The Governing Body comprises of activists and researchers who are predominantly but not exclusively Dalit. The Board is representative of the gender, religious and regional diversity in India. We follow a policy of avoiding conflict of interests.

Chairperson

Mr. Martin Macwan
Founding Trustee, Navasarjan Trust, Ahmedabad
Mentor, Dalit Shakti Kendra, Ahmedabad
He has been working for the Dalit cause since 1980. An Advocacy Fellow at the Advocacy Institute, Washington DC, he was president of NCDHR, and won the Robert F Kennedy Human Rights Award in 2003.

Mr. Gagan Sethi
Managing Trustee, Janvikas Trust, Ahmedabad
He is also the chairperson of Yuva and Vice-President of Sahjeevan, an environmental organization in Kutch, and he also serves as a trustee on the boards of various organizations

Dr. Ruth Manorama
President, National Alliance for Women, Bangalore
She is a human rights activist who has been closely involved with the Dalit cause since 1985. She has helped establish the National Federation of Dalit Women and advocates for Dalit issues at international forums.

Mr. Henri Tiphagne
Executive Director, People's Watch – Tamil Nadu, Madurai
An advocate and a human rights activist who has spread human rights education to schools and colleges in Tamil Nadu. He has helped set up the Institute of Human Rights Education and the Rehabilitation Center for Torture Victims, Madurai.

Ms. Mari Thekaekara
Co-Founder, Action for Community Organisation, Rehabilitation & Development (ACCORD), Tamil Nadu
She is celebrated international freelance journalist who writes for Frontline (India), Hindu (India), The Guardian (UK) and New International (UK). She is also the author of the book “Endless filth on manual scavenging” .

 
ADVISORY BOARD:

Dr. Syeda S. Hameed
Member, Planning Commission, Government of India
She is the founder of Muslim Women Forum and she works to make Muslim women aware of their legal rights, in partnership with the Government and religious heads. She is also a founder member of South Asians for Human Rights and was a member of the National Commission for Women from 1997 to 2000.


Ms. Pushpa Balmiki
Director, Adharshila, Lucknow
She was the convener of Jan Shakti Morcha in 1996. She is also a founder member of Dalit Action Group, a network of organizations working on Dalit issues.

Dr. Bhalachandra Mungekar
Member of Planning Commission, Government of India
He is the former Vice-chancellor of Mumbai University and he is presently a member of the Planning Commission, Government of India.


STAFF

Mr.  Santosh Kumar Samal
Executive Director
He has been part of the development sector for over 20 years; he has acted in the capacity of being a consultant to South Asia Partnership, India on the role of women in local governance, human rights and regional co-operation in South Asia. He has also served as Regional Executive at the Indo-Global Social Service Society(IGSSS).

Ms. Reetha Inasu
Admin-In-Charge
She previously worked at the Indo-Global Social Service Society(IGSSS) as an Executive in the HR / Administrative and Programme Departments.

Ms. Anisha Chugh
Fundraiser
She holds a post-graduate degree in History. She worked with SWECHHA, an NGO, handling documentation and research. She has experience of working on communication materials and interaction with prospective donors

Mr. Ajaya Paik
Accounts-In-Charge
He has done his B. Com (Honours) from Berampur University, Orissa. Previously, he worked with VICALP in Behrampur, Orissa as Accounts Officer.

Mr. Pradip G. More
Regional Coordinator
He holds a bachelor's degree in Social Welfare from Shivaji University, Kolhapur (Maharashtra). Previously he was granted a fellowship from Dalit Foundation and worked as a young professional with the organisation.