women to build confidence, visibility, and collective voice. A passionate art and culture practitioner, Sanghmitra has been deeply engaged in music and performance throughout her academic and professional journey and is widely recognized as a skilled singer and performing artist across diverse cultural platforms. Although she is a graduate in Microbiology, her core engagement has always been in the fields of music, arts, and culture. She is also an effective public speaker and has strong experience in anchoring and hosting cultural and social events, which has further strengthened her outreach and community engagement. Sanghmitra has performed as a professional artist with Doordarshan Panjim and the Brahmanand Group (Goa), and has participated in numerous performances and competitions linked to social causes.
Ashish Keer
(Program Manager & Treasurer of Parameswaram Research and Development Foundation (PRDF))Ashish Keer is a development professional with a strong background in Human Development and Resource Management, Social Security Policy, Land Rights, and Forest Rights. He studied at Laxmipati College, Bhopal, and interned at GEI Industrial Limited. He has extensive experience in community-based development initiatives. Currently working as Program Manager and Board Member at the Parameswaram Research and Development Foundation (PRDF), Ashish is engaged with APF Project in Bhopal, where he leads programs focused on tribal welfare, social security policy, social justice, migration, and environmental conservation. Over the past four years, Ashish has demonstrated exceptional leadership in managing grassroots interventions, fostering partnerships, and empowering communities through participatory approaches. Known for his strategic decision-making under pressure, strong interpersonal skills, and commitment to inclusive development, he continues to contribute to seminars, fieldwork, and research efforts that advance sustainable and equitable growth.
Saba Khan
Board MemberSaba Khan is a social development professional from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, with over 14 years of dedicated experience in the social sector. She holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree and has worked extensively with a range of civil society organizations on issues of women’s rights, education, equality, and community empowerment. Driven by a deep belief in the transformative power of learning, Saba has focused much of her work on strengthening children’s education through creative and participatory methods. She actively promotes a culture of reading and imagination among children by designing storytelling sessions, nurturing story-writing abilities, and establishing vibrant children’s libraries. Her initiatives have helped create safe, joyful spaces where children can explore ideas, build confidence, and connect with their communities. Saba firmly believes that education and stories are among the most powerful tools for social change. Guided by this conviction, she continues to work with passion, creativity, and empathy to empower communities and nurture a more equitable and informed society.
Mohit
Mohit is an action research and development practitioner working on natural resource governance in central and western India. His work focuses on strengthening grassroots-level networks to address implementation gaps in land and resource rights policies. With expertise in watershed development, land literacy, and participatory irrigation systems, he combines technical knowledge with community-based approaches. His interests lie in addressing agrarian and ecological challenges through field-based experimentation and translating insights into policy interventions. Mohit brings an interdisciplinary background in agricultural engineering, development studies, and long-term engagement with social movements, enabling him to drive grounded and impactful action.
Team Members
Aman Kumar
ResearcherAman Kumar is a political analyst and interdisciplinary researcher with a Master’s degree in International Relations from South Asian University (SAU), New Delhi, and B.Tech from NIT Agartala. He brings over four years of experience in political consultancy and policy research, with extensive field and analytical work across Tripura, Jharkhand, Assam, and Manipur. His professional engagement is focused on tribal welfare, rural development, and livelihood policy, combining on-ground insights with evidence-based policy analysis. With a strong technical background, his research adopts a political economy and science & technology lens, bridging governance with emerging strategic technologies. His core research interests include narrative economics, rural development, semiconductor geopolitics, and quantum cryptography, reflecting a distinctive intersection of public policy, technology, and international affairs.
Sandeep Bishnoi
EducationSandeep Bishnoi is an education mentor and grassroots development professional working with tribal and underprivileged students to improve access to quality education and competitive exam preparedness, including JEE and NEET. His work centers on mentoring, academic guidance, and capacity building of students from marginalized backgrounds, particularly those aspiring for national-level examinations such as JEE and NEET. He founded a student-led initiative called “WE CAN”, through which he mentored and taught underprivileged students living around the campus of NIT Agartala. Since 2023, he has been associated with the Chhattisgarh Tribal Department, mentoring first-generation learners across Bastar, Raipur, and Korba. A Production Engineering graduate from NIT Agartala and alumnus of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, he is committed to bridging educational inequality through consistent, grassroots mentorship.
Niranjan Mahore
Livelihood Development SpecialistNiranjan Mahore is a Livelihood Development Specialist with over six years of experience designing, leading, and implementing high-impact livelihood programmes in rural and tribal regions of Madhya Pradesh. His work focuses on building sustainable, community-owned livelihood systems through institutional strengthening, market integration, and convergence with government and development stakeholders. He has extensive experience working with Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Cluster Level Federations (CLFs), supporting Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) planning and implementation, and promoting micro-enterprises linked to agriculture, forest-based livelihoods, and local value chains. His professional contributions include work on World Bank–funded projects and initiatives supported by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, with a strong emphasis on women’s economic empowerment and the livelihoods of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). Niranjan is skilled at translating policy frameworks and project designs into practical, scalable livelihood models that deliver measurable social and economic outcomes. His approach integrates financial inclusion, value-chain development, sustainable agriculture, and community capacity building.
Yogendra Prasad Jatav
Watershed management, Agriculture based livelihood ( FPO and millet)Yogendra Prasad is a socio-technical professional who has worked in development sector for over 14 years, focusing on Natural Resources Management, women's empowerment, participatory learning practices, sustainable Livelihood promotion, Right Base program, strengthening farmers' collectives, Value addition and market linkages, climate resilience agriculture, Health, and on informal settlements and economies. He has extensive experience in biodiversity conservation, climate change, Adaptation and mitigation program and the then newly emerging concerns around intellectual property rights and agricultural trade raised by farmers' movements. He has extensive experience in monitoring and evaluation of Natural Resource Management and Forest related program. He holds a Master’s degree in Forestry from Dr B. R. Ambedkar University and a Master’s degree in Social Work from Madhya Pradesh Bhoj (Open) University. As a part of the PRDF orgnization, his interdisciplinary training and extensive field experience contribute a strong blend of technical expertise, social insight, and community-centred practice to development initiatives.
Sanju
Field CoordinatorSanju is a grassroots social worker and community mobiliser with over five years of hands-on experience working in tribal regions of Jawra Malkhar block in Obedullaganj, Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh. Rooted in close engagement with communities, Sanju’s work focuses on strengthening local institutions, promoting rights awareness, and supporting inclusive and sustainable development in tribal areas. Currently, he is working across tribal villages in Raisen and Sehore districts. His work spans educational and social awareness initiatives, preservation and promotion of tribal culture, and facilitation of government welfare schemes at the grassroots level. A significant part of his work involves creating awareness around the Forest Rights Act, particularly community and individual rights over land, forests, and water resources.
Anil Bhawre
Field CoordinatorAnil Bhawre is a development practitioner working at the intersection of social justice, legal empowerment, and community development. His work is dedicated to advancing the rights of youth, women, and children, with a strong focus on equity, protection, and empowerment. With academic training in Social Work (MSW), Law (LLB), and Journalism (MJ), Anil brings an interdisciplinary perspective to rights-based practice. He actively conducts legal awareness campaigns, supports community education on laws and entitlements, and contributes to the implementation of policy-driven interventions for vulnerable groups. His professional engagement is on women’s empowerment, child protection, youth development, and broader social justice initiatives. Through field-based work and awareness-building, he strives to strengthen community capacities, promote accountability, and create safer, more inclusive social environments.
Rekha
Field CoordinatorRekha is a Community Mobilizer with Parmeshwaram Research Development and Foundation (PRDF). She has completed her Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) and combines her academic learning with active field engagement at the village level. She has closely worked with eleven villages in Raisen district, directly working with local governance systems and community needs. She has observed that while multiple government welfare schemes exist, their awareness and effective reach among villagers remain limited. Her work focuses on bridging this gap by strengthening community awareness and access to government and social security schemes. As part of PRDF’s initiatives, she has been actively involved in organizing social security awareness meetings and social security camps across several villages, helping community members understand their entitlements and access benefits.
Sam Peter
Finance and Accounts ConsultantSam Peter has more than 10 years of experience in managing accounts and finance organizations. He has completed his master's degree in commerce(Finance and Accounts).