Chitra Dhananjay – a visionary with a social conscience
Prior to founding Agni Raksha, Chitra Dhananjay worked for 20 years in the development sector. After completing her Post-Graduate in Sociology from Bangalore University, she worked with community based projects with physically handicapped children at the Association for the Physically Handicapped (APH) Lingarajpuram, Bangalore. She has also worked with rag pickers and street children in The Concern for Working Children (CWC) programme. She worked as a Coordinator for the Sex Workers Protection Programme at SAMRAKSHA (HIV/AIDS). She has been instrumental in establishing the first field-based (HIV/AIDS) protection programme for Sex Workers, Eunuchs, and MSM (Men Having Sex with Men) inBangalore (1994). During her association with Jagruthi, Chitra initiated several studies and projects related to HIV. Among these is an research and intervention based project for Children in Sex Work, that led to establishing a Home Care Centre for girl children in sex work (1999). Studies include Prevention, Rehabilitation and Reintegration of children from sex trade and of sex workers, orphaned by AIDS, infected by HIV (2002). She also Initiated outreach programme for the disabled in Gauripalya, Agrahara, Magadi Road and Neelasandra.
Dr. Prema Dhanraj President and Managing Director of Agni Raksha.
(BSc, MBBS, MS (Gen Surg), MCh (Plastic Surgery), PDFBR,USA)
Dr Dhanraj worked as a Professor of General Surgery/Professor and Head of Plastic Surgery, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the ChristianMedicalCollege and Hospital(CMC), Vellore and is a Visiting Professor at Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch /Shriners, USA. At present, after a successful tenure at CMC, Vellore, Dr. Dhanraj is consulting in burn surgery and treatment with different hospitals in Bangalore. Today, Dr Dhanraj is an acknowledged name in her field and is often consulted for establishing burn wards in hospitals the world over.
Mr Samuel, a Chartered Accountant and Systems Analyst at a company based in Muscat networks with individuals and groups at many levels. He has mobilized support for Agni Raksha through his network of people from different walks of life.
Ms Susie Joseph, a Clinical Psychologist currently practicing in Australia was one of the key team that initiated Agni Raksha. Her rich experience in the social sector in India helped to make Agni Raksha’s services more pro-poor and holistic. Her inputs help to upgrade the services and understand the requirements of the beneficiaries.
Ms Clara Mary is a commerce graduate from Bangalore University and has completed Diploma in Computerised Financial Accounting (DCFA). She has been in the developmental sector for the past 13 years and has been involved in preparing overall plans and strategies for the organisation and projects including supervising systems on accounts and administration, overseeing accounts and fundraising communication. Ms Clara Mary volunteers at Agni Raksha by overseeing the overall financial management.
The AGNI RAKSHA Office Team
Ammu, Anusha.V, Ashalatha, Ganesh Anil Rao, Hemalatha, Jayashankar, Kouslya, Kulandai Yesu Rani, Kumari, Lakshmi.M, Manjula.S, Manjunath, Mary Bernadeete, Masti Sannakusa Gowda, Muthulakshmi, Pavithra.M, Raghavendra, P.C.Ramachandhraiah, Sakkubai, R.Salomi, Sarojamma, Savitha.S, Sneha Helen, Suresh Kumar, Usha, Sagaya Mary, Anita, Lekha, Meena, Vennila, Sharanya Herrur, Eunice Mercy, Uma Swamy, Jyothi, Bernie D’cruz.
Besides this AGNI RAKSHA is indebted to a large network of friends, well-wishers, volunteers, past members and our benefactors (patients) who relate to us in many ways with our work across the globe.
