Meet Our Trustees
Dr. Sanjay Kumar
Chairman
Sanjay is a visionary leader in education and social impact, with a distinguished career spanning over two decades, including key positions at Harvard University and upGrad. He is a champion for women's empowerment and public education through initiatives like SEWA Bharat and the Edjustice People's Campaign. His impactful work includes showcasing "Hands of Hope" at prestigious venues and leading Sohum to support students' educational journeys. Sanjay holds a PhD from Jawaharlal Nehru University and a Mid-Career Master's from Harvard Kennedy School.
Dr. Priti Gupta
Vice Chairman
Priti is a cognitive neuroscientist and leads the Prakash research team in India. Her research interests include perceptual and cognitive development and brain plasticity. She has led several research studies that have been published in leading international journals including Science. She serves as the Vice Chairman of Project Prakash Charitable Trust. In this capacity, she contributes to strategic planning, fundraising and external partnerships. She is passionate about using science for the benefit of humanity, with an emphasis on maternal and child health. Priti complements her scientific talents with a fondness for art and music.
Dr. Prerna Tewari
Member Trustee
Dr. Prerna Tewari is currently a Junior Resident in Pathology pursuing an MD from Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University (IMS-BHU), India. She completed her MBBS from Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Bengaluru and is an expert in Pathological Investigations. She has passion for teaching and is a good team player. She is involved in the rehabilitation of visually impaired children and has keen interest in issues related to childhood blindness and its treatment.
Dr. Tapan Kumar Gandhi
Member Trustee
Tapan is currently working as a Professor in the Dept. of Electrical Engineering, IIT Delhi. He has received several awards for his academic excellence and groundbreaking research, and has four patents and three technology transfers to his credit. In the Trust, his role involves providing necessary approvals and consent for various matters of planning and execution of activities.
Meet Our Team
Ajay Kumar Chawariya
Ajay leads strategic planning and organizational development, boasting 15+ years in managing projects in the education, health, and disability sectors. He's worked with notable institutions like The Blind Relief Association and Venu Eye Institute. With a Master's in Social Work and a Diploma in Public Health Management, he champions inclusive education and vocational training for the differently-abled.
Priti Gupta
Priti is a cognitive neuroscientist and leads the Prakash research team in India. Her research interests include perceptual and cognitive development and brain plasticity. She has led several research studies that have been published in leading international journals including Science. She serves as the Vice Chairman of Project Prakash Charitable Trust. In this capacity, she contributes to strategic planning, fundraising and external partnerships. She is passionate about using science for the benefit of humanity, with an emphasis on maternal and child health. Priti complements her scientific talents with a fondness for art and music.
Jamuna Parsad Gautam,
Jamuna Parsad manages and conducts eye screening camps for visually impaired children in collaboration with government and non-government institutions and counsels patients and their parents on medical treatment options and mobilizes them for surgical interventions. He holds a master’s degree in Social Work from Kurukshetra University. He has 17 years’ experience in Social sector. He has worked with many Prestigious organization like Ambuja Cement Foundation, National Health Mission, Dalima Bharat Group Foundation, Government Medical Collage & Hospital, Chandigarh, Sambandh Health Foundation, Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital. He has passionate about healthcare and social welfare.
Purva Sethi,
With a background in neuropsychology, Purva is passionate about exploring the connections between brain and behavior. She is particularly interested in understanding how the brain encodes and processes memory in connection with sensory experiences, and the mechanisms of memory formation and their role in shaping behavior and learning. As part of the Project Prakash team, Purva finds immense joy in working with children, whose strength and resilience inspire her daily. She strongly supports research-driven initiatives and is committed to applying her knowledge to contribute to impactful research and humanitarian efforts.
Stutee Narang
Stutee is a Neuroscience graduate with a postgraduate degree in Neuropsychology, her research interests lie at the intersection of affective neuroscience, consumer neuroscience, and translational neuroscience, with a particular focus on how multisensory inputs converge to influence emotions, actions, and decision-making. She is passionate about connecting brain research with real-world applications. She is keen on unravelling the complexities of human cognition and behaviour to foster innovative solutions that create lasting impact.
Shakila Bi
Shakila has extensive experience in social mobilization, patient coordination and counseling. She holds a master’s degree in Social Work from Chaudhary Devi Lal University and has nearly 20 years of experience in eye care. Shakila conducts counseling of children and families before they visit the hospital, guides them through medical procedures and continues to stay in touch with them after treatment. She is a crucial point of contact between the patients and the team.
Ranupriya
Ranupriya joined the Project Prakash team in 2021 as an optometrist. She holds a bachelor’s degree in optometry from the Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences, Saifai and completed her internship from CL Gupta Eye Institute. During outreach camps, she screens patients and conducts 'low vision' examinations. She has keen interest in neuro-vision science research and aims to enhance the well-being of visually impaired individuals.
Rani Chawariya
Rani Chawariya is presently working with Project Prakash Charitable Trust as Counsellor. She did her graduation from University of Delhi and has recently completed her Masters in Social Work from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU, New Delhi). Rani supports the Prakash children and youth for their education and vocational rehabilitation and provides them counseling. She has had a key role in guiding and helping the Project Prakash children enrolled at our partner organizations National Association for the Blind(NAB), R.K. Puram, New Delhi and the Blind Relief Association(BRA), Delhi. Rani takes keen interest in education, vocational rehabilitation, livelihood and empowerment of persons with blindness.
MD Asad Fuzail Zahid Akhtar
Asad Fuzail Zahid Akhtar joined Project Prakash Charitable Trust in August 2024 as Optometry for the location of Maharashtra. He has completed his Diploma in Optometry at Rotary Eye Hospital Institute of Ophthalmology (Maharashtra University of Health Sciences), Malegaon, Nashik. He further enhanced his clinical expertise during his internship at PBMA’s H.V. Desai Eye Hospital, Pune, Maharashtra. Throughout his academic journey and internship, he gained hands-on experience in outreach camps, pediatric ophthalmology, glaucoma, retina, general ophthalmology, and low vision screening.
Vidya Prakash
Vidya Prakash is the Outreach Coordinator for Project Prakash in New Delhi. He holds an M.A. from Din Dayal Upadhyay Gorakhpur University. He has spent 12 years with PGSS), a social organization in Gorakhpur, working on various projects such as APLC, VDP, NABARD SHG, SARAL, SAKSHAM, and CBBO (FPO). Between 2019 and 2021, he coordinated two Prakash Vision Centers (PVCs) in Pali and Brahmpur, Gorakhpur district, Uttar Pradesh. Currently, Vidya is involved in organizing outreach activities, including pre-camp visits, pediatric eye screening camps, and patient welfare initiatives, and plays a crucial role at Project Prakash.
Abhishek Kumar
Abhishek has been with Project Prakash since 2020, managing all patient-related data and providing technical support. He holds a degree in Computer Operator and Programming Assistant and is currently pursuing Cost Management Accounting (CMA) from the Institute of Cost Accountants of India.
Sanap Ram Ajinath
Sanap Ram Ajinath joined Project Prakash Charitable Trust in August 2024 as Vision Technician for the location of Maharashtra. He completed his Diploma in Ophthalmic Technology from PBMA’s H.V. Desai College of Optometry, Pune, Maharashtra. As part of his training, he gained hands-on experience through postings in various departments at H.V. Desai Eye Hospital, including Outreach Camps, Cornea, Glaucoma, Pediatric Ophthalmology, Retina, Operation Theatre (OT), and General Ophthalmology.
Sanjeev Kumar
Sanjeev Kumar has been associated with the Project Prakash Charitable Trust since December 2020 and formally joined the team as Coordinator in March, 2023. Sanjeev holds a master’s degree in Geography from Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gorakhpur University, Uttar Pradesh and has three-year experience of working in eye care. Sanjeev supports various programmes and outreach activities of PPCT.
Shashikant Anand Rao Bhise
Shashikant Bhise joined the Project Prakash Charitable Trust in July 2024 as the Project Coordinator for the location of Maharashtra. He is responsible for coordinating eye screening camps in collaboration with government and non-government institutions working for visually impaired children. He plays a crucial role in mobilizing patients to H.V. Desai Eye Hospital for surgical procedures. Shashikant holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra. With over 16 years of experience in the health sector, he has previously worked with various organizations as a Team Lead, contributing to both government and non-government projects.
Meet Our Advisory Board
Dr Suma Ganesh
Dr. Suma Ganesh is Chairperson of the Pediatric Centre of Excellence and the Director of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Strabismus and Neuro-Ophthalmology across the Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital Network, with over 29 years of service. Following her M.B.B.S and M.S. in Ophthalmology, she was awarded the Marsh Carter Fellowship to train at Manhattan Eye and Ear Hospital, US. Dr Ganesh has been the recipient of the Dr. S.D. Athavale award, and ACOIN award for her work in strabismus. She has been actively working towards eliminating childhood blindness with organizations like ORBIS International and Seva Foundation.
Heena Handa
Heena Handa is the Founding Partner & Creative Head of EDC Space, an Interior Design Consulting firm.Mother of two kids, she is an environmentalist and wildlifer, a trekker and a biker. A foodie who cannot cook but appreciates being cooked for, she has been a solo traveler for much of her life. Heena studied at the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, and is passionate about experiential design. In her 35 year long journey, she has been interviewed by the BBC, lauded by the Economic Times and has had her work written about by several design magazines. She was awarded the Priyadarshini award for the Best Woman Entrepreneur for 2012, and the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024.
Sidharth Luthra
Sidharth Luthra, a distinguished legal professional in India, has been a Senior Advocate since 2007. He served as Additional Solicitor General for India at the Supreme Court from 2012 to 2014. Actively engaged in academia, he teaches at esteemed institutions and serves on advisory boards. He organizes the K.K. Luthra Memorial Moot Court annually since 2005.
Merry Barua
Merry Barua is a pioneering figure in India's Autism movement, renowned for establishing the first autism school, initiating teacher training courses, and catalyzing legislative changes for autism inclusion. Her focus is on creating enabling environments for autistic individuals as she advocates for their rights in education, employment, recreation, and civic life as equal citizens of the country. As an Ashoka Fellow and INSAR awardee, her work has garnered international recognition. Her organization, 'Action for Autism,' provides vital support for autistic individuals, parents, and educators. Her lesser-known role in promoting neurodiversity inclusion across sectors underscores her multifaceted impact as an expert, parent, and changemaker.