VIKAS
Centre for Development
Our Mission
To improve the quality of life of the marginalized communities of Gujarat through planning and implementing development programs which link needs of the communities and resources of the state and industries.
Our Vision
The broad areas of engagement include improving the environment and ecological balance, natural resource development, livelihoods & enterprise advancement, education, health, water and sanitation.
Board of Trustees
Rajesh Shah
Architect,
Founder Trustee of
VIKAS, Since 1978
​
A founder Trustee of VIKAS Centre for Development. He is presently heading the organisation as Managing Trustee(Hon.). The major development programmes of
VIKAS in the rural areas are in the field of Human Resource Development through Education, Training and Capacity Building and Support to Organisations of the Poor. In Urban areas the emphasis is on setting up Micro Credit and Social Security
Systems.
Prof. Indira Hirway
M.A., PhD.
Founder Trustee of
VIKAS, Since 1978
​
A Founder Trustee of VIKAS Centre for Development. Doctorate in Agricultural Economics from University of Mumbai. She was associated with Sardar Patel Institute of Economic and Social Research and Mahatma Gandhi Labour Institute as Professor of Economics. She is now the Director of Centre for Development Alternatives, an Academic Research Centre, Ahmedabad.
Alka Palrecha
Architect,
Trustee of
VIKAS, Since 2014
​
Dr. Alka Palrecha Rawal, Director People in Centre Consulting Services, Ahmedabad,
India has studied M.L.A. (Master of Landscape Architecture) at School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi. G.D. Arch. (Government Diploma in Architecture),Academy of Architecture, Mumbai. Has been Advisor, Natural Resource Management Programmes Ambuja Cement Foundation, Executive secretary, Coastal Salinity Cell, A joint initiative of Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) and Government of Gujarat, Coordinator, Coastal Management and River Basin Management, Aga Khan Rural Support Programme
(India), Ahmedabad, Gujarat,
Harinesh I. Pandya
B.Com. LLB.
Trustee of
VIKAS, Since 2018
​
Mr. Harinesh Pandya, a secretary of ‘Janpath’ a Network of Voluntary organisations in Gujarat. He is a founder and active member of ‘Jan Sangharsh Manch’, Civil Liberty Organisation working on human rights violations issue, housing rights of marginalised sections, issues of displacement due to industrial growth etc. He is actively associated and promoter of various people’s movements in Gujarat, (such as Jan Andolan, Movement against pota etc.) He has worked with Shreyas Foundation, Ahmedabad, from 1982 to 1986 and also worked actively in trade union movement of Gujarat from 1986 to 1999.
Neeta Hardikar
B.A. MSW
Trustee of
VIKAS, Since 2018
​
An alumnus of M.S. University, Vadodara, India (1988-90 batch), currently based in Devgadh Baria. She worked with Mahila Samakhya Gujarat and Janvikas prior to setting up ANANDI.