About us
Aide et Action (AEA) was founded in 1981 as a secular, apolitical, not-forprofit organization headquartered in Paris, France.
AEA’s operations in South Asia are spread across India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan. AEA commenced operations in India in 1981 and was registered under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956 (corresponding to Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013) as a not-for-profit organization in the year 1988. Six offices, one each in Bhopal, Chennai, Delhi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, and Patna, are responsible for managing the operations in India.
We Engage with...
- Young Children (0-5 years), In-School/ Out of School/Dropout/Never Enrolled Children
- Children with disability, Children infected/ affected by HIV AIDS
- Child laborers, Children of Migrant
workers, Children of Women Sex workers - Children of families engaged in Manual Scavenging,
Waste picking, Domestic Work - Disaster Survivors/ Violence Survivors/ Communities living in
conflict zones - Adults (especially women), Unemployed Youth, Adolescents, and Distressed
Migrants - While Women Empowerment and Education, and Inclusive Education are integral aspects of our actions, we take into account the most pressing issues such as climate change, peace education and migration.
Vision
Changing the world through Education
Mission
To ensure access to quality education especially children.
Values
Dignity, Inclusion and Liberty
Principles
Solidarity, Transparency and Accountability
Our Board Members
Mr. Sharad Chandra Behar
Member
Mr. Sharad Chandra Behar
A passionate patron of Education, Gandhian philosophy and its vision who served the India Administrative Service (1961-1997), pursued academics and also supported constructive activism. He has held all important positions in the departments of Education, Labour Welfare and development of Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes and as the Chief Secretary of the Government of M.P.. He is the founder Vice Chancellor of Guru Ghasi Das Central University, Bilaspur (1983 – 87) and was the Vice Chancellor of Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism, Bhopal (1999 – 2004), of which the Vice President of India was the visitor.
Dr. Rukmini Rao
Member
Dr Rukmini Rao
A noted social, rural development and
women rights activist. She is the founder
of Gramya Resource Centre for Women
that addresses issues of land rights for
women, their right to education and
the prevention of violence against
women and girls. Dr Rukmini Rao has
worked extensively with the rural
folk of Nalgonda and Khammam, and
plans to do a lot more through her
Gramya Resource Centre. A recipient of
several awards, she was conferred with
“WOMAN OF THE YEAR – 2014” award by
“THE WEEK”.
Mr. Sanjeev Kotnala
Member
Mr. Sanjeev Kotnala
A leading Brand and Marketing
expert and a Certified Life Coach
specializing in Life & Mid-life-
transition coaching, Mr. Kotnala
has a rich and varied experience of
working with some of the biggest
names in the media and advertising
industry. In his career spanning 30
years, Mr. Kotnala has been associated
with Dainik Bhaskar Group, Citibank,
Motorola, ITC Welcome group, Hero
Honda, Yamaha, MTNL, Maruti, and
Oriental Insurance.
Our Senior Executive Team
P.B.Sajeev
CEO- AE (India) & Director – Programme Development & Support
P.B.Sajeev
Sajeev has been facilitating the growth of AEA in South Asia (India, Nepal, Sri Lanka & Bhutan) through impactful projects, designing & institutionalizing programme management systems and concepts, building capacities, facilitating change management processes and strategically supporting the AEA International Team. As the CEO of Aide et Action India, Sajeev provides strategic support for the continued growth of AEA in India. Sajeev has over 20+ years of experience and is an expert in areas of Programme & Project Development and Management, Micro – Planning, Participatory Rural Appraisal. He holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Development and Post Graduation in Systems Management.
David Williams
Director - Finance and Administration
Umi Daniel
Director - Migration & Education
Umi Daniel
Umi Daniel has over twenty years of experience in the development sector specializing in the theme of Migration.
In the capacity of Director – Migration he provides technical, managerial, capacity building, research and advocacy support to internal & external stakeholders of AEAI-SA on the rights and entitlements of unorganised migrant labour in particular and specific to education, nutrition and protection of migrant children.
Meera Shankar
International Coordinator – Sponsorship
Pravin Bhope
Regional Manager - Bhopal & Lead on ECCE
Pravin Bhope
Pravin is the Regional Manager for Bhopal Regional Office. He also leads ‘Early Childhood Care and Education’ theme of AEAI-SA. Pravin holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Management from IRMA and is a graduate in Agricultural Engineering.
He has over 25 years of experience in Corporate and Development sector. Pravin is leading a Creative Teachers network namely Teachers Resource Group in Madhya Pradesh and also volunteers as the Associate Editor for a Bilingual Monthly Magazine School Shiksha.
He has interest in Educational Research, Livelihood systems, and natural resource management.
Balwant Kumar Singh
Regional Manager - Patna
Balwant Kumar Singh
Balwant has 26 years of experience in the field of Participatory processes, Programme Development and Project Management, Human Rights, Natural Resource Management, Livelihood and act as Regional Manager for Patna Regional Office.
He holds Masters Degree in Soil & Water Conservation Engineering.
Suresh Gutta
Regional Manager - Hyderabad & Chennai and Lead on Inclusive Education
Suresh Gutta
Suresh is the Regional Manager for Hyderabad & Chennai Regional Offices. He also leads the ‘Inclusive Education for children with disabilities’ under the ‘Inclusive Education’ thematic of AEAI-SA.
He is a professional in Disability Management certified by Rehab Council of India and has an experience of 20 years in the social development sector. Suresh holds a master’s degree in Sociology and a post-graduate diploma in Community Based Rehabilitation.
His expertise includes inclusive planning, PRA, monitoring and evaluation in disability perspective.
Pranab J Panging
Regional Manager - Guwahati
Pranab J Panging
Pranab J Panging is the Regional Manager for Guwahati Regional Office. Pranab has 20 years of experience in development sector during which he has worked with several State, National, International NGOs and UN Agencies.
He has vast experience in strategic management, programme designing/ management, project implementation, partnership building & networking with different stakeholders. Pranab holds a Master degree in Geography from Gauhati University. His interest areas and expertise are Sustainable Livelihood, Disaster Risk Reduction and Quality Education.
Chandra Kiran Katta
Manager - Communications
Chandra Kiran Katta
Kiran is involved in developing communication strategies for the South Asia region.
He works closely with the AEA International communication & regional teams to improve the branding and visibility of AEA SA.
He has substantial experience of working as a television producer, media teacher, and communication trainer.
Kiran holds a Master’s degree in Communication from University of Hyderabad.