Mr. Majid Khan
Lead TSU
As the leader of the Technical Support Unit, he plays a pivotal role in ensuring its integration within the VAAGDHARA ecosystem, providing technical and managerial excellence to field-level teams. The unit focuses on maintaining the technical quality of various thematic interventions. His responsibilities extend to facilitating collaborative work with thematic experts, applying innovative, sustainable, and efficient approaches to interventions across programs undertaken by different units of Vaagdhara and its partners. With over 13 years of multifaceted experience in Social and Community Development, he contributes significantly to partnership development, program design, technical assistance, implementation, liaison, networking, and team management. In his 7-year tenure with the organization, he has been instrumental in its expansion. His educational background includes an MBA in NGO Management and a PGP in Rural Development, reflecting his commitment to a comprehensive skill set.
Mr. Prashant Thorat
Seed & Soil Swaraj Expert
Working as a Seed and Soil Swaraj Expert in the Technical Support Unit of the organization, he provides crucial technical knowledge, leadership, and guidance. His role includes capacity building for community-based organizations and the program team to ensure effective and qualitative deliverables at the ground level. He actively organizes surveys and studies related to his theme, conducts farmer-led action research, workshops, and training sessions to enhance organizational learning. His overarching goal is to play a vital role in establishing Seed & Soil Swaraj in the tribal tri-junction of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
With over 14 years of experience as a qualified social worker, he has been instrumental in providing high-quality technical support to development programs related to sustainable livelihood, food and nutrition security, emergency response, and natural resource management. His focus on holistic development targets the most marginalized tribal communities, specifically the Bhil and Sehariya, in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan states. He holds a Master's degree in Social Work from DAVV, Indore.
Madhu Singh
Education & Development Swaraj Expert
She has had great exposure to school leadership, early childhood, and elementary education. Her 20 years of expertise demonstrates essential skills in her role as an education and development expert in the technical support unit of VAAGDHARA, she comes with an enthusiastic, innovative, and solution-based approach to improving the education status of tribal children, their growth, and development & ensuring their rights. She is also responsible for increasing understanding of education in a combination of traditional and modern knowledge her widespread background supports to enrich the technical aspects of the team members. Academically, she has earned a Master's in Sociology and is currently dedicated to advancing her knowledge in Psychology.
Mr. Manish Kumar Dixit
Water, Vegetation and Livestock Swaraj Expert
In the Technical Support Unit of the organization, he serves as a Water, Vegetation, and Livestock Swaraj Expert, providing crucial technical information and support to the team. He focuses on recommending water-efficient irrigation methods and promoting quality drinking water at the community level. Additionally, he acts as a technical expert for livestock management and community-based nutrition mechanisms. His overarching goal is to contribute to the establishment of Water, Vegetation, and Livestock Swaraj in the Tribal Tri-Junction of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat states. With a rich background of over 16 years in community-based organizations such as WaterAid, AKDN, CARD, and Samarthan, he has contributed to grant-supported programs by entities like the Hindustan Unilever Foundation, UNICEF, and state government initiatives. His work experience spans Community Rights, the Forest Rights Act, Water and Sanitation, Health and Nutrition, and Child Rights (POCSO Act). He holds a Master's degree in Social Work from DAVV University (M.P.).
Mr. Prabhulal Garasiya
Tribal Culture & Knowledge Swaraj Expert
Operating as a representative of the local tribal community, he fulfills the role of a Tribal Culture & Knowledge Swaraj Expert within the organization's Technical Support Unit. Demonstrating adept skills in community mobilization related to tribal culture, practices, and knowledge, he collaborates closely with community-based organizations to revitalize cultural practices and enhance tribal knowledge within the community. With an extensive 27-year background, he has actively engaged with farmer communities, children, and women through diverse programs while being an integral part of various grassroots organizations. Over the past 14 years, he has played a crucial role within the current organization. His educational background includes completing Higher Secondary education.
Mr. Mangi Lal Prajapat
Health and Nutrition Swaraj Expert
In the Technical Support Unit of the organization, he initially served as an Education and Development Swaraj specialist. Now, he leads the team in essential aspects of child health and nutrition from a Swaraj perspective. His work centers on providing technical guidance to enhance the capabilities of both team members and village institutions, aiming for the holistic health and nutritional well-being of tribal children. Driven by a vision to foster ownership at the village level, he strives to establish child-friendly, nutrition-conscious villages across the tribal tri-junction of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat. With over 12 years of experience, he has contributed to government-supported initiatives through organizations such as Pratham Education Foundation, Foundation to Educate Girls Globally, and Sampark Foundation. He holds a Master's degree in Social Work from VMOU, Kota.
Pragnya Shankaran
Programme Facilitator (Communication)
As the communications expert in the Technical Support Unit, Pragnya contributes to the overall internal and external communications design and strategy of the VAAGDHARA. Her key focus is to ensure consistent and clear communication across all VAAGDHARA platforms through developing strategies to communicate the knowledge tools and resources of VAAGDHARA within the team and the community and maintain the quality in content and delivery of external communication. Her experience further supports her development of culturally aligned communications that are relevant to the community.
Her educational background includes a B.Des. in Information Design from Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Bangalore and an M.A. in Social Design from NABA, Milan. These areas of study as well as her previous work experience in social impact organizations in India and Italy inform her understanding and experience in various fields such as communications, environmental design, exhibition design, public relations, and community engagement.