Our Trustees

Dr Milind Kirtane remembers the first cochlear implant surgery he performed 20 years ago. More than 2000 implant surgeries later,  he still gets that surge of excitement when a child emerges from the lonely world of silence to hear children laughing and playing, birds chirping, songs playing, the words his mother speaks and sits along with other children in the classroom ...the wonderful world of sound.

Dr. Milind Kirtane has spent a lifetime as an ENT specialist. He has a vision:  every child with hearing loss must get the opportunity to be part of the hearing world. Towards this end, he works on various fronts. He trains and mentors ENT surgeons so they can acquire the special skills needed for these surgeries. When these surgeons go on to mentor other surgeons, there will be a wider universe of specialised surgeons available, something the country desperately needs. He works with audiologists, speech-language pathologists, special educators and concerned professionals to take up the crucial work of habilitation after the patient leaves the operating theatre. And, importantly, he brings the corporate world into the fold, because their generous support is essential if the transition to the hearing world is to happen in economically weaker sections.

Dr. Kirtane has been awarded the Dr. B.C. Roy award (2005), the Padmashri (2014) and the Qimpro Platinum Award for healthcare (2014). But his greatest reward is the smile on a child’s face when he / she says, “I Hear.”

Dr Kirtane is an Honorary ENT surgeon to the Governor of Maharashtra. He has served as an Honorary Neurotologist for the Indian Armed Forces. He is a member of the advisory committee at Ali Yavar Jung Institute of Speech and Hearing Disabilities, Mumbai for ADIP scheme of cochlear implants. He is Chief Editor of 'Laryngoscope' journal (Indian Edition), published by Wiley Publications. He offers a fellowship program for budding cochlear implant surgeons, which is supported by Cochlear India. Thirty- two surgeons have been trained under this fellowship till-date. In addition to this, he has mentored more than 70 ENT surgeons across India and trained them for cochlear implant surgeries.

Mr. Arun Nanda, considered a quintessential corporate leader, was drawn to corporate social responsibility while working as an Executive Director with Mahindra and Mahindra Limited.  Presently Chairman/Founder, Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Ltd. and Mahindra Lifespace Developers Ltd., he strives to use his 40+ years of corporate experience and standing as a vehicle for social good. For him, Corporate Social Responsibility means more than just compassion. He was responsible for the Mahindra Group to celebrate its 60th year by funding cochlear implant surgeries and habilitation of patients to draw them into the hearing world.

An audiologist with more than 30 years’ experience, Ms. Mohandas started the Audiology and Speech Therapy department at Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai in 1985. She has been associated with the Cochlear Implant Program since its inception in 1996 at Hinduja Hospital. She manages the referral audiology and therapy centers  attached to the Hinduja Cochlear Implant Program. She is currently Joint Secretary of CIGI (Cochlear Implant Group of India).   Ms Mohandas has been working with donors and charitable trusts to secure funding for cochlear implant surgeries in the economically underprivileged. She brings her training and experience to helping the support group of audiologists, speech therapists and educators involved in the habilitation of cochlear implant recipients.

Mr. S. Ramadorai has been in public service since February 2011 having recently completed a 5 year term in the area of Skill Development. During his tenure as the Chairman of National Skill Development Agency (NSDA) and the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) his approach was to standardize the skilling effort, ensure quality and commonality of outcomes by leveraging technology and create an inclusive environment to co-operate, collaborate & co-exist.

Currently, he is the Chairman of AirAsia (India), Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Tata Technologies Limited and also continues to be an Independent Director on the Boards of Hindustan Unilever Limited, Asian Paints Limited and Piramal Enterprises Limited. As Vice Chairman of Tata Consultancy Services, he held office until he retired in October 2014, after an association of over 4 decades with the company.

In recognition of his commitment and dedication to the IT industry he was awarded the Padma Bhushan (India's third highest civilian honour) in January 2006. In April 2009, he was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for his contribution to the Indo-British economic relations.

Among his many interests, he is also passionate about photography and Indian classical music.