Udaan

Core Team

Geetika Kapoor

Geetika comes from a development and learning background. Her time at Manzil prepared her to establish Udaan. She was motivated to spread the same energy amongst the children of her locality. Growing up as a Sikh and having seen the struggles many face from an early age has taught her compassion. Udaan to her is a space that nurtures curious minds and is a flowering pot for learning, not only educational matters but also humility and love. A mother of two girls, Geetika believes an organisation like Udaan will mould young hearts into bright minded, loving leaders of the future.
Geetika recognizes having an open mind is key to lifelong learning. This outlook is a great asset to Udaan as it will protect the organisation from becoming stagnant.

Arjun Kumar Garg

Arjun joined Udaan during the COVID-19 pandemic as a volunteer, at a time when classes were being conducted online. Alongside his full-time job, he chose to dedicate his free time to teaching mathematics, reflecting his strong commitment to contributing to the learning of children despite a busy schedule.

 

As Udaan resumed offline classes, Arjun continued his involvement and became more actively engaged with the organisation. Over time, his role expanded beyond teaching, and he began mentoring team members as well as contributing to planning and decision-making processes. His consistency, reliability, and willingness to take initiative have made him a valued part of the team.

 

Today, Arjun is a member of Udaan’s advisory board and plays a key role in guiding the organisation’s growth. For him, Udaan is not just a space to teach, but a platform to give back, collaborate, and create a meaningful impact in the lives of students and educators alike.

Rohit

Rohit joined Udaan as a teacher about eight months into the organisation's journey. He initially planned to teach for six months. But once he started, Rohit fell for the warm atmosphere at Udaan. Two years down the line, he cannot imagine his life without Udaan. Rohit takes care of coordinating work and activities along with teaching English and Accounting Software. His initial hesitancy has disappeared. Now he is fully immersed, believing in the value-based education given at Udaan.
As a teacher, Rohit is trusted as a significant figure in the upbringing of students. This means giving them not only a sound education but also teaching them responsibility and values. Rohit appreciates Udaan for their focus. This experience has taught him values that he passes on to his students as well.

Manish

Manish, a dedicated and inspiring individual from Uttar Pradesh, comes from a close-knit family of seven, including four sisters. His journey into education and community engagement began during his first year of college, when he took the initiative to teach computer skills to younger children in his locality. This early experience shaped his commitment to learning and sharing knowledge with others.

 

Through his time at Udaan, Manish has developed both technical and interpersonal skills. Alongside gaining knowledge in computers and design, he has learned how to effectively communicate and engage with children as a teacher. With a deep passion for nurturing young minds, Manish aspires to establish his own institute one day, creating opportunities for children to learn, grow, and pursue their dreams with confidence.

 

Manish is known for his unwavering commitment to Udaan. Whether it is taking initiative in activities, supporting his team, or engaging students beyond the classroom, he is always ready to contribute. His punctuality, sense of responsibility, and selfless approach make him a highly valued member of the organisation. For Manish, Udaan is not just a place to teach—it is a platform to inspire, learn, and create meaningful impact in the lives of others.

Suraj

Suraj is Udaan’s first student. Suraj had found that he had not cleared two subjects in class XII. It caused him and his family a great deal of worry and confusion. His father sold vegetables and among his customers was Geetika who suggested that Suraj go for classes at Manzil. Suraj took this advice and went on to complete his 12 th standard. Around this time, came the idea of starting Udaan. Suraj left Manzil and joined Udaan as its first student!
Suraj went out of his way to do everything he could to get things going for Udaan. He brought in other students, he scoured the locality for a place to hold classes, he sorted out what needed to be done regarding electrical work. He spread the word.
To Suraj, Udaan and Manzil have been places where he found the space and time to get to know his interests and learn things that would help in the future. He had done a year-long computer course previously but he believes the real learning happened when he was at Manzil and Udaan where the emphasis on application-based learning was strong. Suraj now works in the IT department of Pluswealth Capital Management LLP. He is also pursuing his bachelor’s degree.
At Udaan he assists with co-ordinating activities. Suraj calls Udaan a safe space for learning. A place where you are encouraged. It is where he believes he learnt the importance of taking responsibilities seriously. His attitude and desire to learn along with his hard-working and helpful nature has opened up new opportunities for him. He was promoted three times in one year at the trading company he works at! He says – words cannot describe how special the Udaan family is to him.

Roshni

Roshni began her journey with Udaan during the COVID-19 pandemic as a student. As she continued engaging with the organisation, her interest in teaching grew, and after classes resumed offline, she stepped in as a volunteer. In 2022, she became a part of the core team, taking on greater responsibilities.

 

Starting with teaching mathematics and basic academics to younger children, Roshni gradually expanded her role by supporting administrative work at Udaan. Her consistent involvement and willingness to contribute wherever needed have made her a dependable member of the team.

 

Currently pursuing her D.El.Ed., Roshni is working towards becoming a teacher. Her journey at Udaan has played an important role in shaping her path, giving her practical experience and confidence in working with children. For Roshni, Udaan is a space where she continues to learn, grow, and move closer to her goal of becoming an educator.

Neha Vishwakarma

Neha, a devoted volunteer at Udaan, began her journey in 2022 after being introduced to the organisation by a friend. Coming into teaching without formal experience, she discovered her passion through Udaan’s inclusive approach, which values willingness to learn and contribute over academic qualifications. This environment allowed her to step into the role of a teacher and grow with confidence.

 

In her initial days, Neha faced challenges in maintaining discipline in the classroom. However, with patience and sensitivity, she gradually built a friendly and engaging learning space for her students. This experience not only benefited the children but also helped Neha develop essential skills such as communication, teamwork, and confidence. By addressing challenges with resilience, she evolved into a more capable and self-assured individual.

 

For Neha, Udaan is a space that believes in equality and growth for all. Witnessing her students’ progress has strengthened her belief in the transformative power of education. Alongside teaching, her journey at Udaan has played a significant role in her personal development, inspiring her to pursue her dream of becoming a primary school teacher with renewed determination and practical experience.