Leadership

Dr. Rathnamala Desai

National 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.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. C. Ambuja

Vice President

Dr (Ms.) Ambuja Choranur, who holds a doctor’s degree in Medicine (Obstetrics and Gynaecology), and has a rich experience of 45 years as a surgeon. She represents the FPAI - Hyderabad branch, where she is the Branch President. Dr Ambuja has contributed her expertise in sexual and reproductive health services in the branch clinics as well as in the three adopted villages. She has held various positions with different organisations, such as Secretary General and Vice President of the Indian Menopause Society, faculty at the National Institute of Health & Family Welfare and Training of Trainers for the Government of Andhra Pradesh’s Skilled Birth Attendant Programme, and Member of the AP State Supervisory Board for PC & PNDT Act 2009. She is also a member of the Indian Medical Association, Indian Society of Perinatology and Reproductive Biology, Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India, and IMS. Dr Ambuja is a visiting faculty member at Saveetha University, Chennai, and is a peer reviewer for the Indian Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research.

Mrs. Raman Sachdeva

Vice President

Raman Sachdeva has been an active member of the FPAI - 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.

Mr. S. 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 has contributed to writing the new Constitution of FPA India .

Dr Bhartendra Holkar

Vice President

Dr. Bhartendra Holkar, a well-known physician-scientist in Indore, has been involved with FPA India, Indore Branch, for the past 33 years.Dr. Holkar is a highly qualified person, having an MD, DM & a DSc. He is a member of numerous colleges, councils, councils, associations, societies, boards, Consortiums, Coalition Forums, and other organizations.Dr. Holkar is a fellow physician in Endocrinology, Neurology, Gynaecology, and Genetics. Dr. Holkar is passionate about medical science and has conducted numerous original studies in the field.Dr. Holkar is a clinical specialist in Genome & Hormones and Regenerative Medicine. Dr. Holkar has been honored with many Government Awards, FPAI Awards, Red Cross Awards, Rotary International Awards, Civil Defence Awards, etc. He has also been nominated for the prestigious International Awards.

Prof Dr. Shrikant Yelegaonkar

Honorary Treasurer

Dr. Aarti Raghu, MBBS, DNB (Ob-Gyn) is a renowned Obstetrician and Gynaecologist practicing at Dr. Krishnamurthy’s Hospital, Bidar. She joined the Bidar Branch of FPA India in 2003 as a General Body Member and is presently the President of the FPA India Bidar branch. Concurrently, she is the Director of the Global Sainik Academy, a member of the Advisory Committee for PCPNDT, Bidar 2020, and the State Representative for the Karnataka State OBGY Association (KSOGA) from the Bidar OBG Society. She’s also a member of the Public Awareness Committee of FOGSI, India, and chairs the Menstrual Hygiene Management Committee.

Ms. Palika Monga

Honorary Treasurer

Ms. 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 since 2019.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.

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 was elected President of the FPAI Dharwad Branch.

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.

Ms. Geetanjali Deshpande

Elected Member

Ms. Geetanjali Deshpande holds various degrees, such as a Masters in Social Work & Commerce stream, a Diploma in Labour Law and Welfare, and a Diploma in Family Life Education. She has been a member of the FPAI BEC since 2012 and is currently the BEC Secretary.She was the chairperson of the Employees' Education Committee at Coca Cola East and Central Africa, Nairobi, Kenya. She is currently on the board of the Tara Mobile Creche in Pune.

Dr. V. A. Malipatil

Elected Member

Dr. V. A. Malipatil holds an MBBS degree. He has been associated with FPA India since 2007 and is currently the President of the FPAI Raichur Branch. 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.

Prof. Dr. Nagnath Bhimsha Teli

Elected Member

Prof. Dr. Nagnath B. Teli holds an M.A.B.Ed and a Ph.D. in Geography. He retired as the Principal & Department Head of Geography, Sangmeshwar College, Solapur – Maharashtra. He has been associated with the Family Planning Association of India since 1996. He is the Hon. Secretary of the FPA India branch in Solapur.He was in charge of the YCMOU & worked as an NSS coordinator. He received two Ideal Teacher awards and was a member of the local management council.

Mr. Gurminder Singh

Youth Member

Gurminder Singh has a BSc (non-medical) degree and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in education. He is an active member of the Youth Forum of Mohali branch. He has led many activities in the branch. He was elected as a member of the BEC of Mohali branch as a youth volunteer for the term 2018-2021. Mr. Singh has participated in various extra-curricular activities, such as event management; civil defense camps as a civil defense volunteer; NSS; being a class representative for the first year of the BSc course; and youth

Ms. Akriti Parmaar

Youth Member

Ms. Akriti Parmar is currently preparing for IIT JE. She has been associated with FPA India since 2017 as a Youth Volunteer. She is an active participant in CEC programs. She competes at the national level in fencing.

Ms. Subhy Ghosh

Youth Member

Ms. Subhy Ghosh is pursuing an MSc in Zoology. She has been a member of the FPAI for three years. She participated in BEYOND FP2020 Youth Perspective on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and FP, National consultation held in Oct 2019, and also participated in the Madhya Pradesh state Conclave, Urban health, as a youth representative in May 2019.

Dr Kalpana Apte

Secretary 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

Assistant Secretary
General Programme Implementation

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

Assistant Secretary General
Administration and General Services

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

Director
Finance and Accounts

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 Shamala Dupte

Director
Medical

Dr Shamala Dupte is an MBBS and MD, and has 19 years of work experience. She is the Director, Medical, since 2018. She has worked as Project Director, GCACI, since 2015, before which she was the Assistant Director, Medical.

Dr Manisha Bhise

Director
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
Internal Audit

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

Assistant Director
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

Assistant 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

Manager - 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.

Amruta Ghanekar

Project Manager
Abortion Stigma

Amruta Ghanekar has BCom, CA and master’s in non-profit leadership degrees and 14 years of work experience. She is the Project Manager at the Abortion Stigma Project.

Sanjana Maurya

Manager – 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.

Ananya Kumar

Manager - Partnerships

Ananya Kumar has a postgraduate degree in marketing and retail management and has previously worked in the media industry. She has worked with FPA India since 2018 and currently holds the position of Manager - Partnerships. She is responsible for managing the Youth Social Venture Fund, a high-profile global initiative of IPPF for young entrepreneurs supported by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and hosted by FPA India.

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.