Team
Saroja leads CAG’s work as its Executive Director. In this role, she oversees the effective day-to-day operations of the organisation, including the planning, implementation, execution and evaluation of the projects. Saroja is responsible for expanding the organisation’s work, ensuring that CAG’s work is kept responsive to the needs of those communities around it. Saroja works to establish a positive, healthy and safe work environment which encourages the team to excel in their respective areas of work. Additionally, she also heads the area of Consumer Protection, where she leads research projects on various consumer issues, counsels consumers on consumer complaints, and engages with relevant public agencies and civil society groups to address gaps in policies and practices. She is known to be a commentator on a wide range of issues, such as telecommunications, e-commerce, and real estate, among others, and is a member of the Central Advisory Committee of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, Committee on Consumer Policy of the Bureau of Indian Standards, State Level Vigilance Committee formed under Tamil Nadu Food Security Rules, State Level Monitoring Committee on Direct Selling, TRAI, and Consumer Grievance Cells of several telecommunication companies. She represents India in the Governing Council of Consumers International, a membership organisation for consumer groups around the world. Saroja is a law graduate from Bangalore University.
Email: saroja@cag.org.in
Amudha is the Office Manager and manages all the human resources and administration at CAG. In addition, she provides support to the accounts team. She has been with CAG since 1987 and has seen the organization grow from strength to strength since its formative years. She also assists the consumer protection team on various projects.
Email: amudha@cag.org.in
Vishnu works on environment and energy-related issues, with a focus on regulatory law and economics, and governance. He currently coordinates the following projects- Electricity Consumer Cells (ECCs), Electricity Billing Governance (EBG), Minsarathai Semipom, and Tamil Nadu - Electricity Supply Monitoring Initiative (ESMI). He is a member of the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF) in Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) a forum set-up by the Electricity Act 2003 to adjudicate on electricity-related consumer complaints. His work encompasses training, capacity building, information dissemination, and advocacy – with specific focus on demystification. He interacts with government officials, responds to government call for comments, and attends public hearings. Prior to joining CAG, he has worked in the non-profit, consulting and academic sectors with an emphasis on programme management and research. He has obtained a Masters Degree in Public Management from Bocconi University, Italy and Master in Economics, Madras University. Previously, he held the position of Researcher at IHP-HELP Centre for Water Law Policy and Science, University of Dundee, UK for three years. He has also held research positions with Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI), India, University of Paris Sud 11, Paris, France, and University of Turin, Italy. He has also worked with the non-profit sector in gender and urban development.
Email: vishnu@cag.org.in
Sumana Narayanan co-ordinates the road safety and sustainable transport projects at CAG. Prior to CAG, Sumana worked with the International Collective in Support of Fishworkers (ICSF), Chennai, where she was involved with research and advocacy on small-scale fisheries – in the marine and inland sectors. She has researched fisheries and aquaculture, with a particular focus on freshwater fisheries, as well as molecular phylogenetics of fungi. She has also worked with Down to Earth magazine, where she analysed and reported on a range of issues including energy, climate change, coastal development, fisheries, waste management, conservation, and ecology. She holds a master’s degree in Ecology from Pondicherry University.
Email: sumana.narayanan@cag.org.in
Shanthi has been working with CAG for more than 10 years as the Housekeeper. She contributes to the upkeep of the office premises by cleaning the office, washing the kitchen vessels, cleaning employees’ desks and the garden. She ensures the office is well-maintained and her work is perfect. She is kind-hearted and calm natured person.
Bharath is a part of the Electricity Consumer Cells initiative, which aims to create awareness among consumers on their rights and educate them about the various aspects of the electricity sector through capacity building and outreach meetings. He has a Master’s Degree in Development Management from Madras School of Social Work, Chennai.
Email: bharath.ram@cag.org.in
Benedicta's interest is in improving road safety in India by changing our on-road behaviours and attitudes to road safety. She is also motivated to protecting our environment and leaving a sustainable earth for our future generations. She is a speech therapist by profession with a master’s degree in psychology. Benedicta also works towards a more inclusive society for those with disabilities.
Email: benedicta.isaac@cag.org.in
Vamsi Kapilavai is a member of the Urban Governance, and Environment and Climate Action team, where he leads projects in Solid Waste Management, Thermal Power Plants and Renewable Energy. His interests lie in technical R&D and research in policy-making. Prior to joining CAG, he worked as a research assistant and project scheduler for a period of five years in Germany and India. Vamsi holds a Master’s degree in Sustainable Power Engineering from the BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, Germany and a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Osmania University. He had received several scholarships during his bachelor’s and master’s studies. When not at work, you can either find him at some random sports club or trying new dishes in his kitchen.
Mala works as a Researcher with the Environment and Climate action team at CAG. She is currently working on researching and writing articles on environmental issues and climate action mainly focusing on coal and its impacts. She holds an All India 28th rank in Cost Accounting and has done her MBA in finance. Her past experiences include working as a System Analyst in Toronto Dominion Bank, Canada . She has also been an educator and administrator at International Indian School Dammam, Saudi Arabia. While she is not working, she likes to express her views on domestic and academic affairs through Quora. She is a cricket enthusiast and a movie buff. She staunchly believes that giving back to society is the most fulfilling experience one can have.
Email: mala.balaji@cag.org.in
Afroz is a researcher with CAG and his current work involves creating audio visual material in the areas of Solid Waste Management and Thermal Power Plants to discuss the environmental, public health, governance issues around these topics. He believes that talking to people through the art form of videos simplifies even complex messages which is why he's so passionate about it. Afroz is a journalist by training and holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Convergent Journalism and an undergraduate in B. Com (CS). During his PG course, he has done internships in The Nakkeeran a Tamil investigative magazine.
Email: afroz.khan@cag.org.in
Divya Arvind is an architect and urban planner who works with the sustainable mobility team. Prior to this, she worked on a detailed research project on reducing automobile dependence and developing a ‘car-free neighborhood’ in Chennai with guidance from CEPT University and CEE. As an architect, she was involved in designing several sustainable buildings and restoration projects. Her interest lies in creating sustainable neighborhoods and compact cities. She is very passionate about art and traveling to different countries.
Email: divya.arvind@cag.org.in
Shankar Prakash is a social and behavioural science researcher examining the intersection between climate change, conservation, environment, rural, wildlife and policing. He has received training in responses to environmental crime at the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), Italy. He was the UN Volunteer for the 14th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice held in Japan. Shankar Prakash holds a bachelor’s degree in Religion, Philosophy & Sociology and a master’s degree in Criminology & Criminal Justice Administration. He completed his PhD, which explored the wildlife crime prevention measures of conservation stakeholders in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve.
Email - shankar.prakash@cag.org.in
Sriram works as an office assistant and helps with the day-to-day activities of CAG's operations. He holds a diploma degree in civil engineering. He is multi-talented with prior experience working as a site engineer and supervising the electrical department in constructions. In CAG, Sriram administers the front office tasks and takes care of housekeeping and maintenance. He also worked with the Urban Governance team, supporting them as a community organiser.
Email: sriram.radhakrishnan@cag.org.in
Divya Kuselar works in the accounts department at CAG. She is responsible for financial transactions, maintaining project funds and documenting financial records. She has 10-plus years work experience as a tele-marketer and accountant at private firms.
Email: divya.kuselar@cag.org.in
Madhuvanthi is a lawyer by training and she holds a Master's degree in Public International Law. For the last 4 years, she has been working in research and advocacy in public policy, including projects in hazardous chemicals management, solid waste management and international relations. She is currently working as a researcher in Environment & Climate Action and Solid Waste Management at Citizen consumer and civic Action Group (CAG) in India, where she is representing the consumer constituency at the negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty. In addition she also works to strengthen research and advocacy at regional levels to raise awareness among citizens about the climate crisis and the plastic pollution crisis and influencing consumer behaviour.
Vanathi is a researcher in the Electricity Governance team. Her educational background includes a BTech in Agricultural Information Technology and a PG Diploma in Environment & Sustainable Development. Driven by her interest in the field of environmental psychology, she is currently doing her masters in psychology. Her hobbies include nature photography and videography, and creative writing.
Sowmya is a researcher in the Sustainable Transport team at CAG. She is an architect and a planner with specialization in Environmental Planning Management from School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada. She has interned with CMDA under the project 'Grid of Roads' which involved mapping, documenting, field visits and coordinating with stakeholders. She has also interned in Auroville where she was involved in sustainable building practices. She is passionate about contributing towards resilient and inclusive cities.
Email: sowmya.kannan@cag.org.in
Meenakshi works as a researcher with the Consumer Protection team at CAG. She holds a bachelor's degree in Food Science and Management from M.O.P Vaishnav College for Women, Chennai, and a postgraduate degree in M.A Development (Sustainability) from Azim Premji University, Bangalore. Previously she has worked with Hand in Hand Inclusive Development and Services as Senior Project Manager - Communications. She also has experience of working with Down to Earth magazine as a reporter for three years. Over the six years of her professional life she has acquired knowledge in numerous fields, including Solid Waste Management, environment, food, health, nutrition, and biodiversity.
Email: meenakshi.sushma@cag.org.in
Kirubakaran is a researcher within the Electricity Governance team. He holds a Master's degree in Energy Engineering from the College of Engineering, Guindy campus and a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University College of Engineering, Kanchipuram. He previously worked for six years as a Teaching Fellow in Anna University and other engineering colleges. He has also completed a six months Advanced Solar Professional Course in the National Institute for Solar Energy, Gurugram.
Email: kirubakaran.b@cag.org.in
Subramani works as Communications Associate at CAG. His work includes social media outreach and analytics, producing IEC materials such as videos and infographics, and managing media relations. Subramani is fascinated by journalism and has a Postgraduate Diploma in Convergent Journalism and a B.E in Computer Science. During his PG course, he has done internships in The Federal and CNN-News18. He has also undertaken several freelance projects such as reporting film festivals, cricket tournaments, etc. When he's not glued to work, he spends time watching sports and movies.