Board of Trustees

Air Marshal Keelor strongly supports the notion that education is the most effective social leveler, and that children from underprivileged background can contribute to the progress of our nation if they are provided opportunities to educate and empower themselves.

“There is general consensus that all sections of our society do not have equal access to education. Though the government is addressing this issue through its various welfare schemes for the underprivileged, individuals and society in general should come together to augment this effort. We can improve the outcome as stakeholders with equal involvement in creating solutions.”

For his distinguished service to the nation, Air Marshal Keelor was awarded several prestigious gallantry awards – the Veer Chakra in 1965, Kirti Chakra in 1978, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 1986 and Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 1989.

Captain Singh has been an airline pilot for over 30 years. She firmly believes that education is the fundamental right of every child and founded Literacy India in 1996 based on the four guiding principles – Education, Empowerment, Employability and Environment. In its journey of 25 years, Literacy India has impacted the lives of 6.5 lakhs children, women and youth in India through its various projects in 13 states of the country. Capt. Singh continues to enthusiastically dedicate her time to Literacy India’s initiatives, espousing the causes of the community.

“There comes a point in our lives when we want to do something that makes a difference to the world. Choos¬ing our mission among multiple options is always based on the difference we want to make; whether it is implicit or explicit. When it is time to pay back to the country, there is a time to involve others and a time to simply take control. One can choose to be a soldier and defend the country’s borders, or one can focus on the per¬tinent issues that the country has been facing. There are many issues where our country needs the support of every individual: population, poverty, hunger, health and illiteracy. At Literacy India, we focus on initiatives that we believe have the potential to create maximum socio-economic impact at the widest level.”

Capt. Singh is a recipient of the International Congress for Women’s Godfrey Philip Special Award for Bravery in Social Cause and the Women Achievers Award (2009). She was the first woman in Asia to fly Airbus 320 and the world’s first woman commander on wide bodied Airbus 300.

Joy Kumar Jain garnered rich experience in audit as well as management services during his association of over 27 years with Price Waterhouse Coopers (“PwC”), including over 15 years as a partner. He has 20 years of experi¬ence in carrying out and managing large and complex valuation, due diligence, corporate restructuring assignments for a host of large Indian and multinational companies engaged in industrial products, con¬sumer goods, automotive industry, real estate, mutual funds, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, IT etc. He is the Founder and Managing Director of Joy Financial Consulting Pvt. Ltd. and is the proprietor of Joy Jain & Co., Chartered Accountants.

A hotelier by profession, Mr. Kalia is dedicated to building vocational skills of the youth and undertakes several projects in training and developing the skillset of our beneficiaries using his experience.

“With changing times, there should be innovation in educational model as well. We should look at futuristic vocational skill training. The focus should be providing employment in the country.”

A financial wizard, Mr. Duggal helps in budgeting and structuring the various initiatives and projects undertaken by Literacy India. He has extensive experience in social work and has closely worked with many mis­sionaries of charity.

“Our education should help and lead to economic growth of the country, and what better way to contribute to the society other than reaching out to thousands of underprivileged children and groom them to be good citizens of the country.”