Mrs. Anita Bhanawat M.A., M. Phil in English Literature is the founder member of SMILE and is presently the President of the organisation. She taught English at Post Graduate College of Jaipur for over 25 years. She was the topper of Rajasthan Board in Higher Secondary Exams and is also president’s Guide. Since her college days she has been committed to the cause of deprived women and children and was declared best NSS (National Social Service) worker at college level.

Dr. Pritam Pal presently the Vice President of SMILE was born and brought up in Kotputli. She was the first girl form her village who became a doctor. She worked for some years in Medical Department then joined Institute of Development Studies, where she worked on empowering adolescent girls through health education. After that she joined UNICEF as Project Officer for safe motherhood. At present she is working as independent consultant on various issues of gender, health etc.

Mrs. Kamini Shukla is one of the founding member and Chief Executive Officer of SMILE. She has done her post-graduation in Economics (1986) from University of Rajasthan India. Since then, she has been actively involved with various social and educational organisations, that work for disadvantaged groups, including tribal communities, rural women, underprivileged adolescents, and the urban marginalized. She has been counseling destitute women and at-risk youth since 2005. Her work extends beyond direct service delivery to systemic advocacy by conducting various workshops and training for women’s rights, life skill and leadership, gender equality, teacher’s training, amongst several other initiatives designed to create lasting structural change. She has been honoured and commended many times, by the government of Rajasthan and other organisations for her unwavering commitment and trans-formative impact to the society. She is also the founder member and Vice President of VISHAKHA, an NGO that works for empowering women. 

Mrs. Aparna Sahay is M. A (Political Science), MBA. Currently, Director, Sandhan: Society for Study of Education & Development. Retired from Govt of Rajasthan in September 2015. Major assignments were Member Secretary, Rajasthan State Women’s Commission; Director, Lok Jumbish; Consultant, SIDA on RCH; ED (Finance) RTDC and Financial Advisor, RIICO. Retired as Registrar and Add. Director, CMS, HCM RIPA. Area of Specialization: Gender, Education, Governance & Climate Change.

Dr. Latika Jha is M. Sc. Phd. in Chemistry. She is an educationist and has been working for propagation of science and education for the last 30 years. She has been an active citizen in the upliftment of underprivileged women and children. She has written books on Environmental Science and Green Chemistry. She has been teaching in different educational institutions in various parts of Rajasthan and has always been supportive for the cause.

Mrs. Usha Bapna who is M.A. (Hindi) M.Ed 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 Programme Director of Janshala Programme (a Joint GOI-UN system based primary education programme) 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.

Dr. Rekha Gupta – Retired in 2019 from IAS. Worked in various capacities. Have a flair for serving the Social Sector. Interested in working for Child Education. MA in Economics. PhD in Handicrafts and Tourism. Diploma in HRM from IGNOU.

ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

Dr.Rajendra Bhanawat – born on Sept 15, 1952 is a retired IAS officer of Rajasthan cadre. During his long career as civil servant, he held many important assignments like SDM, ADM, Collector of Dungarpur and Baran, Divisional Commissioner of Jaipur and Bharatpur, Commissioner, Labour and Employment, Commissioner NREGA. He was Director, Literacy and Continuing Education for over four years. He received NLM-UNESCO Award on behalf of Rajasthan for his outstanding contribution to women literacy. He is also a recipient of Governor’s merit certificate for his contribution to development of Tourism in Rajasthan.
After superannuation, he remained Chairman of NGOs like Doosra Dashak, Rajasthan Adult Education Association and Sandhan. He is also on the Advisory Board of Bhartiya Vidya bhawan, Jaipur kendra and Jaipuria Institute of Management.
He has contributed over 700 guest editorials to Rashtradoot, a Hindi daily of Rajasthan. He has written four books including his memoirs viz, “A view from within” and a book of poems.

Dr. Sudha Calla, Ph.D. in Chemistry is an esteemed academician and advisory member of SMILE who has dedicated her life to education, mentorship, and social service. A highly respected Professor of Chemistry, she has been instrumental in shaping the careers of countless students through her commitment to academic excellence and compassionate guidance. She also served as the Administrative Head of SKIT Engineering College, where she played a pivotal role in mentoring and supporting engineering students in both their academic and personal growth. Associated with SMILE for over 20 years, she remains deeply passionate about the organization’s mission to empower marginalized women and children by creating opportunities for education, development, and self-reliance. Her unwavering dedication and visionary leadership continue to inspire many.