The Vidya Sagar Family
Vidya Sagar formerly The Spastics Society of India is an NGO based out of Chennai, Tamil Nadu that works with persons with disabilities for the past 38 years.We provide quality education and support services for students with disabilities, empowering them to reach their full potential. Our team of experienced staff work together to provide a safe and nurturing environment for our students. We believe in inclusive education and strive to create a community that is accepting and supportive of all individuals.
Meet The Teams
Ms. Poonam Natarajan
Founder & Board Member
Founded Vidya Sagar in 1985, 1998- 2006 - Director of Vidya Sagar 2006 – 2014: Chairperson, National Trust for Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. Recipient of 14 awards, including the UNESCAP Disability Champion award and NCPEDP Hellen Keller Award.
Ms. Dwaraka Pandurangi
Member
31 years of fundraising as a volunteer for VIDYA SAGAR. Has participated 6 times in the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon 6Km run and has been the highest pledge-raiser each time. In 2015, got a special award for raising the highest amount in the history of the event.
Mr. Thiruvengadam Parthasarathy
Member
40 years of professional experience in management consulting as senior director from Deloitte India. Works with us on all aspects of HR and operations including performance management, compensation, capacity building.
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Mr. Shankaran Nair
Chairperson
Forty plus years of experience in the corporate world, cross functional, cross domain, global exposure. Engaged with Vidya Sagar for twenty plus years. Started working with fathers of children with disability. Works closely with the Director on all aspects from Vision to operations.
Ms. Rajul Padmanabahan
Member
35 years of experience in working with the disability sector in Mumbai, Kolkata and Delhi. 2 year research study for an associateshsip from London University. Director of Vidya Sagar from 2006-2018.
Ms. Sudha Ramamoorthy
Member
Member of DRA - Disability Rights Alliance , has worked with Vidya Sagar in the field for 28 years, Prinicipal of Day centre Vidya Sagar - from 2003-2011.
Mr. S Ganapathi
Treasurer
Finance professional with 30 years of experience in Business Strategies, Corporate Restructuring, M&A, Financial Controls, Governance, MIS, Budgets, General Management, P&L responsibility, Treasury, Financial Audits. Business Turn around strategies.
Ms. Asha Palani Kumar
Member
48 years of Experience in working in the field of multiple disabilities, hearing impairment, speech and language disorders, autism. Consultant and trainer with the
following organisations: Vidya Sagar, Chennai; Umang, Jaipur; Muskan, Mumbai, SEC (Society for the Education of Special children).
Mr Satish Kumar
Secretary
An alumni of Vidya Sagar and a person with disability , working in Union Bank of India for last 10 years. He is a youtuber and passionate about access for all and loves travelling and theatre enthusiast. Member of Disability Rights Alliance(DRA)
Mr. Jehan Dorab Madan
Member
Person with disability. Race car driver paralyzed by an accident. He subsequently reinvented himself as a national para table-tennis champion who travels the world independently. Advocate for disability issues, member of DRA, and a role model for all people with disability.
Mr. Syed Irshad Quadri
Member
Thirty plus years in industry spanning multiple domains. Led multinational corporations in the South Asia region. Technology evangelist. Involved in education for high school students for over a decade. Works with us on improving our adoption of technology to improve functional efficiency.
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