Internship Team

Prasanna is a post-graduate in Social Work and has experience of over 17 years in the field of social work and especially on the subject of women’s rights and violence against women. Prasanna is also the trustee of the NGO – ‘Susamvad’ which she initiated in 1995. The John D and Catherine T MacArthur Foundation for leadership development had awarded a two-year fellowship in the year 2001. During the course of her career, Prasanna has also been engaged in working with youth on gender and relationship issues, in counseling youth and women survivors of violence. Prasanna is presently coordinating the Advocacy Internship Programme of NCAS.

Swati Suryavanshi:

Swati obtained her qualification in Social Work from Nirmala Niketan College of Social Work in Mumbai. During her academic training, she was involved in various social activities such as The Campaign for Human Rights (CHR) in Beed, and The Alliance for Dalit Rights in Mumbai. She has had considerable experience in social justice activities, including helping to organize a public hearing on atrocities against Dalits, and working with the NGO ‘Family Service Center’ in Colaba on adoption, child sponsorship and community development. Swati’s main interest area is Human Rights and the rights of marginalized communities.

Kavita Mishra:

Whilst undertaking her postgraduate qualification in Social Work, Orissa, Kabita specialised in Family and Child Welfare. Since completing her studies, she has volunteered extensively with various social justice organizations concerned with children’s rights, including a ‘World Vision’ project which deals with street and runaway children, and an organization which works with children with disabilities in Chetna. During her academic training, Kabita conducted research on “The decision-making capacity of the scheduled caste women with special reference to the slums of Bhubaneswar” and “A study on the socioeconomic conditions of the small entrepreneurs of the slums of Bhubaneswar”. During her time working for the NGO ‘Sathi’, she was also involved with a research study on youth awareness levels of HIV/AIDS. Kabita’s particular interest areas are Women and Child Rights.

Mahadev Upade:

After graduating from Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar MarathwadaUniversity, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, Mahadev volunteered as a social worker with “KASHTAKARI JANIV JAGRUTI SANGATHANA”. He then went on to establish a Social Action Group which facilitates cultural and social activities for youth. Mahadev has worked and volunteered for a variety of social justice initiatives, including a Dalit rights movement in Renapoor Tehsil, an educational scheme for unorganized labourers and a youth development initiative for young people living with HIV and AIDS. He also worked the Center for Public Policy Research in Chennai, where he undertook extensive research on the Right To Information Act. His interest areas are Dalit Rights and Education.

Udit Prakash:

Udit achieved a degree in Economics from Bihar University in 2009. Since graduating, he has dedicated much of his time to volunteering with two social justice organizations in the Bihar region. “Bhad Sukhad mukti andolan” works specifically on water issues faced by marginalized groups, and “Chhatra Yuva Sangharsha Vahini” on land issues in the Champaran district. Udit is interested in learning more about tribal issues and social justice, and his key interest area is land rights.

Jinda Sandbhor:

Jinda specialized in Urban and Rural Community Development whilst doing his postgraduate qualification in Social Work at the Tilak Maharashtra University in Pune. After graduating, Jinda volunteered for an environmental awareness organization in Bhimashankar sanctuary in the Pune district. He has also provided further volunteer support to several local level civil society groups, including “Open Space” (Center for Communication and Development Studies) and “Maher” (a shelter home for deprived women and children). Jinda’s main interest lies in sustainable rural development and environmental justice. He has spent considerable time over the past year conducting social research into the effects of land acquisition by the MIDC (Maharastra Industrial Development Corporation) in the Chakan industrial area of Maharashtra.

Dhanaji Khupkar:

Dhanaji holds a Postgraduate qualification in Social Work from Bharati Vidyapeeth in Pune, and recently obtained a Diploma in Labour Law. He has worked in the social justice sector with the NGO ‘Connecting Trust’ as a helpline volunteer. Dhanaji’s goal is to help to develop the rights of the ‘Dhangar’ community – a nomadic tribe in the Maharashtra region. He is also interested to learn more about how to undertake effective research.

Ravindra Kumar:

Ravindra obtained his degree in Political Science from Vir Kumar Sing University in Bihar. From 2004 to 2006 he worked with Jivan Masal Samiti - a rural youth group which seeks to empower young Dalits to take initiative for their own education and health care. Ravindra then went on to join the Nehru Yuva Kendra and also worked for the economic empowerment of the Dalits through SHGs. Since 2006, he has been associated with the PANCHAYATI RAJ SASASTRI KARAN and has facilitated training courses (TOT) at the block level on the NREGA. He also worked for the rights of people with BPL status. Ravindra’s main area of interest is Dalit Rights.

Shani Shrivastav:

After graduating from Fizabad University, UP with a degree in Sociology and Political Science, Shani went on to obtain a postgraduate qualification in Journalism and Mass Communications (MJMC) from Lucknow University. He has since had experience working as a reporter for two key newspapers – “Dainik United Bharat” and “Amar Ujala” , completed a two month internship with “Hindustan”, and worked as a reporter for the SK channel. In 2007 Shani formed a voluntary youth group - “The Wings”, which aims to improve Dalit education and the rights of communities affected by floods. His areas of interest include media advocacy and Dalit rights.

Jeet Singh:

Jeet has done his M.A. in sociology and PG in Journalism and Mass Communication from H.N.B. Garhwal University Uttarakhand. He worked as Programme Manager for seven years in HIMAD a grassroot level organization focusing on mother and child health. Jeet was also involved with ABC – Active Aid an International Aid Organisation of Sweden and Lund University of Sweden. His areas of interest are mother and child health and human rights.

S.R. Thomas Antony:

Thomas completed a Masters of Social Work in 2008 from the American College, Madurai and a Post Graduate Diploma in Old age population and care, an UGC programme from the American College. Thomas has been involved in Campaign for Dalit and Tribal Rights. He has worked as a research assistant on studies on the status of Dalit Panchayats and the status of Tribal welfare hostels. He has organized press release meetings, and round table consultations. He has been part of fact finding teams looking into atrocities against dalits and tribals. Thomas has been involved in the making of a documentary on ‘Reliance Fresh’ markets affecting farmers livelihood. His area of interest is in Campaigning, Media Advocacy and making documentary films.

Rajesh Vishwakarma:

Rajesh has done his B.Com from D.A.V. College, Kanpur. Rajesh has been actively involved for the last four years in performing street plays and has participated in events concerning with children issues. Rajesh runs a Library and works with different NGOs in Kanpur.

Pooja Verma:

Pooja has completed her Masters of Social Work from Lucknow University in 2007. Pooja was associated with a grassroots organisation named ‘AIM’ at Lucknow, U.P. as a Programme Officer, working on the issues of Rights to Food and Livelihood for one year. Her areas of interest include working for women rights, child rights and gender.

Arti Verma:

Arti has done her Masters in Women’s Studies from Lucknow University. Arti has been working on Women Rights issues within human rights perspective focusing on gender, law and sexuality issues for four years. Arti has a long experience working in slums, with the Muslim community, on child rights, displacement and migration issues. Arti has conducted several training programmes on gender, patriarchy and domestic violence. Arti is interested in working with youth through media to develop their understanding on these issues. She wishes to work as a facilitator and trainer and with the socially marginal poorest and economically deprived sections.

Vani M. Pyarilal:

Vani has done her B.A. in English Language and Literature from C.M.S College, Kottayam under M.G. University. She has appeared for her M.A. (English) examinations and is awaiting her results. In college Vani was a member of SFI and worked with its woman wing ‘Mathrukam’. Vani taught children of daily workers for around four years. Vani had also been a volunteer with an organization working for tribal sex workers’ children. Vani would like to study and understand more about land rights of the adivasis and Dalits and to work to ensure that they acquire these rights.

Baswant Babarao Vithabai:

Baswant has done his M.A. in Political Science from Pune University in 2007. Baswant has also done a Post-Graduate course in Women Studies from Pune University, 2008. Baswant worked as a Research Assistant and Research Investigator on various research projects conducted by CSDS (Centre for Study of developing Societies, New Delhi. Baswant has also conducted independent research on issues of interest to him and is associated with various organizations and movements. Baswant founded a youth group named ‘ISHARA – Maharashtra Vidhyarathi Sangharsh Samiti’ three years ago, which is presently active in Pune University, working on students rights and issues. Baswant has set up a library at Degloor, Nanded comprising of books related to various social issues and problems. His research interests relate to contradictions in Indian Society such as imperialism, gender and caste.

Santosh Kumar:

Santosh has done his B.A. in Sociology from Veer Kuwar Singh University, Bihar. Santosh worked for around four-five years in ‘Jeevan Mashal Samiti’, Rohtas, and ‘Bihar Unorganised Youth Movement’, Patna, on Dalit and women issues, Self help groups, NREGA, Community based organization group, Community Learning Movement, health, cultural activities, labour issues, Youth and Panchayati Raj. Santosh is also involved with ‘Inkalabi Navjavan Sabha’ working for students rights and issues. Santosh also has experience in journalism. His area of interest includes dalits, governance, civil society, media advocacy, politics of funding NGO’s and social organisations.

Ashwini Sopanrao Jadhav:

Ashwini has done M.A. in Political Science from S.P.College, Pune. Ashwini has been associated with the Society for Promoting Participative Ecosystem Management and Support for Advocacy and Training to Health Initiatives in the capacity of a field investigator. Ashwini had also worked with Kagad Kach Patra Kashtakari Panchayat as a Coordinator. Ashwini volunteered for Yalgar. Her area of interest lie in oranizing and mobilizing people on issues from a rights-based approach.

Geeta Gadhvi:

Geeta has done M.A., B.Ed. in Hindi Literature from Bhavnagar University, Gujrat. Geeta was associated with the Child Right organisations. Her areas of interests are Child Rights, Human Rights, Rural Development, Education and Panchayati Raj. Geeta belives in facilitation.

Kaushik has done Master Degree in Sociology from Assam University, Silchar. Kaushik was engaged with Deshabandhu Club an organisation involves in grassroot level in north east India as a Coordinator of SHG formation and linkage programme. Kaushik has provided service for marginal and poor women in rural area. His interest to working with marginal, poorest and socio, economic, politically deprive section of people.

Mihir has completed his Graduation in Mass Media from Mumbai University, specialising in Journalism. Mihir has worked for the Narmada Bachao Andolan and was mainly engaged with The National Alliance of People's Movements, Mumbai. Mihir was a member of People’s Media Initiative, through which he worked as an active organiser for several Regional and International Workshops and Conferences, mainly focusing on Communalism, the Nuclear Weapons Issue and the Media. Mihir has also done short stints in Print, Television and the Film media, notably an internship with the Indian Express, Mumbai.

Nivedan Mangalesh is from Sivakasi, a small town in Tamil Nadu. He has done his Masters in Social Work at The American College, Madurai. Nivedan has worked as a Project Coordinator at the Tsunami Rehabilitation Project funded by Save the Children after which, he worked for federating the coastal dalits at Kanyakumari District. In his work span, he has represented Kanchipuram District Resource Centre in various consultation meetings at Tamil Nadu Tsunami Resource Centre, which is a lobbying platform and a joint venture of UNDP, Tamil Nadu State Government and many more donor agencies. Nivedan has published articles and photographs in ‘Sangamam’, a monthly newsletter of TNTRC, and also screened a documentary on 'Promoting and protecting mangroves through the coastal communities' at a workshop on Community Based Disaster Risk Management organised by TNTRC. Nivedan has a passion for arts and media, especially in photography. His area of interest is in Media Advocacy and has plans to create a photo stock of development photography that would benefit people around the globe to access these photographs.

Rajesh has done his MSW from Barkatullah University, Bhopal. Rajesh had worked for six years in social sector including organisation like Sudhar, Eklavya and Muskaan. His area includes Juvenile Justice, Education of Tribal Children and Community Development.

Zaki has completed his Master's in History from Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. Forest rights, Land rights, Dalit and Tribal rights are his major areas of concern. Zaki worked for National Forum of Forest People and Forest Worker in Delhi for a month. His areas of interest include understanding the Global Warming phenomenon and Environmental issues.

Sushant has done his B.A. in Geography from Sambalpur University, Orissa. Sushant was involved with the anti-mining movement in Kashipur, a tribal belt of Southern Orissa. He worked with Nirman Mazdoor Sangathan, a membership based trade union, which advocates for basic rights of the construction workers and women domestic workers in Mumbai. Sushant has also worked with National Alliance of People's Movements and Social Action for Literacy and Health on the issues of Right to Food, Right to Development, Right to Education and Right to Health. His areas of interest lie in understanding Human rights, especially in the context of Land, Water and Forest rights.

Mathias has done his B.A. in Geography from Pondicherry University of Port Blair. His interest areas include Livelihood, Land Rights and Environmental issues.

Seela has done her B.A. in History (Honours). Currently Seela is doing PGDC in Mass Communication and M.A. Rural Development (Distance Mode). Seela was involved with progressive students movements in Delhi University. Seela worked with Lokniti, CSDS, Right to food campaign, Films for freedom and Hazards Centre, Delhi. Her interest areas include urban issues especially issues of urban displacement and livelihood issues of the urban poor.

Sikander Kushwaha:

Sikander is post Graduate in Economics from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. Sikander voluntarily work with 'Guria NGO'. His interest areas include Human Rights and Budget Analysis. You can contact Sikander on his email sikanderkush@gmail.com and to view his creative work visit to his personal Blog www.azadsikander.blogspot.com
 

Mrigendra has done his M.A. and NET in PALI Language (Buddhism) from Magadh University Bodh-Gaya, Bihar. Mrigendra was involved with National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM) Delhi. Mrigendra worked with LOKAYAN, IDS and TRIPP, IIT Delhi as Research Fellow on Urban Transportation and Urban Planning. His interest areas include Marginalised and Sustainable Development.

Vaishali has done her M.A. in Economic from Wadia College, Pune. Vaishali worked with Masum (Mahila Sarwangin Utkarsh Mandal), Pune as an Research Assistant. Vaishali also worked with FRCH (Foundation for Research in Community Health), Pune as Junior Research Officer. Vaishali was full time involved with Yalgar, Pune. Her interest areas include Dalit.

Debdulal (Debu) has done B.Com. from Assam University, Silchar. Debu has started his social participation from his school days. Debu was involved with Nehru Yuva Kendra as NSV, Karimganj, Assam. Debu also worked as an external monitor of WHO of IPPI program in Cachar District of Assam. Prior to internship, Debu has worked in a project, Reproductive and Child Health program with a grassroot NGO in Assam. His interest areas include women and child rights and livelihood issues.

Shyama has done her Graduation in Hindi Home Science and Geography. Currently Shyama is doing M.A. in Sociology. Shyama worked one year with WAFD (Women Action for Development) issues on Health and Education. Shyama also worked for a year with ERDS (Education and Rural Development Society), Bharatpur, Rajasthan on health issue especially HIV/AIDS prevention and care programme for youths. Her interest areas include Women, Children, Education and Livelihood.

Saswati Patnaik: 
Saswati has done her MSW and she worked for Task Force Women & Violence (forum of Oxfam) for a year in Bhubaneswar. Saswati involved in the Research work of SRUTI, Hindustan Latex, ADRA and NISWASS. Saswati completed her training in the organisations - Seva Mandir (Rajasthan), State Commission for Women (Orissa) and Sahara Drug de-addiction Centre of CYSD (Bhubaneswar). Saswati volunteered in– Orissa State AIDS Cell, UNDP, Swabhiman and Redcross. Her interest areas include Women (Governance) and Child Health.

Salma has done her Post Graduation in Sociology from University of Pune, 2005. Salma completed her six months placement in Mahila Swaraj Abhiyan (MSA) is a network of approximately 40 organisations across Gujarat working on the issue of gender and governance in Ahmedabad. Her interest areas include Local self Governance and Gender. Salma done her Dissertation on Panchayati Raj: Experiment of Manch by Mahila Swaraj Abhiyan - Impact Evaluation Study. Salma currently associated with Dalit Foundation, New Delhi as a Young Professional which support Dalit activists and groups across Asia www.dalitfoundation.org

Hariom Soni:
 

Manish Kumar:
Manish has done his Graduation in Political Science from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. Manish is currently doing his Post Graduate in Political Science from Guwahati University. Manish worked two years with PUCL in Rajasthan as a Volunteer. Manish is working now with the ANT in New Bongai Gaon, Assam.

Arvind Kumar:
 

Grace Jajo:
 

Tanushree Das:
 

Laxmi Yadav:
 

Jeet Parmar:
 

Bharati Takale:
 

Anchit Tiwari:
 

Nilesh Munje:
Nilesh has done his M.Com from Nagpur University. Nilesh is inspired by Gandhian thoughts. Nilesh has started his social participation from his school days. Nilesh has been placed in Agragamee, Orrissa to get hands on training and understanding on development sector. After completion of the Internship, Nilesh joined National Education Group (NEG), where he worked for Nomadic and Denotified tribes with a focus on their child rights and education. Nilesh also brought out a special publication on Education on trible children and also produced a Documentary Film on Status of Informal Education in Maharashtra. The film was titled as ‘Wasti Shala’. Nilesh is working with ‘Voluntary Action Network India’ (VANI), New Delhi as a State Coordinator of Chhattisgarh from 2005. His interest areas include Panchayati Raj, Good Governance, Advocacy Action and Campaign Support, Capacity Building, Media Advocacy and Networking.  

Arvind:
 

Avanti Rao:
 

Ragini:
 

Pramod:
Pramod has done his M.Phil in Public Administration from Sambalpur University, Orissa. Pramod has done his six months of field placement as a part of internship programme in Deshbandhu Club, Silchar, Assam. Presently Pramod works with Agragamee, a reputed grassroot voluntary organisation based in Orissa. Pramod is heading Agragamee's Center for Advocacy and Action Research, Bhubaneswar. His interest areas includes mass mobilisation, training and capacity building, research & documentation, preparation of IEC materials, networking and campaign on issue of rights, policy analysis & advocacy. Pramod also writes articles in mainstream oriya newspapers and journals. You can contact Pramod on his email pramodpradhan@agragamee.org

Gladson Dungdung:
Gladson has done Post Graduate in Human Rights. Gladson has written a research paper on the ‘impact of the Forest Policies on Adivasis of Orissa’ during his internship programme at NCAS. His interest areas include advocacy, human rights, police torture, policy implementation and strategic planning & campaign. Gladson is the Founder Director of ‘Navjeevan Foundation’, an organisation works with abandoned children, tribals, dalits, women and rickshaw-pullers in Jharkhand. Gladson is also the General Secretary of the ‘National Coalition for Human Rights’. Gladson is one of the State Programme Coordinators of the ‘European Union-FNSt National Project on Preventing Torture in India’. Gladson writes regularly for the Newspapers and Journals.

Nilambar:
Nilambar is a Post Graduate in Human Rights and Social Work. He also did his LLB from Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, Orissa. Nilambar worked as a Programme officer for Human Rights Programme of Centre for World Solidarity, Hyderabad. He also worked as a Consultant to Prison Reform Programme of Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative CHRI, New Delhi. Nilambar is a Founder Member of Centre for Social Justice & Development (CSJD), an organization working for the human rights of the marginalized communities and the rights of the prisoners. His interest area includes mass mobilization, training, capacity building and working for the rights of the prisoners. And presently he renders his services as an advocate for the victims of rights violation. Nilambar may be contacted csjd.orissa@gmail.com OR nilambar.humanrights@gmail.com , Cell: 9438568011

Rifat:

Rifat Working on issues of livelihood rights with specific focus on Land Rights. Rifat is With NCAS from 2003 in the Campaign Support Unit. Rifat is Post Graduate in Political Science and Social Work.

Varsha:
Varsha is a postgraduate in English Literature and Language from University of Pune, Maharashtra. Varsha completed her internship field placement with Sarwahara Jan Andolan, a people's movement in Maharashtra. Varsha is closely associated with various people's movements and networks in Bihar and in India working on Land and Livelihood Rights of Deprived Communities. She is leading a social organisation namely Parivartan Kendra (Centre for Change) in Bihar. This organisation works with women, youth and children of marginalised communities in Bihar for empoweringing them for their dignity and human rights . She is a resource person on Human Rights of Deprived Communities. Her interest areas are Gender Rights, Land and livelihood rights of deprived communities, Human Rights.

Siddharth D'souza:
 

Vijendra:
Vijendra is working with the Capacity Building team of NCAS since June 2003. Vijendra has written a paper on the condition of Tea Garden Laborers of Assam during his placement. Prior to internship, Vijendra started his career with grassroot NGO in Chattisgarh and later worked with state forum of diocesan societies in Chattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.

Madhumita:
 

Babubhai:

Babubhai has done his Master Degree in Social Work and Indian History. Babubhai has experience of working with tribal community in eastern part of Chattisgarh with different organisations like Ekta Parishad, Samarthan and CTDP. His interest areas include livelihood and survival, particularly of tribal community.  

Gangabhushan has done his Post Graduate in Social Work. Gangabhushan worked with NCAS in Capacity Building Unit and involved in Grass Roots Advocacy Initiative (Community Learning Movement Programme). Gangabhushan had an experience of working in ethnographic research on Tribals. Gangabhushan has been in teaching in Department of Social Work at Assam University, Silchar, Assam from 2004. His area of interest is community organisation at grassroots, unorganised labour. 

Rishikanta:
 

Prakash Gardia:

Prakash working with Oxfam India, Delhi.  His interest areas include issues of governance and marginalised.

 

Keerti:
 

Advaita Marathe:

Advaita has done her LLB from University of Delhi. Advaita working as a Coordinator at Mahila Swaraj Abhiyan (MSA) is a network of approximately 40 organisations across Gujarat working on the issue of gender and governance from 2004.

Medha has done her M.A. in Sociology from Pune University. She is working with Tathapi Trust, Pune, an organisation working in the area of 'Women and Health Resource Development'. Medha involved in Capacity Building, Micro Campaign, Advocacy and Lobbying on the issues of Health services and Gender.

Shalini:
 

Sampat has done Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Pune. Sampat worked with NCAS in Campaign Unit and involved in campaigns such as People's Right to Water, Right to work and Drought Mitigation. Sampat is working as an Asst. Professor in the department of School of Rural Development, TISS, Osmanabad.