About Us
About Us: Empowering Youth Through Skill Development
At Anara Skills Foundation, we are committed to empowering underprivileged youth across India through comprehensive skill development programs. Our mission is to bridge the skill gap by providing tailored training, mentorship, and career guidance that enables young individuals to enhance their employability and pursue meaningful careers. We believe that every youth deserves the opportunity to succeed, and we aim to create an inclusive environment where they can thrive.
Our vision is to establish a robust ecosystem that not only addresses the immediate skill needs of the current job market but also fosters long-term personal and professional growth. By collaborating with educational institutions, government bodies, and industry partners, we ensure that our programs are relevant and impactful. Together, we strive to create a skilled workforce that contributes to the economic development of our nation and uplifts communities, fostering a brighter future for all.
About Our Founder & CEO
Subodh was born in Lucknow(U.P.)and after primary education at Lucknow,completed B.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering from Dr A P J Abdul Kalam Technical University,Uttar Pradesh in 1985.
He worked in Bharat Electronics Limited at Hyderabad and Ghaziabad for over 16 years and contributed significantly in the design, development and productionisation of the ground support system for the Prithvi missile under the prestigious Integrated Guided Missile Development Program of the country.
Subodh joined Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in the year 2007 and worked there for over 17 years till he superannuated as Additional General Manager(Skill Development), Corporate Office, Bengaluru in July 2024.
He contributed significantly as Head of Marketing Department at HAL, Lucknow and was involved in the development and implementation of a unique Skill Development process for the employees of HAL.
In HAL,he has spearheaded programs that have received 3 Copyrights in the field of Skill Development from the Registrar of the Copyrights Office of Government of India.
Subodh has attended Executive programs on Leadership Management and Operations Management at IIM,Calcutta and IIM,Bangalore respectively. He has also received many Suggestion Awards.
Subodh is passionate about India’s Skill Development Program and the skill upgradation of youth from the underprivileged,marginalized and economically weaker sections of the society. He aims to create a positive and long lasting impact on their lives and benefit the nation at large through Skilling programs.
About Our Founder & CPO
Sumita holds a Masters of Arts Degree ( History) and a Bachelor of Education Degree, bringing a strong academic foundation to her teaching career. With experience teaching in schools and offering private tuition since 2018, she is dedicated to nurturing students to achieve a holistic growth . Passionate about education and skill development, she focuses on identifying and honing the unique abilities of each individual. Her personalized approach aims to empower learners to achieve their fullest potential.
About Our Founder & COO
Driven by a passion for social work since the age of 16, Dipa Padmakumar began her journey by offering free tuition to underprivileged children in her school.
Born and raised in Mumbai, she earned a B.Com degree from SIES College of Commerce. She briefly taught at St. Xavier’s School in Nerul, Navi Mumbai, before embarking on a journey across cities, countries, and continents. Living in Mexico for six years broadened her cultural and social perspective. There, she co-founded the Indian Women’s Association of Mexico in collaboration with the embassy, with the goal of raising funds for underprivileged communities in Mexico City.
Upon returning to India, she dedicated 15 years as a full-time volunteer with CMCA (www.cmcaindia.org), serving as a Coordinator for their Civic-Friendly Initiative, which developed products to promote civic habits. She continues to support the organization through fundraising and project collaborations while also actively engaging in community initiatives, such as providing scholarships to deserving students and welfare support for domestic workers.
While in CMCA, She has also completed the Experiential Management Training course from Common Purpose, further enhancing her leadership and collaborative skills.
Deeply committed to empowering lives, she wants to focus on skill development and training, creating meaningful opportunities for those in need.
About Our CTO
With over 26 years of experience in the IT industry, Baiju K J has grown from a trainee engineer to the CEO of a thriving tech company.
A seasoned technologist, he started his career writing code on IBM mainframes and has since transitioned into leading innovative projects in mobile and AI applications.
Known for his expertise in resurrecting failed projects, BAIJU K J brings a unique combination of technical excellence and visionary leadership.
His approach is centered on “winning together,” ensuring that both customers and employees succeed.
About Our CLO
Ms. Shruti Lokre is a qualified lawyer with 20 years of work experience (corporate & litigation) as an in-house counsel in various law firms, banks & financial institutions in India. She has been recognized for excellent legal drafting skills and astute legal advice. She believes in highest degree of work ethics and integrity as non-negotiable part of any given work. As a learner of law, she maintains that the purpose of law is to achieve justice. The sense of social justice that is at the foundation of Anara Skills Foundation (‘ASF’) aligns with her purpose of lawyering for social justice in society. She aspires to use her skills and experience as a lawyer to focus on equity and access to through ASF. She’s a steadfast animal lover and enjoys reading & writing, watching documentaries and a bit of gardening.
Our Vision
At Anara Skills Foundation, our vision is clear: to identify and continuously bridge the skill gaps among unemployed youth across the country, enhancing their employability and positioning India as a global leader in skilled workforce development. We envision a future where every young person has access to quality education and skill training, enabling them to thrive in their careers.
Our Mission
We are committed to establishing a robust ecosystem that identifies and addresses skill gaps among unemployed youth, particularly those from underprivileged, marginalized, and economically weaker sections of society. Our initiatives aim to improve livelihoods and create a highly skilled workforce for India.
