Plan in India is part of a global network employing more than 7000 staff and 60,000 volunteers in over 60 countries.

Currently there are approximately 100 employees working for Plan in India .

Bhagyashri Dengle
Executive Director, Plan India

Bhagyashri Dengle has vast experience in the field of development and children 19s participation giving her indepth understanding of the social as well as local issues concerning children.

Bhagyashri started her career as a social worker with the Federation for the welfare of mentally retarded. In Plan India, Bhagyashri is responsible for the over all management of the organization which includes setting strategies for Plan India, building partnerships and alliances for programs for children in difficult circumstances, taking up advocacy issues such as universal birth registration, female feticide etc. and disaster management.

Prior to joining Plan India, Bhagyashri was Joint Executive Director with CASP (COMMUNITY AID & SPONSORSHIP PROGRAMME) 13 A National Level Voluntary Organization impacting the lives of children in difficult circumstances and families in 9 states of India through interventions in the areas of Social Development, Advocacy, Gender equity Children 19s Rights, Children 19s participation, Education, Reproductive and Child health & STD / HIV/AIDS Prevention.

Bhagyashri has also worked as Project Director with CASP-Plan, Delhi handling independent management of projects such as reproductive and child health, HIV/AIDS prevention & control, innovative education programs for children, activities related to children 19s rights, habitat related activities, developing Women 19s cooperatives & vocational training of adolescents, in the slums of South Delhi.

She has presented numerous papers nationally and internationally in various forums. Some of the more distinguished papers are on 1CBal Panchayat : A forum for children 19s participation, advocacy & action 1D at the Global Health Council 19s annual conference on sustainability of reproductive health in urban slum communities at the Global Health Council, Washington DC.

Bhagyashri has also participated in panel discussion 1CInvesting in the agents of change 1D at the Global Philanthropy forum at the University of Standford, San Francisco. She got an opportunity to share her experiences in implementing innovative programs related to children 19s rights and participation.

Bhagyashri holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management from Indira Gandhi National Open University. She has done her Bachelors in Social Work from University of Bombay.

Married with one son, Bhagyashri enjoys her free time reading and cooking.

BOARD:
The Plan India Governing Board is comprised of eminent development, business, finance and marketing professionals in India. They volunteer their time and expertise to help Plan achieve its vision of a world in which all children realise their full potential.

The Governing Board and committees meet a minimum of four times per year to provide governance and strategic oversight to Plan's operations in India.

Plan India's Governing Board comprises:
Govind Nihalani, Chairman

Prof. Balveer Arora
R K Goel
Abrar Ahmed Khan
Arti Kirloskar
Nirja Mattoo
Nikhil Nehru
Raj Nooyi
Minty Pandy

Learn more about the Chairman and Members of the Plan India Board by clicking on the names above.
Govind Nihalani, Chairman

Media, Communication & Brand building

Mr. Govind Nihalani became a member of Plan India 19s governing board in 2005 and has been the Chair of the board for 2 years.

Govind Nihalani is an eminent film director, cinematographer, and also a screenwriter and film producer. He has been directing films since the late seventies. His cinema has not only been artistic but also mostly serious and thought provoking which tackled various issues ranging from exploitation, corruption, communalism etc.

He has produced and directed over 25 critically acclaimed, award winning films. He has been highly respected and recognized for his contribution to India cinema. He was awarded Padmshree, a prestigious award by the government of India for his contribution to the Indian cinema. In the last 35 years he has received several national and international awards for his work.
Prof. Balveer Arora

Governance

Professor Balveer Arora has been a member of the Plan India Board since 2008 and is Chairman of its Governance & Nomination Committee.

Balveer Arora taught Political Science at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi (1973-2010) and is currently Chairman, Centre for Multilevel Federalism, Institute of Social Sciences, New Delhi. He received degrees in History and Political Science from St. Stephen 19s College, Delhi, the Sorbonne, Paris, and Sciences-Po, Paris, before doing his doctorate from Paris I (Pantheon 13 Sorbonne).

He was two-term Chairperson of the JNU Centre for Political Studies and thereafter Rector and Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University (2002-05). He has also held the positions of Director ( Northern Region), Indian Council of Social Science Research, Director, Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Advanced Study, and Vice-President, Alliance Francaise de Delhi.

His academic work has been on federal governance and public policy, and he has written extensively on India 19s federal system, its political parties and public policy processes.

Dr. Arora has been a visiting professor at U.Penn, Philadelphia, Sciences-Po Paris, Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales (EHESS),Paris, and Maison des Sciences de l 19Homme (MSH), Paris.

He is a member of the Scientific Councils of the French Network of Institutes of Advanced Studies (RFIEA) and the Fondation Maison des Sciences de l 19Homme, Paris. He is currently President of the Sciences-Po India Alumni Association and Vice President of the Transcultura International Institute, Paris.

He was conferred the insignia of Officer in the Order of the Palmes Academiques in 2003 by the Government of the French Republic.
R K Goel

Finance and Audit

Mr. R K Goel has been one of the founding board members of Plan India and is associated with Plan India since 1996. He is a practicing Chartered Accountant and a senior Partner at the firm "Rajendra K Goel & Co" Chartered Accountants, New Delhi.

He has over 45 years of experience in financial management, audits and Industry. He has been on the boards of several well known financial institutions as well as industries. To name a few, Indian Bank (A Nationalized Bank), IDBI, IFCI, BIFR.

His firm is known for its expertise and experience in Finance, Auditing, Taxation, Company Law and other related subjects. The firm Rajendra K Goel & Co has been the Statutory Auditors of several Indian Companies, MNCs, Nationalized Banks and Reserve Bank of India.

Mr. RK Goel is the treasurer of Plan India governing board and is the Chair of the audit committee of Plan India.
Abrar Ahmed Khan

Strategy, Development and Rights

Abrar Ahmed Khan is the founding member of the Plan India and has been on the board since 1996. He is currently the secretary of the Plan India governing board. He has over 30 years of development experience.

At present he is an independent consultant with a USAID cooperating agency and has been providing technical assistance to government systems in order to improve the performance of maternal health, nutrition and child health services in the states of U.P and Jharkhand.

He has over 30 years of association with grassroots development work in India and other countries especially in the areas of children 19s education, reproductive and child health, adolescent sexual health, HIV/AIDS, gender and equity.

He has undertaken extensive work in capacity building for institutional strengthening and financial sustainability.

In the past he has held a position of Senior Advisor Capacity Building with CEDPA an international development agency in Washington DC USA and Reader (Associate Professor) at the Department of Social Work, Jamia Millia Islamia a central university in Delhi, India.
Arti Kirloskar

Fundraising, Brand building, Advocacy

Ms Arti Kirloskar joined the Plan India board in January 2007.

Arti has studied Fine arts and animation and has an expertise in multimedia. She has been closely associated with the corporation, Kirloskar Oil Engines and is a Chairperson of the Information technology committee of Confederation of Indian Industries.

She is now the convener of INTACH Pune, which works to save Pune 19s heritage. Intach under her convener ship started 18RAG 19- River Action Group of esteemed NGO 19s which worked on the eco remedial way of cleaning the stream and has been rallying for saving the rivers of Pune.

Arti Is also the board member of Water Centric, an NGO based in Boston which works for building toilets in and around schools in Delhi.

She is also the executive member of 18Kirloskar Foundation 1D.
Nirja Mattoo

Capacity Building, Community Development Programs, Monitoring & Evaluation

Nirja Mattoo has been the Chairperson of the Center for Development of Corporate Citizenship at S.P.Jain Institute of Management and Research Mumbai since 2002. Prior to this she held senior management roles with CASP (Pune); CASP-Plan (Mumbai); and the Indian Council of Social Welfare (Mumbai).

She is also a member of the 1CNational & South Asian Regional Committee of Plan International, advocating on issues related to housing, gender and human rights. She has also been member of Plan International's review committee on community empowerment projects in Latin America (particularly Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador).

Nirja gained a Masters degree in Social Sciences from University of Mumbai and participated in the International course on Advocacy policy from Institute of Advocacy, USA. She is currently pursuing a PhD in 1CWomen in Panchayati Raj: 1D A Study of the Changing Managerial Role Emerging Leadership in Maharashtra".

Nirja has undertaken numerous indepth research projects and presentations related to community development, including:

* 1CChildren 19s Development through Empowerment 1C 13 Stockholm, Sweden by Adoption centre SIDA and University of Stockholm, 1999.
* 1CFamily & the Challenges in the Next Century 1D 13 Sydney, Australia organized by International Council on Social Welfare, 1999.
* 1CSocial Security 1D 13 Cape Town, South Africa organized by International Council on social welfare, 2000.
* 1CInsurance and Community Development 1D organized by Plan-International India Country Office, Delhi, 2001.
* 1CChildren and Security in High conflict Border Areas 1D organized by Stockholm University, Sweden, 2003.
* 1CVictims of Violence 1D - Reproductive Health and Gender Concerns of the Displaced Women of Jammu & Kashmir, India in Australia, 2003.
* Displaced Community and Women Security-organized by The Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand-May 2004.
* Young Leaders and Corporate Responsibility-organized by Population Foundation of India and Govt. of India, Delhi, 2004.
* Presentation made on Teaching Innovation Program organized by ASPEN Business and Society at INFOSYS Bangalore, 2007.

Nikhil Nehru

Media, Communication & Brand building

Nikhil Nehru has been on the governing board of Plan India since 2006 and is an active member of the Marketing and communication committee.

Nikhil Nehru has over 40 years of experience in the communications industry, and has held senior positions in India 19s largest advertising agencies.

He began his career at J. Walter Thompson (London & India) where he spent 22 years, rising to Executive Vice 13President in charge of the North Indian operations. Nikhil was responsible for setting up satellite operations of JWT Delhi as well as two diversification units 13Thompson Social (responsible for social and developmental communications) and Design C (a specialist service for exhibitions and retail display).

On leaving JWT, Nikhil joined Publi Graphics as Director in charge of the UAE, Bahrain and Oman operations plus all diversification units including PR, Direct Marketing and Below-the-Line.

In 1995 he joined McCann Erickson World Group in India as Deputy Chief Operating Officer and was appointed President in 1998 in charge of all operations in India and Nepal.

After moving out of McCann, he joined INC Communications, a Chairman, where he worked for two years.

WelcomGroup Hotels, Pepsi, Hero Group, Bacardi, General Motors, Microsoft, SmithKline Beecham, ITC Foods, Unilever India, Perfetti, Nestlé, Virgin Atlantic, Maruti Suzuki, L 19Oreal and Coca-Cola are some of the brands for which Nikhil has handled launches, product diversification, corporate brand building and marketing and communication programs.

Nikhil currently runs his own marketing and communications consultancy company called Ontrack Corporate Services Pvt. Ltd. and handles projects for Multinational & Indian Organisations, Communication Agencies and Media Organisations

Currently, apart from running Ontrack, Nikhil was appointed as Chairman Results International Group (a mergers & acquisition comapny) for India at the end of 2008. 1D
Raj Nooyi

Business development, Marketing & Fund raising

Mr. Raj Nooyi has been a member of the Plan India board since 2008 and is an active member of the Marketing and communications committee and the Governance & nominating committee. He also serves as the Vice-Chairman of Plan USA 19s Board of Directors and a member of the advisory council of the Wildlife Biology & conservation Institute in Bangalore, India.

Raj's 30+ years of providing business leadership in the discrete manufacturing industry, working in global companies - PRTM, Management consultants, i2 Technologies, Hewlett- Packard and Eaton Corporation, have included the development and implementation of successful business solutions in the areas of acquisition integration, supply chain operations, product marketing, channel operations, field marketing, and sales.

Raj graduated from the University of Mysore with a bachelor 19s degree in electronics and communications engineering. Additionally, he earned a master 19s degree in industrial engineering from the University of Texas and a Master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Chicago.
Minty Pande

Development program design, Implementation and Evaluation

Minty Pande has had a long career within the international development sector, particularly in the child rights sector. Minty was Country Director for Plan International, leading, directing and accountable for all country operations in Nepal (2001-2006) and in Thailand (2006-2009).

In addition, Minty was responsible for strengthening corporate social responsibility and promoting local resource mobilisation in Thailand during her tenure as Country Director. From 1997 to 2001, Minty played the pivotal role of Program Support Manager at the Plan International India Country Office, supervising in-country program staff and working with 15 NGO partners to develop capabilities in program design, implementation and evaluation among Plan India staff, partners and program participants.

Minty has also worked for Save the Children Fund (UK) as Head of Regional Office in Bangkok, and as Program Director for North India and Sponsorship Officer in Save's New Delhi Office.

She has been a member of the Spastics Society of Northern India, & Mobile Creche Northern India; a Trustee and Board Member of South Asian Fund Raising Group (SAFRG); and a member of Steering Committee of Association of International NGOs (AIN) in Nepal, and Secretary for three years.

Minty has undertaken many development program related consultancies for organisations such as:

* the Social Work and Research Centre in Rajasthan
* the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and Centre for Development Studies (CDS), University of Swansea, England
* National Aids Control Organisation (NACO), Government of India, New Delhi.
* Save the Children Fund (U.K.)
* Institute of Development Studies, (IDS) Sussex.

Plan in India is part of Plan International, one of the world's largest community development organisations. Plan 19s vision is of a world in which all children realise their full potential in societies which respect people 19s rights and dignity. Plan is independent, with no religious, political or governmental affiliations.

Plan India is a nationally registered child centred community development organisation. For over 30 years, Plan and our partners have helped communities throughout India to help themselves, so that children have access to their rights including the right to protection, basic education, proper healthcare, a healthy environment, livelihood opportunities and participation in decisions which affect their lives. We encourage children to express their views and be actively involved in improving their communities. Plan India currently works in 11 states in India and has impacted the lives of over a million children.
Plan's Approach

Plan India 19s rights based approach helps bring lasting improvements to the lives of vulnerable children and their communities in India, including children living on the streets and those living in urban homeless families; those with disabilities or affected by HIV; those who are exploited and trafficked; the children of sex workers; and child labourers. Plan India also works to help girls overcome the disadvantage and discrimination they face in everyday life within most communities.

Plan India is committed to the principles of child rights and equality, and we work to develop the capacity of civil society to meet their own needs by replicating successful development models.