Biswa Gouri Charitable Trust was formed in 2009 with a school (Bubbles Centre for Autism) for children with autism and intellectual challenges. BGCT took the next step during 2017 when half of the children reached 15 years and faced the question of “What next”. The step forward was conceived in the form of Pragati, towards livelihood, a skill development centre to empower young adults towards livelihood and a life with dignity and value.
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Our Vision
An inclusive society built on trust respect and equality for Individuals with Autism and other Intellectual challenges to live the life they choose.
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Mission Statement
To work towards empowerment and enhancement of Individuals with Autism and other Intellectual challenges through Vocational and Life skills to create valued social roles and sense of self worth. ​
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View our video to learn more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmnZRud1QHo
Board of Trustees
SARBANI MALLICK
Founder Director/Managing Trustee
Sarbani has been a passionate worker in the field of autism since the past 18 years. This passion has led to her comprehensive grasp over the subject, and has led to the creation of the Bubbles Centre for Autism, an institution that has gained strong credibility in the eyes of well reputed institutions in the medical field related to Autism in India and abroad. She has experimented with international best practices in the field, to create a leading-edge curriculum for the students at the Centre. She is a strong advocate of the school program, where parents are 'Co-therapists' and are supportive towards "Parent Empowerment Program” and "Train the trainer" Program.
ELIZABETH ALBUQUERQUE
Trustee
When I am asked to write a few lines about myself, I would like to concentrate on what brought me to Bubbles and made the Centre such an important part of my life - my daughter and autism. As parents, from the time my husband and I were told that our child was in the spectrum, it has almost been a quest – a constant search for methods, answers, solutions, and the right people to help us along, on our journey. Sarbani and Bubbles were instrumental in initially getting our daughter out of her shell. So when Sarbani asked me to become a trustee, I agreed. I felt that with personal exposure and experience I would be able to contribute, even though there are no absolutes and no givens. Each one of our children is unique! The way they respond to a situation, a person, an environment and a method of instruction, is just so totally their own.
UMESH NAIDU
Trustee & Treasurer
Umesh has worked in the FMCG and related industries for most of his career, spanning more than twenty years. In these years, he has been in the Sales and Marketing functions of reputed organizations, such as Wipro and Himalaya Herbals. He has also been part of several Start-ups as CEO (South) at Rohit Surfactants, and CEO of consumer health products division of John Fowler.
AMITAVA MUKHERJEE
Trustee
Amitava, besides holding an MBA (completed in 1993 from XISS, Ranchi) with specialisation in Human Resource Development, is a certified Personal Counsellor from the Xavier Institute of Counselling, Mumbai.
He has been associated since 2005 with the programs and research projects of the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL). He is Founder-Director, Greentree Learning Pvt. Ltd., an organisation rendering people development-related services to industry. The intent to join the Bubbles Centre for Autism was to contribute towards its laudable mission, specifically, to contribute towards the formation and development of the organisation, in alignment with its growth in size and in its range of services.
ABHIJIT MUKHERJEE
Trustee
After graduating in Physics from St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata in 1978, Abhijit joined as a management trainee in the Foods and Beverage division of Hindustan Unilever Limited.
He worked in HUL for 25 years, taking in different roles, primarily in the Supply Chain and Product Development areas. His training and experience in HUL have served as key building blocks of his skills, approach and management practices. He left HUL when he was Product Development Manager, Central Asia & Middle
East (CAME). After leaving HUL in 2003, Abhijit took up responsibility for the Tea Supply Chain
& Product Development business for Duncan’s. In 2006, switching tracks to the development sector, he undertook a 1 yearDiploma Course in Counseling at Banjara Academy in Bangalore, after which he joined APD to lead the Communication and Fundraising department as a Director.
He is responsible for developing innovative partnerships with individuals and companies to ensure that the organization’s programs’ are adequately funded. In Year 2015 he retired as Director, Marketing, APD and was inducted into APD Board. In Year 2017 he retired from APD Board and started volunteering in Biswa Gouri Charitable Trust (BGCT). In the year 2019 he was inducted as a Trustee in BGCT Board and currently continues in that position overseeing Governance, Compliance and supporting Marketing. Abhijit enjoys reading selectively, listening to music selectively and travelling to places of natural beauty.
RUMNO MUKHERJEE
Trustee & Secretary
After over 25 years in the corporate sector, primarily in the leading IT companies, Rumno took pre-matured retirement to pursue her interest, one of which was to move full-time to social enterprise. She is a graduate in economics and MBA in Marketing and Operation Research. She had worked across diverse organizational roles; at sales, marketing, profit Centre operation, delivery and people processes and has a holistic knowledge of a business.
She worked in top IT companies, such as, CMC, IBM, TCS, Wipro and few smaller product companies. Her last assignment was a senior leadership role in Wipro. Her interest is to create a supported employment space for persons with Intellectual Development Disorders, primarily Autism. She is a Trust member and an advisor Strategic Initiatives at Biswagouri Charitable Trust. She is also a Trustee at Mission4Life, a livelihood initiative by parents of persons with Intellectual disabilities. She is a cancer survivor and is part of Indian Cancer Society. She is passionate about travelling, reading, writing and connecting with people. She had driven across continents in car rallies and is a golf enthusiast. She is from Kolkata and lives in Bangalore with her family.
Advisors
DR. SHOBA SRINATH
Medical Advisor
Dr.Shoba Srinath is an authority in the field of Mental Health and Autism Spectrum Disorder. She has a DPM and a M.D in Psychiatry. She is a retired professor and former head of the department of child and adolescent psychiatry at NIMHANS, Bengaluru. Her interests are Autism, mood disorders and OCD(obsessive compulsive disorders). Her vast experience and dedication speaks for her excellence and efficiency in dealing with issues in kids. Dr.Shoba Srinath conducts workshops and consultations; working with parents and teachers.
M.R. SUBRAMANIAN
Chartered Accountant
Mr.Subramanian is the Advisor to the Board. He has comprehensive experience in the corporate sector both in India and abroad spanning over 3 decades. Exposure to a variety of businesses, ranging across manufacturing, trading, shipping & service. In-depth experience in accounting, audit, treasury, supply chain, insurance & commercial aspects of business. He oversees accounting, statutory filing, donor management activities.
SUSHAMA NAGARKAR
Technical Advisor
Sushama Nagarkar is the Managing Trustee and Founder of Arpan, an enterprise working towards livelihood for Individuals with Disabilities. She believes that with the right kinds of supports every adult with developmental disabilities can live a very fulfilling life and be an active contributing member of the community that he or she lives in. After completing her undergraduate and graduate degrees in psychology from St. Xavier’s College and Bombay University and continued to obtain a Specialist degree and national certification in School Psychology as well as a Doctorate in Special Education during a 15 year stay in the US. She is a registered Rehabilitation Psychologist with the Rehabilitation Council of India. Sushama teaches undergraduate and graduate level classes in special education. She works with families and different non-governmental organizations in Mumbai, Pune and Bangalore.
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