The XRCVC Team
The XRCVC’s initiative has been driven by a small, dedicated team of professionals who are extremely passionate about the work they do.
Our Mastermind — The XRCVC Director: Dr. Sam Taraporevala
Associate Professor and Head of the Dept. of Sociology at St. Xavier's College - Autonomous, Mumbai. The XRCVC is Dr. Sam Taraporevala's brain child. Dr. Sam wears the dual hat of being actively involved as a Sociology academician and also a renowned name in the field of disability. He is part of several academic committees and National Disability bodies including Member, Board of Studies, Department of Sociology and Anthropology and Member, Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), St. Xavier's College - Autonomous; Member, Braille Council of India; Member, General Council, National Institute for the Visually Handicapped (NIVH), Dehradun and Vice President & Chair, Committee on Policy Intervention& Higher Education, DAISY Forum of India, to name a few.
Our Centre Point — Consultant - Project Implementation: Mr. Krishna Warrier
After spending close to 25 years as a journalist, Krishna felt an urge to take up an assignment with a non-profit organisation in the area of disability. Among other things, he sees to the volunteer requirements and the scholarship process, maintains reports of the varied activities that the Centre is part of, and also focuses on the advocacy and awareness programmes. In his spare time, Krishna enjoys trekking, table tennis and teaching, though not necessarily in that order.
Our Main Man — Executive Assistant and Manager Administration and Finance: Mr. Aniket Gupta
Aniket has been working with the XRCVC since 2004. He is a commerce graduate from St. Xavier's College, Mumbai. Aniket is a vital part of the XRCVC team, handling among other things, overall administration and accounts. He has an avid interest in photography and sports. Aniket lives the proverb, "A friend in need is a friend indeed".
Our Teacher and More — Coordinator - Special Education: Ms. Calveena D’Sylva
With a graduation in Commerce followed by a Consultant level diploma in Travel & Tourism, Calveena walked in corporate shoes for 15 months. However, she decided to fulfil her long-time urge to meaningfully impart learning experiences. Having joined the XRCVC immediately after a degree in Special Education for the visually impaired, she has played a major role in the launch of two books on access technology, and inclusive education respectively. Calveena continues to drive training programmes for the blind and low vision across age groups and profiles, while also overseeing teacher-training modules as well as customized workshops for various stakeholders. She likes to use her proof-reading skills both in and out of the Centre. When not on the job, Calveena is interested in food excursions, developing her writing skills and matching musical harmonies.
Our Scientific Compass — Consultant - Special Educator: Ms. Poonam Deokar
Poonam having a B.Ed. Sp.Ed. degree in Specific Learning Disabilities along with M.Sc. in Mathematics. Working with XRCVC since 2019 as a remedial educator for college students with SLD and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) resource person for Visually Impaired students across all grades. Apart from education, things like reading, listening to music, drawing cartoons.
Our Gadget Guru — Sr. Consultant - Technology: Mr. Sushil Pandit
Sushil joined the XRCVC team as a Technical Officer in 2012 after completing his graduation in B.Sc.IT from Abhinav College, Mumbai. Having done a certification course in Software Testing from Seed Infotech, Sushil is responsible for the accessibility testing of websites, as required. besides the various hardware and software technologies acquired by the Centre. Sushil firmly believes in the proverb, "Work is Worship".
Our Strong Support — Sr. Consultant - Technology: Mr. Keshavan Nadar
Another product of the Commerce Section at St. Xavier's College, Keshavan completed his graduation while working at the XRCVC. He is currently pursuing an M.Com. degree through the University of Mumbai. Keshav is now our point of contact at our first resource centre outside of St. Xavier's College, the XRCVC-Viviana Extension at Viviana Mall, Thane.
Our Sunshine — Technical Assistant: Ms. Shizanne D'mello
Our go-to person for logistical and organisational assistance, Shizanne joined the XRCVC while pursuing her F.Y.B.Com. at St. Xavier's College. Crucial to our accessible content creation process, she is efficient and knowledgeable and always ready to help. Shizanne lets her artistic skills influence even the seemingly mundane everyday activities. That, coupled with her perpetual smile, brightens up the Centre.
Our Computer Instructor — Technical Consultant: Mr. Vikas Dabholkar
Vikas worked in a pharma company for more than 25 years as a Production Supervisor. Post his certification as a Computer Trainer for the Visually Impaired, he has been involved in the training of many blind and low vision persons through various organisations in the city. Vikas has been an essential part of the XRCVC-Viviana Extension at Viviana Mall, Thane since its inauguration in 2015.
