Swathi Mukherjee
The Vatsalya Foundation, Swathi Mukherjee, Managing Trustee, talks about the pandemic period and children’s health aspects.
Also, She shares gratitude towards The Vatalya Foundation Team which helps them to reach out with donations; Hygiene and Groceries Kit to actually needy people from the rural areas.
Everything that Swathi Mukherjee focuses on, in her professional sphere, she does it from the perspective of Child Rights. Associated with Vatsalya since 1989, she oversees as the Trustee and Executive Director, the efforts of her team involved in the intervention efforts and holistic development of Children in need of care and protection. Vatsalya is a pioneer agency working with street children in city, through its multilevel approach of outreach, child- to-child contact, contact centers and open shelter home, rural project.
Presently The Vatsalya Foundation reaches out to thousands of children under its affectionate, guiding and caring wings; an achievement that Swathi who represented the country in interface programs with Antwerp International School, Belgium and Tropen Museum, Netherlands in 2003 and 2007 respectively is eminently proud of.
Swathi Mukherjee was nominated by the US Dept. of State – Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, to represent our country- INDIA. For the International Visitor Leadership Program May 2010 Theme: Children in the US Justice System- A Multi Regional Project arranged by: Academy for Educational Development (AED).
Very early in her involvement with Vatsalya, she saw the potential in mobilising and generating opportunities for volunteer groups like social clubs, individuals, corporate organizations and celebrities to interact with children through recreation and thus create a progressive environment. Visionary in her approach, she introduced therapeutic projects like dance, theatre, yoga and gardening for the less fortunate children. As a Social Work Professional has guided and supervised social work students for many years.
Swathi is a member and was also the chairperson of Coordination Committee for Vulnerable Children (CCVC), a representative network of over 43 NGOs across Mumbai and its adjoining suburbs that collaborates with the Department of Women and Child Development, Labour department, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Police and NGOs. The Vatsalya Foundation has its centres in Greater Mumbai, Kasara, Murbad and Shahapur Taluka and has network with organizations in Mumbai, Ahmadnagar and Raigad district. Also partner with National and International Organisations and Individuals. She is member of Women’s Self – Help Group in Shahapur. Swathi has been nominated as an Advisory Council member of the World CSR day 2015.
Swathi Mukherjee is a Post Graduate, having done her Masters in Social Work from the Institute of Social Service, Nirmala Niketan under the aegis of Mumbai University. She also holds Additional Qualification in the Rehabilitation of Blind from NAB (India), Effective Public Speaking from Indo – American Society, In ‘Announcing, Broadcasting, Compering, Dubbing’ (ABCD) from Xavier’s Institute of Communications, Mumbai (India) ,Management in Hospital Administration from Bombay Management Association (India)
Dr. Safala Shroff
Dr. Safala Shroff is a LASIK or Laser Eye Surgery counselor and Hospital Administrator in her family Eye practice in Bandra and Marine Drive, Mumbai.
Born in aamchi Mumbai, Dr. Shroff is the first sibling in a family of three. An Honors student, she completed her schooling from the Bombay Scottish School, Mumbai and was the head girl and sports captain. She completed her post- graduation from KEM Hospital and thereafter plunged into an entirely different field of writing and research.
A passionate reader and a promising writer, she has penned several chapters in both nationally and internationally and also has a coffee table book to her credit. A passionate reader and a promising writer, she has contributed in several books both nationally and internationally.
She takes plenty of interest in social causes and is closely associated with the Vatsalya Foundation since many years. She is also on the Executive Committee of the GSBS Medical trust and the Women Empowerment Foundation where she helps with several health awareness programmes.
She was an Editor of a National newspaper received by over 20,000 Gynecologists all over India, called the ‘FOGSI TIMES’. She has also co-authored a book on pregnancy for Indian women, published by ‘Jaico’, titled ‘Fetal Attraction- Everything Indian-parents-to-be need to know about pregnancy and childbirth’ and its reprint ‘Pregnancy and You: Plan, Prepare, Push!, which is available in all major book stores in India. She also co- authored ‘A Genealogy of Generations: The History of the Mumbai Obstetrics & Gynaecological Society, an avant-garde coffee table book, which received lots of critical acclaim.
She takes plenty of interest in patient awareness programmes in the field of Ophthalmology wherein she helps her husband, Dr. Anand Shroff, a prominent eye surgeon in his practice at the Shroff Eye Hospital, Bandra, and Shroff Eye Clinic, Mumbai. As a counselor she explains the details of the procedure and becomes the source of support for patients through their decision making and recovery process.
A mother of two talented children, Sameira and Neil, Dr. Safala Shroff is a versatile individual with a zest for life.
Mr. Freddy Martis
Founder member and Trustee of The Vatsalya Foundation has been associated with the field of child Rights and protection since 1988. His endeavour has been in moving towards making a long-term impact in his community. His passion and commitment lies in creating opportunities for growth of the communities in need of care and protection. His interest of travel, music and creativity goes a long way in reaching out to the community.
