The CULP has 24-member Governing Council and 11-member Executive Committee are responsible to take policy decisions by majority and monitoring the programmes and compliance of legal norms in the organization. Apart from it, a working group of 3 members has been fully empowered to take quick decisions when the need arises.

Executive Committee (Board)

1. Ms. Usha Bapna, Chairperson, M.A. (Hindi), M.Ed and Diploma in Educational  Planning and Management from NUEPA, New Delhi, had 30 years of experience in school education Govt. of Rajasthan. She started her career as Third Grade Teacher and rose to the position of Additional Director. She was the State Director of Janshala Program (a Joint GOI-UN system based primary education program) and was a special invitee in a meeting at UN Economic and Social Council in New York. After retirement she worked with UNICEF as consultant for three years and was also Chairperson of State Resource Centre of Adult Education for 3 years. She is a recipient of State Merit Award on the basis of her outstanding performance.

Ms. Bapna is actively engaged in social work, and helping cancer patients as vice president of Jaipur Cancer Society, serving as the treasurer of Sandhan (a professional organization in education) and Joint Secretary of EBSR. Educational Management expert in conceptualizing innovative projects for the education of the children of marginalized communities (urban slums), designing tools for students learning assessment and program impact evaluation. She has been an innovative educationist. 

She also worked as an Education Consultant to several education programs and NGOs for supporting the state government for planning and managing the girls’ education in the state for more about three years; has been part of several Education Committees in the state government. https://www.facebook.com/usha.bapna.9/ ; https://ebsr.in/ebsr-office-bearers-directory-images/.bapna.9/ ; https://ebsr.in/ebsr-office-bearers-directory-images/

2. Dr. Archana Pareek, Co-Chair, is one of the founders of CULP. She did M.Sc in Life Sciences and Ph.D in Botany from University of Rajasthan. She has retired as the Professor and Head of the Botany department, Vedic Girls’ PG College Jaipur. She has got about 38 years professional and social development working experience. She is also actively engaged in several social activities for supporting the education of the children (especially girls) of the most marginalized communities in slums of Jaipur city and surrounding semi-urban areas. There are about 11 research papers in her credit and published in national and international papers and has got published her Ph.D thesis ‘Aquatic Flora of Rajasthan. Dr. A. Pareek is an expert on Bio-diversity and Gender issues. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Archana-Pareek

3. Ms. Vimla Punia, Treasurer, has been one of the founder member of the organization but due to her inability of joining the regular meetings since frequent transfer of her husband. Vimla has again joined CULP Governing Council as an honorary member on 24 July 2021 and has elected as the Treasurer (office bearer) of the organization on 4 August 2024. She helps CULP Accounts section in financial management and controls and, also ensures timely legal compliances.

As an army officer’s wife, she has witnessed the strength and resilience of families facing diverse challenges. She always felt concerns about the well-being of children, and she deeply engaged her with army welfare societies. This experience, coupled with her extensive teaching career spanning 20 years, has provided her with a unique and profound perspective on the varied needs of young minds.

Vimla has several to teach school children as a teacher with several esteemed institutions across India, including: Small Wonder School; Regimental Children School, Lucknow; Army Pre-Primary School, Khaprail, Siliguri;  Army Public School, Gorakhpur; Army Public School, Secunderabad. In these roles, she had the privilege of working closely with specially-abled children, witnessing their incredible potential, and supporting kids from low-income backgrounds, deeply understanding the importance of equal opportunities. I believe every child deserves a chance to thrive, regardless of their circumstances. Vimla’s commitment extends beyond the classroom. She actively associates with various societies and social organizations like AASHA schools, contributing to their efforts in child welfare and community development. Vimla’s educational background includes a BA, B.Ed and LLB, which have equipped her with a diverse skill set and a holistic understanding of education and social justice. Her commitment is to create a nurturing and inclusive environment where all children can flourish, empowered to reach their fullest potential.

4. Dr. O. P. Kulhari, Secretary, did Ph.D. in Botany from Uo, taught in higher education during initial years, then shifted in social development sector in 1987. He has been associated with an expert group who provided technical input to the Govt. programs for universalization of elementary education, curriculum and policy reformation in Rajasthan. He played a pivotal role in designing and implementation of innovative educational initiatives for the children of most deprived communities and developed successful models (e.g. Pehchan). Under his leadership CULP’s innovative work received recognition like, Dasra Girl Power Award 2014, India NGO Award 2015, Fidel CASTME Award 2021 to name a few. An avid researcher, who coordinated prestigious researches for Government & NCERT; published 20 research papers (education & botany); and about 500 articles. Dr. Kulhari is one of the founder of Rajasthan State Partnership for Girls Not Brides (Global) for ending child marriage, and worked as its Co-Chair for 3 years (2021 to 2023; and currently he has been elected as the Chairperson (2024) for 3 years and hosting its state secretariat in CULP.

Dr. Kulhari was felicitated by EBSR and HCM RIPA (8 Sept. 2024) for outstanding contribution in the health sector through mass mobilization and awareness and collaboration CBOs, Health Institutions and the Govt. line-departments. Dr. Kulhari has got the leadership training from Dasra (2016-20) and Movement Building Advocacy Leadership from GNB Global Partnership (Tanzania June-July 2023 and Nepal December 2023). In the leadership of Dr. Kulhari, CULP is engaged with several CSO networks on policy issues related to Education, Health, Child Marriage, Gender Equity & legal entitlements; at National & State level, and also at global level. Some of them are: Girls Not Brides Global Partnership & Rajasthan SP (35 NGOs) for ending Child Marriage. CULP: A Chairing organization working as a State Secretariat; CMW 8.7 Network (Global) for ending Modern Slavery (2023): CULP: a principal member and Dr. O. P. Kulhari, (CULP); a member of a Working Group on Communication and Capacity Building in its Annual General Body Meet for 2 years; National FORCES Network on rights of children and women for strengthening ICDS Services;  RajToFA for Awareness and advocacy campaign for making the Rajasthan tobacco Free State through effective compliance of the Provisions of COTPA-2003; JSA Rajasthan a campaign for Health for all in the state, succeeded to get the state government passed the Right to Health Rajasthan Act 2023; Rising Rajasthan Campaign for 5000 girls from 5 districts (including CULP Project beneficiary girls from Tonk district) demands from the government for Free Education up to grade 12 for all girls and adequate provision of scholarship for the girls of economically vulnerable communities. CULP provides technical support to the network;  RtE Consortium for effective compliance of RtE Act 2009. The next #MovementMakers: https://youtu.be/l1-Z6uEO0Ro?si=zmIuBobJr55qSAqK ; https://stories.workmob.com/om-kulhari-social-work ; https://www.wise-qatar.org/biography/dr-om-prakash-kulhari/

5. Dr. Rakesh Srivastava is one of the founders of CULP and hold the position of the CULP Chairperson for about eight years. Currently, as an Executive member he plays role of mentoring the CULP Program team for conceptualizing innovative research projects and orient the team on the issues of Bio-diversity, environment, protection of forest resources and promotion of plantation and how these issues integrate with CULP’s field programs for the sensitization of the community people, members of PRIs, CBOs, and youth and women’s groups.

Dr. Srivastava did his M.Sc in Plant Pathology (1980) and Ph.D on Bio-diversity (1993). He served in higher (college / university) education (Education Department of State Government of Rajasthan) as a lecturer, subsequently promoted as senior professor and College Principal for about 40 years and retired in 2018. Dr. Srivastava has more than 10 research papers in his credit on diverse issues of Biodiversity and environment. He has also contributed to conservation of Sacred Groves in the state of Rajasthan by associating himself with an NGO called KRIPAVIS, Alwar which is engaged to protect sacred groves (Banis) in the state of Rajasthan.

6. Dr. Govind Pareek has been elected as a member of Executive Committee (Board) of CULP on 29 January 2012. Dr. Pareek supports CULP in Financial Management and Controls, related legal compliances. Dr. Pareek has received his M.Com. MBA, Ph.D. He has retired as a Professor in the Department of Accountancy and Business Statistics, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur. Dr. Pareek’s Area of Specialization is Cost Accounting, Financial Accounting, Mgt. Accounting, Auditing, and Advanced Accounting. He have authored a book titled Central Cooperative Banking in a Developing Economy. 1991. He was Awarded Best Educationist Award by Manav Kalyan Samiti, Kota, on May 27th, 2007. He is a Member of Indian Accounting Association. Rajasthan Accounting Association. Founder Member of Nucleus Society, Teacher University of Rajasthan. External Member, Board of Studies in Department of Accountancy & Business Statistics, Faculty of Commerce. JNV University, Jodhpur. MLS University, Udaipur. Mody Research Institute, Laxmangarh. The Maharaja Sayaji Rao University of Baroda, Gujarat. He was an Advisor, Journal of Indian Accounting Association Vol. XLVI (2) December, 2014.

Dr. Pareek authored and co-authored about 30 books on different subjects, viz., Financial Accounting, Cost Accounting, Advanced Accounting, Book-keeping, Auditing, etc. He has also published 12 Research Papers in international journals; and attended 25 national and international seminars. https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-govind-pareek-754744128/

https://www.facebook.com/govind.pareek.56/

https://biography.omicsonline.org/india/university-of-rajasthan/dr-govind-pareek-39208

7. Dr. Soumana Datta retired in 2020 as Dean of science and Head of Botany Dept.UoR Jaipur after 34 years. Her research areas include plant biodiversity, Nematology, environmental biotechnology and seed taxonomy. She has more than 100 research papers published in national and international journals and articles to her credit along with book chapters and popular science articles.  She has also organised many conferences, workshops and seminars for students and faculty. Dr. Datta has also acted as coordinator in faculty training programs in the university. Dr. Datta joined CULP Governing Council and elected as a member of its Executive Committee on 30 December 2007 and has been continuing in this position till date. She has been a member of Rajasthan State Bio-diversity Board constituted by the Ministry of Forest and Environment, State Government of Rajasthan. As an expert on Bio-diversity and Gender issues. Dr. Datta is engaged in other social activities like running community library for urban slum children, she is board member of BGVS Rajasthan since its inception.   

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dattaslibrary/?originalSubdomain=in

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Soumana-Datta-2

8. Dr. Brij Mohan Istwal is one of the founders of CULP, and currently holding the position of the Executive Committee member of the organization since its inception (2001). Dr. Istwal has been an instrumental in organizational development and served as an expert in conceptualizing CULP’s first innovative and collaborative project called ‘Pehchan’ for educating out-of-school girls in the rural parts of Rajasthan. He is a linguistic expert and supports CULP program team members for their capacity building for the curriculum development, teachers’ training, and students teaching learning material, also for developing proposals for conducting research studies, liaison with the line departments of the government and mobilizing the funding resources.

Dr. Istwal has served as a senior consultant with UNICEF for providing the technical support to the Education for All Project (SSA / Samgra Shiksha), the State government of Rajasthan for more tha 10 years in different time spells. He has been associated with several professional organizations as the faculty member, namely Sandhan, Digantar for supporting to ddevelop FLN plan and material for Rajasthan, Text book develop under RSCERT, Rajasthan, LOK JUMBISH, Text book develop Chhattishgarh, A primary Hindi language package in Digantar (Lok Jumbish / Sandhan 1998-99), Chhattishgarh 2005-07;  Digantar (2004-05).

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-brijmohan-istwal-01095532/?originalSubdomain=in

9. Dr. Mehmood Ali Khan joined CULP as a member of CULP Board since 2010 he played ole by establishing liaison with the government officials and developing resource mobilization strategy for the organization since he joined the Deputy Director of the Minority Affairs Dept. (2012-24). Dr. Khan did his Ph.D. (2006) on “Industrial Resource Potential and Development in Upper Indira Gandhi Canal Region”; and M.Phil on “Industrial Analysis – A Case Study of Churu Town” from UoR, and did MA (Geography 1992) Dissertation: “Study in Urban Geography”.  Dr. Khan has been teaching in higher education for last 16 years, and he also had 11 years administrative responsibility; and worked as research supervisors and guided Ph.D students, Displacement and Rehabilitation in the Northern Desert of Rajasthan; Industrial Development Patterns in Sikar District; Development of Tourism in Thar DesertRemote Sensing and GIS in Land Cover Change in Jaipur City; and (v) PG Dissertations: Studies on Urban Settlements, RIICO Industrial Areas, Population Trends, Urban Development in Desert Areas.

Dr. Khan had responsibilities in positions such as Member and Convener, Board of Studies (Geography & Military Science), MGS University, Bikaner; NCC Officer since 2001; received DG’s Baton of Honour at Kamptee, Nagpur, and in other roles such as Project Assistant: South Asia Study Centre, University of Rajasthan (1993-1994); Curriculum Development: Designed syllabi for Class I-V for Sandhan and VI-VIII for EKLAVYA; Coordinator: Teachers’ Training Programs and Survey Camps for PG students; Nodal Officer: All India Survey on Higher Education (2011). Research Projects:  “Potential of Industrial Development: A Geographical Study of Bikaner District” (2006); Conducted by ARAVALLI, submitted to DPIP, Rajasthan Govt (June 1997); Infrastructural Projects for MsDP/PMJVK: Projects of Approx. 650 Crores for the Basic Amenities development in the priority sector of Education, Health and Skill Development from Ministry of Minority Affairs, GoI & State Budget Announcements. Dr. Khan also contributed to develop curriculum and textbooks for EVS under Education for All Project (1994-97).

Books & Papers published: “Industrial Development” (Jaipur 2009); Bio-Diversity Conservation and Sustainable Development Geopolitical Perspectives of North or South, 31st & 32^nd Annual Conferences Proceedings, RGA; Supply and Quality of Drinking Water in Churu District, Water Crisis – The Global and Indian Scenario, Journal of Water and Land Use Management (2009); Strategic Plans for Industrial Development in Sikar District, Journal of Global Resources (2018); (vi) Navigating the Global Challenge: Addressing Climate Change, IJMRSET (2024); Articles, including studies on GIS applications, glacial mass balance, and urban solid waste management.

Dr. Khan attended: National Seminar on New Trends in Environmental Studies (Udaipur, 1995); Workshop on Social Science Curriculum (Bhopal, 1998); DST-sponsored Seminar on Intellectual Property Rights (Churu 2005); International Conference on Population Dynamism (AMU 2012); National Conference on Women Empowerment @ Viksit Bharat: Challenge and Opportunities (Hybrid Mode), Jaipur (2024). Dr. Khan presented more than 15 research papers in various seminars and published in journals, a few are: Industrial Analysis of Desert Region – A Case Study of Churu Town (1999); Bio Diversity Conservation and Sustainable Development (2003); Population Structure and its Impact on Environment (2004); Regional Development and Industrialization in Jhunjhunu District (2005); Industrial Resource Potential in UIGCR (2011); Muslim Women in Governance: A Challenge for Social Justice in India, (2024. Awards & Accolades: NCC Officer since 2001; received DG’s Baton of Honour; Executive Member, RGA (2004, 2006); Co-convener, UGC-sponsored National Seminar on NRM and Environmental Issues (2011).

10. Dr. Nawal Kishore Dubey as founder member, he has been a pioneer in organizational development and supported in conceptualizing CULP’s first innovative and collaborative project called ‘Pehchan’ for educating out-of-school girls in the rural parts of Rajasthan. He is a linguistic expert and supports CULP program team members for their capacity building for the curriculum development, teachers’ training, and learning material, also for developing proposals for conducting research studies, liaison with the government and mobilizing the funding resources.

Dr. Dubey is a distinguished academician, accomplished author, and celebrated advocate for Hindi literature and education. With an illustrious career spanning teaching, content development, and consultancy, Dr. Dubey has made significant contributions to both academia and society. He has served as an academic person with a professional organization, named ‘Sandhan’ for providing technical support to the government projects viz. Shikshakarmi and Lok Jumbish for universalization of the elementary education in Rajasthan for developing curriculum, textbooks, teachers’ training modules (1996 – 99); and an Associate Professor at Swathya Kalyan Nursing College, Jaipur; and has been associated with Rajiv Gandhi Central University, Arunachal Pradesh and Jamia Milia Islamia Delhi. His expertise extends to impactful roles such as State Head for a government program ‘Naubatbaja’ supported by UNFPA in Rajasthan, and as a Hindi Consultant for LLF Delhi. Dr. Dubey’s literary repertoire includes acclaimed works; Shamasher: Ek Samalochna (Criticism); and Poetry Collections like Moun Todte Hain Shabd; Kavita Ke Rang, and Geet Chandni. His dedication to promoting the Hindi language and culture has earned him prestigious accolades such as Hindi Shikshak Ratna (2006), Hindi Shikshak Bhushan (2008), Hindi Bhasha Bhushan (2014), Atal Kavi Sammaan (2022). Dr. Dubey has published several books and articles.  His passion for knowledge, literature and innovation continues to inspire generations, making him a true luminary in the field of education and Hindi.

https://jaipureducationsummit.org/speaker/prof-dr-nawal-kishore-dubey/

https://www.amazon.in/Books-Dr-Nawal-Kishore/s?rh=n%3A976389031%2Cp_27%3ADr%2BNawal%2BKishore

11. Mr. Jagnnath Singh Shekhawat as an expert in rural management was nominated in CULP Board on 24 July 2021. Mr. Singh helps / guides the program team of CULP for designing the innovative livelihood programs and supporting to develop small enterprises for young women of socially excluded and economically vulnerable communities in the rural and tribal regions of Rajasthan.

Mr. Singh did his bachelor’s (B.Com) from University of Rajasthan Jaipur (1982) and MBA (in rural management) from IRMA Anand, Gujarat (1984). Initially, he served RAJFED (Govt. of Rajasthan) as a manager (1985) subsequently, shifted to TRIFED (an institution of Ministry of Social Welfare and Tribal Affairs of the Government of India) as a Zonal Manager. He has served as a regional manager in different states, namely Madhya Pradesh, Chhattishgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand and Maharashtra. He has been promoted as a Senior General Manager, and finally transferred to the TRIFED’s head office, New Delhi from where he has retired after serving this organization for more than 35 years in February 2023. He has been a pioneer to organize trade fairs in different parts of the country.

Currently, Mr. Singh is actively engaged to support CULP and design innovative project for the social development in the rural and tribal regions of Rajasthan for which he establish liaison with both corporates, philanthropic organizations and HNIs to raise funds for the programs.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagannath-shekhawat-  286a180?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BUH%2Fx5C7lRXKgk%2Fj%2F7aTsAA%3D%3D

12. Dr. Madhu Singh as a board member extended her support to CULP in conceptualizing project proposals for public / community health, and provided consultation services during the Gynecological and Paediatrics Health Awareness & Check-up camps in two districts (Dausa & Tonk) for last 4 years (March 2021 to March 2025) and also helped CULP team to mobilize specialist doctors for other health camps like, ENT, Eye, Dental Cancer by liaison with both government and private sectors for providing the volunteer services for the easy treatment of rural poors, mainly children, women, aged people who are not able to access the quality public health services in their area.

Dr. Madhu did MBBS and post-graduate diploma from Lady Harding Medical College New Delhi and did diploma in sonography. Dr. Singh served as a medical officer at district hospital and its periphery in Bharatpur, Rajasthan for about ten years, and extended the various public health services related to like Obstetrics and gynaecology. She facilitated the work related to RCH (Reproductive & Child Health).and supported immunization program and also conducted Pulse Polio program in the district. .After resigning from the government job, she joined a private hospital (Paradiya) in Jaipur city and served there for seven as family physician and special responsibility was conducting sonography tests. Dr. Singh quitted Paradiya and joined Sparsh Hospital (Sanganer Jaipur) as its director, and subsequently started and has been running her own Madhu Hospital in Sanganer Jaipur since 2007 where she provides medical services at economic rates which the marginalized people, women could afford. Dr. Singh is the member of Indian Medical Association and Rajasthan Medical Association. She is used to join various social events and programs, especially health camps for wellbeing of people of lower income group for their upliftment. https://kivihealth.com/iam/govindsingh.choudhary.17238

13. Ms. Karuna Jakhar joined as an academic support person under CULP’s first innovative project called ‘Pehchan’ for educating out of school girls in 2002 and served CULP for 3 years (till April 2005). She contributed for developing teaching learning material for imparting the age-appropriate learning competencies to the children, so that they could be mainstreamed in age-appropriate grades of the formal school for their further education. She imparted training and continuous academic support to the rural community volunteer teachers and mobilized local resources through community support for the learning centres in the village.  Prior to this, Ms. Jakhar served SURE Sansthan as an Education coordinator under Lok Jumbish Project in Barmer district (1997-2002).

Ms Karuna Jakhar did certificate course in school education (BSTC) to become school teacher (1992) and Bachelor’s degree in school education school (2017). Subsequently, she was selected and joined as a government school teacher (2005). So Karuna bears a working experience of eight years in social development and 20 years in government schools, initially in remote rural schools in Barmer district for 3 years and in rural Jaipur district for 7.5 years. Subsequently she has been transferred in Jaipur city in 2018 and currently, she has been teaching students of marginalized communities in Govt Girls’ Sr. Secondary School in Jaipur city since October 2022. Ms. Jakhar joined CULP General / Governing Council as an honorary member on 29 January 2012 and she has been elected as an Executive Committee member on 4 August 2024.

14. Ms. Kiran Choudhary, a young professional, joined Executive Committee (board) member of CULP on 14 April 2019.  Kiran has been providing technical support to CULP program team to develop curriculum and training manual on ‘Banking & saving and Entrepreneurship’ for the capacity building / orientation of the Adolescent Girls and young women of the most marginalized communities in rural parts of two districts (Tonk and Dausa) in Rajasthan since she joined the CULP Board. Kiran has got professions degree B.Tech (Bachelor’s degree) and MBA (Master’s degree) with excellent academic performance.

Ms. Choudhary is an eexperienced Manager over 10+ years in Banking Industry (7.50 years with ICICI Bank and 3+ years with the Axis Bank Ltd). She has excellent reputation for analysing and resolving problems with quick TAT and improving client satisfaction with error free work. Result oriented professional with exceptional Operational (KYC, AML and Audit-Compliance), Sales and Leadership Management Skills. Adaptable assessor of business health, sales metrics and product success with efficiency in devising plans to devise acceptable solutions. Currently, Ms. Choudhary has been working as Branch Manager (Operations) in Jaipur city since March 2022

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiran-choudhary-b07946222/overlay/contact-info/

15. Ms. Mafiya Bano is a young youth woman activist in CULP project area of Tonk district. She joined CULP as a community volunteer teacher in our learning centre (Pehchanshala) for education of out-of-school adolescent girls of socially excluded and economically vulnerable minority communities (Banjara) located in urban slum of Niwai town (Tonk district) in July 2019. She successfully organized the centre and imparted age-appropriate learning competencies to about 25 girls (aged 8 to 16 years) and mainstreamed 80 percent of them in formal government school, 50 percent of them completed elementary level education and joined the secondary level school. Mafiya lived her early life in hardship, born in economically very vulnerable family and she was married in early age (before legal age. After few years of her marriage, she faced gender-based violence and husband and in-laws asked to bring money from her parents, her parents were also very poor, so they they did not fulfill their demand. Hence, her husband divorced. After few years of divorce, she remarried with a man of her age but in-laws family was also poor.

However, Mafiya with the support of her new husband, she planned to support the family by earning some money. So initially she got an opportunity with CULP as a volunteer teacher in Pehchanshala in her own habitation. Subsequently Mafiya was promoted as a cluster coordinator to support Gram Panchayat level Cluster facilitators for organizing the awareness activities at community level by organizing sessions with adolescent girls and young women on SRHR, Cancer, Anaemia, Banking and Saving, Entrepreneurship, etc and supported the organization to organize Health check-up camps on Gynaecology, cancer detection, Dental, Eye, ENT, Paediatrics, BP, Blood sugar tests, Hemoglobin tests, etc for which she succeeded to mobilize support from the frontline workers of the government line departments and people’s representatives, youth and women’s groups.

Simultaneously, she start a small business enterprise (Beauty Parlour shop) in Niwai town. Initially, she started to earn Rs. 5000 per month from this activity which now increased upto Rs. One lakh in a month during marriage season, and she is now providing training and employment to other girls and young women of poor families in and around Niwai town. She has also planned and supported CULP team to organize two beautician centres in two different locations in Niwai block (Tonk district). Mafiya has improved economic condition from BPL to APL in a short period of three years.

Mafiya has got her visibility on social media platform and followers count more than twenty thousands. She has emerged as a young woman leader and represents CULP and women at state and national conventions on gender, social and youth issues. She coordinated / moderated a session recently organized on Beijing 30+ Western Region Consultation (Ahmedabad January 2025).

Experts & Founders 

1. Dr. Lalit Kishore, former and founder chairperson of the organization, is an innovative educationist and researcher, creative writer. The CULP organization as a professional and non-profit organization was conceptualized under the leader / mentorship of CULP and he led the role of the founder chairperson for the initial four years of the organization. In his chairmanship, the CULP developed strategies for the organizational development during its inception phase and conceptualized an innovative and collaborative project called’ Pehchan’ for education of out of School Children in rural Rajasthan. Subsequently Dr. Kishore resigned from the worked as the senior fellow with the organization from 2005 to 2020). Kishore did his Ph.D. from Kururkshetra University on Learning Competencies of the School Children (Pedagogy) and did certificate courses, viz. (i) Evaluation, Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada; (ii) Monitoring Quality of Primary Education, International Institute of Educational Planning, Paris, France, and (iii) School Technology, International Centre for School Technology, Nottingham, U.K..

Dr. Kishore served with Kendriya Vidyalayas Sangthan (Central School Organization, MHRD, Govt. of India), initially as an Education Officer, subsequently retired as its additional director. He has also worked with Krishnamurthy Foundation for three years; and Lok Jumbish (Education for All) Project as its deputy director (1993-99). After the retirement from Govt job, Dr. Kishore, worked with Bodh Shiksha Samiti (a technical support agency for Janshala Program of the state government) as a senior coordinator, and UNICEF for teachers’ education as a consultant. NCERT has also published several education videos and teachers’ training manuals developed by Dr. Kishore, and has been a Member of the Editorial Advisory Board of the NCERT Journals.

Dr. Kshore has conducted / guided more than 100 research studies (background studies, program impact / evaluation studies) for government, UN Agencies, INGOs, and professional organizations, developed curriculum and teaching learning material for both teachers and students. Dr. Kishore has got more than 30 Awards / accolades for his researches and innovative work in education (science and mathematics) at national and international (6 times CASTME Awards) level. About 500 papers on education have been published in Indian and Foreign journals; ten books on various aspects of education have been published. Dr. Kishore writes and posts videos on his innovations in education and social issues on social media platforms (YouTube, Facebook, Slide Shares, etc. https://lalitculp.wixsite.com/website ; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sM6gmtcEHf8

2. Dr. M. S. Rathore, Ph.D, founder Co-chair and served CULP as it’s the Chairperson for more than 10 years. His leadership and mentoring role brought several recognition to CULP such as Dasra Girl Power Award 2014 and India NGO Award 2015. Currently, Dr. Rathore has been serving the Director of a professional and Research organization called ‘CEDS Jaipur’ for last 15 years. He did his Ph.D (Agricultural Economics, from ICRISAT Hyderabad on ‘Factor Combination and resource Use Efficiency on Small and Large Farms: A Comparative Study of Hill Agriculture and Semi-Arid tropics’. He did M.Phil from HP University and MA from Rajasthan University, he specializes in Econometrics and Mathematical Statistics. Dr. Rathore’s work experience includes: 

Retired as a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Development Studies Jaipur (an ICSSR undertaking), served as an Associate Professor at the Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla. He specializes in the areas of Agriculture Economics and Natural Resources Management, Environment and Development. Policy Analyst, Institutional Expert and Laws and regulation Analyst. FAO Farming System Consultant in Oman, Professional staff at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Kathmandu, Nepal (Work area China, Pakistan, Nepal, India, Bhutan), Visiting Fellow at the Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, Sussex, K. Lead researcher in the area of water policy and water security with more than 45 years of experience in the field.

Dr. Rathore Has been one of the members of the Advisory Committee for NITI Aayog Chair Department of Economics University of Rajasthan Jaipur (2016). He has also served as a convenor of 37 Annual Conference of Rajasthan Economic Association (2017). Author of 5 books and more than 60 research project reports and more than 100 research articles in national and international. Some of the references of research work by Dr. Rathore are as follows:

https://www.epw.in/author/m-s-rathore

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3. Sudhir Upadhyay, a founder board member and former Treasurer of CULP, is a highly accomplished development sector professional with over 29 years of experience in education, health, and livelihood initiatives. Currently serving as a consultant with CULP, he has played a pivotal role in strengthening program implementation, strategic planning, capacity building, and donor engagement. Under his leadership, CULP has expanded its outreach and successfully implemented projects focusing on out-of-school adolescent girls, teacher development, and public health awareness. His ability to conceptualize new initiatives and secure funding has led to the successful execution of several impactful programs, particularly in education and gender-focused interventions.

Throughout his career, Sudhir has made significant contributions to research and policy, leading studies such as Girls Back to School (assessing post-COVID school re-enrolment in Rajasthan) and Impact Assessment of Out-of-School Children Project in Himachal Pradesh. His expertise in program evaluation and impact assessment has been instrumental in shaping educational reforms and strengthening school management committees in marginalized communities. He has also played a key role in training and mentoring grassroots teams, educators, and government stakeholders, ensuring sustainable improvements in community-based interventions.

Prior to his current role, he worked with the Azim Premji Foundation, where he spearheaded teacher professional development programs, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge management. His tenure at INAS Social saw him providing strategic advisory support to NGOs, helping them enhance their internal management and project efficiency. At IILM Academy of Higher Learning, he led institutional outreach and placement initiatives, significantly improving student employability. His earlier contributions to the Janshala Programme, a joint Government of India-UN initiative, involved pioneering multi-grade teaching methodologies and policy documentation, which informed large-scale education strategies.

Sudhir has also contributed extensively to research and publications, authoring reports and articles on education, gender, and development. His work has influenced policy discussions and academic discourse, further strengthening his credibility as a thought leader in the development sector. Holding a Master’s degree in History and a PG Diploma in Human Ecology from the University of Rajasthan, he combines strong academic foundations with hands-on experience in program implementation, research, and strategic leadership. His commitment to evidence-based interventions and innovative solutions continues to drive meaningful change in the education and social development landscape.