Our Team

Rachna Aggarwal

Indrani Roy

Indrani is a Social Development worker with an MA, in English, from Calcutta University. She has been a Secretary to the Institute of Cerebral Palsy (1987 -2002), and Peace Works Coordinator at the Seagull Foundation for Arts ( 2003-2009). She was also a Member of the Governing Body of Tomorrow’s Foundation. She was also a former Board Member at New Delhi Television Ltd. Indrani was a very active VAANI Vice-Chair, always ready with advice and suggestions. Currently, she is VAANI Trustee and has a very clear picture and direction for VAANI’s growth.

T V Ramaswamy

T V Ramaswamy An engineer from Madras University and an MBA from Bajaj, he has over 40 years of experience across a range of areas in the management and leadership of businesses, at ITC. He had been in the apex leadership team of ITC as a Member of the Corporate Management Committee which had enabled him to obtain a bird’s eye view of leading change in a large, multi-business corporation. Specifically, he was involved in two critical themes – driving critical project initiatives, and the strategic management of R&D. For a period of 5 years from 1996 to 2001, he was the Managing Director of a joint venture in Nepal which involved, amongst other things, significant interface with government entities and chambers of commerce.

Brinda Crishna

With a Masters in Special Education from the University of Manchester, Brinda Crishna has a monumental 35 years of experience in the disability and development sectors. She has worked with a multitude of international and bilateral agencies and NGOs, including ADB in Vietnam and Cambodia, UNICEF in India and the West Indies, DFID, IFC, World Bank, British Council, Cheshire International, Handicap International, and Save the Children. She established the first NGO in Assam to provide services to multiple-disabled people in Northeast India – Shishu Sarothi, Center for Rehabilitation and Training for Multiple Disability.

Sriparna Ganguly Chaudhuri

Sriparna is a social development professional with two decades of experience in social development, non-profit management and strategic philanthropy. Her expertise is in building and managing large-scale interventions and networks, grant management, and building multi-stakeholder partnerships.

She has the knowledge and grassroots experience of working with a range of over 65 non-profit and community-based organizations across India on poverty alleviation, advancing democratic and decentralized governance, planning and implementing citizen/community initiatives, community mobilization, women’s empowerment, leadership building of political practitioners, public policy advocacy and reform, and advancing access to justice.

She has extensively worked with national, state and local governments, bilateral agencies such as SIDA, SDC, and NORAD, multilateral agencies such as UN Women, UNDP and UNFPA, funding agencies, private sector, HNIs, UHNIs and media houses to create and drive cutting edge programs, foster innovation and contributed to policy reform, for context-specific development in remote corners of the country.

Aysha Sreekanth

Aysha Sreekanth has over 15 years of experience in the Development Sector in helping organizations adopt the technology, database applications, and website-based services. She is currently the Head of Client Relations at Mahiti Infotech Pvt. Ltd. and has been instrumental in developing large portals for the White Swan Foundation, Sama Foundation, Every Child India, and many more.

Ajay Sharma

Ajay has a background in commerce, entertainment, corporate law, and computer science. He is the Chief Operating Officer for ITW Consulting Pvt. Ltd. which is one of the largest acquirers of cricket rights across the globe and Start Sports for the Pro Kabaddi League. With a working experience of almost 25 years across various fields, he has been involved with the business of sports and sponsorships for the last 16 years. He is an avid reader, animal lover, and an outdoor person who loves hiking, swimming, and cycling. He envisages a huge correlation between professional sports and VAANI. Given his background, he also contributes to certain legal and accounts-related matters at VAANI.

Dhanalakshmi Thyagaraj

Dhanalakshmi brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role as an Executive Administrator at VAANI. Armed with an MBA in Finance & HR from Anna University, she boasts over 7 years of extensive experience in Accounts and Finance.

Her career journey began in the educational sector before the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic led her to transition into the Service Sector. During this transition, she made significant contributions to organizations like GiftAbled and Quest Alliance, showcasing her adaptability and commitment to making a difference.

Dhanalakshmi’s passion for community engagement is evident through her active involvement in various volunteering activities. She finds joy and purpose in contributing to the community and has been an enthusiastic volunteer for multiple teams.

Currently, at VAANI, Dhanalakshmi embraces her role as an Executive Administrator with enthusiasm and dedication. Her dynamic background, coupled with her commitment to community service, brings a unique perspective to her work. She eagerly explores opportunities, contributing her skills and passion to the mission of empowering deaf children and creating a more inclusive society.

Sumedha Vijaylaxmi Joglekar

Sumedha Vijaylaxmi Joglekar is the Executive Director of VAANI DEAF CHILDREN’s FOUNDATION.

Sumedha has more than 18 years of experience in the Development sector. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Childcare, providing her with a strong foundation in understanding societal dynamics. Sumedha’s passion for supporting hearing-impaired children led her to pursue a Master’s degree in Education of Hearing Impaired Children from the prestigious Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of Hearing Impaired in Mumbai. This specialized education has given her a deep understanding of the unique challenges and issues associated with hearing impairment and her career has spanned special schools and centres of hearing-impaired children.

She comes with the experience of having worked in Greenpeace India for over a decade and understanding issues of farmers, forest dwellers, and environmental degradation. At Change.org India she was the Fundraising Director, where she was exposed to issues related to Women & Girls, the Rights of Children, Differently abled persons and larger Civic issues. Sumedha comes with a wealth of experience in Program planning and implementation, Fundraising, Training, and Financial management.

Ajita Gohain

Ajita is a highly accomplished professional with over 15 years of experience in the social welfare sector. She started her journey by working with renowned organizations such as Tata Tea Social Welfare, Raksha Society for Children, and Shishu Sarothi, where she honed her skills and developed a deep understanding of the challenges faced by marginalised communities.

With a strong educational background in mathematics and a passion for making a positive impact, Ajita joined VAANI as a State Programme Officer in Assam. In this role, she worked tirelessly to expand VAANI’s presence and influence across the North East region. Through her dedication and strategic approach, she successfully grew VAANI’s footprint and established strong partnerships within the community.

In her current role, she handles VAANI’s most unique and crucial work across the North East, East, and South Zones. Ajita’s deep understanding of VAANI’s essence, which focuses on working with parents of deaf children, has been instrumental in driving impactful initiatives and programs.

Ajita carries a legacy within VAANI, embodying the organization’s values and mission. Her ability to empathise, strategise, and effectively communicate has been key to her success. She is known for her strong leadership, exceptional organizational skills, and the ability to foster collaborative relationships with stakeholders.

Through her remarkable journey, Ajita has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to empowering marginalised communities and creating positive change in society. Her passion for her work, combined with her expertise in program management and her understanding of the unique challenges faced by deaf children and their parents, makes her an invaluable asset to VAANI.

TV Kusuma

Kusuma T.V is a Graduate in Commerce from the University of Mysore, M Com and PG Diploma in Financial Management from KSOU Mysore. She has over 12 years of experience working with organizations such as Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Mahila Samakhay Karnataka- a National Program for Rural women’s development and Girl Child Education as ‘Accounts Officer’ and State Panchayat Resource Centre, a unit of ANSSIRD Mysore as ‘Administration and Accounts Officer’. She is working with VAANI since January 2018, as Deputy Head- Finance & HR to grow our footprint across the South, East, and North East.

Avijit Naskar

Avijit has been part of Vaani family for more than 8 years and excellent at Multitasking. He is a trained Teacher of the Deaf and trained in Indian Sign Language. He has been on a mission of training and empowering parents, regular school teachers, Community workers, ASHA & Anganwadi workers and sensitizing them on the issue of Hearing impairment.

He says VAANI gives him an opportunity to use new Ideas and a barrier-free environment to work with the families of deaf children. That’s his greatest motivation and strength.

Veeresh K

Veeresh holds a Master’s degree in Biochemistry, an MBA in Banking & Finance, and an LLB from KSLU. His career credentials include a wide range of academic and social service endeavours and has actively engaged in Social Service and Educational Development initiatives in Karnataka. He has vast experience collaborating on projects in research and development and has supervised software development projects for students and faculty. In addition, he has been actively involved in students’ placement activities and has worked towards helping rural students.

For over 5 years Veeresh has been successfully managing projects at VAANI in the south region. He is a skilled networker, capable of building strong partner relations, and has strong support for the leadership team. His academic and social service credentials demonstrate his commitment and passion for making a positive impact on society.

Mukuta Deka

Mukuta is an integral part of the VAANI team for over 6 years. With a background in Arts and specialized training as a special educator from NEHU Shillong, Mukuta brings a unique blend of knowledge and skills to his role.

Mukuta’s primary responsibility at VAANI is managing projects in the North East region. With his experience working with Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) for children with special needs, he has gained valuable insights into the challenges faced by children and families in the education system. This experience has equipped him with the necessary skills to effectively manage and implement projects for hearing-impaired children in the region.

Mukuta’s passion for the cause of Childhood Deafness is evident in his dedication and enthusiasm for his work. He considers himself fortunate to be associated with such a meaningful cause and is deeply committed to making a positive impact on the lives of hearing-impaired children and their families.

One of Mukuta’s strengths lies in his coordination skills. He has a keen ability to bring different stakeholders together and ensure effective collaboration for project implementation. His attention to detail and organizational abilities contribute to the smooth execution of on-ground initiatives.

Mukuta’s genuine care and empathy for families shine through in his interactions. He understands the importance of a strong support system and works closely with families to provide the necessary guidance and assistance. His approachable nature and compassionate demeanour create a safe and nurturing environment for families to seek support and guidance.

Shashidhara N

Shashidhar is an experienced professional with a background in Sales & Marketing, Business Development, Distribution Development, and Team Management in both the Retail and Service Industries. With a Master’s degree and over 11 years of experience, Shashidhar brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his work.

Shashidhar’s skills extend beyond his professional accomplishments. He has a proven track record of fostering positive work environments that promote teamwork and collaboration. His strong relationship management skills contribute to his ability to support and sustain a cohesive and productive work atmosphere.

Overall, Shashidhar’s extensive experience, combined with his management acumen, communication skills, and ability to drive results, make him a valuable team player for VAANI.

Tonny Dutta Ray

Tonny is a highly skilled professional who has been an integral part of the VAANI family for over 10 years. With a graduate degree from Kolkata University and specialized training as a teacher of the deaf from NIHH, Tonny possesses a strong educational foundation and a deep understanding of the needs of hearing-impaired children and their families.

Throughout his tenure at VAANI, Tonny has demonstrated exceptional expertise in training various stakeholders. His ability to engage and connect with children, teachers, parents, and community workers is highly commendable. With his animated training style, Tonny effectively imparts knowledge and skills to empower individuals and enable them to support the development and inclusion of hearing-impaired children.

Tonny’s dedication to his work is evident in his passion and commitment. He finds immense satisfaction in the opportunity VAANI provides to connect with hearing-impaired children and their families. He strongly believes in the transformative power of education and strives to make a positive impact in the lives of those he works with.

As a project manager, Tonny excels in effectively coordinating and managing on-ground projects across multiple locations in India. His organisational skills and attention to detail ensure that projects are executed efficiently and achieve their desired outcomes.

Tonny’s main focus is on developing the capacity of parents and teachers. He recognises the importance of equipping parents with the necessary knowledge and skills to support their children’s development, and he works closely with teachers to enhance their understanding of inclusive education practices. His commitment to capacity development contributes to building a strong support system for hearing-impaired children.

Tonny’s outstanding contributions and commitment to his work make him a valuable asset to VAANI. His passion, enthusiasm, and dedication to empowering individuals and fostering inclusive education create a positive impact in the lives of hearing-impaired children and their families.

Sovan Chatterjee

Sovan is a highly experienced and dedicated professional who has been an integral part of the VAANI family for over 10 years. With a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and a Master’s degree in Social Work from Netaji Subhas Open University, Sovan brings a unique combination of business acumen and a deep understanding of social welfare.

Throughout his tenure at VAANI, Sovan has excelled in various roles and responsibilities. As a coordinator at the Child in Need Institute (CINI), he gained valuable experience in project coordination. This experience laid the foundation for his ability to effectively manage on-ground projects at VAANI. Sovan has successfully handled multiple projects, ensuring their smooth execution and achievement of desired outcomes.

Sovan’s expertise extends beyond project coordination. He has a keen interest in training and conducting awareness programs, particularly in schools and among community workers and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Teachers. Through these programs, Sovan sensitizes stakeholders to the needs and challenges faced by hearing-impaired children. His ability to deliver engaging and informative sessions contributes to building a more inclusive and understanding environment.

In addition to his project coordination responsibilities, Sovan plays a crucial role in managing the day-to-day operations in the East Zone. His multitasking abilities and strong support to the team have made him an invaluable asset to VAANI. He ensures that operations run smoothly, facilitating efficient workflows and effective communication within the organization.

Sovan’s passion for his work and his genuine love for engaging with the community are evident in his dedication and commitment. He considers every opportunity to work with the community as a valuable learning experience. His ability to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds, coupled with his empathy and understanding, enables him to make a lasting impact on the lives of those he works with.

Sovan’s multitasking abilities, strong support to the team, and commitment to community engagement make him an invaluable member of the VAANI family. His contributions have helped further VAANI’s mission of empowering hearing-impaired children and creating inclusive environments.

Biswajit Debnath

Soniya KS

Aloy Jhulki

Aloy is a dedicated professional who has been an integral part of the VAANI team for over 6 years. With his training as a teacher of the deaf and a D.ED (HI) degree from AYJNIHH, Aloy brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role.

Aloy’s true passion lies in training and capacity building. He firmly believes in the power of education and its ability to transform lives. Aloy focuses on training special educators and parents, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to support hearing-impaired children effectively. His dedication to this area has made him a valuable asset to VAANI.

One of Aloy’s greatest strengths is his ability to work directly in the field with the community. He actively engages with hearing-impaired children and their parents, establishing strong connections and building trust. Aloy’s empathetic nature and exceptional skills enable him to create a positive and inclusive environment where children can thrive and parents feel supported.

Aloy’s forte lies in training and capacity building of parents. He recognises the crucial role that parents play in a child’s development and believes in empowering them with the tools and knowledge to create a nurturing and inclusive home environment. Through his training sessions, Aloy effectively equips parents with the skills and strategies they need to support their child’s growth and well-being.

With over 6 years of experience at VAANI, Aloy has honed his expertise in working with hearing-impaired children and parents. His exceptional training and capacity-building skills, combined with his genuine care and compassion, have positively impacted the lives of many families.

Doly Mondal

Manisha Shah

Manisha is a dedicated special educator who has been working at VAANI for over 5 years. With her experience and expertise, she has played a crucial role in teaching students with hearing impairment and witnessing their progress and development brings her immense pleasure and satisfaction.

Manisha holds a Master’s degree in Hindi, showcasing her strong educational background. Additionally, she has specialized in Special Education with a focus on Hearing Impairment, which equips her with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively support and educate children with hearing challenges.

Known for her creativity, hard work, and passion, Manisha consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that each student receives the best possible education and support. She actively strives to help children overcome their weaknesses and excel in their lives.

With her commitment and dedication to the field of special education, Manisha contributes to the growth of VAANI and its mission to assist more and more children in reaching their full potential. Her positive attitude and strong work ethic make her an invaluable member of the VAANI team.

Basana Debnath

Basana is our very experienced parent trainer. She has been with Vaani for more than 4 years and is constantly trying to provide social and emotional support to parents and spread awareness about different techniques to engage with Hearing Impaired Children who come to our Sadhan Centre in Assam.

She is a great motivation for all of us at Vaani.

Nithya K

Nithya has done her PUC in Commerce from Adarsh College Bangalore. Before joining VAANI she was working as a teacher at Asha School for MR & Hearing Impaired and was a Data entry operator.

She joint VAANI on 24th September 2016 as Office Assistant. Today she proudly handles the supporter engagement and office administration work at VAANI.

Nithya is qualified in Indian Sign Language and also assists the team in several outreach programmes. She also utilises her knowledge in sign language to take tuitions for 4th, 5th & 6th standard hearing impaired students in the evening.