SOCHARA staff

Prafulla S

Secretary and Coordinator

Prafulla brings over 20 years of experience in development sector. She has had her experience in diverse themes. Her journey in community development began with a simple desire to help others. Prafulla has done her MPhil in Natural Resource Management with a special focus on climate change and Masters in Environmental Science which have provided her with valuable insights into the deep connections between environment and community health. Over the years, Prafulla has taken on various roles in the development sector. She has worked on water and sanitation projects in rural Karnataka and addressed climate change impacts on local farmers. Her experiences include collaborating with families in urban slums, listening to their challenges, and working together to find sustainable solutions. Through her time with organizations like UNICEF, Arghyam, and GREEN Foundation, Prafulla has come to deeply appreciate the importance of community-led approaches in creating lasting change. Believing strongly in the power of education, Prafulla volunteers her time teaching languages to women and assisting at after-school study centers. She also actively engages in community gardens, sharing knowledge on climate-smart agriculture with local farmers. Throughout her career, she has worked closely with diverse communities, constantly learning from them and striving to make a positive difference in people’s lives. Outside of her professional life, Prafulla enjoys hiking in the mountains. She has climbed peaks like Kilimanjaro, finding that these experiences offer valuable perspectives on overcoming challenges in community health work. In her quiet moments, she is learning to play the violin. For Prafulla, community health is about working together, learning from one another, and recognizing that every small step counts. She remains grateful for the opportunity to be part of this collective journey towards better health and well-being for all.

Dr. Thelma Narayan

Director, SOPHEA

Dr. Thelma Narayan is a medical graduate from St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore, India, with an MSc in Epidemiology and a doctorate in public health policy from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.She is committed to health and equity over four decades of work. She was a faculty member of the Department of Community Medicine, St. John’s Medical College till 1983. She co-initiated the Community Health Cell (CHC) a professional resource centre in the voluntary sector in 1984. This initiative was registered as the Society for Community Health Awareness, Research and Action (SOCHARA) in 1991. She was the Director SOCHARA – SOPHEA (School of Public Health, Equity and Action), Secretary – Society for Community Health Awareness, Research and Action (SOCHARA) till September, 2016. She is currently senior advisor – academics and health policy action – SOCHARA, Bangalore. She has been an advisor to various national health initiatives including the National Rural Health Mission/ National Health Mission; a member of the Advisory Group on Community Action for Health from 2005 till date; on the founding governing board of the National Health Systems Resource Centre for one term; member of the national ASHA mentoring group for the first seven years; and member of the National Mental Health Policy Group.The national mental health policy for India was adopted in October 2014. She helped evolve public health and primary health care oriented state health policies in Karnataka and Orissa states. She is active in the People’s Health Movement in India (Jan Swasthya Abhiyan) and globally since their inception in 2000 promoting the Health for All goal. She was a member of the Measurement and Evidence Knowledge Network of the WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health (2005-8) and on the Planning Committee of the Bamako inter-ministerial forum for research on health, development and equity (2008). She was invited to Chair the Session on Institutionalizing Community Participation in Public Health Policy at the World Conference on the Social Determinants of Health at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in October 2011. She developed the Community Health Learning Program since 2003 for SOCHARA; and in 2008 evolved the Madhya Pradesh Centre for Public Health and Equity. From 2011 with SOCHARA she evolved SOPHEA – SOCHARA School of Public Health Equity and Action. She was one of two organising secretaries of the 5th National Bio-ethics Conference co- organised by FMES, St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences and SOCHARA in Bengaluru in December 2014. In 2018 she represented SOCHARA in organising the World Congress of Bioethics at St. Johns with other institutional co-organisers. CHC and SOCHARA are supportive of work with persons with special abilities. She was a board member of the Association of Persons with Disability (APD) and President of CBR (Collective Action for Basic Rights) Foundation. She is currently a Commissioner on the Lancet Citizens Commission on reimagining India’s public health system to achieve universal health care in the decade. Her areas of interests are: public health, health policy processes, socially relevant health personnel education, public health ethics, gender and health, social determinants of health. She has written over 70 reports / publications / papers.

Prahlad I M

Co-Coordinator, Training and Research Associate

Mr. Prahlad.I.M a team member from SOCHARA completed his Post graduation in Environmental Science from Kuvempu University in the year 2006. After completion of his studies, he started his carrier working on Sanitation and Waste Management with Government Project “Total Sanitation Campaign” as a consultant. After leaving Total Sanitation Campaign project in Febrarury 2010 Prahlad joined SOCHARA as a Training and Research in March 2010. He is passionate about promoting Environmental Sanitation in Rural Areas of Karnataka through training communities, NGO’s, CBO’s, Fellows on Community Based Sanitation interventions.

Janelle Fernandes

Associate Director

Janelle Fernandes is a Microbiology graduate from St. Xavier’s College, Goa University with an MSc in Immunology from the University of Liverpool, UK. She has worked as a Community Health and Public Health Consultant creating learning content (video sessions) and facilitating live learning sessions for the Community Health Learning Programme by SOCHARA-SOPHEA. Janelle has experience in community health content development and reporting, community health learning facilitation and mentoring, school health promotion programme and content design / development, health programme-related database development, experience in cancer prevention screening programmes and cancer care, research processes, systems development, and quality assurance. She strongly believes and propagates the principle of ‘prevention is always better than cure’. Janelle’s interests strongly lie in expanding her work with designing, implementing, and establishing effective health systems, policies and programmes predominantly focused on nutrition, building immunity, environmental health; health awareness, health promotion, health protection and disease prevention based on addressing the social determinants of health; aimed at empowering our communities to make informed choices about their ‘Health’ – a fundamental human right. Currently, Janelle is the Associate Director of the Community Health Learning Programme (CHLP) 2022-23. Her role involves programme development and management, curriculum development, mentoring and learning facilitation. Janelle also serves as the member secretary for the SOCHARA Institutional Scientific and Ethics Committee for Review of Research Projects (SISEC).

Mathew Alex

Accounts Officer

He started his working career in the year 1988 and gained experience in accounts and auditing in a Chartered Accountant firm and other organizations, before joining SOCHARA family in the year 2006 as a ‘Secretarial Assistant’. He was inducted in the Centre for Public Health and Equity (CPHE) unit of SOCHARA which was established in 2008 and was appointed as a Secretary to the Director and the Senior Consultant of SOCHARA, to handle all their secretarial functions including logistics. Since 2010 he works as a ‘Office Supervisor’ for the CPHE unit, and ably coordinates the office functions, and supports the administration and accounts department of SOCHARA. He plays a vital role in supporting the team members for all travel arrangements and other event related logistics. He has taken over as a ‘Accountant’ of SOCHARA from 1st October 2015 onwards and since then carries out all the accounting and other related functions of the organization. Having completed more than 10 years of service in SOCHARA, he actively takes initiative to coordinate various works assigned to him and supports the Director and senior consultant of SOCHARA in their needs. He is a qualified person, with Masters in Commerce and Masters in Business Administration to his credit.

Maria Dorothy Stella

Office Supervisor

She completed her BA in 1991 in Jyoti Nivas College, Bangalore and has experience working in the Personal and Accounts Departments in a number of Export companies. She joined CHC in 2005 as Secretary to Coordinator and later has been involved in Admin & Accounts work of the CHC, Bangalore Office as Office Supervisor and now at SOPHEA. She also assists in the CHLP work such as correspondence, accounts, accommodation arrangements and all other administrative works.

Joseph M S

Office Assistant

Joseph is born and bought up in Bangalore. He completed his Metric and start working in a number of companies and showrooms in various positions then he joined CHC in 2011 as Office Assistant. He supports in all sort of administration activities like organising seminars, workshops, meetings etc., and also helps to the team on their requirements.

Tulsi Chetri

Office Assistant

Tulsi is from Assam and has been working with SOCHARA since July 2012. He has completed matriculation and is working as a office assistant with Centre for Public Health and Equity.

Ranjitha L

Project Coordinator, CHLP

Ranjitha, completed her bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from M.S Ramaiah College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Bangalore University later chose to build her career in the field of Public health and pursued her Masters in Public health with a specialization in Epidemiology from Manipal University. Worked as Research officer at Christian Medical College, Vellore in the area of vaccine impact assessment and vaccine hesitancy in the community. As a public health professional she actively volunteered in various health awareness activities such as breastfeeding awareness talk, malaria survey, behavioral change communication camps for people with non-communicable diseases and volunteered in the pulse polio immunization programme run by the government of India. Currently, she is applying her theoretical knowledge and working experience to the Community Health Learning Program (CHLP) at SOCHARA and is looking forward to continuing to co-learn with the team.

Vijaya

Helper

Vijaya is from Bangalore. She has completed SSLC. She starts her carrier in garment industry then she joined CHC in 2011 as an Office Helper. She keeps the office environment clean and green.

Dr. Karun Puzhamudi

Training & Research Assistant – CHLP

Karun is a agriculturalist, Ayurveda doctor, and public health practitioner.

Mahadevaswamy H R

Information Officer

Mahadeva Swamy H R, a B.A graduate from Bengaluru University and post graduate in Library Science from Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu. He started his career in National College, Basavanagudi and then he joined St. John’s Medical College, Zablocki Learning Centre to do internship course in Librarianship in Health Sciences (Apprentice Trainee) in 1995. After completion of his internship, he joined SOCHARA in May 1996, as Library and Documentation Assistant and then promoted as Junior Librarian.SOCHARA has given an opportunity to develop his skills in other areas like administration, visual presentation preparation, preparing materials for supporting website, newsletters etc. He has been coordinating and supporting other two unit’s (Chennai and Bhopal) CLIC activities and computers, laptops and networks. He maintains petty cash and books. He is interested in disseminating the information to global public and dialogue with community/people. Meanwhile, he got a promotion as Information Officer in …….

Vijay Kumar

Digital Archive Assistant

Vijay Kumar has extensive experience working with digitization and digital publications.

Suresh D

Communication Officer and SIMS Manager

A post graduate in Information Technology from University of Madras joined SOCHARA in March 2010 and contributing in IEC and Communication material development via media, field level trainings, workshops in Community Action for Health project in Tamil Nadu from its initiation period. He was involved in science communication and education programs with his erstwhile organisation. He also actively involved and contributed to the movements like ‘people’s health movement’, ‘Hamaradesh’, ‘Movement against Nuclear weapons’. He is passionate on talking with the people, experimenting ideas, cultural trips, part of movement, Be People! With the People!!.

Rohini Radhakrishnan

Training and Research Assistant (WASH-Chennai)

Rohini Radhakrishnan serves as the Training and Research Assistant, managing day-to-day plans, working with existing awareness programs, and challenging work in the community. She earned a degree in Master of public health under which Public health Emergency and disaster management specialization from the SRM university, graduating in 2022. She has done an Internship at NIDM Delhi and joined SOCHARA on Aug 8th, 2022. Dedicated to work with the community for their Health as well as to learn more about the community approach via SOCHARA’S vision and mission. She is currently engaged with the C WASH project in Chennai Team.

Mathivanan

Training and Research Assistant (WASH-Chennai)

A dedicated professional having completed BSc in rural development science in Arul Anandar College Madurai and a Masters in social work (Medical And Psychiatric Social Work) at Madras School Of Social Work, Chennai with hands on personnel management experience and academic knowledge that blends seamlessly into a position in solving problems and maintaining confidentiality and I have mastered in tele counselling as well as research process.

Azam Khan

Training and Research Assistant

He completed his LLB in 2001 from Devi Ahilya University, Indore and has experience working with esteemed non-governmental organizations on Legal Awareness, Training and Documentation. He Joined SOCHARA in 2015-16, Community Health Learning Programme as a Fellow at Bangalore. In 2020, he joined CPHE Bhopal office as Research and Training Assistant. He also assists in training, networking and CHLP work such as correspondence, data analysis, field interventions, mentorship and other relevant works.

Nidhi Shukla

Training and Research Assistant

Ms. Nidhi Shukla completed her Post graduation in Journalism and Mass Communication from Makhanlal Chaturvedi Rastriya Patrakarita University in 1996. She started her career with Madhya Pradesh Vigyan who have been working with Bhariya tribe. In 2009 she joined the CPHE fellowship programme. After the fellowship she joined the NRHM ASHA Training Programme as a State trainer and support the ASHA Programme as a state MGCA member. She joined CPHE Bhopal in April 2015 as a Training and Research Assistant.

Dhirendra Arya

Training and Research Associate

He is a postgraduate with Social Work and completed a two year community Health Fellowship from CPHE, SOCHARA, Madhya Pradesh. He had 13 years with NGOs and the Government sector. Currently working with CPHE, SOCHARA, Bhopal MP as a Training and Research Associate.

Chandrasekhar

Project Manager

Chandrasekhar has done his post-graduation in Finance and Marketing, social work, and Computer Applications. He has over 20 years of experience in development sector in thematic areas of Micro Finance, Child rights, Child sponsorship, Skill Training Programs, and WASH, he used to work in various roles in SHARE Micro finance Private Limited, District Rural Development Agency- Ministry of Rural Development- Government of Andhra Pradesh, and WaterAid. He joined in SOCHARA on 23rd July2024 as a Team Lead- Vijayawada region in UDAY by HCL Foundation, it is WASH in Institutions program supported by HCL Foundation. He strongly believes education and skilling is the key to change the life, he loves spending time with kids, and listening music.

Uday Kiran

Training and Research Assistant

Uday Kiran holds a B.Sc. Degree in Statistics and Post Graduation of MBA in Finance from Acharya Nagarjuna University. He is currently pursuing a Master’s in Social Work from the same university. He has over four years of experience working with rural communities—two years with people living with HIV and two years with children with disabilities. He is also skilled in financial management, tele-counselling, and research. Uday joined SOCHARA Family in June 2024 as a Training and Research Assistant. He is passionate about child health and nutrition and is committed to strengthening community health and social Change.

Vineela

Training and Research Assistant

Vineela is a dedicated development professional with significant experience in adolescent counselling and community health. She has worked with NGOs such as YRG Care and CFAR, and through Targeted Intervention (TI) programs. Her efforts have centred on providing psychosocial support to vulnerable youth. Vineela has led awareness sessions on health, hygiene, and life skills in both school and community environments. She is passionate about youth empowerment and behavioural change. At SOCHARA, she supports the C-WASH Project through community engagement and research. Her work reflects a strong commitment to grassroots public health

Dr. Ravi Narayan

Archivist, Advisor, Philosopher, Story Teller

Dr Ravi Narayan is a Public Health Consultant and Health Policy Researcher who has been involved with promoting the social / community paradigm in public health education and public health system development for over three decades in various capacities. He was a faculty member at St John’s Medical College, Bangalore, and an overseas faculty of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine before initiating the Society for Community Health Awareness, Research and Action – a health policy resource group working with State and Central governments, international health agencies, NGOs and civil society and peoples movements in the country and globally since 1984. He has been a resource person for WHO, WHO-SEARO, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Planning Commission, Malaria Research Centre – ICMR, and a host of Indian and international networks and campaigns. From 2000 AD he has been closely involved with the development of the people’s health movement in India (Jan Swasthya Abhiyan) and the Global movement. He was the joint convener of the Indian movement till 2003. From 2003 – 2006 he was the Coordinator of the Global Secretariat of the People’s Health Movement (PHM) – the global movement promoting the Health for All goal. During his phase of coordinatorship, PHM also evolved the Right to Health Campaign; the Global Health Watch; and the International People’s Health University. He is also a member of the Foundation Council of the Global Forum for Health Research, Geneva, promoting public health research on health systems and social determinants. In 2006, he was invited to be a founding governing body member of the Public Health Foundation of India, and an International Advisory board member of the British Medical Journal to strengthen public health perspectives. He is also a Consultant of the National Rural Health Mission of the Government of India and a Member of the Medical Education Task Force and a Member of its steering Committee on Primary Health Care for the Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-12) of the Planning Commission, Government of India and its sub group on AYUSH and Public Health. Since Feb 2009 Dr. Narayan is working closely with WHO- SEARO evolving a document which is both a conceptual framework and a guideline for integrated management of public health programmes at a district level for the region. Presently he is also the chairperson of the Research Advisory Committee of the newly initiated Institute for Ayurvedic and Integrated Medicine in Bangalore; expert member of the appraisal and approval committees of some of the grant in aid schemes of the AYUSH department in the Health Ministry; and a member of the Planning Commission steering group on AYUSH for the 12th plan (2012-17) ” He has also been a supporter of strengthening the mental health component of Primary Health Care and Public Health and was a participant in the WHO/ Lancet survey of experts on mental health policy conducted a few years ago. Dr. Narayan along with his colleagues in SOCHARA has been among the foremost proponents of the community health paradigm in the country evolving its frame work, axioms, and associated concepts such as the paradigm shift, the social vaccine and socio epidemiology.

Dr. Ravi D’souza

Senior Consultant

Dr. Ravi D’Souza obtained his MBBS and MD (Community Medicine) degrees from Christian Medical College, Vellore. His area of interest has been communicable diseases, especially malaria and leprosy. Working in community health for over 30 years, he has also been involved in issues concerning rational drug use, drug policy and increasing awareness among lay persons about the proper use of medicines. Dr. D’Souza worked in rural Orissa before moving to Chhattisgarh to become part of the group of doctors working at Jan Swasthya Sahyog (JSS), Bilaspur. He is contributing as editorial member to ‘Health Action’ Magazine and part of many networks like medico-friends circle, community health workers forum. He start his consultancy when MP CPHE was initiated and contributed to the fellowship programme in many ways/stages.