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.
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.
Anil Kumar
Anil Kumar is a founding member and a mentor at Udaan. He was integral to setting up computer
systems when Udaan started. He now trains upcoming teachers. With a Masters in Information
Technology he is well equipped for this role. At sixteen, Anil longed to take computer classes but was
unable to do so because of financial constraints. It was this childhood memory that led him to help
children without access to computers. Anil divides his time between many organisations such as
Manzil, Nayi Disha and the Himaliyan Institute of Alternatives (Ladakh). This varied experience
enables him to make a difference in the lives of students and teachers.
To Anil, Udaan is a dream that has blossomed into a beautiful reality. He finds immense pleasure and pride in watching his students find their place in the world. Over the three years as a teacher at Udaan, he has not only taught but also learnt. He is happy when students can answer difficult questions as this is a sign that they have come a long way.
To Anil, Udaan is a dream that has blossomed into a beautiful reality. He finds immense pleasure and pride in watching his students find their place in the world. Over the three years as a teacher at Udaan, he has not only taught but also learnt. He is happy when students can answer difficult questions as this is a sign that they have come a long way.
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.
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.
Anil Kumar
Anil joined Udaan as a student and now teaches computer classes. He is pursuing his Bachelor’s in
Computer Programming along with an additional course in network administration. Originally from
Bihar, he has spent most of his life in Delhi.
Anil cherishes the familial bond that he has developed with his students and peers. Udaan, to him, is a place where he can find comfort in friendship and encouragement from others. Having been both a student and teacher, he can tend to children not only in matters of education but also their daily problems.
He currently attends English classes at Udaan and has come a long way from his initial shy nature. He recalls a specific class during his initial days that taught him a valuable lesson. Anil was too shy to attend a class that required him to play a role with a class partner. Looking back, he feels he let down his partner by choosing not to attend that class. He is thankful to Udaan for teaching him to be responsible in a small situation like he faced once. To Anil, Udaan is not only a place that encourages students to do well educationally but it is a family that cares for well-being in all respects.
Anil cherishes the familial bond that he has developed with his students and peers. Udaan, to him, is a place where he can find comfort in friendship and encouragement from others. Having been both a student and teacher, he can tend to children not only in matters of education but also their daily problems.
He currently attends English classes at Udaan and has come a long way from his initial shy nature. He recalls a specific class during his initial days that taught him a valuable lesson. Anil was too shy to attend a class that required him to play a role with a class partner. Looking back, he feels he let down his partner by choosing not to attend that class. He is thankful to Udaan for teaching him to be responsible in a small situation like he faced once. To Anil, Udaan is not only a place that encourages students to do well educationally but it is a family that cares for well-being in all respects.
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.
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.
