Sudarshan completed his graduation from the University of Washington in the US. He was actively involved in the civil rights and anti Vietnam war movement way back in the 1960’s. In his early years he actively campaigned for Robert Kennedy and after his assassination for Eugene McCarthy. He was a Residential Advisor for campus housing and was the Campus Coordinator for all residential halls in the University of Washington.
A qualified engineer both in mechanical and industrial engineering, Sudarshan returned to India and worked actively in the Jai Prakash Movement. He supported the formation of the Janata Party in India.
He also worked for the formation of the Janata Dal and actively participated in its political activities. Sudershan was always extremely committed to social change. He started AAWC in 1998, when he was exposed to the plight of the women in the red light district. He had no idea how AAWC would evolve when he started, however he was passionate and committed.
Presently he is the Managing Director of a Limited Company and on the Board of Directors of several Private and Public Limited Companies.
Admiral Bhagwat devoted his entire life to indigenize the production of submarines, ships and aircrafts in India. He is the author of five books in English and Hindi on strategic matters like globalization and militarism (Betrayal of the Armed Forces, The Eye Opening As I Saw, Bhartiya Janta ki Arthik Doordasha (Hindi), Vaishwi karan.Nai gulami (Hindi), Jagati Karan(Marathi)). His passion and vision to work for the upliftment of downtrodden groups is what keeps him going.
Initially Admiral Bhagwat came to AAWC as a chief guest for a Dandiya celebration.
He was moved by the sincerity and compassion that he saw. Moreover, the positive spirit of the young girls made a deep impression on him. Otherwise, an extremely accomplished but reserved person, Admiral Bhagwat decided to be on the Board of AAWC after this event.
Born to legendary textile worker leader Shri Gulabrao Ganacharya, Vijay has been in the Labour Movement since an early age. As the President of the General Insurance Employee Union, he successfully led many a struggle which culminated into comprehensive benefits for Insurance workers.
Mr. Ganacharya was happy to support AAWC since the organization was working in a field that is often neglected due to the social stigma associated with women in prostitution.
Mr. Maneck Davar, Member
Maneck Davar is the Proprietor of Spenta Multimedia, India’s largest custom magazine publisher. He is also Chairman and Managing Director of Mumbai Boat Show Pvt. Ltd., Blue Water Publishing Pvt. Ltd. and Liquid Publishing Pvt. Ltd. and Director, Smart Manager Pvt. Ltd.
Maneck Davar has 30 years experience in print journalism and publishing having written for and worked with major Indian newspapers and magazines - The Times of India, Indian Express, Statesman, Midday and India Today.
Maneck has been, in his long career, the assistant editor of the national weekly Blitz, city editor and chief reporter of the Mumbai newspaper The Daily, editor and publisher of the law magazine Lex et Juris and editor and publisher of Gentleman Group of magazines.
Maneck Davar is Chairman of the Kala Ghoda Association which conducts the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival and Chairman of The Society for the Protection of Children in Western India.
Saeeda is a graduate of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences in child guidance and family welfare. She has worked in a child guidance institute and in J.J. Hospital’s Psychiatric Department for several years.
She is the sister of legendary actor Dilip Kumar and has helped AAWC since its beginning by bringing Bollywood stars to various AAWC functions and thereby raising awareness.
Presently he is the president of the Sarvodaya Pratishtan in Rajapur, in the ‘taluka’ town of coastal Maharashtra. This foundation has been helping and training farmers to adopt new techniques for the cultivation of paddy and other crops. Vasudeo is also working in Mumbai as the Controller of Finance in a Public Limited Company.
Since the establishment of AAWC, Mr. Gondal has helped with AAWC’s finance and accounts. His commitment towards the organization has continued to grow over the years.
Ashika Pohoomul practices as a psychotherapist in Mumbai. She has completed her Master’s in Clinical Social Work from Columbia University (NY) and her BA in psychology from Vassar College (NY). Before returning to Mumbai, Ashika worked with the New York Presbyterian Hospital and New York State Psychiatric Institute. In addition to her private practice, she now runs support groups for those with chronic illnesses at the Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai.
Ashika came upon AAWC quite by accident at the age of 17 when she was keen to do volunteer work. She was looking to help people who most needed help.
As Ashika got to know the AAWC family, she was very drawn to the dedication, warmth and love of the organization and the beneficiaries. She continued to help with fund raising and administration and has now become a Trustee.
"The turning point for me was when I was working with a young girl who talked to me about becoming a brothel owner when she grew up. A few years upon my return from University, the same girl was finishing college and getting ready to get married and lead a life of dignity. AAWC had transformed her and I just had to be part of the amazing process!"
Mr. Dhruv Redkar, Member
After completing his Bachelor of Science and Masters in Business Administration, Dhruv worked in a multinational company in a managerial capacity. He quit his job to join a marginalized workers movement and started an organisation dedicated to domestic workers in 2004. More than 16000 domestic workers are a part of the network in Mumbai.
In 2009 he started the Mumbai Workers Front to include other sections of unorganised labourers like garbage pickers, home based workers and others. The organizations are in partnership with the Tata Institute of Social Sciences and State Bank of India for the extensive study of domestic workers in Mumbai and for micro-finance.
Mr. Redkar is always ready to support right causes. He has been helping AAWC right from the very beginning in bringing in resources. He is always on his toes to channelize AAWC to network with supportive organisations.
Mr Ramchandra lives in Kurar village, Mumbai, a large area inhabited by slum residents.
Mr. Patil has been working for the residents’ rights for many years. He is presently working in a public limited company as Manager.
Since the organizations inception, Mr. Patil has helped AAWC in organizing programs.
AAWC is not about changing the world; it’s about making a difference in the lives of these marginalized women and children, who are otherwise abandoned, destitute and exploited, with few resources to keep their body and soul together.
1st lane Khetwadi,
1st Floor Municipal School,
Near Alankar Cinema,
Mumbai 400 004. India.
+ 91 22 2381 9721
+ 91 22 2381 2189
aawc98@gmail.com
