Leadership

Dr. Rathnamala M Desai

President

Dr. Rathnamala M Desai holds an MD degree in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (OB-GYN). She is the Principal and Head of the Department of OB-GYN at SDM College of Medical Sciences, Dharwad. She has been a Member of the FPA India - Dharwad Branch since 2001 and has served as President of the Dharwad Branch since 2015, and also as the All India President from the year 2021-2023. She is elected as the Chairperson Branch Steering Committee (BSC) Dharwad Branch 2024-2026. She has supported the Branch by providing clinical services to clients in the capacity of an Honorary Surgeon. She also teaches doctors about female infertility and VIA. Dr Desai has been appointed as Country Coordinator for the Sexual and Reproductive Health Course of the Geneva Foundation of Medical Education and Research (GFMER), Geneva, Switzerland. Dr Desai is recognized as ‘Emeritus Master Trainer’ for the training of National level Master Trainers on the Insertion of subdermal Contraceptive Implants organized by the Family Planning Division - Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) Government of India. 

Mr. Vijaya Simha

Vice President

Mr. Vijaya Simha holds a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical engineering. He has been a part of FPA India since 2000. He was the Chairperson of the AD-HOC Committee Ballari Branch and has also been the President of the Branch Executive Committee Ballari Branch since 2015. He is elected as Member of the Branch Steering Committee FPA India Ballari Branch and has also served as the All India Vice President of FPA India during the years 2021 - 2023. He has contributed to writing the amended Constitution of FPA India.

Mrs. Raman Sachdeva

Vice President

Raman Sachdeva has been an active member of the FPA India Yamunanagar Branch of FPA India since 2006, and has been the Branch President since 2014. She is a social activist who works for community empowerment, promoting sexual and reproductive health programs, and helping needy children. She has also served as the All India Vice President of FPA India during the years 2021-2023.

Dr. V. A. Malipatil

Joint Treasurer

Dr. V. A. Malipatil holds an MBBS degree. He has been associated with FPA India since 2007. He is currently the Chairperson of FPA India Raichur Branch 2024-2026. He provides free psychiatric consultations to the poor. He is the former President of the Karnataka Chapter of the Indian Psychiatric Society and the current President of the Indian Association of Private Psychiatrists Karnataka State Branch. He has also served as the Honorary Treasurer of FPA India during the years 2021-2023.

Adv. Palika Monga

Joint Treasurer

Mrs. Palika Monga has a Master's degree in law. She was a visiting faculty member from 2001 to 2015 at the Haryana Institute of Public Administration in Panchkula. She has been associated with FPA India since 2000. She served on the BEC from 2007 to 2008 and has been the Hon. Treasurer 2021 - 2023. Mrs. Palika Monga is currently the Vice Chairperson of FPA India Panchkula Branch 2024-2026. She serves as the Chairperson of the Sexual Harassment of Women Act 2013 committee. She was a speaker at the national seminar organized by the Army Institute of Law at Mohali. She has also served as the Honorary Treasurer of FPA India during the years 2021-2023. 

Advocate Avlokita Mane

Elected Member

Adv Avlokita Mane, holds Bachelor’s degrees in Science and in Labour & International Law. She is a volunteer of the Family Planning Association of India, Pune Branch, since 2015 and is now elected as the Chairperson BSC Pune Branch for the term 2024-2026. She works for the sexual rights of women, taking care of unwed mothers, and managing the nutrition of women during and after pregnancy. Adv Avlokita Mane is the President Rotary Club Poona Women’s Council. She is currently Co-Director, Rotary District 3131 Mother & Child Health. She has worked in various fields like medical and non- medical services, youth services, polio committee, and cultural & service projects.

Mr. Hemal Desai

Elected Member

Mr. Hemal Desai has a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering and a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing Management. He has been associated with FPA India since 2011 and received recognition for his contribution as a leading service provider at an event. He is the Finance Advisor of the Branch Steering Committee (BSC) FPAI Dharwad Branch 2024-2026. He has also served as an elected Member of the Governing Board of FPA India during the years 2021-2023.

Ms. Mamta Ghising

Elected Member

Ms. Mamta Ghising holds an M.A degree in English and a Bachelor's degree in Education. She had joined as a General member in March 2008 and was elected as a BEC member in March 2010. She is a teacher by profession and is deeply engaged in the Social Welfare Service. She enjoys volunteering her time and skills in the best interests of the needy members of the community. She is the Principal of Boon English School, West Bengal. Ms. Mamta Ghising is the Finance Advisor of FPA India Kalchini Branch 2024-2026. She has also served as an elected Member of the Governing Board of FPA India during the years 2021-2023.

Ms. Shivani Das

Elected Member

Ms. Shivani Das is a lawyer by profession in the High Court of Orissa. At present she is a Consultant of UNICEF, Odisha placed as Programme Co-ordinator in the Juvenile Justice Committee of the Orissa High Court. Apart from that, Ms. Das is an active member in FPA India, Bhubaneswar Branch since a decade. She has joined FPA India as a Youth volunteer, and then became the BEC Member, and currently she is the Vice-Chairperson of FPA India Bhubaneswar Branch.  Further, she has been newly elected as a Member on the Central Executive Committee of FPA India during 2024-2026. Ms. Shivani Das has organized various State level Juvenile Justice Consultations, Regional level POCSO Consultations. She was the focal point for Yuwaah India for the State of Odisha. She is a resource person for the State Police Academy. She has organized media meets and has represented the Branch internationally in a workshop conducted by IPPF, SARO and United Nations.

Ms. Akriti Parmar

Youth Member

Ms. Akriti Parmar is currently preparing for IIT JEE. She has been associated with FPA India since 2017 as a Youth Volunteer. She is an active participant in CEC programs, and has been a Youth Member of the Central Executive Committee of FPA India during 2021-2023 as well.  She competes at the national level in fencing.

Karthik Shagoti V.

Youth Member

Karthik Shagoti is studying at Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering, Bengaluru, Bachelor of Engineering in Aeronautical Engineering (Currently 7th Semester). He is a Process Specialist at the Triniti Immigration, Bengaluru, India. He has worked as a Process Specialist for Canadian work, student and permanent residence visas. Mr. Karthik also worked as an Intern in the Aerospace Division of HAL. He has accumulated knowledge on ISRO’s PSLV and GSLV components. He is currently pursuing Advance Corporate Strategy, IIMB and Foreign Exchange Markets: Concepts, Instruments, Risks, IIMB.
He has been newly elected as the Youth Member of the Central Executive Committee of FPA India from the year 2024 to 2026.

Dr. Kalpana Apte

Director General

Dr Kalpana Apte has a BAMS degree; a diploma in executive education from Harvard Kennedy School, Boston, 2009; and a diploma in hospital management from Mumbai University. She is pursuing MPH in human sexuality at the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality, San Francisco, USA.

Dr Apte has work experience of 30 years. She holds the post of Secretary General since 2016 — prior to which, she has worked as Assistant Secretary General, Programme Implementation. She has also worked as Director in various departments like advocacy, medical, resource mobilisation, training and capacity building, etc.

Amita Dhanu

Deputy Director General Programmes

Amita Dhanu has a master's degree in sociology. She has overall work experience of 25 years. Currently, she is the Assistant Secretary General, Programme Implementation, at FPA India. She has 24 years of work experience in project initiation and management of programmes in sexual and reproductive health, with focus on adolescents, women’s empowerment and HIV/AIDS interventions.

Prior to her current role, Ms Dhanu has worked as the Director for a project to address the issues of sex workers and help improve their health — 2004-2012. She has worked in the field of advertising for seven years, and as a sociology lecturer at SNDT University.

Lalit Parashar

Deputy Director General Operations

Lalit Parashar has a master's degree in business administration in international business, and work experience of 34.5 years. He worked overseas and in India in various capacities in MNCs, including Pillsbury Corporation, Babcock Group, Shaw Wallace & Company, Tata group, etc. He has handled various roles in areas such as audit, finance and operations.

Sudhir Tawde

Senior Director Vigilance and Compliance

Sudhir Tawde has a bachelor of commerce degree and 40 years of work experience. Currently, he works as the Director, Finance and Accounts. Before moving to this position, he was the Assistant Director, Internal Audit.

Abhijeet Unhale

Director Human Resource and Legal

Abhijeet Unhale has graduated with a BCom degree and went on to acquire a PGDBM and MHRDM. He has 21 years of work experience, and has worked in various industries like IT, ITES, manufacturing, not for profit, etc. Mr Unhale has handled various roles in HR, IR, legal and administration. He is currently working as the Director, Human Resource and Legal.

Nisha Jagdish

Director Gender and Rights

Nisha Jagdish has an MSW degree and 29 years of work experience. She holds the position of Director, Gender and Rights, since 2017. She has also worked as the Director, Assistant Director and Manager, HIV/AIDS.

Dr Manisha Bhise

Director Advocacy and Resource Mobilisation

Dr Manisha Bhise has a bachelor's degree in Ayurvedic medicine and surgery, and a postgraduate diploma in hospital and health management. She has 22 years of work experience. Dr Bhise is the Director of Resource Mobilisation since 2018. Her roles before this include Director, Clinical Services and Quality Assurance, 2017-18; Assistant Director, Access, 2014-17; Technical Programme Manager (˜Positioning SRHR as Critical to Poverty Alleviation: Creating National Champions), 2012-14; Technical Programme Manager (CNP), 2009-12; and Assistant Medical Officer, 2008-2009.

Vijayalaxmi Tulpule

Director Finance and Accounts

Vijayalaxmi Tulpule has an MCom degree and 29 years of work experience. She is the Director, Internal Audit, since April 2018. She has worked as Branch Manager, FPAI Pune branch, for 27 years, and General Manager and Regional Lead, FPAI Pune Branch, for one year.

Narayan Kokate

Consultant Monitoring and Evaluation

Narayan Kokate has a master of arts degree and 36 years of work experience. He occupies the position of Assistant Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, since 2017. He worked as the Manager, Monitoring and Evaluation, from 2012-17, and as IMS Officer.

Dr Nilesh Patil

Director - Adolescent

Dr. Nilesh Patil is a medical doctor by training with a Master's degree in Public Health and Social Epidemiology. He has been with FPA India for the past ten years in various capacities, and he is currently the Assistant Director - Adolescent.

Gayatri Chavan

Project Coordinator- ASPIRE Project

Gayatri Chavan holds double Masters Degrees in Literature and Gender and Development Studies and has done a Social Work course from TISS. She has over 17 years of work experience in the development sector with a focus on issues affecting women, including health and rights. Currently, she is responsible for implementing the Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights Project-ASPIRE in West Bengal.

Milan Godse

Assistant Director - HR & Administration

Milan Godse holds MA and DHR certifications and has work experience of 25 years. She has earlier worked as Manager-Human Resources since 2013. She currently holds the position of Assistant Director - Human Resources & Administration.

Paresh Bagwe

Finance Manager

Paresh Bagwe has a B.Com and a DFM and has 26+ years of work experience. He is currently the Finance Manager and has previously worked on the SETU and GCACI projects.

Usha Radhakrishna

Director - Monitoring and Evaluation

Usha Radhakrishnan has MSc, MPS, CNE and DCNT certifications, and has 27 years of work experience. She has worked on the GCACI project during July 2020 to Dec. 2021, and has been associated with FPAI since March 2007.

Sanjana Maurya

Assistant Director - Governance & Branch Management

Sanjana Maurya holds a master's degree in accredited Medical Psychiatric Social Worker and has worked in the social development sector for 20 years. She has worked in various capacities, including capacity building officer, counselling, advocacy, and projects related to human resource development for sexual reproductive health and rights, as well as IEC Capacity Building Supervisor on HIV/AIDS, MDR-TB, TB, disaster management, and disaster risk reduction.

Priya Pimple

Manager - Finance and Accounts

Priya Pimpale holds a BCom and a CFM. She has 28 years of work experience and currently holds the position of Manager - Finance and Accounts.

Dr. Pallavi Vinarkar

Program Manager - Medical

Dr. Amit Kitukale

Program Manager - SPRINT IV Humanitarian Project