Vriddha Mitra
The flagship program of SCHOOL
aims to reach out to every elderly person in India, with a special focus on the most vulnerable and the needy.
Society of Community Health Oriented Operational Links (SCHOOL) is a registered not-for profit organization working towards the attainment of SDG-3 Good Health and Wellbeing
We believe that every elderly deserves affection and care. We are whole-heartedly committed towards ensuring that the older people not only receive support but also live a healthy and fulfilling life. ‘Vriddha Mitra’ is implemented, guided and steered by a set of diverse professionals that belong to the field of social work, public health, governance, law, economics, epidemiology and many more.
All our efforts are geared to achieve the following Strategic Outcomes:
Holistic Community Care
Establish community-based approaches to nurture physical, psycho-social and environmental support system to promote healthy ageing
Independence & Self-Reliance
Improve independence and ability amongst elderly for self-care and self-sustenance
Dignity Through Inclusion
Promote respect and inclusion of the older people through inter-generational dialogue.
Our Mission
To build an age friendly ecosystem for the elderly population in India.
Our Vision
To provide integrated solutions for the challenges faced by the elderly populations with a continued vigour of empowerment and equality.
Our Compliances
Registered in the year 2007 under Section 8 of Companies Act (erstwhile Section 25)
Registered no. U85100MP2007NPL019346
As a not-for-profit organization, we abide by all compliances:
Registered in the year 2007 under Section 8 of Companies Act (erstwhile Section 25)
Registered with NGO Darpan
Audited statements and annual reports of last three years
We are also registered for undertaking CSR activities (Registration no: CSR00001624)
Our Board Members
Dr Benazir Patil
Chief Executive Officer
With specific expertise in policy advocacy and health systems strengthening Dr. Patil has been working in the field of social development for more than 25 years and has led several large-scale projects. She has worked with the World Bank, the EU, the British High Commission (DFID), the UN agencies and various national and international development partners. She has been credited for devising an innovative concept of ‘Community- based service delivery mechanism’ under the flagship program ‘Vriddha Mitra’ in the same spirit as that of the United Nations and its successful implementation to reach out to the elderly to serve them within their households with the aim to build an age-friendly ecosystem for the elderly population in India.As a researcher, Dr. Patil has been a Principal Investigator for a number of research studies in India, Nepal, Bangladesh & the UAE, specifically in the domain of RMNCAH, Neglected Tropical Diseases, and Non-Communicable Diseases. Dr. Patil has authored various national and international reports, policy documents, articles and publications with Government of India and international organizations specifically on Health Systems, RMNCAH and Urban Health, with national and international journals like ‘Journal of Perinatology’, ‘Indian Journal of Medical Ethics’ and ‘Indian Pediatrics’. She has authored two academic books: 1. Communication Strategies in Reproductive Health; and 2. Body image, human reproduction and birth control – a tribal perspective.Over the years, her leadership and vision in addressing the social and health care concerns of the elderly population has bestowed upon her the honour and distinction of being a public health professional in the field of elderly care.
Dr Pawan Pathak
Chief Operations Officer
As a technical health specialist, Dr. Pathak has contributed to large scale, multi-country, global health programs like MCHIP and MCSP, and global health platforms like ‘Call to Action’ for ending preventable maternal and child death and ‘Partnership for Maternal Newborn and Child Health’. He is well versed in addressing implementation level challenges both at the community and facility levels so as to ensure effective program outcomes. With more than 16 years of work experience, he brings in a skill-mix of teaching, training and mentoring on health systems, service provision, and thematic subjects.His expertise in program implementation has resulted into focused efforts in improving the quality of life for vulnerable older people that are reached directly in ‘Vriddha Mitra’ program across 5 geographies in India. His recent portfolio has brought him closer to the issues of the elderly population and he comes across as an ardent advocate of breaking the isolation, building social support and ensuring health-care and well-being of the elderly (60+) women and men.
Dr Rahul Singh Bhadouria
Chief Strategy Officer
A public health specialist with 18 years of techno-managerial experience, Dr. Bhadouria brings in expertise for implementing multi-sectoral programs right from grass root level. He has worked with WHO, UNICEF and many other national and international development organizations. He has contributed to many health care innovations in the country including that of Special Newborn Care Units; Model Maternity Wings; Integrated Paediatric Units; FRU operationalization; and Nutritional Rehabilitation Centres. His technical skill-set pertain to MNCH, Nutrition and HIV/AIDS. Team section will include just photos of the remaining members.
Advisory Board
Capt. Sunil Saraf
Prof (DR) Rukshana Shroff
Our Staff
Mr. Akhilesh Sharma
Deputy General Manager - Operations
Nitin Ghatge
Senior Program Manager
Sushil Mane
Senior Program Manager
Ms. Zoya Shaikh
Senior Manager: Resource Mobilization & Partnerships
Mr. Shamshuddin Sheikh
Program Manager
Mrs Anita Chougule
Program Manager
Dr. Aastha Tandon
Program Manager
Dr. Tanu Bhargava
Program Manager
Mr. Bipin Yadav
Program Manager
Ms. Shivani Puranik
Program Manager
Dr. Mudita Suryawanshi
Program Coordinator
Mr. Mukesh Kumar
Program Manager
Mr. Aditya Sharma
Assistant Program Manager
Mr. Rajat Gupta
Finance Manager
Ms. Neha Deshmukh
HR Manager
Mr. Satyendra Pednekar
Finance Manager
Mrs. Tejashri Mhandare
Admin Assistant Manager
Mr. Vishal Jagtap
Admin Assistant
Mr. Namameesh Singh
Admin Assistant Manager
Mr. Durgesh Kushwah
Assistant Manager HR & Admin
Mr. Ajay Mishra
Assistant Manager Finance
Ms. Pooja Kushwah
Admin Executive
Mr. Harish Gohadiya
Admin Coordinator
Ms. Ashika Gupta
Manager Finance & Operations
Mr. Harsh Verma
Admin Executive
Ms. Siddhi Vasaikar
Data Coordinator
Mrs. Pradnya Sarwade
Program Coordinator
Mr. Ajaykumar Nikumbh
Program Coordinator
Dr. Vrushali Patil
Program Manager
Mr. Vinod Rathod
Program Manager
Ms. Megha Tomar
Program Coordinator
Mr. Mohit Tiwari
Program Coordinator
Mr. Vishal Baiwav
Program Coordinator
Dr. Jayveer Sisodiya
Physiotherapist
Dr. Ajay Srivastav
Physiotherapist
Dr. Poorva Agrawal
Physiotherapist
Dr. Radha Iyer
Physiotherapist In Charge
Dr. Rutika Khadgave
Physiotherapist
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