A group of development professionals came together and decided to voluntarily work on improving the access to learning for the children of slum dwellers in Ahmedabad. Over a period of time it was decided by them to develop a platform which can benefit maximum number of community especially from the rural areas so as to provide sustainable solutions on Education, Health, Livelihood, etc. under an umbrella. Thus, Centre for Development Research and Action was born in 2017.

Our Board comprises of highly experienced Development Professionals who have worked across India on various development themes including Governance, Education, Livelihood, Agriculture, Health, and Community development.

Tapas Satpathy, President

Tapas comes with a rich experience of development sector career spanning over two decades. In course of his professional career he has worked at various senior positions across National and International Organizations & Corporate sector, on development themes such as Governance & Social Accountability, Education, Livelihood, Health, Agriculture, Women Empowerment, etc. He posses intimate experience of working with government at state & national level on development issues. He is also nominated by the Ministry of Rural Development (GoI), as the member of Selection Committee for giving recommendation to the State Govt. of Andaman Nicobar for appointment of the Ombudsman under NREGA since 2009.

Vivek Wandhile, Secretary

Vivek has a varied experience of more than 15 years working across various development programs ranging from strengthening rural Self-help-groups, Skill-based youth livelihood, Education, and Promoting Organic Farming practices. During his career journey he has worked with various renowned national & international organizations. He has an expertise on setting up large scale skill development programs across multiple states.

Shilpa Maniar, Trustee

Shilpa comes with a rich experience of more than 25 years working with various development sector organizations on issues of health, livelihood, economic empowerment of women. She has been associated with different organizations at various levels, and also provides consultancy to various development organizations on Social research and other development issues.

Gautam Chaudhari, Trustee

Gautam Chaudhari is an alumni of Gujarat Vidyapith, and also a Gramshilpi fellow. Over the 12 years of his professional career he has been devoted on the upliftment of tribal community across South Gujarat. He has facilitated access to education for a number of children from tribal community by providing Hostel facilities to most needy tribal students, and also linking them to higher education opportunities. He also works closely with various stakeholders to provide capacity building and improving livelihood linkage for the tribal community in Dang.

Team comprises of Qualified professionals from the Development sector as well as volunteers who are committed to help others.

Anil Diva

Anil is by profession Diploma Electrical Engineer from Gujarat Technical University. Having a sound knowledge on Mathematics and Science, he decided to contribute to his community by facilitating regular coaching to the Tribal students in grades 9 & 10. His vision is to see that most of the students can excel in their studies and qualify for higher education. He is associated with CDRA since last one year.

Martinkumar Gamit

Martin holds a Master’s Degree from Gujarat Vidyapith. He has a fair understanding on development issues of Tribal community. He is currently facilitating community mobilization on Natural Farming and also provides handholding support to marginalized farmers to adopt better farm practices.

Jamas Vaghmare

Jamas holds an MSW and has been working in the development sector for about 10 years on issues of Education, Skill development, and agriculture. He provides handholding support to the stakeholders at regular intervals on the above issues.