Our People

Founder & Secretary: Dr. C. Joslin Thambi

The Founder & Secretary Dr. C. Joslin Thambi is committed for the cause of the neglected, exploited and un-organised people. He completed M.A. in Social Service and M.Phil in Micro Level Planning in Gandhigram Rural Universty, Dindigul, Tamil Nadu and a short term Development Programme in the UK. He was awarded Doctor of Honors (Social Work) by Open International University for Complimentary Medicine, Sri Lanka for his contribution to the society. Dr. Thambi has also completed HBS-ACCION Strategic Leadership for Microfinance program at Harvard Business School, Boston

As a student he was an active member and office bearer of Student Christian Movement (SCM) and this inspired him to take up a path of social action. He served as Zonal Commander for flood rehabilitation services in 1978 in Pudukottai district and constructed 90 houses. He also participated actively in the flood rehabilitation work in Andra Pradesh. In 1979, he initiated supply of food, clothing and medicine to the flood victims in Cholavanthan, Madurai. In 1980, he joined a service organisation, People’s Association for Social Action (PASA) as Secretary-cum-Programme Officer where he worked for 5 years. 

Dr. Thambi was aware of the pains and suffering of bullock-cart workers, their families and the importance of bullock cart industry, as his father was a bullock-cart worker. He wanted to do something for their upliftment. With the blessings, guidance and encouragement of Dr.Gnana Robinson President of BWDA, late Rev.M.J.Joseph, Ex.Treasurer of BWDA, Mr.Y.David, Ex-Vice President of BWDA, Prof.N.S.Ramswamy, Ex-Director, Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, BWDA formed “Bullock-cart Workers Development Association (BWDA) on 2^nd October 1985. Dr. Thambi has initiated many programmes like financial inclusion, gender sensitisation, health and sanitation, infrastructure development, livelihood promotion, education, capacity building etc. through BWDA for the development of the bullock cart workers, labourers, rural artisans and neglected women and children.  Dr.Thambi served as the Director-cum-Secretary of Bullock-cart Workers Development Association (BWDA) from till 2005 and is now working as Hon.Secretary with full the support and cooperation of staff, committee and well wishers. From 2006, Dr. Thambi is serving as the Managing Director of BWDA Finance Limited. Dr.Thambi is also the Founder-Cum-Secretary of BWDA Arts & Science College, BWDA Polytechnic College, BWDA Institute of Development Finance (BIDFin), BWDA Schools; Chairperson of the BWDA Mutual Benefit Trusts (BMBT); Managing Trustee for Centre for Development Education (CED) and the Editor of Sangamam Monthly Tamil News Letter.

 

Dr.Thambi also works closely with other development organisations and networks and has held and holds various honourable positions. He was an organising Committee Member, International Micro-Credit Submit-organized by Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women Limited; President, Sadhan Tamil Nadu State Chapter, and is a Member of Task force Committee, Prime Ministers Rozgar Yojana, DIC – VPM district; Member of SGSY, DRDA in Villupuram & Cuddalore Districts; Honorary Animal Welfare officer, Animal Welfare Board of India Chennai; Board Member, Sadhan, New Delhi; Member, BWTP; Treasurer, Program for Social action (PSA); Advisor, State Bullock-cart Workers Association, Chennai; President, Tamil Nadu Voluntary Health Association (TNVHA)-Network Organization- member base of 744 NGOs including Hospitals in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry; Convener, Villupuram District Co-ordination Committee TNVHA; President, Social Service Society (SSS)

 

Dr. Thambi has been awarded the Annai Therasa Award, National Environmental Awareness Award, Rajiv Gandhi Sironmani Award, Dr.Ambedhkar Award, Master of Achievement- Gold Star Millennium Award and Kamarajar Award for his contribution towards poverty alleviation.

Director: Mrs. Prabala J. Ross

She was born in an estate in the Nilgris where her parents did excellent work to civilize the tribal folk. She was brought up with spiritual and service orientation, which made her involve in social work in school and college days.

She qualified in the field of Arts with a M.A., M.Ed., PGDTE., and worked in Govt. Hr.Sec.School, Villupuram as PG Assistant in English for 26 years and later as Head Mistress and completed 30 years in Tamil Nadu Government Service. During her tenure she served as the Staff Secretary, NSS Programme Officer, Presiding Officer for Assembly and Lokh Saba Election, Departmental Officer and Chief Examiner for at least 15 government examinations, Chief Examiner for at least 5 centre valuations, Treasurer for State Level Science Exhibition, Secretary for Government Hr.Sec Examination, Villupuram District, Reviewer and setter of 12th standard public examination question paper, etc., She received Dr.Radhakrishnan Award for Best Teacher in September 2010 for her services in the field of education.

Mrs. Prabala has always been an active contributor to the growth and development of BWDA. She has been a part of the organization since its nascent stages in different capacities. She has been the Director of BWDA since 2011. She is also the Honorary Correspondent of BWDA Educational Institutions.