childrenoftheworld.co.in / leadership team
Mrs Mohini Raghunath
Founder & Secretary
Mrs. Mohini Raghunath, founder and secretary of CWD has had a long and distinguished career in the field of child welfare in India. Her scholarship, vision and commitment to the cause of the ‘disadvantaged child’ is the stuff of legends.
Since the 1970s, key policy initiatives, and path-breaking legislation ideas in the field of child welfare in India, especially adoption and sponsorship have been realized under her signature.
A Delhi School of Social Work graduate (class of 1952), Mrs. Mohini Raghunath started her career at the Maharashtra Government-run Beggar’s Home in Mumbai. In 1976, she joined the Indian Council of Social Welfare (ICSW) as advisor. There, under the guidance of Simone Tata, she authored trend-setting guidelines for inter-country adoption.
She represented India at the UN International Study Group on Adoption at Geneva. Her paper on inter-country adoption accurately diagnosed the ills of the prevailing system and came up with a detailed solutions-based plan. The plan, was later ratified by the Supreme Court of India and served as a point of reference for the ensuing legislation pertaining to inter-country adoption.
At a time (in the 70s) when adoption in India was uncommon and carried a stigma, with little or no public debate on the subject, Mrs. Raghunath become an ardent advocate for adoption. She framed guidelines for identifying suitable surrogate parents, treating abandoned children and counselling parents. Her views were respected by the Courts of the day.
In sponsorship, too, Mrs. Raghunath played a pioneering role. She firmed up guidelines for selecting distressed communities in cities, targeting vulnerable families and children for the delivery of benefit programmes.
In 1982, at the urging of Children of the World Norway, she established Children of the World Bombay. Her drawing room served as the first office of the newly-minted NGO. Simone Tata was the organisations’ first president.
Subsequently, her civil servant husband was transferred to Delhi. Mohini Raghunath re-located to Delhi, where she founded Children of the World Delhi in 1991. This time, too, her Vasant Vihar home became the office of CWD; and her flat in Vasant Kunj started operating as the Mamata child care centre. In 2007, both the office and Mamata moved to Dwarka when CWD built its own building there.
Mr. C Pal Singh
President
Mr. C Pal Singh has been president, CWD since 2006. A post-graduate in English Literature, Mr. C Pal Singh rose to the rank of Inspector General in the Indian Police Service. In his long and illustrious career, he has fought terrorism in Punjab, West Bengal, Orissa, Bihar and the North-East. He was the first chief of India’s Rapid Action Force, which he helped set up to combat terrorism. He also headed the Internal Security Academy constituted by the Government of India.
Mr. Singh has been honoured with the President’s Police Medal, Indian Police Medal, Police Special Duty Medal (with bar), and the Sena medal for distinguished service to the nation.
He is widely acknowledged to be a ‘security expert’ and his views are much sought after by media, the security industry and academic institutions.
Since retirement, Mr. Singh has devoted his time to various social causes and philanthropic activities.
Ms. Surbhi Pandit Nangia
Executive Director
Ms. Surbhi Pandit Nangia has been the executive director, CWD since 2015. She has a B.Com (Honours) degree from Delhi University, and an M.B.A to boot.
Ms. Nangia has worked with leading media and publishing houses in various capacities. She was the Country Representative, Business Week; Asst. Sales manager, New India Express group; President-National sales, Planman Media; and Consultant, MediaPlus Publishing.
She has supplemented her corporate career with work in the NGO sector. She has volunteered with the Clinton Health access Initiative, Bachpan Bachao Andolan and the Uday Foundation.
.