Nasima Merchant is deeply invested in the cause of women’s empowerment through education. Though she comes from an affluent family, Nasima’s formal education stopped once she passed her 12th grade. She has always been an avid reader, devouring the works of Urdu writers and poets. In her forties, this love for Urdu literature drove her back to college. In a world where not too many women return to education after having focussed on family for most of their lives, Nasima graduated with honours in Urdu literature. Then she went on to complete her Master’s earning top rank in her institute. Her passion for education reflects in the spirit of Gyaan Ruchi, a project she started with the aim of providing opportunities to women from low income groups through literature and literacy. She is actively involved in the running of Gyaan Ruchi, visiting neighbourhoods, bringing in her network to design modules and leading the team in their work.

Nasima has also conceptualized and runs Guldasta-e-Urdu in collaboration with friend and colleague Dr Mumtaz Peerbhoy. Guldasta-e-Urdu is a monthly gathering of academics, performers, writers and poets who come together to share knowledge and appreciation for Urdu literature.

Farook Merchant is the Chairman and Managing Director of the Messung Group of Companies. In the corporate world, he is known as an innovator, credited with inventing the first Programmable Logic Controller in India. He is a successful entrepreneur who built Messung from a one man company to a 500-member team with a national presence and global collaborations.

Along with Gyaan Ruchi, he also started Nityaasha Foundation, a medical NGO and Gyaan Adab – a cultural NGO. At Gyaan Ruchi, he takes charge of fundraising and the administrative running of the organization.

Jitendra has worked as a journalist and social worker for most of his professional life. He has been associated with the Centre for Co-operative Research in Social Sciences (CCRSS) since 1990. He has been part of development projects with marginalized communities like the Parit, Vadar and Mang. Jitendra also contributes to dailies like Sakal, Loksatta, Pudhari, Lokmat and well as various magazines.

At Gyaan Ruchi, Jitendra leads the on-ground engagements – assisting in the development of learning modules, presenting sessions at various centres and networking with individuals and agencies to build resources. He identifies and procures library and reference books and is in charge of scouting spaces and communities for new centres.

Jitendra is also an accomplished poet and singer, participating in open mics where he often creates sketches and songs on the spot.

Social Worker  born 1995  is graduate  social worker from Pune university.  experience in the field of 3 years.
She  have formed the group of ladies in bastis around Pune city and some villages nearby.    those ladies are now very enthusiastic to join the main stream of educated society.

A renowned educator, Masarrat is currently the Director of the Sunderji’s Institutions. Her expertise in counselling and special education make her the perfect mentor for Gyaan Ruchi’s educational modules. Masarrat has in fact designed most of the Engage level modules and trained our ground crew in their delivery.

Ruksana Jamadar has been a resident of Pune since 1980 and has a postgraduate degree in Urdu and English. She’s been a professor at the International Cell of English at the Tilak Maharashtra University and has been an esteemed member of the Lions Club from 1994-2014. She currently aims to further explore her love for the Urdu language.

Dilip served with the Government of India in the Ministry of Home Affairs for 40 years and travelled extensively all over the country on duty. After retirement, he wrote text books in Physics for Standards XI and XII in the Marathi language. He is currently a Managing Committee Member for Saraswati Mandir School and follows in his wife Shailaja’s, passion for working with women through Gyaan Ruchi.

Gulshan Maskati is the Director and Managing Committee member at Nityaasha Foundation – a medical NGO that she helped start with the Merchant Family. She has worked in the Pediatric Endocrine Department of Hirabai Cawasji Jehangir Medical Research Institute (HCJMRI) for 5 years, as a Research Coordinator under Dr. Vaman Khadilkar and Dr. Anuradha Khadilkar. She has also worked for many years as a member of Aga Khan Local Social Welfare Board, Aga Khan Health Board, Aga Khan Women’s Activities Portfolio and Aga Khan Local Council for Pune.

Rehmet is a Commerce Graduate with a degree in education. She has over 15 years of classroom experience and currently teaches at The Bishop’s School, Kalyani Nagar.

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