At Sankalp Ek Prayas, we are guided and inspired by a group of deeply committed mentors who bring decades of experience from the fields of education, development, finance, and social change. Their wisdom, vision, and hands-on involvement help shape our mission of transforming rural education and empowering grassroots leadership. We are proud to be mentored by the following distinguished individuals:
Parimal Sinha
Founder & General Secretary
At Sankalp Ek Prayas, we are guided and inspired by a group of deeply committed mentors who bring decades of experience from the fields of education, development, finance, and social change. Their wisdom, vision, and hands-on involvement help shape our mission of transforming rural education and empowering grassroots leadership. We are proud to be mentored by the following distinguished individuals.
CA Rinu V Koshy
Co-Founder & Treasurer
A Chartered Accountant by profession and a Masters in Commerce with 15 years of work experience, Mr. Rinu has the overall responsibility of Finance & Accounts, Income Tax/Statutory department and other financial matters. He is also the key signing authority of Sankalp Ek Prayas. As a co-founder, he is responsible for achieving the strategy of the organization.
Ramesh Kacholiya
Founder & Visionary, Caring Friends | Our Constant Guide and Strongest Supporter, Sankalp Ek Prayas
Ramesh Kacholiya Uncle is the driving force behind Caring Friends, one of India’s most trusted philanthropic networks. With an unwavering commitment to grassroots change, he has supported and nurtured hundreds of NGOs working in education, health, and rural development. For Sankalp Ek Prayas, he is not just a mentor but also the greatest source of strength, guidance, and encouragement. His belief in empowering small organizations to create large-scale impact has shaped our journey and sustained our vision of building Adarsh Bal Grams.
Key Contributions:
- Founded and leads Caring Friends, a network that has mobilized unparalleled support for grassroots NGOs across India.
- Acts as the strongest supporter and guide for Sankalp Ek Prayas, enabling us to grow and sustain our initiatives.
- Inspires organizations to stay rooted in values of trust, transparency, and community participation.
Philosophy:
“True giving lies in walking hand in hand with changemakers, empowering them to serve society with honesty and passion.”
Babu Joseph
Former CEO, Axis Bank Foundation
Mr. Babu Joseph is a veteran in social development, with 30+ years of experience at the intersection of finance and impact. As former CEO of Axis Bank Foundation, he led transformative CSR programs improving rural livelihoods, water access, and women’s empowerment across India.
Key Contributions:
- Led CSR initiatives benefiting thousands of rural families.
- Built enduring partnerships with grassroots NGOs across states
- Advocates for CSR as a model of sustainable development, not just philanthropy.
Philosophy:
“Social change requires not just resources, but wisdom, commitment, and grassroots participation.”
Manav Yagnik
Mentor, Caring Friends
Mr. Manav Yagnik is a passionate social worker and mentor associated with Caring Friends, a Mumbai-based philanthropic network. He supports impactful grassroots NGOs by providing strategic mentorship and connecting them to sustainable funding channels.
Key Contributions:
- Mentors high-impact NGOs with a focus on empathy-driven philanthropy.
- Bridges changemakers with donors for long-term support.
- Promotes transparency and community-led development models.
K. K. Jhunjhunwala
Mentor, Caring Friends | Founder, Pakka Foundation
A senior Chartered Accountant and committed philanthropist, Mr. Jhunjhunwala plays a key mentoring role in nonprofit financial governance. As a core member of Caring Friends and the founder of Pakka Foundation, he supports rural initiatives across education, health, and livelihoods.
Key Contributions:
- Provides financial and audit guidance to organizations like Parivaar.
- Founded Pakka Foundation to support rural development initiatives.
- Served as Lions Club District Governor (2003–04), organizing thousands of free health services.
Rajiv Vartak
Founder & Director, Adhyayan Sanstha | Ashoka Fellow (1993), Advisor Sankalp Ek Prayas
Rajiv Balkrishna Vartak is the founder and director of Adhyayan Sanstha, an organization dedicated to enhancing experiential and heuristic learning in science, mathematics, and geography across school levels. A visionary educationist and Ashoka Fellow since 1993, he has devoted over four decades to transforming science education in India.
Key Contributions:
- Founded Adhyayan Sanstha and led initiatives like SMIP and ISSL across multiple states.
- Created the Science, Mathematics & Geography Olympics to promote self-directed learning.
- Developed interactive learning spaces including science centers, geography parks, and mobile science labs.
- Collaborated on multimedia education tools with IL&FS and Core Technologies.
- Advises Sankalp Ek Prayas on strategic planning and grassroots capacity building.
Vineeth Iyer
President, Malvi Educational Trust | Trustee, Muktangan | Advisor, Sankalp Ek Prayas
Vineeth Iyer is a senior development professional with over 20 years of experience, including a decade in the corporate sector. Currently based in South Gujarat, he serves in key leadership roles in the education and rural development space. Vineeth holds an MBA in HR and is passionate about school education and agriculture-based livelihoods.
Key Contributions:
- Leads and mentors NGOs focusing on education reform and livelihood generation.
- Advises Sankalp Ek Prayas on strategic planning and grassroots capacity building.
- Champions rural education models rooted in local contexts and participatory governance.