• Deepak Waghmare

    close Accountant

    Deepak Waghmare joined Dakshana Foundation in November 2015 and has been handling payroll and accounts management. [READ MORE]

    He has completed his Govt. Diploma in Co-operation & Accountancy (GDC & A) course and is currently pursuing executive course in Company Secretary.
    Deepak worked as an accounts executive in a manufacuturing company for 4 years before he joined Dakshana.
    Deepak likes to meditate, swim and listen to music. He also participated in University level cricket competition during college.

  • Anjali Kumari

    close Staff Nurse - Dakshana Valley

    Anjali has joined Dakshana in February 2022 as nurse and compassionately takes care of the health of the scholars in the Dakshana Valley campus. [READ MORE]

    She is very caring and loving person.

  • Anand Pathak

    close Project Manager – MEPF & Maintenance

    Anand Pathak assumed the role of Project Manager – MEPF & Maintenance at the Dakshana Foundation in September 2023. In this capacity, he is responsible for strategizing, overseeing, and regulating construction activities across Dakshana Foundation's project sites. Additionally, he takes charge of supervising the overall maintenance operations at Dakshana Valley. He holds a pivotal role in the planning and execution of Dakshana Valley's expansion, as outlined in the Master Plan 2035. [READ MORE]

    Anand Pathak earned his B. Tech degree from the National Institute of Kurukshetra in 2013. Prior to his tenure with Dakshana Foundation, he gained valuable experience with esteemed organizations in the power infrastructure sector, including PTC India and the Solar Energy Corporation of India. Anand has successfully overseen the delivery of essential facilities such as an express feeder, a lecture hall block, and a hostel for 136 girls at Dakshana. With a total of 9 years of experience in projects and the power sector, he brings a wealth of expertise to his role.

    Beyond his professional pursuits, Anand enjoys outdoor activities such as trekking and traveling, as well as being an avid cricket enthusiast

  • Akshata Musale

    close Selection Executive - Dakshana Valley

    Akshata has joined Dakshana in August 2023, She has completed BA & Nursing. [READ MORE]

    Akshata has had experience of 1.5 years in the Shree hospital. She loves to listening songs.

  • Arun Shelke

    close Academic Program Coordinator – JNV Bangalore Urban

    Arun belongs to Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. He is an alumnus of JNV Bhopal and Dakshana Foundation- JNV Bundi batch (2014-16). He has completed B.Tech. from IIT Delhi in Chemical Engineering. [READ MORE]

    He loves sports very much and he was a gold medallist in Football in college. He loves to play other sports such as Volleyball, Hockey, Badminton & cricket. He loves to eat & travel with friends.

  • Dil Bahadur Mahatara

    close Kitchen Manager

    Dil Bahadur has been part of the Dakshana family since February 2021 and is responsible for all the food preparation, safety, staff management, cost-control, and related activities at Dakshana Valley. Dil Bahadur Mahatara has 13+ years of experience in catering services as a hotel manager and executive chef and has progressive leadership experience. He is very passionate about his work in kitchen management. [READ MORE]

    Dil Bahadur’s family consists of his parents, wife, daughter, and son. He is passionate about playing cricket and football.

  • Lohit Vakada

    close Program Coordinator – Southern States

    Lohit Vakada is the Program Coordinator for the Southern Region at Dakshana since 2021, where he plays a key role in strengthening educational opportunities for talented students from underserved backgrounds. Based in Andhra Pradesh, Lohit oversees Dakshana’s program operations across five states—Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala. [READ MORE]

    With an M.A. in Sociology and Social Anthropology from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Guwahati, and a P.G. Diploma in Tribal Development Management from NIRD&PR, Hyderabad, Lohit combines strong academic training with practical field experience. His work involves designing and executing outreach activities, managing Dakshana’s scholarship and residential coaching programs, and coordinating with partner institutions to ensure smooth program delivery.
    Lohit is deeply involved in the student registration and coordination, ensuring transparency and fairness while supporting meritorious candidates in their transition into Dakshana’s intensive programs. He also monitors program implementation and outcomes across the region, focusing on effectiveness, scalability, and long-term student success.
    Through his role, Lohit contributes to Dakshana’s mission of enabling bright students from economically disadvantaged families to realize their potential and secure admissions into India’s premier institutions.

  • Mangesh Malave

    close Assistant to CEO

    Mangesh is a part of the admin team responsible for assisting the account team, HR team, and handling ad hoc office support duties and projects assigned by the management. He joined Dakshana as an Admin Assistant in September 2021. He is responsible for organizing meetings, producing reports and presentations for meetings with the CEO, and assisting in the daily routine of the CEO at Dakshana Valley, Pune. [READ MORE]

    He has completed his bachelor’s in commerce from Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra. Before joining Dakshana, he was a part of Swami Vivekanand Pratishthan, Pune (social organization), and ALFL Pvt. Ltd., Pune.He loves to play cricket and volleyball. He also likes traveling to new places and always likes to learn new things for self-improvement.

  • Maruti Londhe

    close Housekeeping In-Charge

    Maruti Londhe has been with Dakshana ever since the Dakshana Valley was bought in Kadus in 2014. He is in charge of House Keeping of the campus. [READ MORE]

    Maruti, as he is popularly known, is a native of Pune and has completed his matriculation. Maruti likes to play cricket, Kho-Kho, and Kabbadi and is very passionate about hygiene, cleaning & admin activity for Valley.

  • Murlidhar Bhange

    close Maintainance Staff

    Muralidhar Bhange has been with Dakshana ever since the Dakshana Valley was bought in Kadus in 2014. [READ MORE]

    He is in charge of electrical maintenance and water management of the campus. Muralibhau, as he is popularly known, is a native of Pune and has completed his intermediate education in Arts. Muralibhau likes to play cricket and is very passionate about maintenance of electrical infrastructure.

  • Naveen Kumar

    close Academic Officer - Dakshana Valley

    Naveen Kumar, an accomplished individual with a strong academic background, hails from JNV Maharajganj. He completed his Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) degree in 2019 from DDU Gorakhpur, showcasing his dedication to education and personal growth. [READ MORE]

    In April 2024, Naveen joined Dakshana Foundation as an Academic Officer. In this role, he is tasked with the crucial responsibility of coordinating and overseeing the work of Centers of Excellence (CoEs). His duties involve ensuring smooth operations, fostering effective communication, and implementing strategic initiatives to enhance the educational outcomes of these centers.

    Beyond his professional commitments, Naveen is an avid reader who enjoys delving into various books. This passion for reading not only enriches his knowledge but also fuels his continuous learning and personal development. Naveen love for reading makes him a well-rounded and dedicated individual in his field.

  • Pradeep Kadam

    close Assistant Project Manager – Civil Works & Maintenance

    Pradeep Kadam joined the Dakshana Foundation in May 2018. In his role, he is responsible for overseeing and executing various civil construction activities at Dakshana Valley, as well as supervising infrastructure maintenance at both Dakshana Valley and JNV Pune. He plays an important role in the planning and execution of Dakshana’s infrastructure projects in line with the organization’s long-term development. [READ MORE]

    Pradeep hails from Satara, Maharashtra, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Pune University. With his experience and dedication, he contributes significantly to Dakshana’s campus expansion and upkeep.

  • Prashant Kadam

    close Store In Charge

    Prashant joined Dakshana in July 2023 as Store In Charge. He has completed a B.Sc. Agriculture from VNMKV Parbhani University. [READ MORE]

    He is passionate about his work and responsibilities in Store activities and management.

    he loves to take long walks, listen to music as well as play cricket.

  • Rajita Gunjal

    close Teaching Assistant- JNVST & AISSEE (Dakshana CSR Program)

    Rajita has completed a Mechanical Engineering degree from Pune University. She is a teaching assistant for the CSR program that Dakshana runs for 5th standard kids from nearby villages at Dakshana Valley. The students prepare for the Jawahar Navoday Vidyalaya Selection Test (JNVST) and other competitive exams for the 5th class. This program was started in 2018, and Rajita has been a part of it since its inception. [READ MORE]

    Rajita chose to work with Dakshana because she resonates with Dakshana’s cause and believes in the impact that is being achieved. Rajita’s family consists of her in-laws, husband and 4-yr old son.

  • Ramesan Thuruthuppalli

    close Academic Program Coordinator - Dakshana Valley

    Sub Ramesan Thuruthippalli joined the Dakshana Foundation in August 2022 as an Academic Program Coordinator and he is from Kerala. [READ MORE]

    Sub Ramesan Thuruthippali worked in the Indian Army(Corps of Military Police ) for 26 years. He served 1 year for the Foreign country UNDOF ( The United Nations Disengagement Observer Force).He got the best service award at UNDOF.

    Sub Ramesan Thuruthippalli completed 6 months of Commando Training at NSG center Manesar. He served 3 years COAS(Chief of the Army Staff) bodyguard and he got a COAS commendation and an Appreciation certificate.

    He is a hard-working person and a self-motivated. He enjoys watching movies and drawing, also he is the best player in volleyball.

  • Sandeep Tiwari

    close Web Developer

    Sandeep Joined Dakshana as a Computer Science Engineer in 2022. Now he works as Web Developer Among His educational qualification, he has B.E in Information technology and master's in Computer Technology & Applications. [READ MORE]

    He has professional work experience with multiple startups across several industries and he has problem – solving and innovative ideas skills.

    Apart from this Sandeep likes Cricket, travel, and book reading.

  • Sangita Kumari

    close Academic Program Co-ordinator - Dakshana Valley

    Sangita joined dakshana in October 2023 as Academic Program Coordinator. [READ MORE]

    She has done her schooling till higher secondary from JNV Dhanbad thereafter she joined one year scholarship program in Dakshana valley from 2018 to 2019. She graduated from Institute of Science BHU in bachelor’s of science in 2022.

    She loves singing, sketching, reading books and watching documentaries.

  • Shashikant Nehere

    close Academic Officer

    Shashikant handles the academic scheduling of the 1-year scholarship program at the Dakshana Valley, Pune. [READ MORE]

    His responsibilities include monitoring schedule of lectures, conducting tests, generating results, etc. Shashi has completed his education at Rambhau Mhalagi Vidyalaya, Kadus. He joined Dakshana in May 2016. Shashi has had experience of 10 years in the hospitality industry. Shashi’s family consists of his parents, wife and they are blessed with a daughter.

  • Anil Kumar Singh

    close Academics Program Coordinator - Dakshana Valley

    He is from Sarojini Nagar, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. He Joined Dakshana for the role of APC for the Valley Centre in May 2023. [READ MORE]

    Before joining Dakshana, Sub A. K. Singh served in the Indian Army for over 28 years, retiring as a Subedar in December 2021. During his military career, he also worked as a Physical Training Instructor (PTI) for the long course in Pune and Bengaluru, stationed at the ASC Centre (North). His expertise extended to being a Weapons Training Instructor as well.

    Notably, Sub A. K. Singh actively participated in the Kargil War and was stationed in Bhutan for 2 years, contributing to common security along the Bhutan govt at the China-Bhutan border.

    At Dakshana, he takes sole responsibility for overseeing Physical Training (PT), Yoga, and other sports activities at the Dakshana Valley. His prowess extends to sports as well—he excels in volleyball, football, and cricket, having played these games at the national level during his tenure in the Indian Army.

  • Satish

    Satish Kumar Sharma

    close Academic Program Coordinator - Dakshana Valley

    He is from Motihari Bihar and joined Dakshana for the role of APC for the Valley Centre in Sept 2023. [READ MORE]

    Before joining Dakshana, Sub S.K Sharma served in the Indian Army for over 28 years, retiring as a Subedar in April 2022. He was posted in Leh Ladakh for more than 2 years and in Glacier for 18 months, during his military career, he also worked as a Physical Training Instructor (PTI) for a short course in ASC Centre (South). He has 28 years of experience serving with Twelve reputation Headquarters of the Indian Army.

    Notably, Sub S.K Sharma actively participated in the Kargil War and was posted in Sudan for 6 months.

    At Dakshana, he takes charge as APC for the Dakshana Valley location. His prowess extends to sports as well—he excels in basketball, having played these games at the national level during his tenure in the Indian Army.

  • Vilas Babasaheb Desai

    close Medical Supervisor - Dakshana Valley

    Vilas Babasaheb Desai joined the Dakshana Foundation in September 2022 as a Medical Supervisor of Hygiene and Sanitization. [READ MORE]

    He worked in the Indian Army Medical Corps for 26 years. He completed a 3-year Diploma in Nursing in 1998. He served 1 year for the Indian level III hospital CONGO( South Africa ) Foreign country UNDOF ( The United Nations Disengagement Observer Force). He got the best service award at UNDOF.

    He is a highly trained medical personnel and trained to give First Aid and trauma care to the wounded on the battlefield and inform about specific casualties to the battalion or regimental surgeon.

    He completed proficiency in trauma Care and emergency at 92 BASE Hospital Srinagar ( J &K ) for two years. He worked as a Hospital Supervisor at Military Hospital Bhatinda. He served as Medical Platoon leader overseeing the day-to-day operations of the base clinic. He issued shots and immunizations to soldiers at Covid Center Military Hospital Bhatinda. He worked in the BASE Medical Camp in the Kargil War.

    He is a hard-working person and a self-motivated. He is a charming person, also he is the best player in basketball.

  • Vishal Dattatray Gunjal

    close Program Manager – Outreach & Partnerships

    Vishal Gunjal is based in Pune, Maharashtra, and holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electronics & Telecommunication from Pune University. [READ MORE]

    Prior to joining Dakshana, Vishal worked as an Engineer at LG Electronics from 2015 to 2020, where he gained valuable experience in technical project management and operations.

    Vishal has been working with Dakshana since January 2021 and currently serves as the Program Manager – Outreach, leading and managing the organization’s outreach activities and scholarship programs across India. His key responsibilities include overseeing the execution of Dakshana’s student selection and onboarding process, coordinating with partner educational institutions, monitoring program implementation, and ensuring the achievement of impactful outcomes. He is also responsible for managing the Dakshana database and coordinating the DST exam processes.

    Vishal is committed to empowering talented students from underprivileged backgrounds by providing them access to quality education and coaching, thereby contributing to their academic and personal growth.

News & Events

Help us Change the way the world tackles poverty

  • DONATE

    You can lift a family from poverty permanently and help get the scholar accepted by an IIT or a government medical college in India.

  • DAAN (Dakshana Alumni Network)

    DAAN (Dakshana Alumni Network) is a 7271+ (in 2023) strong army of volunteers supporting Dakshana to forge ahead on its mission of infinite good

  • VOLUNTEER

    Want to change the world? Volunteer at Dakshana.

  • JOIN

    Team Dakshana is made up of dedicated individuals who believe they can make a difference in the world. Join us. The world needs leaders like you.

Join Us

Stay up-to-date on the latest news and updates and help us by spreading the word.