Alakananda Guha
Profession:Educationist
Designation: President
Alakananda Guha is an educator and cultural practitioner who has spent decades nurturing holistic, child-centred learning through the arts. In 1996, she founded Shamil Chhotoder Pathshala in Kolkata, inspired by the educational philosophies of Rabindranath Tagore, Maria Montessori and other creative thinkers. Rooted in creativity, compassion and curiosity, the school integrates music and artistic expression into everyday learning. Since 2003, Alakananda has also played a significant role in introducing children and communities to Indian classical traditions, particularly Dhrupad, through immersive workshops and cultural engagement. Her work reflects a deep commitment to preserving artistic heritage while creating joyful, inclusive spaces for young minds to flourish.
Ayesha Sinha
Profession: Development Professional
Designation: Secretary
Ayesha Sinha is a gender justice practitioner, trainer and psychological counsellor with over 25 years of experience in the development sector. As Founder Director of Talash, she has worked extensively with adolescents, youth, educators, workplaces and communities on issues of gender-based violence, sexuality, child rights, mental health and wellbeing. A certified Wenlido women’s self-defence trainer and practitioner of Nonviolent Communication developed by Marshall Rosenberg, Ayesha integrates feminist, restorative and mindfulness-based approaches into her work. Deeply engaged in women’s and child rights movements in West Bengal and beyond, she continues to build transformative spaces centred on dignity, safety, empathy and social justice.
Lipika Biswas
Profession: Service
Designation: Treasurer
Lipika Biswas is an adventurer, cyclist and mountaineer whose journeys challenge conventions around gender, mobility and public space. An employee of Eastern Railway, she is widely recognised for undertaking solo cycling expeditions across Europe and South Asia, often navigating unfamiliar terrains with resilience and determination. Beginning her journey as a mountaineer in the 1990s, Lipika has consistently pushed boundaries through endurance travel and independent exploration. Her advocacy for cycling, environmental consciousness and women’s empowerment reflects a deep commitment to freedom and self-belief. Through her work and lived experience, she inspires conversations on courage, inclusion and reclaiming public spaces for women.
Debasish SenSharma
Profession:Film Maker, Theatre Director &
Academician
Designation: Member
Debasish Sen Sharma is a filmmaker, theatre director, educator and interdisciplinary arts practitioner whose work bridges cinema, performance, storytelling and critical pedagogy. As Artistic Director of Chaepani, he has developed creative collaborations that engage with culture, identity and contemporary social realities. Holding dual Master’s degrees in Film Studies and English Literature from Jadavpur University, Debasish has directed feature films, documentaries, web series and television campaigns across diverse formats. He currently serves as Professor and Head of the Department of Writing for Electronic & Digital Media at the Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute, Kolkata, mentoring emerging filmmakers and media practitioners.
Dolon Ganguly
Profession: Development Professional
Designation: Member
Dolon Ganguly is an intersectional feminist and development leader with over three decades of experience advancing women’s economic and social rights in India. As Chief Functionary of Azad Foundation, she has championed pathways for women from marginalized communities to access dignified livelihoods in non-traditional and male-dominated sectors, particularly transport. Deeply engaged in both grassroots action and global advocacy, Dolon has consistently worked toward building gender-just ecosystems and expanding women’s access to opportunity and agency. A widely published writer on gender and social issues in leading Bengali publications, she was honoured with the Laadli Media Award in 2013.
Mitul Das
Profession: Entrepreneur, Co-Founder ,
Strategy & Sales Director
Designation: Member
Mitul Das is a strategy and digital transformation professional with expertise in technology, business strategy and communication. As CEO & Strategy Head of UrsDigitally, he has led initiatives that help organisations strengthen their digital presence, stakeholder engagement and long-term institutional growth. An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta and Jadavpur University, Mitul previously served as Principal Consultant at PwC India, where he led the Enterprise Architecture & Compliance group and advised organisations on strategic technology and transformation frameworks. He brings to the board expertise in innovation, systems thinking, communication strategy and organisational development across diverse sectors.
Kaifia Ancer Laskar
Profession: Assistant Professor,
Department of Journalism &
Mass Communication, Aliah
Designation: Member
(Dr.) Kaifia Ancer Laskar is a media scholar, educator and researcher whose work critically engages with gender, race, representation and communication for social change. She serves as Assistant Professor and officiating Head of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at Aliah University, Kolkata and is the International Liaison of Ethnicity and Race in Communication at the International Communication Association, Washington DC. Her research explores media ethics, disinformation, digital silencing and social justice, with publications in leading academic platforms including Routledge, Sage, Intellect and Palgrave Macmillan. Through her scholarship and teaching, she contributes significantly to critical media studies and inclusive public discourse in India.
Dr. Nandita Banrjee Dhawan
Profession: Assistant Professor, School of
Women’s Studies, Jadavpur
University
Designation: Member
(Dr.) Nandita Banerjee Dhawan is a feminist scholar, educator and researcher with over 15 years of experience working on gender justice, intersectionality and women’s rights. She serves as Associate Professor at the School of Women’s Studies, Jadavpur University, where she has also held leadership roles as Director and Joint Director. Her research critically engages with gender in higher education, marriage and family institutions, domestic violence and the intersections of religion, politics and labour. A Visiting Scholar at Queen’s University Belfast, Dr. Dhawan brings to her work a strong commitment to academic inquiry, institutional transformation and socially engaged feminist practice.
Lopa Bhattcharyee
Profession: Development Professional
Designation: Member
Lopa Bhattacharjee is a child rights and safeguarding leader with over 25 years of experience advancing child protection, care reform and participation across Asia and globally. As Director of Alliance Programmes at Family for Every Child, a global alliance of local civil society organisations, she has championed approaches that centre local leadership, lived experiences and community-driven solutions. Her work spans prevention of sexual violence, reintegration and strengthening child participation systems. Beginning her career supporting children affected by trafficking and exploitation, Lopa has collaborated extensively with CSOs, INGOs and regional networks to build safer, more equitable and rights-based ecosystems for children and young people.
Sintu Bagui
Profession: Development Professional
Designation: Member
Sintu Bagui is a grassroots trans rights activist, community organiser and movement leader working to advance dignity, justice and wellbeing for Hijra, Kothi and transgender communities in India. As Secretary of Kolkata Anandam for Equality and Justice, Sintu has led pioneering work in HIV awareness, legal advocacy, community health and queer cultural initiatives. A child of a sex worker, her activism is deeply rooted in lived experience and intersectional justice. She has served on multiple advisory and governance bodies and became one of the first trans women in West Bengal appointed as a Judge at the Lok Adalat. Sintu is also a researcher, trainer and public speaker.
Saraswati Mondal
Profession: Social Worker
Designation: Member
Saraswati Mondal is a grassroots gender justice practitioner and organisational leader with long-standing experience in community engagement, youth leadership and social development. Currently serving as Admin & HR Manager at Talash, her journey with the organisation began in 2008 as a college student and co-facilitator, eventually growing into multiple leadership and facilitation roles. Trained in child marriage prevention, gender, sexuality, feminist self-defence and masculinities, Saraswati has worked extensively with adolescents and communities across seven districts of West Bengal. Her work focuses on building awareness, strengthening participation and creating safer, more equitable spaces for young people and communities.