As a mechanical engineering graduate, Anto is thrilled to play a part in the progress of a harmonious society. After completing a two-year course in the Gandhi fellowship program, he dedicated three years to working in the NGO sector. Anto is playing a key role in the content team and get the things in place and planning it accordingly.

Deepak has spent his time studying computer science to help others and mathematics for his own personal interest. He's been curious about how things work since he was a kid, and that curiosity led him to become a teacher of science and math. With almost 10 years of experience, he's become skilled at designing and facilitating learning environments for kids and teachers.

Maya is an educator and a keen science lover with 8 years of experience working in different schools. Her roles have included teaching, training other teachers, and serving as a science resource person. She has a strong passion for making science more accessible to everyone, and she aims to do so through her writing, art, and videos.

A passionate educator, discovered her dream job at Payir after gaining experience in various roles. She has been teaching at Aarvam for a year now. In her view, teaching is not only a way to impart knowledge to others but also an opportunity to educate oneself. She believes that she continues to learn something valuable from every student and colleague she interacts with. Education – M.SC Computer science, B.Ed Experience – 11 Months

She has dedicated 15 years of her life as a passionate educator here at Payir. Her unwavering commitment and unconditional love for teaching have empowered countless children to chase their dreams. Sangeetha believes that hands-on experience is the key to helping students grasp complex concepts effortlessly, and she emphasizes the importance of understanding each student's unique mentality before embarking on their educational journey. She maintains that every student has the potential to acquire knowledge when a teacher is genuinely committed to their education. Education – MA, B.Ed (Tamil) Experience – 15 Years

M. Siva Jothi, with a childhood dream of becoming a teacher, worked diligently to make that dream a reality. Today, she proudly serves as a passionate educator at Payir. During her own childhood, she didn't have much assistance with her studies, except for the support of her father. This experience inspired her to ensure that no child should be left without proper guidance. Siva Jothi is committed to providing education that goes beyond mere memorization. She believes in teaching students through hands-on projects to promote a deeper understanding of the subjects. Her guiding motto is simple: 'Love teaching, love children,' reflecting her dedication to both her craft and the young minds she nurtures. Education – M.SC, B.Ed(Zoology) Experience – 5 Years

As someone who enjoys being in the company of children, she chose a profession that allows her to be surrounded by them. She noticed a stark contrast between the traditional teaching methods and Aarvam's practical approach, which is way too easy for students to understand. She firmly believes that she's been on a personal educational journey as a teacher at Payir for the past year. She claims Payir has been a source of numerous experiences and opportunities to connect with new people, providing her with valuable learning opportunities. Education – D.EL.ED, BA(English) Experience – 9 Years

While studying during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, Yaazhini simultaneously engaged in teaching young children at her tuition center. This experience ignited her passion for teaching. Following her graduation, she embarked on her teaching journey with a one-year stint in a government school. Today, she stands as one of the dedicated science educators at Payir. Education – B.SC, B.Ed(Maths) Experience – 2 Years

Dr. Preethi L Xavier is a Homoeopath and daughter of social worker parents. Inspired by her parents’ work, their values and touched by the suffering of various victims she met in her childhood, Preethi decided to live her life working for the betterment of her fellow human beings. Being a doctor she leads the health team at Payir, guides the education team, leads Thoorigai unit and anchors all Payir activities. Senthil and Preethi are life partners and they also partner in leading Payir as a collective.

Ramanathan is the co-founder of Payir Trust and also schoolmate and close friend of Senthil, Founder of Payir. Ramanathan held executive roles in the semiconductor (chip manufacturing) industry while working in both India and the US. Currently, he is an angel investor and advisor to many start ups in India. He strongly believes Rural Empowerment is important for a developed India.

Senthilkumar Gopalan, founder of Payir, is a passionate advocate for rural development and a follower of Mahatma Gandhi's teachings. After a successful career in engineering and management, including roles in both India and the U.S., Senthilkumar chose to leave the corporate world to dedicate himself to grassroots work in Thenur village. Deeply rooted in the principles of truth, integrity, peace, and perseverance, Senthilkumar's philosophy centers on the idea that life’s values should be nurtured beyond materialism. He believes that society reflects the goodness within us and sees this truth most clearly in the lives of the rural poor. Payir was founded to create a space where these values are cultivated, striving to enhance the quality of life for rural communities through holistic, sustainable initiatives. For Senthilkumar, these values are more than beliefs—they are his faith, his creed, and the foundation upon which Payir operates.

Collapsible text is great for longer section titles and descriptions. It gives people access to all the info they need, while keeping your layout clean. Link your text to anything, or set your text box to expand on click. Write your text here...

Saroja Akka is our senior mason, fondly referred to as our "Architect" due to her extensive knowledge in construction and her remarkable ability to understand plans, drawings, and technical terms. With exceptional skills in managing teams and ensuring tasks are completed within deadlines, she brings a unique blend of expertise and leadership to every project. Her passion for and understanding of the architectural field is truly impressive, making her not only a valued leader but also a joy to work with.

Vellayan is our Senior Carpenter, known for his artistic eye and deep technical expertise in woodworking and carpentry. He consistently strives to deliver high-quality work while minimizing waste and staying within budget. Practical in his approach and calm by nature, Vellayan is meticulous when it comes to ensuring top-notch craftsmanship. Having been associated with Payir for a long time, he is a trusted and invaluable member of the team.

Studio ARKH'ives is a multi-disciplinary team of young Architects & Designers established in the year 2020. It has been run by Co-founders Adarsh, Rajadarshini, Keilaash &Harini who come together in curating minimalist design ideas by ideating simple solutions. Since its inception, the team has been driven towards exploring 'Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Designs' which will also pull in the next-gen young minds. The firm’s motto is to createmore lively spaces with alternate construction techniques which are locally sensitive & adapts natural climatic solutions, taking inspirations from contextual vernacular practices. The firm's futuristic vision focuses on self-sustainable practice for the society, where everyone understands the importance, need& beauty of architecture as livelihood rather not seeing it as luxury.

Guruprasad is an experienced management professional and developer with a track record in digital transformations. He is currently heading Kultivate, an organisation primarily building AGTech applications. His long-standing experience in different spheres of software development helped him with expertise in digital transformation. ​ Guruprasad is a dynamic and value-driven leader with 24+ years of experience in IT. He graduated in Computer Communication from Bharathiar University and started his career building digital transformation for tier-1 telecom industry players. ​ Following his passion for teaching and mentoring, Guru also works as a part-time teacher in a local school.

Aravindan R is a software professional with a reputed MNC. He has been volunteering with non-profits like Association for India's Development, Payir for several years in the education domain. He is a co-founder of a non-profit called DoctorNet India with a mission to make healthcare accessible to the disadvantaged people across Tamil nadu. He has done Masters in Computer Applications, Masters in Social Work and completed a Community Health Learning Programme fellowship offered by SOCHARA. He writes at aravindanrajaram.wordpress.com

Santhosh has dedicated the last four years of his life to working with Payir Trust, specifically on their Education Guidance program. Santhosh and Senthil's paths crossed through their mutual friend Aravindan, which led to a fruitful collaboration. As a director with a small firm based in Florida, Santhosh spends most of his time working remotely from his home in Coimbatore. Santhosh's passion lies in working at the grassroots level and he strongly believes that rural empowerment and education are essential components for developing India into a higher state.

Prasanna is a passionate and dedicated individual with a deep commitment to grassroots development and village empowerment. Her core focus lies in ensuring access to quality education for all, working tirelessly at the community level to bring about meaningful change. Actively involved with Payir, Prasanna plays a pivotal role in organizing and driving initiatives, particularly in Aarvam, where her contributions are invaluable. Her grounded approach and dedication make her a key figure in the efforts to uplift rural communities.

Sathish is an engineer by education and an entrepreneur by profession, currently working in the creative industry as a Co-founder and Creative Director. He is deeply passionate about working with people, especially in the areas of education and women's empowerment. Sathish is involved with several organizations dedicated to these causes, with a core focus on providing equal access to quality education for all, regardless of geographical or financial limitations.