Prof. Rajani Paranjpe

Professor (Mrs.) Rajani Paranjpe founded the Doorstep School out of a passion for children and education. As a professional social worker she realized that education was the single most important factor that could bring about a change in the underprivileged groups of our society. With this goal in mind she co-founded the Doorstep School in 1987 with her ex-student Bina Lashkari. The Doorstep School has today become a 750+ member strong organization which serves more than 30,000 underprivileged children at construction sites and urban slum communities in the cities of Mumbai and Pune in India each year.

Rajani Paranjpe has a Master’s in Social Work and is a retired Professor, having taught subjects like Indian Social Problems and International Social Welfare. She has held posts at both the College of Social Work, Mumbai, and the Shikoku Christian University, Japan, and has more than 20 years of teaching experience. In addition to teaching she also headed the Research Department and “Anganwadi” Training Center at the College of Social Work, University of Mumbai.

As one of her numerous contributions to the field of education and teaching through Doorstep School, Professor ( Mrs.) Paranjpe has authored/co-authored 40 graded learning books, including a Marathi picture dictionary for primary school children which was the first of its kind in the education sector.

Professor (Mrs.) Rajani Paranjpe has been recognized for her contributions to the field of non-formal education on several occasions. A Rotary Club Pune Vocational Excellence awardee (2003 and 2009), a Maharshi Karve  Stri Shikshan Sanstha Baya Puraskar awardee (2008) and a Pune Marathi Granthalaya Matrusmruti Purskar awardee (2011), she currently serves as President of the Doorstep School and continues to strive for the education and welfare of underprivileged children.