Chitra Shah Email & Phone Number

As a visionary and a seasoned leader in social change, I bring 23 years of unwavering commitment to the table. My primary focus has been on working with children with special needs, people with disabilities (PwD), and other disadvantaged groups. My passion for justice and social inclusion, particularly at the intersection of gender and disability, is the driving force behind my work, fueling my every endeavor.In 2003, I embarked on a journey to establish Satya Special School, a safe haven for 20 children with intellectual disabilities and neurodiversity. Today, this initiative has blossomed into a beacon of hope, serving over 1400 children and leaving an indelible mark on tens of thousands of lives through specialized interventions, advocacy, and other programs. Guiding a team of 140+ on more than 15 distinct projects, we are steadfast in our mission to foster the social inclusion of people with disabilities. I am also an External Member of several POSH committees for Corporations and a Member of the District Local Level Committee of Puducherry to Prevent Sexual Harassment at Workplace. As active contributors to government initiatives, i hold key positions in several committees, including the Committee for Shelter for the Urban Homeless, the State Advisory Council for the Right to Education Act, and the Prime Minister’s Beti Bachao Beti Padhao program. My dedication and impact have been acknowledged and celebrated through numerous prestigious awards. These include the Pride of Puducherry, Sakunthala Sakthi National Award, Alert Being Award 2020 for being a ‘Good Samaritan,’ Outstanding Social Initiative Award 2017 by Indian Women Network (a part of CII), and the World Cerebral Palsy Award 2018 under the medical and therapeutic category for Satya’s Mobile Therapy Unit. These accolades serve as a testament to my unwavering commitment and the tangible results of my work, instilling confidence in my expertise. My intellectual contributions extend beyond practical initiatives. I have authored a range of research papers, including 'Access to Justice for Women with Disabilities- Status Report from Puducherry ', 'Prevention of Abandonment of Children with Special Needs through Community-based Programs and Intervention ', and numerous papers and publications presented at seminars and universities.