Meet our team!
Sujit Patwardhan
Founder and TrusteeSujit Patwardhan was a Graphic Designer and Printer by profession and a founder member and Trustee of Parisar since its inception in 1982. He drove Parisar’s efforts to bring issues of environment centre-stage -through citizens’ campaigns, collaborative activism with other like minded organizations and advocacy efforts to highlight the need to ensure industrial and urban development does not lead to damage and destruction of the environment.
He served on several important committees such as – Maharashtra State Environment Protection Committee, High Court Committee for overseeing building permissions granted in Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani, Mahabaleshwar Panchgani Regional Planning Board, Urban Heritage Committee of PMC (Pune Municipal Corporation), Development Plan Steering Committee for PMC etc.
Since the mid-1990s he concentrated on advocacy for Sustainable Urban Transport Policy. He passed away on 22nd October 2022.
Ranjit Gadgil
Programme Director
Ranjit graduated from IIT Kanpur with a Masters in Physics before going to Cornell University for further studies. He then worked as an IT consultant for 7 years before returning to India in pursuit of something more meaningful.
He has been associated with several NGOs gaining experience in various sectors. Ranjit served as Programme Director of Janwani, an initiative of the Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture where he launched several urban governance projects. He worked briefly with an international foundation as their transport programme officer. He was the Lead India finalist from Pune. Ranjit's current interest is non-motorized transport.
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Shweta Vernekar
Senior Programme Associate
She began in Parisar as an intern, engaged in activities promoting awareness in various groups about the role of cycling and sustainable urban transport in the city. From then on she has forayed into different transportation issues such as gender and transport, the economic aspect of transportation for a city, grading of bus transportation service in Pune, air quality and its relation to transportation and so on. Her interests include policy analysis and advocacy, focusing on non-motorised transport and public transport in cities.
She has graduated with Psychology Majors from the Pune University. Apart from work, she likes to read, write and enjoys making illustrations.
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Sandeep Gaikwad
Senior Programme Associate
Sandeep joined Parisar in February 2018. He holds a post graduate degree in Social Science from the Pune University.
He has been associated with several international organizations and has been working in the development sector for almost 11 years, primarily, focusing on community issues such as water, HIV, migration, livelihood, education, micro-finance and tuberculosis. His competencies include project management, team building, monitoring & evaluation and advocacy with government stakeholders. In his free time he loves to trek and dine with family members.
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Aditya Chawande
Programme Associate, Urban Designer
Aditya is an Architect and Urban Designer by profession and working with Parisar. He has completed his graduation by securing 3rd position in Bachelors of Architecture (B.Arch) from Pune University and Masters of Architecture in Urban Design from School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), Bhopal. His sensitivity towards design reflects his concern of people centric design approach. Presently he is involved in designing for improving pedestrian safety on junctions in Pune.
He possesses an on-field experience of working on Smart Street Pilot Project in Aundh, Pune. His keen interest of research involves future trends of urbanization, urban streets and compact urban form with reference to impact of new technologies over transforming cities. He loves interacting with people and socializing with friends and family, while in free time he plays the mouthorgan and explores city spaces.
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Sharmila Deo
Senior Programme Associate
Sharmila joined Parisar in December 2016 and has been involved in several projects ranging from Transport Governance Initiative kit, Metro, Air Pollution, Road Safety etc. She is contributing to the content and material development that each of the projects may require. She also helps in organising various workshops and meetings related to these projects. She liases with many organisations and individuals for networking needed for Parisar activities.
She is interested in environment education and in association with another NGO, she has co-authored childrens' books related to wildlife and nature. As a passion to introduce children to wildlife and the outdoors, she conducts overnight camping trips for them.
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Paornima Gabhale
Campaign Manager
She joined Parisar in 2022 to manage the #Lakhko50 bus campaign in Maharashtra. With a Masters in Social Work from Nirmala Niketan College in Mumbai, Paornima identified her interest areas as gender issues and environment. Her prior work experience involves working with transgender community, domestic violence and cases of Section 376. She loves travelling and exploring new cities. Her hobbies also include singing and dancing.
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Damodar Shanbhag
Administration and Accounts Manager
He joined Parisar in 2016, after having worked as a Stores Executive at Automotive Manufacturers Pvt Ltd, Pune for a total of 38 years, in which he also looked after Workshop Administration for 23 years. He is interested in sports and has represented the BMCC Kabaddi team in his college period. He is also actively engaged in the Ramakrishna Math activities, especially youth activities like training and workshops for the rural youth. At Parisar, he looks after administration and accounts.
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Sushil Suresh Pathare
City Road Safety Coordinator
Sushil joined Parisar as the City Road safety coordinator for Mumbai. He has completed his Masters in Social Work with specialization in Family and Child Welfare from the CSRD - ISWR, Ahmednagar, Savitribai Phule Pune University. With 8 years of working experience in social development sector, his expertise lies in – program implementation, vocational education training, capacity building, stakeholders management, community mobilization and livelihood. His core is working with government officials liaisoning and advocacy. Sushil loves travelling and exploring places, along with reading books. His professional goal is to see every element of the society empowered for Nation Building.
Previously, he worked as the program coordinator at Room to Read India Trust. He successfully ran the Library Program in 180 ZP Schools of Nashik. Also has organized district level vocational education exhibition along with job fair.
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Tanzeel Allapur
Project Associate
Tanzeel is an Urban Practitioner working at the intersection of social sciences, design and data. She has completed her MPhil in Planning and Development from IIT Bombay and comes from a background in academia. Her research interests lie in developing and exploring participatory and co -design methods for inclusive spatial planning. At present, she is actively contributing her expertise to two projects at Parisar ‘Mobilising Community Support for Low Carbon Mobility in Maharashtra's Cities’ and ‘Making Pune Cycle Friendly’. Her unique blend of skills, encompassing social sciences, design thinking, and data analysis, allows her to approach urban challenges from diverse perspectives. Through her passion for participatory methodologies, Tanzeel aims to create urban environments that cater to the needs and aspirations of all community members.
Key Interest Areas: Climate resilience, Housing Equality, Inclusive Spatial Planning, User Research, Policy Advocacy, Co-Design Strategies.
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Janani Ilamparithi
Communications Strategist
Janani joined Parisar in March 2023. She looks after all the digital communications and presence of Parisar on social media.
With a Masters in Anthropology from the University of Delhi, she has a keen interest in visual ethnography, digital activism and AI in society. She is passionate about Korean culture and is studying the language. She is also a trained Hindustani Classical vocalist.
For any suggestions or comments related to our presence on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube or the website, do write to her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Happy to hold a conversation!