Ms. Gitarani Bhattacharya – CHAIRPERSON

Ms. Gitarani Bhattacharya, Trustee (Guwahati) – is a gender rights activist who has led the Assam chapter Assam Mahila Samata Society, a government of India programme for women’s empowerment for almost two and a half decades. She has worked actively in mobilising grassroots women leadership to collectivise and fight for their rights from society and from the state.

 

Mr. Debojit Brahma

Mr. Debojit Brahma, Trustee (Rowmari, Chirang) – A printer & publisher by profession; Debojit also heads the Bodo Cultural Association; he has also translated and printed a number of books into the Bodo Language.

 

Mr. V.K Madhavan

Mr. V.K Madhavan, Trustee (New Delhi) – Ex-Executive Director, CHIRAG, a large voluntary organisation working in many districts in the Himalayan State of Uttarakhand; Madhavan is now based in Delhi and heads the India Chapter of WaterAid, U.K ; has experience of working in senior positions in NGOs for 25 years and as a consultant for national and international NGOs.

 

Mr. Dhananjay Brahma

Mr. Dhanjay Brahma, Trustee (Guwahati) – hails from neighbouring village of Dhahalapara in Rowmari. He is currently working as a lecturer of English in Bengtol College, around 25 kms from the ant’s campus. Dhananjay is very active in the local area and also in promoting the work of the ant among college students and his colleagues.

Ms. Shannon Donna Massar

Shannon Dona Massar, Trustee (Shillong, Meghalaya) – She is co-founder and currently, the Executive Director of Faith Foundation based in Shillong. Shannon and her organization works on issues of child protection, especially against child sexual abuse. In the board of the ant, Shannon brings in experience and insights from other Northeast states and helps guide programme, especially on gender equality and our work with youth and adolescent girls in particular.

Some of our Ex-Trustees 

Late Sh. Ravindranath Upadhyay (Founder Trustee)

One of our founder trustee, Sh. Ravindranath Upadhyay – a Gandhian of repute who worked in Assam for over 50 years – passed away in April 2010. Sh. Upadhyay was the recipient of the Padmashri, one of the highest civilian awards in India.

Late Mr. Jyoti Basumatary

Mr Jyoti Basumatary, was the Head of Department of Bodo in Bongaigaon College, Bodo writer & thinker; works in various capacities with a number of community based organizations. One of the most ardent supporters of the ant from the local area of Rowmari, he passed away in May 2018.