OUR LEADERS
Committed to the Cause
The DIKSHA Team is a unique blend of experienced and young professionals on the one hand, and members from grassroots communities on the other. This combination gives us an incredible edge in mixing professionalism with insights gained from lived realities.
Paramita is committed to pushing boundaries for a gender-just world where every young voice counts. She works to change the ecosystem that denies agency to young people. Her passion for involving boys and men in gender-justice work led her to start an experiment, which culminated in the birth of DIKSHA.
Contact Email: paramita.banerjee@dikshaworld.org
LOPAMUDRA PAL
Chief Operating Officer
With DIKSHA since 2005, Lopamudra is inspired by the process used to empower young people from the fringes. She, too, dreams of a world where young voices are listened to, and taken seriously - because, she feels enriched to learn from the young.
Contact Email: lopamudra.pal@dikshaworld.org
SUDIPA SINGHA
Programme Officer, with specific responsibilities in Munsiganj & Adjacent Slums, Wards 75 & 76, Kolkata Municipal Corporation
Sudipa joined DIKSHA with 3.5 years of prior bexperience in the nonprofit sector. She enjoys the red-light area exposure, which is new to her. The DIKSHA approach of empowering youth leaders from the community inspires here. Contact her at sudipa.singha@dikshaworld.org
MEGHNA KUNDU
Programme Officer, with special responsibilities in Lakar Math
Ward 84, Kolkata Municipal Corporation
Meghna joined the DIKSHA team with 2 years of prior experience in the nonprofit sector. She finds DIKSHA to be an organisation that works beyond binaries, and tries to create that space for others. She finds working for DIKSHA an enriching and learning experience as the approach is totally new to her. Contact her at meghna.kundu@dikshaworld.org
SRIJA CHAKRABORTY
Programme Lead
Srija is a new addition to the DIKSHA Team, though she has more than a decade and a half years of prior experience in the nonprofit sector. She has joined to act as the programmatic liaison between Paramita and frontline issues in all DIKSHA initiatives. She is also the in-charge for the Sonagachhi red-light area operations.
Contact email: srija.dikshaworld@gmail.com
SAPTAMI PAUL
Field Coordinator
Saptami was a10 years old when Paramita started her experiment in Kalighat. Today, she is a team member leading field activities from the front at Munsiganj and adjacent slums. DIKSHA has the maximum number of children enrolled there as no other organisation is active there. She also attends to the Sonagachhi field area.
RUSHA
Psychosocial Counsellor,
Making Red-Light Areas & Quasi-Red-Light Areas Child-Safe: Lakar Math QRLA, Sonagachhi RLA, Tollygunge QRLA
A psychology graduate with a professional diploma in counselling, Rusha has been with DIKSHA since December 2020. After a short gap due to health reasons, she is back with DIKSHA since October 2023. Her engagement with DIKSHA provides her with innovative ways of providing psychosocial support to red-light area children.
ALIVA SENGUPTA
Psychosocial Counsellor,
Making Red-Light Areas Child-Safe:
Kalighat RLA, Munsiganj RLA
With more than five years of experience as a professional psychosocial counsellor, Aliva is the member of Bhalo Theko (literally, Stay Well), a group of mental health professionals promoting a holistic approach to wellbeing. She finds working with DIKSHA a learning and enriching experience. Contact her at alivasengupta75@gmail.com
JHARNA BEGUM
Community Mobiliser
Sonagachhi Red-Light Area
A daughter-in-law in Asia'a largest red-light area, Jharna initially connected with DIKSHA as the guardian of her daughters, who attended our Drop-in-Centre-based activities. Since joining the DIKSHA Team, she has blossomed into an incredible influencer in the area. For Jharna, her hours with DIKSHA offer her a breathing space.
BIJOYA CHAKRABORTY AKA NUPUR
Community Educator
Sonagachhi Red-Light Area
Until recently a housewife in the Sonagachhi area, Nupur joined DIKSHA in search of a horizon of her own. While her specific role is an educator for the young participants attending the DIKSHA Drop-in-Centre, Nupur is inspired enough by DIKSHA's ultimate dream and the techniques immersive learning to take an enthusiastic role in many activities beyond just conducting education sessions.
SOBHAN MUKHERJEE
Soft Skills Trainer, Red-Light Area Programmes: Munsiganj
Known as the Padman of Kolkata, this young man is dedicated to improving the menstrual hygiene scenario in Bengal. And to create income-earning opportunities through that. At DIKSHA, though, he works beyond that as a soft skills for the children, and finds that to be a learning experience.
SK JAMALUDDIN AKA TANVEER
Community Mobiliser
Red-Light Area Programmes: Munsiganj
With DIKSHA as a participant first, Tanveer has been working as a team member after he crossed 18. His responsibility is to open the Drop-in-Centre and mind the children while the other community workers collect the other children.
HAMIDA BEGUM
Community Mobiliser
Red-Light Area Programmes: Munsiganj
A leader of the Women's Group in Munsiganj, Hamida has been a team member since April 2019. Her responsibilities include collecting children from their homes, bringing them to the Dro-in-Centre, and dropping them back post the activity hours.
ANIRBIT DHAR
Pro-Bono Advisor to
the Core Team of DIKSHA
After thirty years in corporate programme management, Anirbit has embarked on a purpose-driven journey as a changemaker and social environmentalist, guided by courage, compassion, and equity. As an advisor, he collaborates with DIKSHA to strengthen systems, nurture talent and resources, and refine strategies that amplify sustainability and social impact. Blending strategic insight with operational expertise, Anirbit aligns purpose with measurable outcomes, fostering meaningful progress. Contact him at anirbit@gmail.com
