Dr. Indrani Bhattacharya, CEO of Child in Need Institute (CINI), brings over 26 years of expertise in social anthropology and child rights, with a focus on healthcare, education, and nutrition for vulnerable populations. Since joining CINI, Dr. Bhattacharya has led the organization’s mission to safeguard the rights of children, adolescents, and women across India, particularly in marginalized communities. Under her leadership, CINI has expanded its reach to over six states, including West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Odisha, impacting millions through its child-friendly community model and integrated health and education interventions.
Dr. Bhattacharya holds a PhD in Social Anthropology and has published widely in national and international journals. Her academic background and extensive fieldwork have shaped CINI’s evidence- based approach to addressing child protection, maternal health, and adolescent empowerment. She has successfully fostered partnerships with various state governments and international bodies, ensuring CINI's sustainability and growth. Dr. Bhattacharya's leadership has been instrumental in scaling CINI’s adolescent health and nutrition programs, which have received recognition from the Government of India and international organizations such as UNICEF and WHO.
In her career, Dr. Bhattacharya has played a pivotal role in advocating for policy changes, focusing on reproductive and child health, and driving CINI’s influence on national and international platforms. CINI’s impact includes improving the health and well-being of over 50 million women and children, and Dr. Bhattacharya’s contributions have been recognized through multiple national awards, including the prestigious National Award for Child Welfare.
As a Motwani Jadeja Impact Fellow, Dr. Bhattacharya plans to leverage the fellowship’s global platform to advocate for child protection and gender equity, aiming to establish partnerships that enhance CINI’s work. Her vision is to scale CINI’s innovative models to reach even more vulnerable populations and influence global discussions on child rights and protection.
Established in 1974, CINI focuses on women and child empowerment, healthcare, education, and nutrition. With a presence in West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Assam, Tripura, and Madhya Pradesh, CINI has impacted over 50 million lives. It has pioneered the "Child Friendly Community" model and received multiple national awards, including the National Award for Child Welfare twice. CINI plays a key role in health and education systems, scaling its models nationally.
