Pratham InfoTech Foundation - e-education for all

Dr. Madhav Chavan

Dr. Madhav Chavan is a co-founder and CEO-President of Pratham, an organization that reaches 3 million primary school age children in India every year.

He acquired a Ph. D. in Chemistry at the Ohio State University in the US in 1983 and returned to India in 1986 after his post-doctoral work at the University of Houston. In 1989, while teaching at the University of Mumbai, he started mass scale work for adult literacy in the slums of Mumbai as a part of the National Literacy Mission in the slums of Mumbai. In 1994, as a result of an initiative of UNICEF in Mumbai, Pratham was set up to address problems of universal primary education in Mumbai. Dr. Chavan has since then led the development of the organization and its programs. Pratham has several mass-scale innovations such as the Annual Status of Education Report in the area of assessment and the Read India movement in the delivery of education for the underprivileged to its credit.

Pratham has been recognized by the Kravis Prize and the Skoll Award for its innovativeness and leadership as a social entrepreneurial organization in the area of education. MadhavChavan was recently awarded the WISE Prize for Education instituted by the Qatar Foundation at the World Innovation Summit for Education, which is equated with a “Nobel for work done in education”.

Dr. Chavan is a creative individual who has anchored television shows, written songs about human rights and women’s rights. He enjoys working out creative ways to educate or train children and youth. He finds time to work on challenges of teaching while balancing his duties as the CEO of a big organization.

Dr. Madhav Chavan

Dr. Madhav Chavan is a co-founder and CEO-President of Pratham, an organization that reaches 3 million primary school age children in India every year.

He acquired a Ph. D. in Chemistry at the Ohio State University in the US in 1983 and returned to India in 1986 after his post-doctoral work at the University of Houston. In 1989, while teaching at the University of Mumbai, he started mass scale work for adult literacy in the slums of Mumbai as a part of the National Literacy Mission in the slums of Mumbai. In 1994, as a result of an initiative of UNICEF in Mumbai, Pratham was set up to address problems of universal primary education in Mumbai. Dr. Chavan has since then led the development of the organization and its programs. Pratham has several mass-scale innovations such as the Annual Status of Education Report in the area of assessment and the Read India movement in the delivery of education for the underprivileged to its credit.

Pratham has been recognized by the Kravis Prize and the Skoll Award for its innovativeness and leadership as a social entrepreneurial organization in the area of education. MadhavChavan was recently awarded the WISE Prize for Education instituted by the Qatar Foundation at the World Innovation Summit for Education, which is equated with a “Nobel for work done in education”.

Dr. Chavan is a creative individual who has anchored television shows, written songs about human rights and women’s rights. He enjoys working out creative ways to educate or train children and youth. He finds time to work on challenges of teaching while balancing his duties as the CEO of a big organization.

S.K. Joshi

Mr. S K Joshi was Director (Finance) of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), a fortune 500 company. During his long tenure (over three decades) in Oil Industry he was involved in several issues impacting the oil industry in India. Mr Joshi was actively involved in recruiting more than 150 Chartered Accountants and mentoring them in BPCL.

Mr Joshi is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. He also holds an MBA degree from the University of Hull, UK.

Post retirement Mr. Joshi is engaged in Investment Banking & Capital markets activity to pursue his interest. He is currently working as Executive Director in Khambatta Securities Ltd and heading the Wealth Management business.

S.K. Joshi

Mr. S K Joshi was Director (Finance) of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), a fortune 500 company. During his long tenure (over three decades) in Oil Industry he was involved in several issues impacting the oil industry in India. Mr Joshi was actively involved in recruiting more than 150 Chartered Accountants and mentoring them in BPCL.

Mr Joshi is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. He also holds an MBA degree from the University of Hull, UK.

Post retirement Mr. Joshi is engaged in Investment Banking & Capital markets activity to pursue his interest. He is currently working as Executive Director in Khambatta Securities Ltd and heading the Wealth Management business.

Shamini Murugesh

Chief Mentor, WCF

Ms. Shamini Murugesh has set up WNS Cares Foundation which works for the underprivileged and has vast experience in creating sustainability programs. She provides guidance and expertise to the Foundation on a pro bono and honorary basis.

She strongly believes that each of us has the power within us. The power to create an equitable society.

WNS Cares Foundation provides the instrument needed to wield that power through education.

Their mission is to "Educate, Empower, Enrich" and extends well beyond the economically and socially weak recipient, it reaches the soul of the donor.

Shamini Murugesh

Chief Mentor, WCF

Ms. Shamini Murugesh has set up WNS Cares Foundation which works for the underprivileged and has vast experience in creating sustainability programs. She provides guidance and expertise to the Foundation on a pro bono and honorary basis.

She strongly believes that each of us has the power within us. The power to create an equitable society.

WNS Cares Foundation provides the instrument needed to wield that power through education.

Their mission is to "Educate, Empower, Enrich" and extends well beyond the economically and socially weak recipient, it reaches the soul of the donor.

Prem Yadav

Co - Founder and CEO

Prem Yadav Co-founded Pratham InfoTech Foundation (PIF) in 2004. This fast-growing organization, today has reached out to 700K children from disadvantaged sections of society across 13 states of India. PIF also trains youth in IT and soft skills, thus arming them with employable skills along with connecting them to relevant jobs in the market.
Prem Yadav has been deeply involved in ideating and planning innovative models and programs to spread e learning in school students. He has also been instrumental in starting youth skilling programs which has trained over 120K youngsters making them job ready.
A firm believer in human potential, Prem Yadav has helped grow his team and the organization on the whole as a strong, motivated set of young minds determined to bring about a digital change across the underserved sections of society. Prem Yadav holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Economics and a Masters in Resource Mobilization and Management from S.P. Jain Institute of Management, Mumbai. Besides contributing to many educational publications, he has been the Area Coordinator, CORO (Committee of Resource Organization for Literacy). He was also Treasurer at Suvidha Co-operative, which was set up to operate the Integrated Waste Management Project under the leadership of late prime minister of India Mr. Rajiv Gandhi.
Prem Yadav is a recipient of the prestigious Eisenhower Fellowship - USA in 2010 and also TED speaker in World Economic Forum at Perm Region in Russia.

Prem Yadav

Co - Founder and CEO

Prem Yadav Co-founded Pratham InfoTech Foundation (PIF) in 2004. This fast-growing organization, today has reached out to 700K children from disadvantaged sections of society across 13 states of India. PIF also trains youth in IT and soft skills, thus arming them with employable skills along with connecting them to relevant jobs in the market.
Prem Yadav has been deeply involved in ideating and planning innovative models and programs to spread e learning in school students. He has also been instrumental in starting youth skilling programs which has trained over 120K youngsters making them job ready.
A firm believer in human potential, Prem Yadav has helped grow his team and the organization on the whole as a strong, motivated set of young minds determined to bring about a digital change across the underserved sections of society. Prem Yadav holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Economics and a Masters in Resource Mobilization and Management from S.P. Jain Institute of Management, Mumbai. Besides contributing to many educational publications, he has been the Area Coordinator, CORO (Committee of Resource Organization for Literacy). He was also Treasurer at Suvidha Co-operative, which was set up to operate the Integrated Waste Management Project under the leadership of late prime minister of India Mr. Rajiv Gandhi.
Prem Yadav is a recipient of the prestigious Eisenhower Fellowship - USA in 2010 and also TED speaker in World Economic Forum at Perm Region in Russia.

Rajesh Thokale

Co - Founder and Trustee

Equipped with a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from the Mumbai University, he has worked on various projects and in diverse fields. He has been the Co-ordinator for CORO for Literacy, worked on Integrated Waste Management Project, handled different roles at All India Radio, Mumbai, been actively involved in Construction Work; and is now the Director of the Vocational Skills Training Program besides being a Trustee of Pratham InfoTech Foundation.

Rajesh Thokale

Co - Founder and Trustee

Equipped with a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from the Mumbai University, he has worked on various projects and in diverse fields. He has been the Co-ordinator for CORO for Literacy, worked on Integrated Waste Management Project, handled different roles at All India Radio, Mumbai, been actively involved in Construction Work; and is now the Director of the Vocational Skills Training Program besides being a Trustee of Pratham InfoTech Foundation.

Meera Tendolkar

Trustee

Meera has been working with Pratham since 1997 and has handled various responsibilities in these years. She is currently responsible for setting up the District Resource Centres in various States of India, and is also working on building the capacities of the Pratham national team. She is interested in developing teaching material for children and innovative teaching modules.

Meera Tendolkar

Trustee

Meera has been working with Pratham since 1997 and has handled various responsibilities in these years. She is currently responsible for setting up the District Resource Centres in various States of India, and is also working on building the capacities of the Pratham national team. She is interested in developing teaching material for children and innovative teaching modules.

Smitin Brid

Trustee

Smitin Brid is an Early Childhood Development and Education professional having 21 years extensive experience in education development.

He heads the Early Childhood Programs of Pratham Education Foundation.

He has extensive experience of program start-ups and management, content development, training, community mobilization for pre-primary and primary education with Pratham since 1996. He has spearheaded ‘Pratham’s Community College’ and offered various skills and knowledge-based training programs to more than 5,500 adult-learners under IGNOU affiliation.

He has also supported more than 100 women edupreneurs to start and run quality preschools on enterprise basis.

He holds a masters’ degree in Public Administration and has also earned certificate of proficiency with distinction in ‘Early Childhood Development for Sustainable Development’ from SDG Academy.

Smitin Brid

Trustee

Smitin Brid is an Early Childhood Development and Education professional having 21 years extensive experience in education development.

He heads the Early Childhood Programs of Pratham Education Foundation.

He has extensive experience of program start-ups and management, content development, training, community mobilization for pre-primary and primary education with Pratham since 1996. He has spearheaded ‘Pratham’s Community College’ and offered various skills and knowledge-based training programs to more than 5,500 adult-learners under IGNOU affiliation.

He has also supported more than 100 women edupreneurs to start and run quality preschools on enterprise basis.

He holds a masters’ degree in Public Administration and has also earned certificate of proficiency with distinction in ‘Early Childhood Development for Sustainable Development’ from SDG Academy.

Roopa Billava

Program Head

Roopa Billava joined Pratham Education Initiative in 2001 where she managed the data generated from the Balwadi and Bal sakhi programs. She completed a Diploma in Secretarial Practice and later spent 3 years with a corporate in the financial sector. She joined back in 2010 and was part of the PIF family. Here she worked as an intern with The India Beehive, a community portal. During this period she also completed a Post Graduate Diploma Course in Journalism. She now works primarily for PIF's Donor Management and Outreach along with many other related projects. Project and data management are her core strengths.

Roopa Billava

Program Head

Roopa Billava joined Pratham Education Initiative in 2001 where she managed the data generated from the Balwadi and Bal sakhi programs. She completed a Diploma in Secretarial Practice and later spent 3 years with a corporate in the financial sector. She joined back in 2010 and was part of the PIF family. Here she worked as an intern with The India Beehive, a community portal. During this period she also completed a Post Graduate Diploma Course in Journalism. She now works primarily for PIF's Donor Management and Outreach along with many other related projects. Project and data management are her core strengths.

Shruti Limaye

Program Head

Shruti Limaye joined Pratham InfoTech Foundation (PIF) in October 2017. After completing her bachelors in Hotel Management and working in the hotel industry for more than a year, she decided to move to the development sector. To gain the required skills, Shruti completed her MSW. Post her MSW while working, she also pursued a part time MBA in Social Entrepreneurship. She later joined PIF and is currently managing the India Digital Inclusion Program.

Shruti Limaye

Program Head

Shruti Limaye joined Pratham InfoTech Foundation (PIF) in October 2017. After completing her bachelors in Hotel Management and working in the hotel industry for more than a year, she decided to move to the development sector. To gain the required skills, Shruti completed her MSW. Post her MSW while working, she also pursued a part time MBA in Social Entrepreneurship. She later joined PIF and is currently managing the India Digital Inclusion Program.

Jayawant Shirke

Head-Finance

Jayawant Shirke, PIF’s Chief Accountant joined the family back in 2005. With a Bachelors of Commerce degree in hand, this young man decided to become an accountant and since then has worked tirelessly to achieve his goal. 8 years of dedicated work at PIF has now made him capable enough to handle all of PIF’s financial matters. His next big plan is to enrol with the ICWAI (Institute of Cost and Accounting Work at India).

Jayawant Shirke

Head-Finance

Jayawant Shirke, PIF’s Chief Accountant joined the family back in 2005. With a Bachelors of Commerce degree in hand, this young man decided to become an accountant and since then has worked tirelessly to achieve his goal. 8 years of dedicated work at PIF has now made him capable enough to handle all of PIF’s financial matters. His next big plan is to enrol with the ICWAI (Institute of Cost and Accounting Work at India).

Naghma Khan Shaikh

HR Lead

A strong, motivated mind who joined us with a mission to streamline the Human Resource process at the PIF head office, Mumbai. She is an MBA in Human Resource from the University of Mumbai with 6 years of experience with a Fortune 500 Company. She has worked with the entire HR system and has earned a rich experience over the years.

Naghma likes to meet people and build connections as she believes that networking helps a person become more professional. Her vision is to keep growing along with the growth of the organization.

Naghma Khan Shaikh

HR Lead

A strong, motivated mind who joined us with a mission to streamline the Human Resource process at the PIF head office, Mumbai. She is an MBA in Human Resource from the University of Mumbai with 6 years of experience with a Fortune 500 Company. She has worked with the entire HR system and has earned a rich experience over the years.

Naghma likes to meet people and build connections as she believes that networking helps a person become more professional. Her vision is to keep growing along with the growth of the organization.

Pradeep Kumar

Being born in a middle class family, Pradeep Kumar had quite a number of struggles along his journey to becoming what he is today. Overcoming all odds, he managed to do his M.S.W .as well as L.L.B. and works as Pratham InfoTech Foundation’s, Operations Head- Delhi and Haryana. Pradeep’s main goal in life is to help infuse a little innovation in every sector of India through the ever transforming medium of educational technology. He sees PIF as an excellent platform with the help of which he intends to achieve his goal. Pradeep believes that in order to bring about a change in society, one does not need power or a prestigious position. Hard work, motivation and an open mind is all it takes. He is proud of his team and strongly believes that together they will be able to reach great heights.

Pradeep Kumar

Being born in a middle class family, Pradeep Kumar had quite a number of struggles along his journey to becoming what he is today. Overcoming all odds, he managed to do his M.S.W .as well as L.L.B. and works as Pratham InfoTech Foundation’s, Operations Head- Delhi and Haryana. Pradeep’s main goal in life is to help infuse a little innovation in every sector of India through the ever transforming medium of educational technology. He sees PIF as an excellent platform with the help of which he intends to achieve his goal. Pradeep believes that in order to bring about a change in society, one does not need power or a prestigious position. Hard work, motivation and an open mind is all it takes. He is proud of his team and strongly believes that together they will be able to reach great heights.

Omprakash Yadav

After completing BSC Agriculture in the year 2001, Omprakash was looking out for a job when he came across Pratham. He worked with various program like Balwadi, Balsakhi and Library and was successful in starting 750 centres. 2008 was the year in which Omprakash joined Pratham InfoTech Foundation where he was with the CAL program in Uttar Pradesh and continues work till date with the same zeal as State Head.

Omprakash Yadav

After completing BSC Agriculture in the year 2001, Omprakash was looking out for a job when he came across Pratham. He worked with various program like Balwadi, Balsakhi and Library and was successful in starting 750 centres. 2008 was the year in which Omprakash joined Pratham InfoTech Foundation where he was with the CAL program in Uttar Pradesh and continues work till date with the same zeal as State Head.

Sachin Patil

Sachin Patil, Advisor for Development and Global Operations, provides strategic counsel on global partnerships, program design and implementation planning forPratham InfoTech Foundation. In this capacity, he leads efforts in fund raising, donor outreach and program marketing. Additionally, he advises on technology implementation, instructional content and program execution for IT based educational and community development programs in India. At present, Sachin is championing community capacity building initiative, called India Digital Inclusion, which focuses on online information, IT training, professional soft skill development and livelihood assistance for youth in underserved communities. He is also advocating another initiativefor learning skill development in order to teach school age students “how to learn” to become lifelong learners.Around late 1998 in his early twenties, Dr. Madhav Chavan at Pratham offered him an opportunity to help Pratham design and develop educational software (Later became well-known as Jigar) for the then launched Computer Aided Learning program. This engagement slowly turned into a passion. Later, at the Federation of American Scientists in Washington DC, he collaborated with universities, research labs, foundations and special interest/policy action groupson educational technology research and policy projects. Sachin is a software technologist by profession and passionate about designing IT based social initiatives that facilitate the socio-economic development of underserved communities.He has earned his Master of Computer Science at the George Washington University, Washington,DC and Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from Pune University, India.

Sachin Patil

Sachin Patil, Advisor for Development and Global Operations, provides strategic counsel on global partnerships, program design and implementation planning forPratham InfoTech Foundation. In this capacity, he leads efforts in fund raising, donor outreach and program marketing. Additionally, he advises on technology implementation, instructional content and program execution for IT based educational and community development programs in India. At present, Sachin is championing community capacity building initiative, called India Digital Inclusion, which focuses on online information, IT training, professional soft skill development and livelihood assistance for youth in underserved communities. He is also advocating another initiativefor learning skill development in order to teach school age students “how to learn” to become lifelong learners.Around late 1998 in his early twenties, Dr. Madhav Chavan at Pratham offered him an opportunity to help Pratham design and develop educational software (Later became well-known as Jigar) for the then launched Computer Aided Learning program. This engagement slowly turned into a passion. Later, at the Federation of American Scientists in Washington DC, he collaborated with universities, research labs, foundations and special interest/policy action groupson educational technology research and policy projects. Sachin is a software technologist by profession and passionate about designing IT based social initiatives that facilitate the socio-economic development of underserved communities.He has earned his Master of Computer Science at the George Washington University, Washington,DC and Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from Pune University, India.

Parasvil Patel

Parasvil Patel is an active member of the Pratham Boston team and led the efforts to run a pilot introducing Scratch to middle school students. He is currently pursuing an MBA from the Harvard Business School and supporting the Scratch project roll out across the PIF network. Prior to business school, he worked with clients across multiple industries across two geographies (India and US) as a consultant with the Boston Consulting Group (BCG). He graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering from IIT Bombay. He is passionate about technology and enjoys hiking.

Parasvil Patel

Parasvil Patel is an active member of the Pratham Boston team and led the efforts to run a pilot introducing Scratch to middle school students. He is currently pursuing an MBA from the Harvard Business School and supporting the Scratch project roll out across the PIF network. Prior to business school, he worked with clients across multiple industries across two geographies (India and US) as a consultant with the Boston Consulting Group (BCG). He graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering from IIT Bombay. He is passionate about technology and enjoys hiking.

Our Team

Dr. Madhav Chavan

Dr. Madhav Chavan

S.K. Joshi

S.K. Joshi

Shamini Murugesh

Shamini Murugesh

Prem Yadav

Prem Yadav

Rajesh Thokale

Rajesh Thokale

Meera Tendolkar

Meera Tendolkar

Smitin Brid

Smitin Brid

Roopa Billava

Roopa Billava

Shruti Limaye

Shruti Limaye

Jayawant Shirke

Jayawant Shirke

Naghma Khan Shaikh

Naghma Khan Shaikh

Pradeep Kumar

Pradeep Kumar

Omprakash Yadav

Omprakash Yadav

Sachin Patil

Sachin Patil

Parasvil Patel

Parasvil Patel