Akshara Centre

Akshara Centre

location: Mumbai, Maharashtra

Donation Option Amount INR Actions
Help educate a poor girl by partly reimbursing one year college fees
For all donors | tax benefit: 50% | more
3750
Gift
General Fund
For all donors | tax benefit: 50% | more
250
Gift
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Mission/Vision
To establish a gender just and violence free society
 
Background
In 1995, the two co-founders set up Akshara in response to the movements for women’s rights and women’s studies. There was an urgent need for a Centre which housed and made available to students and activists material on gender issues. . With time, they realized the need of taking the center and its resources to the people rather than being a place which people visited. It was also important to take gender based resources to people in simple language or innovative ways. While their efforts saw a positive impact, they felt more needed to be done. Young women from underprivileged sections of society did not have access to school and college education and the education they received did not equip them for the workplace. Young men and boys were unaware of gender bias and continued perpetuating violence in different forms on women. Gender education and training was as necessary as survival skills like life skills and technical skills. As the Internet revolution and easy access to information saw the decline of the gender library, Akshara shifted to taking gender education in different forms like Info Fairs, videos and booklets as well as gender trainings to young people in colleges and neighborhoods. Akshara trains young men to become supporters of gender equality and take up personal and social action. Young women are given financial aid to complete higher education and learn their rights, to resist violence and take care of their health. Akshara also lobbies with the State especially with the police for a better emergency helpline for women; with the Municipal bodies for open spaces and safety of women; and with public transport authorities for the safety of women. It also joins in networking with city based and national women’s and other groups for legislation and policies.
 
Dr. Nandita Gandhi has been active in the field of development and gender for the past 26 years. She has done a Masters from Mumbai University and received a Phd from The University of Amsterdam. She has been a journalist, researcher and trainer. She co-founded Akshara in 1995 and devised the first feminist classification system for small collections of books. Dr Nandita Shah has done her Masters from College of Social Work, another Masters of Development Studies (Women and Development) from Institute of Social Studies, The Hague and her Doctorate from University of Amsterdam. She has been a co-founder of Akshara and has set up its present programs. Besides establishing Akshara as a library and women’s organization, both co-founders have written a number of educational booklets and a book on the women’s movement in India.
 
Facts
Full time staff :13
Part time staff:1
Consultants:2
Contract staff :0
Volunteers: 15
Total Receipts for 2016-2017 is INR 14406424
Total Payments for 2016-2017 is INR 12464291
 
Activities and reach for the latest full Financial Year
Young girls outreach- Ganpati Mandals on Women's Safety : 1000
Number of Booklets distributed to RPF on safety of Women : 1000
Wall Paintings was done on Safety of Women in 8 public spaces by 8 organizations: 24000
Number of youth became Gender Champions: 280
Number of youth became Peer Guides and WE club Leaders: 52
Gaana Rewrite social action by students: 22646
Number of stickers for 182 Helpline number on Safety of women was put up in local trains in Mumbai: 1000
Number of youth participated in film screening on share the loan, attended various workshops including workshops share the load and Gaana Rewrite competition.: 13687
Night Marathon number of people participated : 400
Number of girls participated in various workshops on skill training: 92
Number of GRP constables, officers, RPF and Mahila Squad attended training on safety of women : 633
Financial assistance to young under privilege women to complete college education: 177
Number of girls participated in Reclaim the Night Marathon: 70
Youthkatta- a closed youth leaders group online: 381
Stand up against violence website visitors: 9462250
Number of children( 10-14 years) with MCGM support received gender equality education through Kishor Kishori Melas.: 1500
Number of Commuters saw for 182 Helpline Railway Stickers: 7000000
Ariel and Akshara's blogadda's discussion on gender division of labor-posts: 7256900
Gaana Rewrite online outreach: 3124402
Akshara Centre Website visitors: 7118655
Number of girls participated in self-development and Gender related training: 177
Akshara Facebook followers: 5577
Number of conductors of BEST attended workshop on the issue of sexual harassment, linking it with gender : 410
Number of youth participated in Perspective Building on Gender Workshops: 261
 
Rewards & Recognition
In 2016, Akshara team was part of the campaign was awarded the Award for Right to Pee Campaign by the Savitri Sanmaan
RECEIPTS (INR)
 2016-20172015-20162014-2015
Self generated ( fees/ subscriptions/ interest/ community contributions/ proceeds from sale of goods or services produced by the organisation etc.)3,497,9452,462,2421,635,021
Donation from Indian individuals through GiveIndia376,911327,7501,013,000
Other donations from Indian individuals917,475885,600561,000
Donations from foreign individuals through GiveIndia1,095,022238,229122,457
Other donations from foreign individuals149,1210
Grants from Indian sources ( trusts/ govt/ companies/ foundations)549,1851,150,750496,000
Grants from International sources ( under FCRA)7,846,57411,290,6415,932,968
Sale of assets000
Miscellaneous123,31112,0250
Total Receipts14,406,42416,416,3589,760,446
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PAYMENTS (INR)
 2016-20172015-20162014-2015
PAYMENTS (Capital)
Capital items purchased for the organisation, excluding investment ( Fixed Deposits etc.)115,900119,49544,436
Capital items purchased for beneficiaries0027,000
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PAYMENTS (Revenue)
Programme related2016-20172015-20162014-2015
Salaries and benefits2,792,0342,261,1771,483,148
Staff training14,95938,0530
Staff travel229,60154,84871,903
Consultant's fees7,837372,000653,083
Office support expenses ( rent/ telephone/ electricty etc.)0137,78853,556
Materials procurred ( consummables as seed/ food/ books/ provisions etc.)7,974,8635,281,14933,994
Grants/ donations given to other organisations as part of programme000
Depreciation ( to be taken from Income and Expenditure account)92,581102,48968,672
Others11,10953,26026,592
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Non-programme related2016-20172015-20162014-2015
Salaries and benefits173,478377,074345,933
Staff training1,729020,312
Staff travel60,06040,27430,760
Office support expenses ( rent/ repairs/ telephone/ electricity etc.)697,750400,028334,370
Communication ( correspondence/ Annual Reports/ brochures/ appeals/ website etc.)199,42598,29424,676
Consultants' fees ( audit/ legal/ programme )84,62530,00038,000
Depreciation ( to be taken from Income and Expenditure account)000
Other non-programme expenses8,34007,500
Total Payments12,464,2919,365,9293,263,935
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 Registration Details
Sr. Type of Registration
1 Trust [No.F 1656 (BOM)]
2 PAN Number:AAATF0536C
3 12-A [No.TR / 4448]
4 80G [No.80G/2666/2007/2007-08]
5 FCRA [No.83780440]
6 35AC [No.]
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 Auditors
 Borkar & Muzumdar
 21-168, Anand Nagar, Vakola, Santacruz East, Mumbai, Maharashtra
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 Staff Remuneration (INR)
Gross salary plus benefits paid to staff (in INR) p.m. Male Female Total
 less than 5,000000
 5,000 – 10,000134
 10,000 – 25,000066
 25,000 – 50,000044
 50,000 – 1,00,000022
 Greater than 1,00,000000
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Total annual payments consultants (in INR)Number of consultants
 less than 5,0000
 5,000 – 10,0001
 10,000 – 25,0000
 25,000 – 50,0001
 50,000 – 1,00,0001
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 Staff Remuneration (p.a.)
1 Highest Paid: INR 1018200
2 Lowest Paid: INR 39750
3 Head of the Organisation: INR 1018200
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 Board Expenses
Sr. Detail Amount(INR)
1 International travel0
2 Domestic travel13478
3 Local conveyance123600
4 Entertainment expenses0
5 Other0
  Total 137078
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Annual Report & Audited Financials
1Annual report not available.
2Audited Financial Report not available.
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Board Members
SI.Name (Age)Gender, Position, Gross Remuneration, Relation to other members
1 Anjali Dave
(62)		 Female, Chair person, INR 0.00,
2 Shimul Javeri Kadri
(59)		 Female, Member, INR 0.00,
3 Abha Bhaiya
(73)		 Female, Member, INR 0.00,
4 Nina Kapasi
(62)		 Female, Treasurer, INR 0.00,
5 Sudipta Dhruva
(60)		 Female, Member, INR 0.00,
6 Nandita Shah
(61)		 Female, Member, INR 1,018,200.00,
7 Nandita Gandhi
(72)		 Female, Secretary, INR 1,018,200.00,
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Board Members Background
SI.NameBackground
1 Anjali Dave Professor at TISS, 21 years in special cell for Women and Children
2 Shimul Javeri Kadri Practicing Architect, founder owner of SJK Architects for 16 years.
3 Abha Bhaiya Founder of Jagori and Jagori Grameen, women’s organisation in Delhi and Himachal
4 Nina Kapasi Practicing Chartered Accountant for 21 years
5 Sudipta Dhruva Creative Head-The Ideas Box
6 Nandita Shah Masters in Social work and PH.D in Social Science. Has been active in the women’s movement for many years.
7 Nandita Gandhi PH.D in Social Science with vast experience on issues of gender justice
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Board Resolution
SubjectsBoard Meeting/Annual General Body Meeting DateNo. of members presentStrength of the board at the time of this meeting
Budget for the year 2016-201718/02/201777
Programmes/ Projects for the year 2016-201715/09/201777
Annual Report for the year 2015-201616/09/2017910
Financial Audit Report for the year 2015-201616/09/2017910
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Staff International Travel
SINameDestination & PurposeGross ExpensesSponsored% SponsoredName of Sponsor Organisation
1 Urmila Salunkhe Brazil
Participate 2016 AWID Forum Brazil		 INR 241573.00 1 100% American Jewish World Service (AJWS)
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 Akshata-then and now
For a girl who would never get out of her house or talk to people in the past, there has been a sea change in the way Akshata lives her life today. When I used to go out earlier my eyes would remain fixed to the ground. I was so scared to look up at people that I had memorized every twist and turn on the roads, says she. This is the same girl that today performs dance shows and street theatre in front of hundreds of strangers. Having performed in Mumbai as part of a dance troupe. She also nurtures her love for theatre and harbours aspirations to become a theatre actor one day. The various forums that were made available to Akshata as part of the scholarship programme, presented her with the opportunity to explore her inherent talent. The personality development workshops simultaneously worked on developing her confidence so that she would believe in herself and make the most of what life was unfolding in front of her. Once her inherent potential was unleashed her inner fire and drive to excel spurred her onto to eagerly seek out people and opportunities that would help her enhance her skills and knowledge about dance and theatre. When one meets her, it is impossible not to instantaneously recognize the inner strength and resolve that guides her newfound aspirations. This strength is reflected in the fact that Akshata pursues her passion for performing arts not only as a hobby but also as a means of additional income for her family of five members who live in a chawl system in Prabhadevi, Mumbai. While contributing to the family income is a priority, she does not believe in compromising on her education and has just completed her S.Y.B.Com from Kirti College. What sets her apart from girls of her age is the clarity in her thought process and the ability to follow them through with her actions. What is further impressive about her is her skill of articulating the same with conviction and a self assured calmness. Her father proudly exclaims he has the utmost faith in Akshata. While he supports and encourages her interests in performing arts he is assured by the fact that she continues to remain a diligent and high achieving student. He is confident that once she completes her education, she will choose the career that is right for her and her family and assures her of his support in whatever she chooses to do.

You can communicate with Akshara Centre at
Dr Nandita Shah
Neelambari 501, Road No 86, Off Gokhale Road, Dadar West-
Mumbai - 400028,India

Or you can reach Akshara Centre here
Phone : 91 22 2431 6082
Fax : 91 22 2431 6082
E-mail : shahnandita@gmail.com
Website: http://www.aksharacentre.org

   

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