CORE TEAM
P. Veerabhadra Naika
CORE Team
P. Veerabhadranaika has a post-graduate degree in gender studies and a doctorate in sociology from Mysore University. He has worked on elementary education, rights-based development, and in organising youth. He has conducted indepth studies on ashramshalas in Chamarajanagar district and has engaged in advocacy work related to improving education among tribals/adivasis. His areas of interest are critical development, rural sociology, and educational studies.
H. Muthuraju
CORE Team
H.MUTHURAJU has a Master’s in Biology from Kuvempu University, Shivamogga. He has earlier worked as a head master in a private school and as a member of the BAIF team, Yelandur. His areas of interest are sustainable agriculture, horticulture, and land restoration. He is also a keen computer and camera enthusiast.
At PUNARCHITH he anchors work at the Angarike Maala land and its restoration. He also takes sessions on agriculture during the ILP course.
Suma Hanumantaiah
CORE Team
H. Suma has training in finance and has worked with Reuters and then at Ernst and Young (Bengaluru) for twelve years. Her deep interest in ecological issues and social concerns led her to quit her job and she currently divides her time between VANASTREE and PUNARCHITH.
At PUNARCHITH, she is in charge of accounts and also takes the sessions on accounts for the ‘Integrated Learning Programme’. Her pedagogies for accounts include enabling youth to choose options, make decisions, and critically assess their expenditure patterns. A keen naturalist, she also enjoys working on the land and home garden.
Sundramma
Team member
Sundramma has recently joined the Punarchith team and will be in-charge of the outreach and community activities. She has a B.A degree and around twelve years of experience working in Mahila Samakya. A keen observer and gentle persuader, she enjoys motivating women and children and conducting workshops.
Mahendra N
Team member
Mahendra has completed his Pre-University course in arts but his heart lies in activities related to ecology and agriculture. An alumnus of the ILP programme, he has joined Punarchith as an intern and trainee. He enjoys working on the land and is a keen photographer.
B. Vasantha Kumari
Team member
Vasantha is a resident of Nagavalli and a mother of two children who are studying to be professionals. A hard-worker, she supports PUNARCHITH by running the kitchen and is also an active member of Honneru: The Rural Collective.
Shaila
Team member
Shaila takes care of Punarchith’s learning centre and its maintenance. She also doubles up as a stand-by cook and is now learning to make snacks and food items as part of Honneru production team.
Manuja Priya
Team member
Manuja Priya is an alumnus of the ILP course. With B.A. and B.Ed degrees she is a keen participant in all our programmes and currently anchors the children’s programme and the HONNERU: Rural Collective and its activities. A mother of two, she commutes from the village of Siddhaiyanapura to Nagavalli.
Chandrakantha B.R
Team member
Chandrakantha B.R is a multi-faceted person who combines an interest in agriculture, music, and computers. He will be coordinating the marketing aspects of HONNERU: the rural producers’ collective and also providing music and performance arts support to the team.
Shraddha Kukkuje
Team member
Shraddha Kukkuje is a consultant for Honneru and is working to enhance the organization, production and sales of Honneru products. Shraddha has a master’s degree in Social Work from Christ University, Bengaluru, and is interested in social entrepreneurship and community livelihoods. She is a keen slow traveler who also enjoys living in quaint villages and immersing herself in new cultures.
Sumukh
Team member
Sumukh is a cinematographer and visual storyteller with a deep interest in exploring places and uncovering untold stories. He draws inspiration from music, literature, and alternative photographic techniques. His work spans from touring with independent music bands as a concert photographer to creating films and photo stories as an independent filmmaker. He enjoys covering stories of impact through visual narratives.
Netra Char Bhat
Team member