For over two decades Gitanjali been pioneering effective ways to bridge developmental deficits in education, and weave inclusion into the mainstream world. She has always been clear about wanting to spend time with children with special needs, learn of a world that does not discriminate, a people who love you for who you are and not what you do, who are not quick to judge, but rather quick to embrace. Years of working with children and adults, culminated in Snehadhara Foundation. Over the past few years Snehadhara has worked with around 7500 children through direct and weekly interventions, with over 70000 children through indirect interventions in schools and other receptive environments and trained over 2500 professionals in about 500 organisations across the country. Over the past two years, Snehadhara’s international journey has carried its best practices to Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal.

Her research-based innovations in curriculum, pedagogy, content and delivery are what has allowed her to create pioneering innovations evidenced by recognition from marquee organisations like Qatar Foundation, Millenium Alliance, Association for Experiential Education at Montreal, Canada, Conferencia International, Buenos Aires, amongst others. Gitanjali consults with corporates to create a culture of inclusivity through appropriate trainings and workshops. She has conducted workshops regularly in diversity/inclusion for corporates like Oracle, AMAT, Alation, Intel, Google, Accenture to name a few.

Gitanjali many awards and accolades to her credit and her work has been recognized in various platforms internationally.  To mention a few – Gitanjali is an awardee of the Millennium Alliance Global Award 2020 which takes her stellar innovation ‘Kala Samvaad – Arts Practices for Inclusion’ to Nepal. She has been awarded the Nation Builder Award by Rotary Literacy Mission. Gitanjali has been awarded the 2nd Creative Art Therapy Award 2020 in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the field of Art Therapy by the Sancheti Healthcare Academy as a recognition to the silent heroes who have done exemplary and exceptional work in the field of Creative Art Therapies.

She has been recognised by Global Ethics Forum and Indian Institute of Management, for working towards establishing an impartial and fair world. She has also spoken at the prestigious TEDx BITS Hyderabad on ‘The Goodness of Life’. Gitanjali was invited as a key speaker at the Conferencia Internacional – Por una Educacion que despliega las habilidades del Ser in Buenos Aires, 2019. Gitanjali has been selected as an ACTIVATEE speaker at the 45th International Association for Experiential Education (AEE) Conference in Montreal in November 2017. Gitanjali Govindrajan is the proud recipient of the Millennium Alliance Grant as a social innovator of one of the top five Innovations in the country for Education, 2017 by FICCI and in partnership with United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Technology Development Board, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.

Gitanjali has been conferred an honorary doctorate in Social Work (LADC, USA) and holds a Masters in Biochemistry along with a Post Graduate Diploma in Community Based Rehabilitation. She has completed the TA 101 Course and training in Transaction Analysis and as a Coach with the International Coaching Federation. She also holds a Diploma in Neuropsychology (Accredited to Complementary Medical Association and Quality License Scheme). Gitanjali Govindrajan has a certificate in Psychological First Aid from Johns Hopkins University. She also has a certificate in Social Psychology from Wesleyan University. Born and educated in Mumbai, she has been a Lady Tata Memorial Scholarship Awardee and a University rank holder in Biochemistry. She has studied Applied Buddhist Psychology and Ethics from Pune University. Gitanjali is a trained Bharatanatyam dancer and has trained in Hindustani and Carnatic vocals. She has trained under Arthur Hull in Drum Circle Facilitation. She is presently training in Mixed Martial Arts and Kickboxing.

» Read Less

With over 28 years of leadership experience in the Information Technology sector, Sarangan brings deep expertise in building and managing complex systems and technology solutions. He has held senior roles with organisations such as Tata Elxsi, Silicon Graphics Inc., and Accenture, and began his career as a faculty member teaching Computer Architecture at MIT, Pune. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science Engineering from Pune University.

Beyond his professional work, Sarangan remains deeply connected to music, rhythm, and everyday artistry, bringing the same attentiveness, curiosity, and care to life that he brings to his leadership.

Sarangan is a sports enthusiast, musician, homemaker, and educator who brings quiet depth and originality to all that he does. A strong swimmer with a natural flair for sports, he has represented his college in both cricket and football. He is also deeply passionate about cooking, enjoys exploring his culinary skills, and is currently drawn to the wonder of stargazing.

He has long questioned conventional approaches to schooling and teaching, believing that life itself has been his greatest teacher. Proudly calling himself a homemaker, Sarangan values care work deeply and actively supports his wife in creating a more balanced work-life rhythm at home.

A man of few words, Sarangan finds expression through rhythm, music, and the arts. Though not formally trained in music in the conventional sense, he is a gifted multi-instrumentalist who plays the harmonica, bulbultarang, handpan, and other instruments with sensitivity and ease. He has trained in Drum Circle Facilitation under Arthur Hull and in djembe playing under Master Barbara Bangoura.

He believes strongly in experiential and values-based learning and attributes much of his growth to life experiences. Sarangan brings together stability, hands-on leadership, and the courage to work beyond comfort zones in service of Snehadhara’s mission to build inclusive, dignified, and connected communities.

» Read Less

Sumathi is a First-Class B. Tech in Electronics from Madras Institute of Technology, Chennai. After working as an assistant director with the Institute for Design and electrical measuring instruments, Mumbai, her field diverged and she acquired a Certificate in Guidance and counselling from Christ College, Bangalore. Thereafter followed a certificate in Learning Disabilities, a Post Graduate Diploma in Creative Teaching, and a Certificate course on Arts Based Therapy from WCCLF, Pune.

Thereon Sumathi practised Special education, language therapy and ABT at Deepika, Snehadhara, Bubbles Centre for Autism and ASHA in Bangalore. Her domains of specialisation include Children with Learning Disabilities, Autism, Behavioural problems, Developmental Disabilities, Slow learners. She has been the creative director for ASHA school annual day programs for about 8 years.

Sumathi has trained facilitators during courses on “Inclusive Education”, “Learning Disabilities” and “Care givers”, conducted Summer Camps for Mainstream children and has been an ABT Guide to ABT Certificate students. She has led workshops in Teaching Aids, Creative Teaching, Teaching Methodologies, Stress Management, Process of Counselling, Personal Development, Memory techniques and Study skills, Learning Difficulties, Multisensory Teaching techniques, Multiple Intelligence, Differentiated Instruction, Fun ways of teaching Maths and Social Science. She has also conducted a course called “Creative Connections in Classrooms” for mainstream teachers focussing on alternative creative ways of teaching in a classroom. She has been a part of the faculty that conducted a 3-month online training program for Government school teachers from Udupi, conducted by Rotary Club, Manipal and DIET (District Institute of Education and Training, Karnataka Govt.)

» Read Less

Shyamala also contributes significantly to organisational coordination, supporting the Founder and Executive Director through schedule management, travel coordination, documentation, and communication. Her role extends into financial and administrative oversight, including bookkeeping support, payroll management, maintaining financial records, and assisting in budget tracking and planning.

Within Snehadhara’s programmes, she plays a key operational role in managing the Arts Practices for Inclusion (API) programme, coordinating processes from admissions to certification. This includes overseeing assignment submissions, coordinating supervision sessions, and ensuring smooth communication between students, faculty, and programme teams.

Known for her professionalism, reliability, and attention to detail, Shyamala is also someone who continuously challenges herself to learn and grow. She brings a spirit of openness and commitment to her work, always striving to strengthen the organisation’s systems while supporting the people who make the work possible.

She holds a Master’s degree in Business Management with a specialization in Human Resources.

Outside of work, Shyamala enjoys cooking, travelling, playing chess, and spending time with her family.

» Read Less

She has engaged with organisations such as Cisco, Google Serve, Tata Coffee and others, contributing to training initiatives and collaborative programmes across corporate, educational, and community spaces in the areas of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). She has also contributed to the development of a GEDSI (Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion) framework and training programme for the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). Within Snehadhara, she supports programme documentation, reporting, and communication while carrying important institutional knowledge across teams.

Yashaswini holds a Master’s degree in Psychology from Ambedkar University Delhi and a BA in Psychology from Delhi University.  She holds a certification in Indian Sign Language from the Dr. S.R. Chandrasekhar Institute of Speech and Hearing and has presented her work at the Redefining Abilities Conference. She has also co-authored papers for the Purple International Summit for Inclusive Education and the International Conference on Inclusive Collaborative Practices. Over the past four years, she has contributed to compiling annual research documentation across multiple vulnerable population groups within the Arts Practices for Inclusion (API) programme.

Drawn to working with children from a young age, Yashaswini is trained in Bharatanatyam and Indian classical music. In recent years, she has developed a growing interest in rhythm and percussion, including participating in a two-day djembe workshop under Master Barbara Bangoura. She also previously ran a small home bakery. Yashaswini believes that everything in life unfolds for a reason and continues to approach her work and life with that quiet conviction.

» Read Less

Beyond her professional work, Prerna is deeply engaged in community and cultural initiatives. She is a founding member and Cultural Lead of the socio-cultural organisation ‘Eisha,’ dedicated to celebrating and sustaining Indian cultural traditions within communities. She is also a public speaker, freelance coach, and emcee, and enjoys creating spaces where people can connect and celebrate together.

Her commitment to service extends into volunteering with organisations working in child welfare, as well as animal rescue and advocacy. At home, she is joyfully accompanied by four furry companions, who are very much part of her family. Prerna is also a hobby writer, with her work featured in online platforms and digital magazines including Namaste India.

At Snehadhara, Prerna will support partnerships, programme ecosystems, and collaborative initiatives that strengthen the reach and impact of our work.

» Read Less

At Snehadhara, he is focused on expanding the national footprint of the API framework through partnerships with institutions, practitioners, and organisations committed to inclusive learning.
Outside of work, Puneet is passionate about fitness and begins most mornings with a 45-minute workout. He enjoys playing cricket on weekends and is also an enthusiastic table tennis player, having won several awards during his school and university years.

» Read Less

Known for her intuitive and engaging facilitation style, Sindhu has a natural ability to take people along in the learning journey and create spaces where participants feel supported to explore, reflect, and grow. She especially enjoys holding learning spaces for women and caregivers, where care, creativity, and collective reflection can unfold.

Her work extends beyond the classroom into community engagement. She has worked with children from marginalized communities in Rishikesh and is the co-founder of the initiative “Joining Threads Joining Lives,” which supports rural women through craft-based training and livelihood opportunities.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her cat, listening to music, and baking.

» Read Less

At Snehadhara Foundation, Shreya works directly with children and adults across programmes, facilitating one-on-one and group sessions using arts, play, and shared experiences. They are involved in programme design and delivery, support inclusive learning spaces across institutions, and contribute to documentation and storytelling that reflects the organisation’s work.

Drawn to role-play, fashion, and performance, they continue to explore identity through artistic expression, with a strong belief in building communities rooted in shared power, care, and collective expression.

» Read Less

Palak is now an Arts Practices Facilitator and the Community Engagement & Marketing Lead at Snehadhara Foundation in Bangalore. Her work spans the organisation’s core programmes, including Uhuru—the residential assisted-living programme for neurodivergent adults; designing personalised arts-based learning sessions for children; and co-facilitating Baithak, a wellbeing circle for caregivers. She is also supporting training under the impART and Creative Connections verticals of Snehadhara Foundation with partners such as Volvo, BIS, and Christ University, among others.

Her community-facing work includes workshops for survivors of abuse and emotional wellbeing programmes across varied groups.

Palak holds a BA in Psychology (Honours) and an MA in Counselling Psychology. She previously trained under an RCI-licensed psychologist in Delhi, supporting therapeutic work with children and adolescents. She continues to expand her practice through learning in Drama Therapy, Marga Philosophy, LGBTQ+ sensitisation, and Internal Family Systems (IFS).

At heart, Palak values kindness, connection, and community. She loves meeting people from different walks of life and has created Karavaan, a small circle in Bangalore offering warmth and belonging for those living away from home.

» Read Less

With a passion for continuous learning and creativity, Purushotham aims to nurture ecosystems for positive change. His work with NGOs and wellness consultancy focuses on promoting healthy living through natural foods and organizing wellness workshops. As a Business Development Manager at Yuja Enterprise Solutions, he leverages his analytical and empathetic approach to meet customer needs and enhance product services. Purushotham’s dedication to community building and innovative problem-solving underscores his objective to foster integrity, growth, and excellence within any organization he associates with.

» Read Less

Outside of his professional life, Shaji has a couple of cherished hobbies. He finds solace in playing football and immersing himself in the world of music. Music is his ultimate source of motivation, and he has an eclectic taste in music, enjoying melodies from Malayalam, Hindi, and Tamil songs.

Above all, Shaji holds a deep love for his family, relishing every moment spent with them. He is a proud father to two teenage daughters, and their bond is a source of immense joy and fulfillment in his life.

» Read Less

With a background in Business and Accounting, Rahul brings his arithmetic and logistical skills to the vibrant setting of Snehadhara and in return, takes back with him new experiences every day.

Having grown up in Dubai and studied in London and India, he likes to stay connected with different parts of the world and is a current affairs whizz. When he’s not busy reading the paper, he likes to watch films and take long walks.

» Read Less

He is very keen and passionate about using his Digital marketing skills and growing the work in Snehadhara.

He enjoys playing the guitar and has also learnt how to play the Saxophone. He is interested in wildlife photography and often does go off on trips with his camera to capture birds and animals. He loves to travel and is always ready for adventure. Bike trips and cycling trips are very special for him! He has recently started an initiative where he crafts leather products.

» Read Less