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-in 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.
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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.
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Contact Email: lopamudra.pal@dikshaworld.org
SUDIPA SINGHA
In-charge, Making Red-Light Areas Child-Safe, Munsiganj & Adjacent Slums, Wards 75 & 76, Kolkata Municipal Corporation
Sudipa recently joined DIKSHA, bringing with her 3.5 years of experience 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.
MEGHNA KUNDU
In-charge, Making Red-Light Areas Child-Safe, Lakar Math
Ward 84, Kolkata Municipal Corporation
Meghna recently joined the DIKSHA team with 2 years of prior experience. 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.
RIA MONDAL
In-charge, Making Red Light Areas Child-Safe:
Sonagachhi and Tollygunge
Wards 18 & 81, Kolkata Municipal Corporation
With DIKSHA for 1.5 years, Ria had worked for 2.5 years in the nonprofit sector before that. She enjoys engaging with young people and women from red-light areas, which is a new field of work for her.
SAPTAMI PAUL
Field Coordinator, Munsiganj & Adjacent Slums
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.
RUSHA
Psychosocial Counsellor,
Making Red-Light Areas Child-Safe: Lakar Math, Ward 84, Kolkata Municipal Corporation
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.
UMMA AFROZA
Psychosocial Counsellor,
Making Red-Light Areas Child-Safe:
Kalighat, Munsiganj, Sonagachhi & Tollygunge
With a professional diploma in counselling, Afroza joined DIKSHA in May 2022. Working with red-light area children is a new experience for her, which is both a challenging and an enriching journey for her.
SANCHARI BANERJEE
In-Charge, Education, Making Red-Light Areas Child-Safe: Lakar Math, Sonagchhi, Tollygunge
Connected with Paramita since her high school days through her interest in preventing sexual abuse of children, Sanchari considers her role to be encouraging young brains to learn new things. She is happy to be with DIKSHA as that allows her to do what she chooses to do.
SOBHAN MUKHERJEE
Soft Skills Trainer, Red-Light Area Programmes
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.
