Sriram Singh – Principal Advisor
Sriram Singh has been associated with dairy development work in India for the last 34 years in different capacities. He started his professional career with NDDB in the year 1988 and later joined NDDB Dairy Services. Since 2017 he has been leading the efforts of NDDB dairy Services facilitating the formation and strengthening of Milk Producer Companies across the country as its Executive Director and later as the Deputy Managing Director.
He has been associated with the idea of farmer Producer Companies since its beginning as a senior officer of NDDB and has contributed to evolving a robust architecture of management and governance of milk producer Companies. He has been an “Expert Director” on several Milk Producer Companies’ boards. His expertise areas are institution building, field operations, strategic planning, and board development. He has presented papers and made presentations at several national and international forums on ‘Indian Dairying’ and ‘Producer Owned Enterprises in India’.
After retiring from NDDB Dairy Services he has been associated with several National and International organisations as a consultant and/or an advisor. He is a B Tech (Hons) in Agriculture Engineering from IIT Kharagpur and a management graduate with a specialization in rural management from IRMA. He is also a Chartered Finance Analyst (CFA).
Dr. Manisha Pandit – Manager – (Knowledge management, Research & Communication)
A PhD in Health Communication and Governance from Central University of Himachal Pradesh, her interdisciplinary research focuses on enhancing health system performance through effective communication and governance strategies to meet the targets in maternal health care. Her research interest looks at the policy approaches to ensure access to care among pregnant women through the increased utilization of the public health facilities. As part of her teaching assistance during the doctoral study, she offered a four-credit course on Health Communication to the graduate students of New Media. She also extended her academic support to National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Kangra and delivered special lectures on critical communication theories and the structures and format of expression of various media. She interned with UNICEF on developing a digital library project with ready-to-use Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) package, life-stage specific, across the continuum of care by using existing BCC materials, products, processes, and guidelines.
Dr. Ritika Rupal (PT), State Program Officer – Rajasthan
Ritika, A physiotherapist with experience of working with disability and paediatric patients and now an aspiring public health professional. She completed her Master’s in Public Health from Symbiosis International University, Pune. Her Master’s Thesis was a work on infant nutrition, where she explored and tried to understand the ‘knowledge, attitude and practices of exclusive breast feeding among lactating migrant mothers working in the informal sector.’
Having interned at prestigious public health institutions like National Institute of Health and Family Welfare, Delhi for a Covid-19 research study and at Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, Faridabad for a pregnancy and birth cohort study “Garbhi-Ni”, she envisages to explore and contribute more in the horizons of Maternal, Infant and Child nutrition. She has been awarded with second position for a documentary on “health equity” in Global Public Health week organised by Public Health Foundation of India. She also holds keen interest in documenting public health domains via photography. Ritika is a true believer of uplifting the needy ones and also actively volunteers for “Freedom Employment Academy” to guide the youngsters.
Mr. Bighnaraj Behera – Manager- (Finance, Administration & Resource Mobilisation)
Mr. Bighnaraj Behera has his excellence in the field of finance, account finalization, account handling, dealing with legal compliances, audit queries and related matters. He has an experience of working with various national Non-Profit Organizations.
Mr. Behera has a strong knowledge of statutory audit, internal audit, financial reporting, ROC & GST matter, as well as FCRA compliances etc.
Mr Rakesh Kumar Gupta, State Program Officer – Chhattisgarh
Mr. Rakesh Kumar Gupta holds an MBA degree in Rural Management from M.G.C.G.V University (2015) and an MBA in Hospital Administration from Jaipur National University (2021). He is a development professional with over 12 years of work experience.
Prior to joining The Coalition for Food and Nutrition Security, Mr. Rakesh has worked with deutsche gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), NABARD consultancy services (NABCONS), and NIIT Yuva Jyoti.
Throughout his tenure, he has been directly involved in the implementation of various government-sponsored schemes such as Deen Dayal Upadhyay Grameen Kaushal Yojna (DDU-GKY), (tribal development fund (TDF), watershed development fund (WDF), Rastriya swarthy Bima Yojna (RSBY), Mukhyamantri Vishesh Swasthya Sahayata Yojna (MVSSY), Dr. Khoob Chand Baghel Swasthya Sahayata Yojna (DKBSSY), Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna (AB-PMJAY), and Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). He has expertise in program implementation management, data analysis and reporting, training and capacity building, as well as policy and guideline drafting.
He has been associated with the state health agency, Bihar and state nodal agency, Chhattisgarh since September 2017. His major job roles include training and coordination, report writing, hospital empanelment, field investigation, and monitoring & evaluation activities.
Mr. Gupta enjoys playing video games, enjoy nature, and watching movies in his free time.
Mr Sanjeev Nayak, State Program Officer – Odisha
Mr. Sanjeev Nayak – State Program Officer, Odisha is a development professional with 11 years of experience in local and national level organisations across India. His work is focused on Child & Maternal Health and Nutrition, Adolescent health, Sexual Reproductive Health Rights, Forest Rights, Women empowerment through rural entrepreneurship and Child Rights & Protections Issues. His Excellency in Project Design and Management, Monitoring and Evaluation. He has an expertise in Child & Adolescent Health Nutrition and Life Skill Education & SRHR. As a master trainer, he has trained more than 1000 adolescents and 500 frontline health workers. He has effective communication with strong community mobilisation and networking skill among the multi-stakeholders. He has worked in World Vision India on Child Health & Nutrition, Child Rights for global funded agency. He has worked with the Save the Children, India over 7years on Child Marriage, Adolescent Health, WASH, HBCC with the support of Hindustan Unilever Limited, PPHF and UK Aid funded projects. Mr. Nayak has received the award of “Rajiv Gandhi Pratibha Puraskar” at State level in 2011 for community services through National Service Scheme.
Nar Bahadur Thapa, Support Staff
Nar Bahadur Thapa is with the Coalition team since a very long time. He helps in managing the day-to-day activities within the organisation. He ensures the comfort of all members so that everyone can work up to their maximum potential. He is one of the most valuable employees of the Coalition.