OUR TEAM
SMT. UMA MUNJE
Vice President & Member
Vice President & Member
Having completed her graduation from Nagpur University, Mrs Uma Jayant Munje did her post-graduation in social work from Nirmala Niketan, Mumbai, specialising in medical and psychiatric social work. She had been working with the visually impaired for 4 to 5 years.
She joined Pragati Kendra in the year 1995, starting as a member of the committee and then went on to becoming the Joint Secretary, a post which she served for almost 7 years. Later, she was acting as the Secretary for the organisation, a responsibility which she has been taking care of for the past 10 years. Presently, Uma Tai is working immensely as a Vice President of our organization.
SHRI. RAJEEV ATHALYE
Treasurer & Member
Treasurer & Member
Shri Rajeev Vinayak Athalye, after retiring from Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) in 2012 got actively involved in social activities. He joined Karhade Brahman Sangh, a social activity trust in 2013. He is associated with Meera Vidyalaya and Pragati Kendra since its inception as the school was initially started by his mother Mrs. Shatuntala Athalye in association with Mrs. Khare and Mrs. Kesari at her residence in Hindu colony, Dadar, Mumbai.
For the past so many years Shri. Athalye has been watching the development and progress of the students and now he is actively involved in all the activities of the organization. At present he holds the important position of the Treasurer of the Managing Committee of Pragati Kendra since 2019.
Dr. SUJATA PATADE
Secretary & Member
Secretary & Member
Smt. Sujata is a professional Ayurvedic consultant running a clinic at Parel for the past 34 years. She was the Secretary at Bombay Association of Medical Sciences Graduate Association Mumbai region 2008 to 2010. She was also an Elected Council Member of Ayurveda Prasarak Mandal since 2012.
Dr. Sujata joined Pragati Kendra as a medical officer and have been visiting the school twice a week to take regular check-ups of the children. Also have organised medical camps for children, parents and teachers alongside Medical Counselling.
Since 2011, she is working in the capacity of Joint- Secretary and have participated in all the activities of our organisation. Presently, Dr. Sujata is working immensely in the position of Secretary of our organization.
SMT. VAIDEHI GADRE
Joint Secretary & Member
Joint Secretary & Member
Smt. Vaidehi Gadre has been working as a Clinical Psychologist in Pragati Kendra’s Meera Vidyalaya from 1995 to 2015 and presently is a Joint Secretary of Pragati Kendra.
She has been deeply involved in the evaluation of the aptitude and I.Q of these special children, to find out which skills can be taught to them, bringing awareness to the teachers and parents regarding the behavioural problems of these children along with organizing home visits and counselling. This work, even though very challenging brings her great satisfaction. She does not look at it as job at all and would like to continue her association with this institute for many more years to come.
SMT. SNEHA MAHESH MAYEKAR
Member
Member
Smt, Sneha, completed her degree in Bachelor of Arts and Diploma in Mental Retardation, society for care, treatment, and training of special children in need of special care), later joined Pragati Kendra in 1988 as a special educator in Meera Vidyalaya and worked for the progress and development of these special children.
She was promoted as the principal of the school in 2008. She continued to work and managed all responsibilities of the principal and also arranged seminars, camps, trips, and lectures on useful subjects for students, teachers, and parents which encouraged them to learn, participate and gain more knowledge. She retired from the post of Principal after a service of 32 years in Meera Vidyalaya. She is currently a committee member of Pragati Kendra and encouraging students by her dedicated work.
SMT. TANISHKA PHANASGAONKAR
Member
Member
Smt. Tanishka Phanasgaonkar comes from a Commerce background and is serving the organisation as a senior clerk for the past 20 years. Apart from this, she is a member of the working committee of Pragati Kendra since 14 years and is actively involved in the day-to-day administration of the training centre and in handling public relations for the organisation.
Dr. VIDYA RAO
Member
Member
Smt. Vidya is a professional consulting Ayurvedic physician for 30 years and also running her cosmetology clinic for 8 years in Jogeshwari, Mumbai. She is also conducting Yoga classes for 5 years. Dr. Rao is an elected committee member of Mulund Vidya Mandir school and was working as honorary consultant at Gayatri Ayurvedic Sanshodhan Kendra.
Dr. Rao joined Pragati Kendra since 2013 as a member and started working as committee member for more than 10 years and is participating in all the activities of our organisation.
SHRI. MILIND BAKRE
Member
Member
Shri Milind Bakre was working in a Co-operative Bank for 38 years. In all these years he has gained a lot of experience in retail banking and other areas of administration. He was introduced to Pragati Kendra by Shri Rajeev Athalye and was very much impressed with the noble work that the organization was doing for the welfare of these special children with the desire to do some good work in this field. He joined Pragati Kendra in the year 2019 as a member of the working committee.
SHRI. CHANDRASHEKHAR ANAND GADRE
Member
Member
Resident of Hindu Colony and former Chief General Manager (Finance), MSEDCL (महावितरण), former Director of MPDCL & Govt. Solar Companies, and currently Director at Shushrusha Co-op Hospital, Dadar.
He has served as Trustee of MSEB CPF Trust, Managing Committee Member of MSEB Employees Co-op Society & ब्राह्मण सेवा मंडळ, Dadar, and has been Treasurer of Hindu Colony Ganeshotsav Mandal for the last 14 years.
Being a resident of Hindu Colony, he was aware of the school for mentally challenged children run by Smt. Shakuntala Athlye, Smt. Vijaya Khare and Smt. Shubhada Godbole. Keen to offer a helping hand, he got an opportunity in 2025 to associate with Pragati Kendra and is now serving as a Committee Member, actively involved in the welfare of the organization.
SHRI. MUKUND PANDURANGA GUBBI
Member
Member
He is a retired Development Officer from the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC).
His association with this organization came through Mrs. Shakuntala Athalye and Shri. Rajiv Athalye (his brother-in-law). He has been in contact with the organization since his college days.
He has been helping as much as he can from time to time, attending annual programs, etc. His family had once conducted a workshop to teach Rangoli to the children.
Due to the busy schedule of education, job and other responsibilities, he could not do much. Therefore, he is deeply grateful for this opportunity.
SMT. UMA BAGWE
Member
Member
An architect by profession, Smt. Uma Bagwe brings a unique blend of structural precision and administrative excellence to her endeavors. She currently channels her leadership and management expertise as the HR and Admin Director at C Com Digital, driving the organization’s growth as a key entrepreneurial leader.
Inspired by the noble cause and drawn to the institution by Dr. Sujata Patade, Umaji joined Pragati Kendra with a deep commitment to making a meaningful difference. Leveraging her professional background in design, operations, and human relations, she actively contributes to the committee, supporting the organization’s mission to empower and uplift special children.
SMT. RUTA MUKUND GODBOLE
Member
Member
Ruta Mukund Godbole is a lawyer by profession who has been actively involved in social work since her school and college years. Having grown up closely associated with Pragati Kendra and witnessing the dedicated efforts of her grandmother, Trustee Mrs. Shubhada Godbole, in shaping the organisation, she shares a deep personal connection with its mission. She has participated in several of the institution’s activities, including Annual Days and exhibitions, and is keen to contribute her skills and time towards its continued growth.
